-Back in the Adventurer's Inn-

"Kathrin, I see you have taken action, mind explaining?" Mainly to help him figure out why both of them had jumped the gun doing this. Which was sure to be a headache soon for him.

"Of course, Kyuketsuki-sama, after realizing the intent of your most brilliant plan, I acted accordingly.” Each word fully displayed her happiness proven by her swishing cattail.

This wasn't helpful at all what was his plan? All he did was go to the public bath, relax, and message Momonga. If he was in battle, countless ideas and strategies quickly came up as to how to manipulate the fight to his design, yet off it, he was clueless.

So far, he had just been getting by with roleplaying and a secure job while staying incognito. He didn't have any grand plan past surviving. Right now, he was just racking his brain on what the proper response in this situation was. Since the only way to undo this would be to kill, then revive Rita.

Idly just thinking about how easy it would be to just try opening a [gate] to Nazarick. Though then he would look stupid if it didn't work or worse all the residents saw him as an invader. Maybe he could try to get her to explain the plan she thought he had.

"Then perhaps you can explain it to Rita here so she may better understand." Kyuketsuki felt the suppression of his panic not shown on his face.

"Of course, Lord Kyuketsuki." Turning to the now werecat girl, loyal golden eyes watching her new pack leader and mistress.

"Be content Kyuketsuki-sama has allowed me to explain this to you. Understand little kitten," Watching as Rita's eyes followed both Kathrin and Kyuketsuki full of desire and joy. Great, he would have to get used to her doing it too now.

"Of course, it brings me great joy to have an unworthy servant, such as myself, to be allowed to benefit a supreme being. I simply cannot express my gratitude to feel your wondrous gaze upon me." Rita dreamily sighing with a look both Jade and Kathrin had whenever it was time to 'rest' in their dorm room.

Sleep was elusive, and he only needs a few hours to rest his mind. He no longer needs true sleep. Still letting the others know it would tip them off that he wasn’t human. Which led to some misunderstandings hidden under a silent zone and illusion spell.

Now leading to the key to the problem in moments of weakness, Considerably pleasant moments of weakness. Which left sitabus unable to turn down both Jade’s and Kathrin’s advances. Kyuketsuki already knew after that turning them down after this would disappoint them some or make them think they had displeased him. Now Rita was sure to want to join in on this.

"Good, you took our private lessons to heart. Now the master's plan is clever. I didn't even figure it out till just a day after we met your weak team. You see, your team will help master test out and experiment with these martial art skills. You all seem to have while also being a cover, so master may rebuild his power base here.”

“We may use this cover to find our home again, but the invitation to join will only extend to those he feels are useful like yourself to his supreme lord of blood only equal to the other supreme beings." Was it wrong Sitabus felt great joy at his battle maids praise even if he didn't deserve it?

While calmly nodding along with this but feeling serval bursts of suppressed panic. When did he say he wanted a hidden network to rule from? They had been here for five days! Sitabus wasn't even sure if he wants to roam the land or settle down in one area?

When did he get raised to a supreme being, he was just an average worker dabbled into programming for working and as a hobby? If only he had Momonga’s help on what to do right about now waiting, he could help with this I mean he kept their guild together and being a salaryman for so long he must know how to handle this situation.

"Exceptional, then you understand now, please explain the rules to Ritana. While I try to contact Momonga again." Sitabus Worked to suppress his nervousness from being visible.

Stopping as he opened the door with a thought he had meant to say. "Oh, and I have been waiting to ask this for a while. Please Clean up your area of the room with a full list of everything you have so we might better consolidate the small space." This couldn’t possibly be misunderstood, and it sounds like he knew what he was doing. Good job.

Closing the door and standing to the side. Kyuketsuki calmly messaging Momonga feeling his paranoia come on full blast. Even as a stream of worrying thoughts came to mind, Sitabus had never stopped to consider both of them would start acting beyond their basic programming from Yggdrasil with such complexity.

Kathrin was way smarter than he was right now, having already gathered an ample supply of red vials and spare bodies hidden away in the cemetery with preservation runes implemented. Written up patrol routes and orders for the ten blood knights and now already perfectly picked a time to start turning out the Green vultures into faithful servants.

All without him even realizing this until she told him today. How Kyuketsuki didn't know, but if he didn't get advice for being just as great a leader on the field of battle as off, then Kathrin might turn on him. He just couldn't bring himself to harm her. It would hurt far too much. Maybe one of the others could but not him. Putting virtual blood sweat and tears into making Kathrin she was actually far stronger, then she should be at level 85 than average. At the max level, she would be at Shalltear's strength if not slightly higher. It would be staggering to the others if they found out just how much data made up Kathrin and her gear.

Kathrin is his secret weapon he rarely used in Yggdrasil unless it was for a hard raid, dungeons fight, or crushing enemies of Nazarick.

Point is if she felt he was unworthy a leader and turns on him unless he went all out. He would be dead while she could just respawn later. Paranoia started circling in his mind, what made him worthy of being there master? What if he was already failing them? It would be a nightmare, and the girls worked fast much to his delight and dismay he would only have but a few minutes till they finished the cleaning task he gave Kathrin and Rita, so this needs to be quick.

Message Momonga...

{Hello?}

Sighing thankfully, Momonga picked up good. {Hey Momonga I need your help quick I don't have much time!}

{Oh, Kyuketsuki, it's good to hear from you. Where are you right now.}

{Look old friend I don't have much time for pleasantries I need advice on being a good leader and you're the only one I could think of.}

{I don't see how I can be much help what's this about.} Sitabus didn't even need to see his face to know Momonga must be giving him an odd look from his voice.

{Its Kathrin! She is just too smart for me; she has already solved every issue I have been worrying about in just a day. Worse, she seems to think I'm some mastermind strategist who wants to take over this city! What do I do?}

{...hahaha wow and I thought I was the only one.}

{This isn't funny are you going to help or not.} Glaring at the nearby wall, how could he find this funny.

{Sorry I have been dealing with a similar situation on my end though we wouldn't be in this situation if you just came back early like I suggested.}

-flashback-

'So, they finally did it.'

'Yeah, it's hard to believe it we spent so long on this now it's just going to end. So will you be coming back to join me here and reminisce about old times? I sent an email invite to the others.'

Looking over the cold stormy mountains scattered about the frozen highest looking down at the raging fight below. The Minnie map showing the battle of red and blue dots as some faded off-screen. With another screen showing the chat between players, he was here finally victory would be his

'Sorry, but I have some personal task to take care of, but I would love to afterward.'

A sigh could be heard from Momonga's side of the link of the message spell though he could not blame his friend.

'You don't have to do this you know our guild is already famous this seem-

'I know it seems hard to understand, but we started YGGDRASIL as friends this isn't just about our rivalry, our bond in this. I need to do this. Already most of his guild is being cleared away. Thanks again for the help.'

'No problem. Just try and meet up if you can.'

'Sure, I would like to hold on-

Launching a massive mountain of ice falling down onto the battle. Watching as the left flank of red dots vanished off the map. Clicking other screens around him to have data crystals appear in hand, even forcing him to shapeshift his hand to hold them all.

"Mass Summon blood swarms." The screen appeared.

Watching as countless saved up sealing data crystals pixelized into form battle lines of mob NPC monsters of varying shapes and sizes Wielding weapons to claws pointing at the battle below.

"Charge Enemy, no prisoners."

Turning, they rained down on the battle below with Kathrin looking static as ever nearby.

'Sorry had to cover this front, but if I have the time, it sounds like a wonderful idea.'

'Well, good luck, then see you later, Kyuketsuki.'

'See you on the other side Momonga.' watching as his old nemesis finally arrived in chat, and a red dot appeared on-screen coming to the rescue of his guild though it was too late. Smiling as he waited atop the mountain.

The message spell ended

-End flashback-

{Well I can't go back in time now can I}

{I suppose not. My advice would be to stick to your role; I mean, you always loved playing the malevolent vampire lord. Just do what you think is best befitting the position, and it should be fine.}

{Thanks, but this doesn't really help are you suggesting I take over a city because even I know this attracts the wrong kind of attention}

Laughter answered him back, great Momonga is mocking him now. {No no Kyuketsuki I mean what did you do in one town in Svartalfheim when we were hunting down The Despairs End.}

{Well, I used my charm and wit to get the local NPCs to help us find it with a questline, but I don't see how this will help unless... Actually, this could work. Thanks, I think I can make this work.}

Hearing footsteps coming up, Sitabus knows it would be weird to just be looking at the wall for minutes on end. Time to cut this short.

{Ok now can you please just-}

{Sorry got to go message you later Momonga.} Kyuketsuki forced a smile as he smelled people coming.

{Wait kyuk- breaking the link just in time as Tarick and Bardic came up, but they looked troubled about something. Waving them over, they rushed up though he couldn't read Tarick’s face even under the hood. Bardic, by comparison, seemed much easier eyes glancing around. It had only been a day since the sewer dive mission and all of then getting promoted to gold rank for the beast slain. Could they be looking for Rita?

"Hoy Kyuketsuki, nice to see you. Have you, by any chance, seen the we lass around. We can't seem to find her, and elfy boy here's getting worried seems to think something's happened to her." Air quoting with his fingers playing off his own fears about the matter.

Great ok, Kyuketsuki could do this. He just has to play it cool, right? They don't know. Maybe they won't even notice the changes. These lycanthropy cats are rare here, unlike Yggdrasil, unless there are hunters; they won't figure it out.

"Oh, I think she is in the room, she just went on a training session with Kathrin just got back." Waving them over to the room. Kyuketsuki felt like he was sweating lightly.

He could feel Tarick’s eyes on him clearly suspicious now between yesterday and this it was just sticking out too much. This is precisely why he wanted to get them all at once. There was just too high a possibility these tight-knit groups would notice. "Really, then you don't mind us checking right."

Even from here, he could hear Tarick’s distrust did healing his old wounds mean nothing ugh. Lucky Bardic seemed sympathetic. "Hoy, what's with the tone, elf’y boy. If he says she was just off training, it's fine better than the poor lass moping like she was."

"Really, I didn't know what was she upset about?" Trying to figure out what might have caused Kathrin to act so suddenly.

"Yeah, actually, I don't mean to be rude but well for a long while. Ritan has been a great leader for us, but well in the last few days. She felt she wasn't living up to the position. It is part of why she was so insistent on taking a mission with the vermin. You have been so outshining her, she seems to think we don't trust her as a leader anymore, so if you could tone down a little for a wee bit. While it might put a pep back in her step if you don't mind." Listening to the speech, Sitabus realized one fatal flaw Kathrin didn't like weakness at all. So, this is why she acted.

"Sure, I don't mind, but I'll have to ask Rita first friend or not. I can't let her get herself hurt because she doesn't feel up to the task here. I think they're just about done now." Just as Kyuketsuki was reaching for the door, Tarick’s hand reached it first, making some space between him and the door.

"No! I got the door. I know she gets extremely possessive about the room." Bardic questioned the apparent lie though, why was the ranger of the group so hostile now what did he do.

Slowly opening the door, inside looked completely different than just a few minutes ago. The front of the room had both Tarick's and Bardic’s stuff untouched. But the back had both beds linked together with his own.

The vampire and his girls stuff mainly dominating the back half the shutters on the windows closed. A red carpet leading up to the bed with all of Ritana’s stuff neatly stuffed into a corner. A sleeping bag rolled out on the floor.

"What?" All three of us spoke at once, trying to grasp the sudden change. A cold glare was directed Kyuketsuki’s way. Really this is not what he meant by consolidating the room. "What did you say to her!" Came the gravelly voice, Sitabus was shocked to feel Tarick's grasp on his collar.

"Calm down, and let's just ask Rita." In vain, then Bardic tried to calm the elve down clearly too busy trying to threaten Kyuketsuki. At least till the third party came in, hopefully, they can defuse the situation before something happens.

A white fingerless gloved hand reaches out, grabbing Tarick gaining his attention. Seeing someone dressed in long sleeve shirt with metal shoulder guards and chest plate midriff exposed with a belt two swords hanging from it along with other potions and pouches and armored pants and high heel boots. Red locks of hair swayed from under a head cap suspiciously similar to Kathrin's with piercing yellow eyes glaring at the elf.

"Tarick un-hand lord Kyuketsuki now if you must know. I just reorganized the room according to importance." This gained the disbelieving questioning looks of both her friends. ‘Oh no, this won't help at all! Why? What did Kathrin teach her in one day?’

"Then why is your bed linked together with his and why is all your stuff packed away in the corner!" Much to Tarick’s confusion and ire along with Kyuketsuki’s dread. Rita only beamed all too joyous to explain what would only compound the issue.

"It's not my bed anymore I decided lord Kyuketsuki earned it after all he's done for us, so I will be sleeping here." Pointing to the sleeping bag, it was ratty, old, and looked like it was in bad shape, where did she even keep it. Then laid down on it like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Here is my place to sleep."

Sluggishly Slow, the irate elf's head turned to Kyuketsuki with rage ablaze in his cold eyes. "YOU! What did your maid do to her answer me!" Bardic looked lost, unable to decide what to do about this conflict because Sitabus had his trust, but so did the elf. Looking impassive as he desperately tried to think of an excuse to this, why couldn't Kathrin just ignore Rita’s moment of weakness. Even Kathrin had one weakness to silver and a slight fear of horses as an odd quirk.

"Look Kathrin just…to his shock, Rita kick Tarick hard knocking the elve into the hall walking in front of Kyuketsuki frowning with disapproval in her eyes.

"They did nothing to me only helped me realize I need to be better if I want to lead this team right, and if you can't see it, then go cool off!" Potently standing in front of Kyuketsuki.

Disbelief rolled off Tarick rubbing his hurting cheek. "You can't be serious! You think I'll just let you sleep on the floor! you're not thinking right the Ritana I know would never stand for this you refused to this for years after we could afford rooms here." Venomously protesting this decision.

"And look where I got us stuck between gold and silver rank for years, we could barely survive off. now we can afford much better and are gold rank thanks to him I deserve to-“

Sitabus putting a hand on Ritana shoulders, this couldn't go on, or the team would break. Sitabus needed a solution that would satisfy both of them, so there was only one choice.

"Enough Rita, I know how you feel, but they are just worried about you besides. I agree you can't go sleeping on the floor. It would endanger the team if you couldn't sleep right. So, I refuse to allow this if you must sleep then do so on my beds. Not on some ratty thing like that, in fact, get rid of it!" Sitabus was as compassionate and caring as possible with a charming smile.

"Of course, lord Kyuketsuki I will do so now." Watching in silence as Rita walked up to the old sleeping bag holding out a hand. She had a tiny orb of flame which came to life in her palm. [fireball] shooting out it burned only the ratty bag, and nothing else it looked far weaker than a regular fireball.

"Now, then, I look forward to sharing a bed with you." Whispering master, so the others couldn't hear it. Bardic looked uncomfortable, and Tarick spoke up. "Fine, then you can go out without me today." Getting up and walking away... well, this was a thing.

-Kevlar’s group-

Sitting in the alleyway nearby the inn. The four watchers saw Tarick come stomping out but was not followed by any of the others. This confused the four children, but they had to do something, so the leader turned to one tapping his shoulder.

"Alright, Grank, you go follow him. He is one of them, right?!" Harshly asking while looking to Tammy, who nodded, "Yeah, it's one of the Green Vultures alright though usually, they stick together?"

"Maybe they had an argument. It happens from time to time." They all agreed with this statement Kevlar had his own argument from time to time with them. Pulse, the guy was new to their group. The only question was, what is the fight about?

"Wait, someone else is coming out too. It looks like one of the maids!" Quickly whisper shouted Tammy.

Looking, they saw this second person was following stealthily from a distance, not getting too close. With a certain aura about them, one Kevlar knew well it usually ended in blood. So, this guy pissed off their new leader hum time for a change of plans. Grinning under his cloak, this was the perfect time to get to know the hands of their future boss.

"Second thoughts. You guys follow the other see if you can learn anything, I'll meet up with this chick maybe get us a good impression." To his reply, scared looks followed as they all got up to stop him.

"You're kidding right, you did hear the stories of the people vanishing because of her. What if she…" Before she could rant more Kevlar hugged Tammy, she was just too sweet for her line of work. He could remember how her own family sold her to slavery to make ends meet another reason to hate nobles, ‘you don't sell off family.’

"It will be fine, guys. I got this trust me! I know, that look. I know what she needs to do, and if I help, then they will trust us, then we're in." This did little to banish their somber looks, but they at least nodded they trusted him as the head of their small family. Maybe not linked by blood, but they all kept each other safe through thick and thin.

Kevlar slinked off, trying to catch up to the chick, but she was fast; it didn't help. He was so short. The crowd seemed too thick to follow, but he has trained for this moment thanks to his gift. Silently casting his summon spell.

Out appeared a mix between a crow and a hawk squawking at him, his old familiar. Linking field of vision with the bird.

"This will never be not weird." Seeing through both his own eyes and tappers' eyes silently telling the bird to follow the lady. It squawked and flew off high into the sky, scanning the crowd... there she was. Rushing to catch up, she was good this much he would admit having trouble not losing her even with tappers help.

Then she turned a corner into an alleyway grimacing. Had he been spotted couldn't be possible yet following people into alleys was the best place to lay a trap.

Taking the chance, he followed but froze when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Well, he saw this coming. "Hello, miss, I think I got lost?" Her gaze did not change; however, impassively looking at the boy.

"Why are you and your pet following me!" With cold, unflinching eyes boring into his soul.

"Haha…well, you see the humorous story is..." even as he tried to think up a good lie, he could feel those eyes piercing right through him, not good.

"Well, I have time to talk." Raising an eyebrow with a confident smirk, which made Kevlar gulp in fear.

-In the back alleys-

Walking through the dirty streets and twisted roads of the city was of little comfort to him, for he now had a mission. One he knew was beyond him. Even if it required their help better the monsters, he knew over this new one! Which had power beyond his comprehension to just eat curses like a snack and manipulate the mind of friends so quickly he had failed to even realize it till now just how dangerous they were.

Tarick ignored it as long as his friends were safe for the world was not a kind place. This he learned well when his home was scorched to the ground, and his friends and family either killed or sold as slaves. He worked with the underworld just to get by even if others died for it. He sold out some just to make things work. He could take much. Yet now this was too much his lifelong friend for all of five years who was stubborn, headstrong, prideful, illogical and petty about some of the stupidest things.

Had burned some handmade sleeping bag, they refused to throw out or get rid of even after they could afford better lodging. Because according to Rita, it was a memento of their time together of their strength. He had a good number of fights with the human girl. Rita was many things, most of them annoying.

But Never one to just bow her head to anyone, not even a troll they once hunted. So, for her to destroy their precious belonging. Like it was trash because someone told them to was not Rita. Tarick’s mind worked to find the answer to undo whatever evil had befallen them. Yet the only clues were they had yellow eyes now, and the same want to serve whatever Kyuketsuki was he was most definitely not human.

Glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one was following. The maid was persistent, but at least she was gone now. Yet what was he dealing with to control a succubus was no easy feat. They were most notably cunning and deadly, knowing just how to charm even the noblest of men. He ran it to someone who had the Gaul to summon one once. The man had died the same night thinking them master only to figure out how treacherous demons could be.

Those other two had no visible sign, but they most definitely weren't human either none of those three were. But without information, there was no clear way to stop them worse all three of them could end him reasonably quickly. Remembering how they fought, all of them had higher tire magic, physically stronger, and apparently could bend even Ritana’s unbending will with ease!

Tarick clenched his fist at the thought.

Right now, the only people to help would be someone strong enough to take them, so he would have to hire THEM. Even if he hated himself for working for scum again, it was better than the alternative. And it would have to be fast before the greedy dwarf fell to their clutches as well.

If he had help Tarick could face this, but would it be enough to stop Kyuketsuki. Before it was too late, was the question? Finally coming to the windowless building sighing. This was going to suck, but at least they could get help. Failing to notice a pair of eyes watching them from the shadows, their eyes tracking his every move as the door closed.

Walking into the place just reminded the elf why he hated humans watching such vulgar acts others paid to see. Angry eyes only looking for one, this woman owed him a favor. From so long ago, they wouldn't even be where they are without his help. Looking around with this disgusting smell in the air of drugs and sex. Something he was reluctantly familiar too being a former slave, but it was just all the more reason to find them and get out of here already.

Finally, he saw the dark-skinned woman lagging about in her own private booth in the back her sensually revealing clothing, and diamond mark on her head may fool some but not the elf. After all, no one was stupid enough to mess with one of Six Arms.

Discreetly walking over and taking a seat. Cold merciless eyes watched Tarick trying to read him. Tarick had gotten used to her ways of working. Edstrom was definitely arrogant and prideful yet good for her word. One of the only reasons the elf had not tried to kill her first meeting Edstrom. Now she was just too strong for him to kill even if he wanted to.

"I thought you never wanted to see me again cliff ears or did you finally realize how good my open position was." The mocking intent was annoying. Another reason why he hated working with her.

"I didn't come here for that! I got a job I need you to help me with personally. No grunts Substitutes or I'm out."

Correcting her posture to accurately look at Tarick interested. "Oh, you know I don't work for cheap. right?" To her surprise, the elf throws a large bag of coins on the table.

Speaking up as Edstrom looked through the contents of the bag. "Literally all I got all the silver and gold, I could make in just the past five days take it or leave it." Edstrom’s eyes sparkled. He knew that look well; this is why she got along so well with these scums they were greedy to the core.

"Will I need something more than this, but it's close enough if." Groaning Tarick hated this so much already. He knows where this was going.

Lowering his hood to glare at the woman, he so wanted to just burn this place down. "If what?"

"If you promise to take five jobs for me, we’ll be business partners again... I'll even share, oh, let's say twenty percent of the earnings."

Contemplating before replying to find the best option here. "Thirty percent no less."

Laughing at this turn of events leaning closer over the table, "Twenty-five, it's my best offer, or I'm not taking the job."

Tarick Sighing bowing his head in agreement. He could not correctly describe how much he hated getting dragged back into this. "Fine. now, can we talk about the target."

"Sure, they will be dead soon anyway. Why don’t we relax and get comfortable like old times." Tarick knew denying getting pulled into her snagging would jeopardize the deal, so he would have to put up with this. It didn't mean he would like it, but the thought of protecting his friends drove him on even if it would have been better to just move on.

He couldn't abandon them because they would do the same for him even if he hated his odds this time around.

-End of Chapter-