The cool night air surrounded Emmett and Reina as they crouched low in the tall grass just outside the city, the distant glow of Mist City's walls barely visible against the night sky. The moon hung high above them, casting faint silver light over the landscape. Their task was simple, yet crucial—scout the small water inlet leading into the Hill Manor and observe the guards' schedules. It had been Mirabelle's idea to gather intel before making any moves, and she had assigned Emmett and Reina to work together for this reconnaissance mission.
They had spent almost the entire night in silence, watching the patterns of the guards patrolling the city walls, observing how often they rotated, how many were stationed in key areas, and most importantly, when the blind spots in their patrols occurred. The guards, as diligent as they were, had weaknesses. Every system did. They just needed to figure out the right timing.
Emmett adjusted his position, peeking over the grassy hill at the inlet, where the water from the north flowed into the city. He glanced at Reina, who was focused, her keen eyes scanning the area with the precision of someone who had been doing this far longer than him. He admired her calm demeanor; she seemed almost unfazed by the long hours of waiting and watching.
"We've got a good read on their schedules," Emmett whispered. "Looks like they switch every two hours, but there's a small gap between shifts where the wall is basically unguarded. We just need a few more nights of observation to confirm everything."
Reina nodded, her voice barely a murmur in the night. "If we hit that gap, we can get in without anyone noticing. But let's not get too cocky. We need to make sure."
Emmett leaned back on his hands, taking a moment to stretch his legs. His mind wandered, thinking about how close they were getting to breaking into the Hill Manor. If all went according to plan, they would be inside in a matter of days, one step closer to completing the quest. His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed movement on the horizon—something out of place.
"Hey," Emmett nudged Reina gently. "Look over there."
Reina followed his gaze, her sharp eyes locking onto a group of people in the distance, just north of the city walls. There were too many to be normal travelers—about eighty or so—and their behavior was suspicious. The group had stopped just outside the range of the city's guards, well hidden from view. But Emmett and Reina had a perfect vantage point.
The two watched in silence as the group began changing clothes—an odd thing to do in the dead of night. But Emmett's stomach twisted as he realized why it looked so familiar. They were doing exactly what the Thorn Mercenaries had done when they arrived: disguising themselves to blend in.
Reina's brow furrowed. "Are they... players?"
Emmett's mind raced. Another guild, perhaps? They were acting with the same kind of secrecy and precision that only players would. "Looks like it," he muttered. "And that means competition."
He quickly opened his guild chat and sent a message to Mirabelle, informing her of what they had just witnessed. Mirabelle, we've got a problem. There's a group of about 80 people just north of the city. They're acting like we did, changing clothes and staying out of sight. Could be another player guild. Thought you should know.
Within moments, Mirabelle responded. Keep an eye on them, and don't engage. I'll send someone to the northern gate to watch for any activity. Stay low and keep gathering intel on the guards.
Emmett relayed Mirabelle's message to Reina, and they both settled back into their observation positions, keeping one eye on the city and the other on the mysterious group. As the hours passed, the group began to quietly make their way toward the city, slipping into the shadows and disappearing from sight.
By morning, Emmett and Reina had confirmed the guards' schedule to perfection. The gaps were real, and with the right timing, they could easily slip in through the waterway. The challenge now was figuring out the best distraction to pull off while they infiltrated the manor.
When the sun began to rise, casting soft light over Mist City, Emmett and Reina made their way back into the city through one of the side gates. The streets were already coming to life with merchants and early risers setting up their stalls for the day. They weaved through the alleys, eventually making their way to the small inn where Mirabelle and Larissa were waiting for them.
Mirabelle was sitting by the window when they entered the room, her arms crossed, a look of mild irritation on her face. "You're late," she said, her tone sharper than usual.
"Sorry," Emmett shrugged, though he didn't feel particularly guilty. "We were busy spying on the guards and scouting out potential threats."
Reina, ever the stoic one, simply nodded in agreement.
As Emmett plopped down onto a chair, he noticed Larissa standing off to the side. There was something... different about her. She looked more confident, sexier even. She had always been pretty, but now she seemed to carry herself with a subtle grace that wasn't there before. Emmett couldn't help but take a few extra glances in her direction.
Focus, man. She's just another player, he reminded himself. But the way she moved, the way she stood—it was distracting.
Mirabelle cleared her throat, interrupting his wandering thoughts. "While you two were out gathering intel, I did some digging of my own." She gave Emmett a pointed look, her irritation softening into something more playful. "And it turns out, that group you saw outside the city? We know who they are."
Emmett raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
Mirabelle leaned back in her chair, a devilish smile creeping across her face. "Perry Connor."
At the mention of the name, a wicked smile spread across Emmett's face, his mind instantly flashing back to all the petty rivalries he'd had with Perry. The memories of school, the recent fire, and Perry's pompous attitude all flooded back.
"That slimy bastard," Emmett muttered, his grin turning more sinister. "He's got a guild?"
Larissa, who had been quiet until now, glanced at Emmett, her cheeks tinged with pink. The sight of Emmett smiling like that—dangerous and mischievous—made her heart race. She couldn't explain it, but something about the way he looked right now made her feel... different. Her virtual heart skipped a beat as she quickly looked away, hoping no one noticed her reaction.
Mirabelle smirked, clearly enjoying Emmett's reaction. "Looks like we're going to have some competition after all."
Emmett cracked his knuckles, a fire sparking in his eyes. "If it's Perry, I'll enjoy taking him down."
Larissa smiled shyly beside him, feeling her heart beat faster as she watched Emmett. Despite the tense situation, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him even more, that devilish grin stirring emotions inside her.