The core members of the Blood Hound usually band up here for meetings or convention.

Percy. American boy. From Texas. As introduced before, he is a hacker who possesses unique ability in handling digital technology.

Lady Scorpio. A Scorpio who likes scorpions. Mixed ethnicity of IsraelChinese descent.

Fatsoy. From India. Chubby features. Extremely flexible. Likes soy sauce a lot.

Serpent. European. One of the earliest member. Poison-based Alchemist. Likes to tinker and experiment with drugs or toxins during combat.

Simba...

"Wait. Where is Simba?"

The voluptuous woman shrugged. "He keeps claiming that he's stronger than a machine at the crop cultivation area. I'm guessing he's there."

Blackbear nodded. "Is Louis at camp?"

"I think so. So are we bringing him as support?" Percy answered this time, spinning a pencil speedily around his fingers to bequeath it acrobatic abilities.

"Yes we are. Ok then, I guess someone's missing out on the fun. Leave Simba here to handle Bloodhound. The rest of us and Louis will proceed to Wuhan."

—————————————————

"We have to attend lessons? h.e.l.l nah, I'm skipping cla.s.s."

Atlas waved his head fiercely like an animal attempting to remove the wetness on their fur.

They were currently at Atlas's favorite hangout—— the canteen.

While speaking, Nova cleaned his Sniper thoroughly with absolute care. "Up to you. It isn't compulsory. They teach about basic elementary knowledge to Warriors, mostly for those rich family kids as they don't have our experience."

"Therefore," Atlas paused to gobble up the noodles before him. "We becomes truants and go to the library. Might as well do extensive research on the Sinister Scale. Also, is there even a library here?"

"Yes there is, and it is super glamorous!" A random person with sunken eyes and scruffy tangled hair popped out of nowhere.

"Woah! Tristan? Why you lookin like a hobo? This is only the third day!" Atlas choked on a string of noodle. Nova jumped away with his Sniper to evade the morsels of saliva.

"The library is like a labyrinth for books and knowledge! PS, it's on the negative 4th floor. I was exploring it yesterday." Tristan placed his tray on the table, blowing and slurping a bowl of steaming chicken soup.

"I'm not even gonna question how one night managed to make you look like you haven't slept for days. After you finish up, it would be great if you showed us around it." Atlas said, gulping down the last portion of noodles.

——————————

"So Sinister Scales is an Outland illegal Corporation. Basically they have small local cliques of Warriors based around Wuhan that cause mayhem to the city. Squads have been deployed previously to wipe them out, but they just keep coming back. Your mission is to tackle straight into their stronghold, which is in Daxrim City, and destroy their main structure and key members. To permanently raze them to the ground."

Tristan concluded all the information they could find. The environment of the library was astoundingly tranquil, embezzlement

"Their head is called Borus, a local of Wuhan. He's a Tier 6 Elite Axonn. Very powerful compared to any of you. He has two main henchmen, a Tier 5 Tyro Axonn and a Tier 5 Expert Axonn. Under their control, they still have 10 or so, nearly 20 Axonns and more than 100 Aura Users. You sure you thought carefully before accepting this mission?"

"We can ace it! No worries!" Nova and Atlas first b.u.mped one another.

Tristan stared at them, dumbfounded. What a brave decision by the person who looks alike the idol he admires greatly!

"Because you are coming with us too Tristan!"

"Slow down there. I don't remember agreeing to this!" Tristan wailed, loud enough for the woman behind him to shush him quiet.

Whispering, Tristan glared at Atlas and Nova. "Sorry bout that. Why you gotta drag me in though?!"

"Well first of all, your mission is two days later, so it won't coincide. Secondly, we need more hands, so you're a good selection for aid. Thirdly, we don't know much people who's strong enough as well." Nova lifted three fingers in total, patting Tristan on the shoulder.

Atlas added as soon as he saw Tristan's grumpy expression. "Plus, this will be an excellent opportunity to train your combat skills. That's what you want, right? To improve battle instinct."

"Fine. I'm officially convinced."

——————————

Everyone at the airport frowned with bewilderment upon the weird combination and dressing of the group of alighting pa.s.sengers, as if they were watching a walking freak show.

Despite the cold weather, they were wearing summer clothing and were still chattering lively as if immune to the low temperature.

As the youngest boy with golden hair and smart green eyes moved his sight away from his Nintendo Switch to avoid b.u.mping into the pa.s.serby, he noticed four figures far at the corner of the airport, one of them who was waving being extra familiar.

"Guys! Atlas is there!" Percy immediately dashed towards the tallest figure. The rest glanced at that direction to double check, soon following suit.

"Yo! Over here!" Atlas continued waving while slurping orange juice from KFC. "How's the team Blackbear?"

"Haha! Told you so. I win! You lose! I win! You lose!"

The Indian man cheered, doing a boogie dance. The blubber on his body wobbled with every twerk.

Percy s.h.i.+elded his eyes from this absurd scene, murmuring. "Stop that. Or else I'll corrupt all your hidden p.o.r.n files."

"Hey! Don't ruin my reputation in public! All I want is my prize!"

The voluptuous lady rolled her eyes, pa.s.sing a pile of cash to him. "Geez, nothing to be so excited about. Just a simple betting."

Atlas furrowed his brows with confusion, motioning to Serpent. "What the h.e.l.l are they doing?"

"Haha!" Lady Scorpio laughed this time, s.n.a.t.c.hing the pile of money Fatsoy just earned. "You were so confident about the second betting! Played yourself!"

While Fatsoy cried with rebellion, Serpent explained. "It's some dumb game about who you'd talk to first and then second. So immature am I right?"

Atlas just smiled.

"Who are those three behind you?" Percy who has put away his device realized that Atlas still had three companions behind him, one of them being Petal, whom Nova eventually convinced to partic.i.p.ate in.

He reached out, introducing himself gleefully.

"Atlas, I see you brought cute friends along. Mind if I asked their numbers?" Lady Scorpio smirked at Nova and Tristan, rendering them to blush, especially for Tristan who was younger.

Percy leaped up, blocking Lady Scorpio face with slight jealousy.

However, Serpent's and Blackbear's reaction did not fit the mood as soon as they scrutinized Nova, Tristan and Petal.

"These two gentlemen and this beautiful lady. Are you both Axonns too?" Blackbear gestured a fist in palm salute, asking politely.

"Oh... gentlemen, I didn't think you were..." Lady Scorpio grinned awkwardly. She did not expect two underage boys to be Axonns.

"No, no worries." Tristan shook his head.

Atlas scanned the group. It seems like they were lacking a member of the cool squad. "Where's Simba? I thought you'd bring him here."

Blackbear shrugged. "Needed someone to handle Blood Hound, and so he was the unlucky one."

Atlas nodded as an answer. "I see. Well then, let's get ready to board another flight. We're heading to Daxrim City. I'll give further details when we reach there."

As the group of 10 proceeded to the airport counter, a plump man even wider than Fatsoy waddled towards them frantically.

"Greetings! I am here to humbly serve you today personally. Where are you headed to?"

From the looks of it, the airport manager clearly remembered his lesson.

"To Daxrim City. 10 tickets." Nova purposely revealed his Lobaev Sniper that was in his suitcase. "Weapons are allowed right?"

Cold sweat drenched the manager's thinning hair. "Ahh..Ahh ... Yes! Of course! All weapons are allowed on flight for you."

"Good." Atlas grinned. "But at the same time, you are irresponsible. Guys, unarm your weapons and stuff it in your suitcase for safe keeping. We good citizens don't want any sudden explosions or gun fires do we?"

The team listened and unarmed themselves, ranging from knifes hidden in their shoes to miniature guns disguised as clothing.

"You should really work on security." Atlas said as he skipped the long queue towards the entrance for boarding.

The manager watched as the group of ten disappeared from his sight, s.h.i.+vering with worry.

Why do these big guys need to pick on puny people like him?