In the narrow and empty streets of Shadmot, the city of blood beasts, a group of people walked slowly, their feet moving with utmost caution not to cause any sound.
The group consisted of six people in total, with one male with wolf-like features taking the lead, while two woman and three more males walked before him.
Their attire and was filled with claw marks and bruises, but they also made sure that their skin wasn't damaged in any way, ensuring not a single drop of blood was spilled on the ground.
"....Are we going to be alright here?" one of the males asked, bear-like features adorning his body. "We've already lost three of our people."
"....We don't have any choice, do we?" one of the two females, with cat-like features, replied, her voice barely a whisper. "We were sent here as the scouting party. All we need to do is make a map of the area and get the hell out of here."
"Oh my~ are you guys afraid?" the other female replied seductively, her fox ears twitching slightly. "If you are, mommy is here to take care of you."
"Enough," the leader growled, his voice emerging as a menacing growl due to his harsh vocal cords. "Scout the area and we can get out of here. And don't make too much noise if you want to live."
"....Why do we have to do this work?" another man of wolfkin grumbled in response.
"....Because we are the weakest ones, how could you not know that?" the fox female jeered in reply.
"...I know that, you wench," he growled menacingly, showing his sharp teeth.
"Go brush your teeth, and bathe as well while you are at it, you smell rotten," she replied, pinching her nose with a disgusted expression.
"I will kill you!" he growled as he took a battle stance.
"Enough, both of you!" the leader shouted, making them halt. "One more word and I will throw both of you into the horde of blood beasts."
They both quieted down at his threatening voice but still glared at each other nonetheless.
"What are we here for, leader?" the catkin female asked, glancing around. "There is nothing but destruction and death here."
"...It's the order from the higher-ups. One of the twelve bishops will come here soon enough in search of something that we lost long ago," he replied, gazing at his team.
"What did we lose?" the bearkin asked.
"The holy blood," the leader replied solemnly.
"What is that?" the catkin woman asked.
"I don't know," the leader replied, shaking his head, "but it's important enough for even a bishop to come here personally."
They all nodded blankly, understanding the importance of the 'Holy blood.'
Schatter!!
But as they moved forward, a sound of glass scattering echoed throughout the silence, making them all instinctively have their guard up.
"...What was that?" one of them asked, his gaze wandering around the place.
"Something is around," the leader replied, his gaze hardened at the building in front, "be ready, we might have to fight again."
They all took their battle stances while facing each other's backs, forming a full circle.
But as they continued to wait with all their muscles tensed up, not a single thing came into their view. The entire narrow street was still empty.
"...It looks like nothing—."
Swish!!
Boom!!
And before the leader could give the signal to relax, the sound of something falling from above echoed, until something landed right in front, making all of them turn in that direction.
"...Humans?" Frowning, the leader mumbled, his gaze narrowing as he looked at the two girls with distinct pink and black hair.
"Do you have to come with me?" Elysia grumbled, glaring at her sister.
"I can't let you take all the spotlight, can I?" Nadya replied with a gentle smile before shifting her focus on the group.
"Who are you?" the catkin woman asked cautiously.
"Boss, can I have the pink-haired girl?" the bearkin asked, his eyes checking out Nadya, "it's been a while since I had a youn—."
His voice quickly trailed off as Nadya started giggling in delight.
"Ahh, it's been so long since I broke someone down," she mumbled with a bright smile. "I will make sure to kill your mind just for eyeing something that belonged to Neil."
"Capture them." The leader ordered slowly making two of his man run towards them with sword in their hands.
CLANG!!
Reacting swiftly Elysia took her spear as she thrust it forward intercepting their sword.
While Elysia took care of the two of them, Nadya strolled towards the rest as if walking in a park.
"You know it would be wise to flee right now; otherwise, you won't get this chance again....."
Nadya mumbled, her tone calm. Yet, beneath the facade of her calmness was hidden the unmistakable thrill and madness reflected in her unnaturally wide grin.
SWISH!!
Sensing danger from her, the catkin woman was the first to move as she swiftly brought her claws to her neck, trying to take her hostage.
"Stop," Nadya mumbled, her pink eyes glowing softly. To the catkin's horror, her body started to slow down on its own.
"What—." She couldn't wrap her head around what was happening as her body stopped entirely in one place.
NO!! HELP!!
She wanted to shout and ask for help, but her mouth refused to open, and with despair in her eyes she could only look as Nadya brought both her hands close to her neck.
Crack!!!
The sound of bones cracking echoed in the area as Nadya twisted the catkin's neck at an unnatural angle, while smiling widely.
Thud!!
With a thud the dead body of the catkin fall on the ground as Nadya shifted her focus on the rest of the group.
"One, two, and three," she whispered softly as she counted, pointing at them. "I want the ugly bear, Neil!"
All three of them looked at her in confusion as she spoke those words aloud.
"Sweet," she mumbled again with a bright smile before focusing back on the group.
"There could be another one," the leader informed the rest of them as he himself took a battle stance.
"I will take care of her."
Gritting her teeth, the foxkin gripped her long blade as she rushed towards Nadya, while the bearkin took a step back.
CLANG!!
Nadya also drew her blade, parrying her attack, creating a resonating sound.
CLANG!! CLANG!!
Reacting swiftly, the foxkin continued to attack, attempting to find any flaw to take advantage of, while at the same time making sure not to let her blood spill on the ground.
"
Urgh
.."
A sudden kick to her guts stopped her thoughts as she groaned in pain.
"
Kekhh
..."
And before she could react, a sudden attack on her neck rendered her unconscious, helpless.
"I could have taken care of her," Nadya grumbled as she glared at her sister, who had already taken care of the two beastmen.
"We have better things to do," Elysia replied, looking at the remaining two beastmen.
"Get ready." Pointing his sword towards them, the leader instructed the bearkin.
But before they could even do anything, a shadow of a man with wings loomed over them, making them look up.
"....You are coming with us," Eden mumbled before rushing towards both of them.