(Incompetent fools, all of them.)

I continue to wait in my office, sitting down at my desk, examining Clarent. A magnificent blade indeed. The craftsmanship alone would be worth millions! The jewels decorating the hilt, the dragon etched into the indestructible blade, nothing can match the Third Age quality of dwarven blacksmiths.

That being said, it's hard to fully appreciate the blade with the lights flickering. I know that it was my idea to connect the mining facility computer to the hospital server so I could monitor the hospital's actions during the antitoxin attacks, but I didn't expect the Keisetsu to get to the control room so quickly.

My impatience with the appraiser doesn't help my mood either. As soon as I got Clarent, I called in for the highest recommended appraiser to get the exact value of the blade as well as request connections to potential buyers.

(With this much money...it can finally begin. And with cash to spare! So why must I wait when everything is within my grasp!? I don't want to wait! I can't wait! Not with the Keisetsu causing trouble! Not with Oren in my hands!)

Those useless yakuza members better not make things difficult! I told them to leave Sutoria and Oren uninjured, as they are both bargaining chips and sources of extra cash, but it it really that hard to beat a few Keisetsu members? For Rhoken sake, the Keisetsu is outnumbered!

I can remember their disappointment when they heard that they shouldn't harm those two. And rightfully so, in Sutoria's case. Their reason for being behind bars is within reach, yet they cannot achieve their goal. As for Oren, if what I believe is true, he might be the key to answering many of my, no, OUR questions while also creating products that can rake in the dough. Simple restrictions. A straightforward mission. So why?

Kon. Kon.

"Come in."

The door opens, and a dwarf walks in.

"Are you the one who asks for an appraiser?"

"Indeed, I am." I say, extending my hand. "Riva du Perlé is my name."

"Vega King", the dwarf says, "At your service. But down to business, please."

"Sure thing!"

I walk over to my desk, pick up Clarent, then bring it over to Vega.

Vega's expression turns ti one of shock.

"W..!? Where did you get this!?"

"It was a donation. Now, if you would..."

"How did you get this!?"

"Is...there a problem?"

Vega continues to stare at the blade.

"Where is he?" Vega asks.

"Who?"

"Oren Tsurai."

"That name is unfamiliar to me." I lie.

"Where is the young man who owns this blade?"

"I told you, this was a donation."

(Quit with the lies!) my kinder side thinks. (Clearly, this isn't going well!)

(Not now, damn it! I have to think!)

At that moment, the communication crystal in my pocket begins to glow.

(Ooohhh.... For the love of the Rhoken!)

"Excuse me for a moment." I say politely. "I have a call."

I leave the room. I'm not concerned about the dwarf making off with the blade, as I can easily track him down.

"I'm busy right now!" I yell into the crystal. "What's the...!?"

"Hunter!" Jericho's voice says through the crystal. "The plan has backfired! Send help to my friends!"

" Jerimiah?" a familiar voice says. "Who're you talking to? Something wrong?"

(Su...SUTORIA!?!?!? What is she DOING with him!?)

"Sorry, Sutoria." Jericho says. "I need to meet someone immediately!"

"Wait! Where are you going!?" Sutoria asks.

I hear people yelling on the lower floor. Most of them demand someone to stop. Others calling for security. A random stranger running through a hospital. I can see why this is a cause for concern.

(ZUT!)

I turn into a vapor state and proceed towards the area of commotion. Flying over many of the doctors, I go down a few halls to find Jericho struggling to run up the stairs towards my office, being chased by a few security guards with tazers. To help Jericho escape...

"SSSHHHHHHAAAAA!!!!"

BATAN!

I solidify my body, transform my left arm into a snake, and slam its head into the pursuers.

"This way!" I urge, gesturing towards a vacant room.

Jericho follows suit and follows me into an empty office. I quickly close the door and lock it.

PATA!

"Why are you here!?" I yell. "Remember the plan!?"

"The plan has failed! We did everything we were told, but we've run out of time!"

"Your only job was to BUY time!!"

"You don't understand! This isn't some everyday police squad! These are living weapons! Murderers! As we speak, many of my teammates are likely dropping like flies!"

"Remember the deal! In fact, you're only postponing the next stages of the plan!"

I punch him in the gut, making him gasp for air and fall to his knees.

"Did you forget!? I gave you freedom for your cooperation! I expect results!"

"Please... Help...them..."

"And ruin the plan!?"

"Send them...there..."

"And have them drop like flies too!?"

"I know our plan! But separating my team only caused complications! Forget the next step! You got what you wanted! Send the squad assigned to you to save my friends!"

"Don't test me, Jericho!!!"

"J...Je...Jericho!?!?"

Patan!

The door opens...

Revealing Sutoria on the other side.

"Jerimiah? Riva? What's...what's going on!?"

...

"Sutoria!!" I cry. "Save me!"

I run towards her and hug her tightly.

"This man! He tried to hurt me!"

"What in!? What's..what's going on, Riva!?"

While Sutoria is confused, I reach into my pocket and pull out a button.

!!

"You won't!" Jericho proclaims. "Not now! We had a deal!"

(Useless. All of them.)

Kata.

I press the button.

Pi-po-! Pi-po-! Pi-po-! Pi-po-! Pi-po-! Pi-po-! Pi-po-! Pi-po-!

(On to the next phase.)