SICARII

As they walked through the halls, Lino continued talking, his tone casual but firm. "You two don't need to worry about rankings or any of that political nonsense. You're only here for just under three months before you're back with the agency. That said, you'll be placed into different packs depending on the mission. Most likely, though, you'll be working under the Winzo Clan—my pack, Pack 5. I'm the Alpha."

Taizen raised an eyebrow. "Your pack? So you're our boss?"

Lino smirked, not breaking stride. "For now. Don't let it go to your head, pup. Anyway, that's enough chit-chat. Time to meet the rest of the pack."

He led them into a large meeting room where eleven figures were seated around a long table. The energy in the room shifted immediately as Lino entered, his commanding presence drawing everyone's attention. Taizen and Mionara followed him inside, their eyes scanning the group. Each member nodded to them in acknowledgment, a silent gesture of respect.

"Lino," Taizen said quietly, leaning toward him. "What pack are Riona and Fiona in?"

"They just got promoted to Pack 4," Lino replied. "You'll see them around, but they won't be with us for this mission."

Lino gestured toward two members sitting closest to the head of the table. "Alright, introductions. This is Rachel, the Omega—second-in-command." Rachel was a tall, lean woman with sharp eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. She gave them a nod, her expression unreadable but not unfriendly.

"And this is Rex, the Beta—third in command." Rex, a broad-shouldered man with a disarming grin, gave them a small wave. "Welcome to the madhouse," he said, his tone light but genuine.

Lino walked to the front of the room, his gaze sweeping over the pack. "Alright, listen up," he said, his voice commanding the room's attention. "We've been assigned a mission. This one's high stakes, so pay attention."

He pulled up a holographic display on the table, showing a map of the region. "We've been hired by a billionaire named Mr. Walker. He's one of the leading suppliers of weapons to major organisations. His son has been kidnapped, and he's hired the Beast Organisation for our discreetness. He doesn't want word of this getting out—he's afraid it could damage his reputation or put his business at risk."

Lino pointed to the northwest corner of the map. "Our scouts have intel suggesting the boy is being held in a small town in Kirkia, a nation on the border of Nordia. Kirkia is known for its vast mountain ranges and dense forests, so expect tough terrain. It'll take us about ten hours on foot once we reach the border."

He paused, scanning the room. "The plan is this: all fourteen of us will travel to Kirkias's border in a boat. From there, only seven of us will conduct the mission. The other seven will stay stationed a few hours away as backup, in case things go south. We don't want to draw too much attention."

Rachel raised a hand. "Do we know anything about the kidnappers? Numbers, abilities?"

"Not much," Lino admitted. "Our intel is thin. They're likely a skilled group, but their main motive seems to be ransom. Mr. Walker doesn't want to pay it, and he's worried they'll kill his son even if he does. So, we're going in assuming the worst."

Rex leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. "Do we have confirmation the boy is still alive?"

"Scouts believe so," Lino replied. "The location seems active, and there's been no sign of a handoff or... worse. But we'll confirm when we get closer."

A younger member of the pack spoke up, her voice hesitant. "What's the extraction plan? Once we secure the target?"

"We'll move fast," Lino said. "Secure the boy, get out quietly. If backup is needed, we'll coordinate to bring them in quickly. But the primary team has to be prepared to handle this alone."

Mionara crossed his arms, his sharp gaze fixed on Lino. "What's the terrain like around the town? Any choke points or areas where we could be ambushed?"

"The town itself is small, but the surrounding forest is thick," Lino explained. "We'll have to be careful—visibility will be low, and there are plenty of places for an ambush. That's why we're keeping the backup stationed further away. Too many of us close to the target could tip them off."

Taizen leaned forward, his tone serious. "What if we're dealing with more than just a small-time group? If they're better equipped than we expect?"

Lino's jaw tightened slightly. "Then we adapt. That's why we train. But make no mistake—we don't leave without the target."

The room fell silent as everyone absorbed the information. Finally, Lino straightened, his voice steady. "This isn't an ordinary mission. The stakes are high, and the client is powerful. Failure isn't an option. If anyone has doubts, speak now. Otherwise, prepare yourselves. We leave at first light."

No one spoke, the silence a sign of quiet resolve. The mission had begun before they even left the room.

The meeting concluded, the pack dispersed, their movements efficient but purposeful. Lino hung back, motioning for Mionara and Taizen to stay behind. The others filtered out of the room, their quiet conversations fading into the distance. Lino crossed his arms and leaned against the edge of the table, his sharp eyes locking onto the two.

"Listen up," he began, his tone firm but not unkind. "You two are going to be part of the main rescue squad."

Taizen blinked, his surprise evident. "Wait, really? Us?"

Lino nodded. "Yeah. You've both shown you can handle yourselves. This isn't going to be easy, but I wouldn't be putting you in if I didn't think you were ready. Besides," he added, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, "it's not just about strength. It's about adaptability, thinking on your feet. You two might not know it yet, but you've got what it takes."

Mionara crossed his arms, his expression serious. "And if we mess up?"

"Then we adapt," Lino said bluntly. "That's how this works. Mistakes happen—it's how you recover that matters. But I don't think you'll mess up. Just stick with the team, follow the plan, and trust your instincts."

Taizen exchanged a glance with Mionara, then nodded. "Alright understood."

"Good," Lino said, straightening up. "Now go get your gear and prepare yourselves. We're leaving this evening, and once we're out there, there's no turning back."

The hours leading up to their departure were tense but focused. The HQ buzzed with quiet energy as the team prepared. Taizen and Mionara returned to their quarters to gear up. Taizen checked and rechecked his equipment—blades, tactical gear, and a small comms device. Mionara moved with practiced efficiency, strapping on his gear with a calm demeanor that belied the storm of thoughts likely running through his head.

In the main hall, the team gathered again, their expressions serious and determined. Weapons were inspected, maps reviewed one last time. Rachel, the Omega, moved among the group, offering quiet words of reassurance. Rex, the Beta, was more vocal, cracking jokes to lighten the mood, though his own tension was clear in the way he fiddled with the hilt of his blade.

As evening fell, the team moved out to the waiting boat, docked at a secluded port in Delria. The vessel was built for both speed and stealth, its dark paint blending seamlessly into the surrounding waters. It wasn't flashy, but it was reliable—perfect for a mission that required discretion. The team filed aboard in silence, their movements efficient and purposeful, the weight of the mission ahead pressing heavily on their shoulders. Lino stood at the bow, his sharp eyes fixed on the horizon, the usual smirk replaced by a look of quiet determination.

The boat's engine hummed softly to life, and with a gentle lurch, they slipped away from the dock, cutting through the dark, rippling waters. The lights of Delria's coast receded behind them, a stark contrast to the looming shadows of Nordia's landmass to the west. The sea stretched vast and unyielding around them, its surface reflecting the faint glow of the moonlight that pierced through scattered clouds.

The first leg of the journey hugged Nordia's coastline, weaving through channels and around cliffs that jutted into the ocean like jagged teeth. Nordia's silhouette stood against the night sky, its terrain a striking blend of modern development and untamed wilderness. On one side, clusters of glowing skyscrapers and industrial complexes dotted the horizon, their lights casting shimmering patterns on the waves. On the other, dense forests and steep cliffs plunged directly into the sea, untouched and ominous.

The boat's interior was tight but functional, lined with storage compartments for weapons and supplies. Maps of the coastline and mission details were spread across a small table, lit by a faint overhead lamp. Taizen and Mionara sat near the back, their gear resting at their feet. The hum of the engine and the occasional splash of waves were the only sounds as the team moved through the darkness.

Taizen leaned back slightly, his gaze drifting out the window to the towering cliffs and distant lights. "You ever think about how big the world really is?" he asked, his voice quiet but tinged with awe. "Back at HQ, it's all missions and training. But out here? It's… overwhelming."

Mionara glanced at him, his expression neutral but focused. "It's just land and water," he said evenly. "It might look big, but it's no different from what we've dealt with before."

Taizen shook his head slightly, letting out a quiet breath. "I don't know. It feels different. Like, it's not just about the mission. There's so much more we don't know—don't even see. And after what happened last time…" He trailed off, his fists clenching briefly on his knees.

"You're nervous," Mionara said flatly, though there was no judgment in his tone.

Taizen nodded. "Yeah. Nervous, excited… but I'm still thinking about that last mission. About how wrong it went."

Mionara's sharp eyes softened slightly as he replied. "Focus on now. The past can't help you here. You'll do better by keeping your head in the moment."

Their conversation was interrupted as Lino walked into the cabin, his heavy boots thudding lightly against the floor. He crossed his arms, his commanding presence drawing everyone's attention.

"Enjoy the view while you can," he said with a hint of a smirk. "Once we dock, it's all business. We've got about another hour before we reach the edge of Nordia's waters. From there, we'll cut west and travel around the country's coastline. Once we're past, it's another hour to the landing point near Kirka's border."

Taizen hesitated, then asked, "What's Kirka like? I've only ever heard rumors."

Lino leaned back against the wall, his tone steady. "Kirka's a strange place. Most of the country is rugged—mountains, forests, small villages scattered here and there. But in the north, behind one of the largest mountain ranges in the region, there's a massive city. It's modern, wealthy, and home to almost 90% of Kirka's population. The rest of the country? It's like stepping back in time."

"Sounds unstable," Mionara remarked.

"It is," Lino replied. "Kirka's history is full of conflicts, mostly with Winko, its neighbor. And Winko's another oddity. For a country that doesn't have many Sicarii, they've got a military force that's ridiculously strong. No one knows how or why, but they've managed to keep Kirka in check for decades."

Taizen frowned, leaning forward slightly. "Wait. You're saying there are Sicarii outside the six major organizations?"

Lino chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course there are. Not every Sicarii wants to be part of the big six. Some join regular militaries, some live quiet lives, and others… well, let's just say there are bloodlines out there that are so rare, most people think they're myths. But they're real, and some of them are stronger than anything you've seen."

Taizen blinked in surprise. "And they just… live normal lives?"

"Some of them, yeah," Lino said. "Not everyone with power wants to be part of the chaos. But make no mistake—when they show up, they make an impact."

Mionara's sharp tone cut in. "Why don't we know about this? Shouldn't the agency have taught us this stuff?"

Lino smirked, the amusement returning to his face. "The agency needs better teachers, clearly. You're out here now, though. Consider this your crash course in how the world actually works."

The conversation lulled as the boat continued its journey, skimming the dark waters. The tension in the cabin grew as the coastline of Nordia faded into the distance, replaced by the looming shadow of Kirka's rugged border. The team knew that whatever awaited them on the other side, it would demand everything they had—and more.