From the window, Celstia's blood bat returned, fluttering quietly before turning back into liquid and fading away.
Moments later, Lei slipped through the window, landing gracefully on her feet—then instantly puffed her cheeks.
"Nyaa… I don't like dirt on me," she complained, brushing her tail and ears with a sulky expression.
Norax chuckled softly "Let's move. But before that—Lei, can you hear anything from inside?"
Lei's ears twitched, her golden tail still swaying. She closed her eyes, listening carefully.
The tunnel was silent… and then faint echoes reached her sharp beastfolk hearing "Boss, footsteps… and sounds of drink. We're in the right place."
Norax nodded.
Celstia smirked "As expected from Master. You found it in just a few hours."
"It's thanks to the information unit," Norax said. "We were lucky this time. But stop talking—ladies first."
"Nyaa, I like that part!" Lei grinned and jumped down into the underground path first.
Celstia rolled her eyes.
"Master, let's go."
Norax followed after her, landing softly on the cold ground below.
Magic lamps lined the narrow corridor, casting dim bluish light The air was damp and smelled faintly of iron.
Lei suddenly tensed, tail rising "Someone's coming," she whispered.
Two thugs appeared from the corner, chatting idly.
They didn't even notice Norax—until Lei darted behind them like a shadow.
Bam! Bam!
Both men hit the ground before they even understood what happened.
"Let's go," Norax said.
The three of them advanced deeper through the narrow passage until a brighter light appeared ahead.
When they stepped into the next chamber—
A large hall unfolded before them, filled with at least twenty or more people drinking and gambling "Intruders!" someone shouted.
The thugs grabbed weapons and rushed forward.
Celstia raised her hand
Instantly, frost spread from her palm.
The floor froze solid, locking several men's legs in place.
"Move!" Norax ordered. Lei blurred forward, claws glowing, and slammed into a group of men.
Norax moved left, cutting through their ranks with sharp precision.
"Don't kill anyone!" he shouted.
But before he could finish, a fireball exploded near him.
He stepped back fast and flipped a nearby table to block the flames.
When the smoke cleared, he saw a man in a crimson coat—a mage.
Celstia's voice came from behind, low and furious.
"A mage dares… to attack our Master?"
Her eyes gleamed crimson, and dark wings unfurled from her back—beautiful yet terrifying.
Normally, she never showed them. But this time, anger made her forget the rules.
Lei appeared beside her, holding two thugs by the collars.
"Nyaa, Master~ do they need to live? Ark will get mad if I let them stay alive…"
Norax rubbed his temple.
Celestia stepped forward, eyes glowing pink.
"The mage is mine."
"Go ahead."
Norax gestured. "I'll move inside with Lei."
He dashed down the corridor with Lei at his side.
Behind them, Celstia's voice echoed coldly—
"Let's see what kind of magic you have."
Frost exploded across the room as ice crystals swirled like a blizzard Three more mages appeared, raising barriers to defend against her attack.
Meanwhile, in the next tunnel, Lei's ears twitched again "Nyaa… Master, is she alright?"
"Don't worry,it's better we don't see that" Norax said, not slowing down. "She's stronger than she looks."
They turned a corner—more thugs.
Norax clapped his hands, and black lightning surged down the hall.
The men convulsed and fell instantly Lei and Norax kicked through the rest, moving fast.
The corridor seemed endless "Seriously," Norax muttered, "why the heck is there a hideout this big under a casino?"
He sighed.
The corridor finally grew quiet Lei had finished beating down the last group of thugs, leaving all of them lying on the ground peacefully asleep—well, that was the polite way to describe it.
Norax stepped over one of the unconscious bodies and moved forward He spotted a key hanging from a guard's waist.
"Good. Found something," Norax muttered, grabbing it
He continued scanning the area when Celstia returned, blood splattered across her dress. Her pink eyes glowed faintly.
"Master… this dress is uncomfortable, next time i come as a maid" she complained, flicking blood off her fingertip.
Norax's eyebrow twitched. "Shut up there is no next time—are you alright?"
Celstia blinked, then smiled sweetly. "I'm happy you're worried. But They were only Tier 2 mages. Not stronger than me. Just… their barrier was annoying."
"How much mana do you have left?" he asked.
"It's fine. I still have plenty."
"Good. Lei, send message and bring the other team members. We need them to protect the children."
"Nyaa. On it." Lei sprinted back immediately.
Norax concentrated, searching with magic. "It's the last room. This way."
The three rushed forward.
When they opened the final door, a huge underground hall unfolded before them—almost the same size as the casino hall above.
Rows of cages stood in the middle Inside them, dozens of children were covered in black cloth, all asleep.
Lei hissed. "Drug effect… I can smell it. Disgusting."
Norax scanned the hall. "No guards? They ran away? Or maybe"
He sighed...
—CLACK—!
A sudden sound echoed from behind "Master—!" celstia leapt forward.
A massive stone projectile slammed down where they had been standing.
< If celstia hadn't reacted, someone would've been crushed.>
Lei lowered her stance, ears pulled back. "Hostile."
Norax raised his gaze A huge werewolf-like monster stepped out of the shadows, saliva dripping from its fangs.
Behind it stood a man in a black cloak… along with several more figures blocking the exit.
The cloaked man clapped slowly Celstia's wings shimmered faintly—her vampire instincts rising.
Norax narrowed his eyes. "What a nice welcome. Very good hospitality."
The cloaked man chuckled. "You are uninvited guests. So we will kill you here. If our boss finds out, it will be trouble."
"Boss?" Norax stepped slightly forward.
"Who? A marquis? A count? Whoever it is… human trafficking is forbidden in the Black and White District. And our client asked us to protect these children."
The cloaked man snorted. "You think the people upstairs know anything? You killed all the thugs guarding the upper floors, didn't you? Also find out hideout"
Norax smirked. "If they didn't act suspicious, I never would've found rats like you hiding beneath the casino."
Before the man could respond—A communication stone on his belt lit up.
He snatched it. A cold, distorted voice echoed out.
> "What are you doing idiot? Guardian Knight Order received a report about something in the Red Medal Casino. They will arrive in forty minutes. Why are you still there? What happened their "
Norax's eyes sharpened. The voice is manipulated. They're hiding their identity.
He tilted his head. "Do you like my gift?"
"You…"
The cloaked man clenched his jaw The voice continued,
> "Who are you not let's change question So you're the one who reported them. I don't know who you are… but you're making enemies don't you think."
Norax replied calmly, "Doesn't matter who I am. My client asked me to secure the children. That's enough."
Silence… then the cold voice shifted tone.
> "what a troublesome Kill them. All of them. And bring back the person behind the door in the hall . This is an order. Fail—and you won't see morning."
The stone went silent The cloaked man glared. "You heard that. All three of you are going to die."
He pulled out a small vial… and threw it into the werewolf's mouth The beast roared violently.
Muscles bulged. Bones cracked. Eyes glowed crimson. Then—
TENTACLES burst out of its back.
Lei's tail puffed out in shock. "Nyaa—?! That's not normal! And gross"
Nox inhaled sharply. "A chimera? Why is something like that here…? Dodge now "
Celstia spread her wings. Lei crouched low. The tentacles lashed toward them—
And the battle truly began.
Tentacles shot toward them like spears.
Celstia and Lei dodged instantly, while Norax stepped back, analyzing the monster.
Celstia snapped her fingers—ice magic burst outward.
The tentacles froze mid-air, shattered, and fell to the ground.
But—
SLURP—!
New tentacles immediately grew back, wriggling violently.
Celstia clicked her tongue. "Ugh. Annoying. Master, freezing them won't work!"
Norax narrowed his eyes. "Of course it won't. Unless we destroy the core, it'll keep regenerating."
"So what do we do? We can't keep dodging forever!" Celstia growled.
The cloaked man laughed mockingly.
"Hah! He's right. But how will you reach the core when you can't even get close to him? And I'm supplying him with magic to recover endlessly."
He looked back at the people who came with him.
"You all go. I'll take that person behind the door myself."
They nodded and began retreating Lei's ears twitched. "Not happening—nyaa!" She rushed forward, claws out.
She nearly reached the rear group when—
CRACK—!
The werewolf's fangs snapped toward her. At the last second—Shadow magic wrapped around her waist.
Norax yanked her back. "You'll be torn apart if you go alone!"
Lei landed beside him, fur puffed, heart pounding. "Th-thank you, boss…"
Norax's eyes stayed on the beast.
The tentacles came again Celstia shot several ice lances, but each one was blocked by the wolf's body, protecting the cloaked man.
The cloaked man grinned.
"Without getting close, you can't kill us. Just give up."
"Shut up," Norax muttered.
He looked at the wolf—at the positioning—at the timingn"Lei, Celstia," Norax said sharply.
They looked at him "How long can you hold it back?"
Lei clenched her fists. "I can do it… but only a little more."
Celstia exhaled. "Twenty minutes. After that, my mana's gone."
"Good."
Norax's eyes sharpened. "I only need ten minutes. Can you make an opening for me within that time?"
Celstia smirked. "Ten minutes? That's more than enough."
Lei thumped her chest. "Leave it to us, boss—nyaa!"
The two rushed forward And Norax began his plan.