“So you can’t continue with the mission?” A tall, black-haired man looked down at the twin Spirit Beasts, who were busy shaking from their waists down.

“I’m sorry… We were discovered by the Alliance members far too early.” Kin bit her lower lip in regret as she announced the failure of their objectives. “They’d managed to track down my location through the use of my idol. If I were to stay near the outposts, the Alliance would have launched an attack on us.”

“It’s our fault… We’ve underestimated the powers of the Alliance...” Gin added with the same remorseful expression. Both his shaking legs met the cold, hard concrete of the floor as he said the bitter words: “We’ve failed the Allfather, please punish us.”

“Punish you?” Kuro looked up at the ceiling with one eye kept down on the twins. If he were honest, it would be best to punish the pair for failing the Allfather’s mission. The Black Masks were on the verge of making their comeback into the mortal world, and there was little to no room for error. They had been gearing up for their return to the surface for a decade now, and any fatal mistakes could compromise that blood-stained effort. However...

“No, we can’t afford to lose both of your powers during these sensitive times...” Kuro didn’t allow his emotions to get the better of himself. “I won’t punish you, but that doesn’t mean that you’re pardoned.”

“W-What?”

The black-haired man took in a deep breath before continuing: “Continue with the mission. We need to clear at least half of the outposts in two months.”

“Senior Kuro!” Kin abruptly raised her head, ready to shoot her most eloquent protest. However, as her eyes met the towering, muscular man, she felt as if she were drenched in an icy-cold waterfall. The pressure that Kuro was emitting out was insane, so much so that even a Tier 9 Spirit Beast such as herself couldn’t bear to raise her head.

“You have an objection?” Kuro’s cold voice echoed out.

“S-Senior Kuro… If we continue on the mission, our lives will be in severe danger!” Alas, the deadly pressure wasn’t going to shut the hot-hearted Kin up. Shivering while withstanding his killer aura, Kin talked back to Kuro: “As long as my idol is in their possession, the Alliance would have a method of tracking us down whenever they wish! Against some Spirit Emperors or Spirit Venerates, we might be able to manage. However, after the attack on the Shaolin Saint, the Alliance would be certain to send Saint-levelled beings to deal with us!”

Kin had a point. When Shin came chasing after them, he’d brought Zishen, a Primordial Beast, as well as a plethora of Spirit Venerates from the Alliance. And that was only because he was rushing to capture both of them once they were discovered. If Shin were given the time and opportunity to plan… Kin shivered just by thinking of the possibilities.

Kin and Gin still had many plans… Plans to return to the Moon Valley and reunite with their eldest brother. They couldn’t just lose their lives for the Black Masks and a cause that they didn’t follow.

“As much as I would love to grant you your wish, the outposts of the Alliance have to be cleared. No matter the cost.” Kuro face tightened, drawing gulps from the two Spirit Beasts. “The Allfather’s days are numbered, we can’t delay the Grand Scheme anymore than we already had.”

“... Could you at least send some backup?” Gin interjected. “Our powers aren’t suited for direct confrontation. If a Saint-levelled expert appears, we will become ducks on a platter.” The silver-haired man looked to the side, in the direction of Ao’s floating Payirci. “If Senior Ao works with us, we would have nothing to fear, even if a Spirit Saint hunts us down.”

Kuro frowned: “The aftermath of Saint Suhavis’ death had caused all of our top resources to be tied up. None of the Noble Beasts or the Spirit Venerates that joined are able to assist you. We simply don’t have the resources to help you finish the mission that you’re supposed to complete.”

“T-That...” Gin was speechless. That’s right, the Allfather’s mission to clear the outposts was something that was solely responsible on the twin Spirit Beasts. Their success would mean endless adoration and rewards that they could only dream of. However, it also meant that their failure would result in infinite scorn and frowns, as the rest of the Black Masks would look down at them with disdain.

“Of course, if you beg Momo, maybe she’ll help you out-...”

“No! That won’t be necessary!” Kin venomously spat out her real thoughts, completely ignoring the fact that she was talking to a superior. Gin hurriedly nudged on Kin’s lower rib with his elbow forcing her to curb the hate and anger that was written all over her face. “A-Ah, I mean… We can handle the Alliance ourselves. There’s no need to burden Momo for it...”

“Well, it’s good that you understand...” Kuro let out a sinister smile, seemingly insinuating something. “So, I believe that I will hear your good news soon?”

“Y-yes...” Kin lowered her head in subservience. Internally, however, the woman was already cussing up a storm against the dastardly man who stood before her.

‘This fucking asshole! Using Momo’s name to subdue us… Hmph! Just you wait! Once the Allfather passes on, I’ll see what you can do!’

“Great… So what are you waiting for? Go and finish the mission for the Allfather!” With a spit, Kuro kicked the duo out of his chambers and forced them to take the walk of shame back. They were not only seen as losers who had failed the most important mission that was assigned to them but also were forced to dive right back in without any backup.

It truly was, a lose-lose situation for the twin Spirit Beasts.

“That bastard! How dare he talk to us this way!” The moment that Kin returned back to her abode, she started cursing up a storm. “Just because he gained the power of a Primordial Beast through latching onto the Allfather… Does he really think that he’s our senior?!”

“Calm down, Kin…”

“How can I? If we continue on with our mission, we’re basically throwing our lives away!” The golden-haired woman continued, still exasperated. “Damn it… We should have just kept a low profile… Why did we have to go and accept this stupid mission?”

“You know that it’s hardly our choice...” Gin glanced down, entirely in sync with his sister’s frustrations. “If we keep distancing ourselves from the Black Masks, we’ll ultimately be outcast, and our rank as Noble Beasts would be stripped. Once that happens, the other Noble Beasts would be more than happy to kill us and claim our Immortal-Grade Spirit Armaments for themselves.”

“Tsk, this is getting more and more annoying by the day…” With a sigh, the blonde woman took the hand of her younger brother and slowly leaned on his shoulders. “I miss the days where we could live carefreely… You, me… and brother Haiiro.”

“Yeah… I miss those days too.” Tightening his grasp on Kin, Gin started to reminisce the good times as well. “If it wasn’t for the Allfather… We may still have a younger sister as well...”

“Don’t talk about it anymore!” Kin angrily spat. “As far as I’m concerned, we don’t have a younger sister! Never had, and never will!”

“Yes, yes, yes...” Gin nodded before gently caressing his sister on her crown. “So… What are we going to do about the remaining outposts?”

“Hah… You just had to pour cold water on me...” Kin shrugged her shoulders in dissatisfaction. “But you’re right, the sooner we discuss it, the better.”

“So, what are your thoughts?”

Kin scratched the bottom of her chin as she got her thinking cap on. It took her a few minutes, but the blonde woman finally came up something: “Since we can’t directly target the outposts anymore, let’s change our approach.”

“Elaborate?”

“Our mission is to clear half the outposts so that the Black Masks are able to emerge from the Abyss unhindered. That’s the end result that we all seek. However, since when did we have to manually clear out each and every outpost?” True to her willy nature as the Golden Fox, Kin started to think outside the box.

“You mean...”

Kin’s beautiful face started to contort as heinous thoughts emerged from within: “Instead of killing the sentries that live within the outposts, why don’t we shatter their will to live?”