A heavy slap had awakened him.

Alastor woke up and glances at Cid who is in front of him. Cid noticed that Alastor has been murmuring and turned out eventually he realized that he was having a nightmare.

“You were having a nightmare.”

“How many hours I’m out?”

“Thirty minutes. What exactly did you dream about? You scream like a girl.”

He blankly stares at him. Knowing that they’re on a mission, he can’t risk adding another burden for them.

“Nothing.” He coldly said.

“Alright.” Cid decided not to probe anymore.

Alastor glanced at Comodo. Liber was able to finish two sacks of green peas, he then remembered what the keeper said.

“Two days my ass.” Spat Alastor. “The Comodo already ate two of it.”

Liber woke up from Alastor’s snap. The Comodo stretched and waited for Alastor to carry Sherry onto his back. The three walked and gazed ahead, wearily observing.

Alastor kick the steel filter and went out first. He scouted for a minute before giving a signal to them that it is clear to come out. There may be no commotion in that place but the conflict was near and can be heard a few blocks of roads away from them.

They chose the route where they can’t be seen and discreetly move from corner to corner. They passed the countless house of slums and proceeded to a warehouse. Before they could enter the gate, a stray bullet nearly hit Cid.

“What the fuck is that?!”

“Shh. Lower your voice.” Scolded Alastor.

He observed the bullet that got stuck on the wall.

“It’s nothing but a stray bullet. Let’s go.”

They entered the vicinity and went around to get inside the warehouse by breaking the knob of the backdoor. He glances around and went to the corner. He presses by what seems to be a dusty, old button.

Ahead, the ground divided apart and unveils a downslope tunnel.

“And that’s our secret tunnel.” Said Alastor. “The original purpose of this tunnel was an escape route whenever shits happen. I never thought that we’d use this tunnel in this manner.”

They heard a loud gunshot from outside. Alastor glances around and noticed the bullet pierced through.

“We must hurry.” Said Cid.

Alastor nodded and lead the way. As they entered, the indicator shone bright and the way through the entrance closed.

He was lucky that he got here in time just as the police and the robots that Theo donated to the task force formed a barricade blocking the entrance and interviewed every people here in the city. That includes adventurers, hunters, and outlaws.

The city is rampant. Countless buildings were burning as the smog had dissipated trailing in sheets towards the sky. Outlaws and deviants exchange fires against the police.

He was accustomed to the same situation they are in. One time, he and his comrades robbed a bank and got pinned by the police during the run. It ended a lot of fatal deaths and infrastructure damage that their fight produces.

Thinking back then, he never thought his choice of the side would backfire at his end, and he regretted it now. Never once does he want innocent people to suffer by some senseless horrid desire. The only thing he thinks about is how to earn money, no matter how dirty it is.

It was two years ago when he joined Don Trifalgo’s ranks, three years before Theo’s fully realized enterprise. His first job was to guard the cargos that were being delivered across the region, but ever since he failed to protect the product that Don bestowed on him, he was designated to Vesoga Plain. He never even got a chance to retrieve it even he promised him to bring it back.

He knew that there is something behind that decision but he was not entirely sure about what it was. He only knew what Theo was trying to do when he was approached by the man in a black cloak. He was the one who stopped him during his hunting of the individuals who pickpocket them. He first thought of him as a suspicious individual but when he showed him footage about a man who was involuntarily put on an experiment, he was horrified at the scene. That’s the time he knew he needs to do something about it.

The man in the black cloak said to him that Theo is planning to use his inventions to level the city and put it into ashes. He spent these past few months gathering intel about his connection and the whereabouts of his other base. So far, he only knew a few about it, but the man said that it should be enough. He was not allowed under any circumstances to get caught that he was leaking a piece of information, if so then his friends and those kids he has taken care of will be affected.

“You can still go back.”

Henry’s voice rang inside his head. He regretted it now that he did not listen to his friend, but this is no time to be conflicted by some unnecessary thoughts. He should be focusing on what lies ahead, which is thugs that are hijacking a truck by what seems to be Henry’s, that was parked outside the residence.

The thugs felt his mocking gaze.

“What’re you looking at?! Scram!”

One thug shouted. His gun leaned up to him.

No matter how you look at it, Port is at a disadvantage. There were five of them and he only has his gun at his side. Other than that, their weapons possessed high firepower than his.

He stepped back, looking for another alternative. He observed their fingers, which were tightly locked on their weapons. He noticed in the shadow across the street, the man in black carefully approached them in behind. He signaled Port to wait and climb up the establishment.

He daringly moved forward.

“That’s as far as you go!” The man shouted and gave a warning shot to Port.

This man is serious. He knows how to wield and handle the gun very well.

“You don’t want to do this.” Port started. “If there’s still decency in your soul, please, don’t”

One of the men keenly observed him.

“I know who you are.” The man said. “You’re Port.”

Port gulped. He too realized who this guy is. They were once partners when they robbed the bank, but he was abandoned during the chase. He has no choice, if he helps the wounded man, he would’ve been caught.

“You traitorous bastard! You left me dying in there!”

“Just on my defense, if none of us would’ve escaped, not just me – but your effort would’ve been gone to waste.”

“Agreeable. But it doesn’t justify why you didn’t share the money with me.”

He was about to pull the trigger but suddenly he paused. His men gazed at him. He falls to the ground his soulless eyes remained opened and as his comrade observed his head, they saw a hole in his temple, piercing through the other side.

The other two were taken down as well. Port knew what this means and he quickly unlocks the safety of his gun pulled the trigger, killing the two remaining enemies. The man in a black cloak landed behind him.

“I thought you never gonna shoot.” Port started.

“I thought you’re just gonna allow them to kill you.” He replied.

Port chuckles.

“I was waiting for your signal.”

“Really?” the man said, “In any case, you should’ve chosen to avoid them.”

“Can’t do that. My friend owns this truck.”

“I see. So, he already snapped?”

“Yes. The Canaries managed to infiltrate Theo’s base of operation in the Vesoga Plain.”

“Good. Continue to proceed on the plan and we’ll surely win.”

“And what about the counter agent?” asked Port.

“It is still on the work. Theo’s poison gas is hard to reverse engineer. But my friends are close to reversing it. It would take a few more hours to fully incorporate it to strengthen the healthy cells of humans. For now, your job is to infiltrate Theo’s building to know when he’s gonna release the gas.”

“Just in case your friend is late, I’m gonna engage to stop Theo from doing his plan.”

“Don’t be a fool. You have no chance against him.” He warned.

“Only if I don’t try.”

“Listen to me. Stick with the plan. There’s no guarantee that you will win against him.”

“I’m not just gonna wait and allow him to him release that poison gas in the city.”

The man in black cloak sighed, “All right. Do your worst. But don’t expect me to save your sorry ass.”

“Noted.”