Azrael stood on the balcony, gazing into the dark tunnel below. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the faint echoes from the depths. Suddenly, a voice spoke behind him, startling him.


    "What do you think?" Dabric asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.


    Azrael jumped slightly, his heart racing. He turned to face Dabric, his nervous chuckle betraying his unease. "W-what do you mean?"


    Dabric stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the tunnel below. "Do you think you’re capable of completing the task I’m about to give you?" he asked, his tone calm but examining.


    Azrael hesitated, his eyes darting away from Dabric’s piercing stare. "I... I don’t know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I’ll do everything I can."


    Dabric’s smile widened slightly, a flicker of approval in his expression.


    Without another word, he walked past Azrael and approached a small table where a bottle of liquor and a glass sat waiting.


    Around the glass table, Mika, Carl, Jarred, and Karla were seated on a plush brown sofa, their postures relaxed but their eyes watchful.


    Dabric poured himself a small amount of liquor, swirling it in the glass before bringing it to his nose.


    He took a slow sip, savoring the taste, then sat down beside Karla, crossing his legs with an air of ease.


    Azrael, still shaken, made his way over and took a seat on the sofa, his movements stiff and uncertain.


    Moments later, the door creaked open, and a young girl stepped inside.


    Her short crimson hair framed a face that was both youthful and sharp, her piercing red eyes displaying an air of authority.


    She couldn’t have been more than a year or two younger than Azrael, but her presence was commanding.


    Her outfit, a blend of black, red, and white, added to her striking appearance.


    Karla stood up immediately, her smile warm and welcoming as she gave the girl a small bow.


    "It’s been a while, Creselya," she said, her tone polite but tinged with familiarity.


    Creselya didn’t respond. Her cold, unreadable expression remained unchanged as she stepped further into the room.


    Then, without warning, a powerful black-red aura erupted around her, filling the space with an oppressive energy. The air grew heavy, and everyone felt the weight of her presence.


    Karla’s smile widened, and she released her own aura in response, the two forces clashing violently in the room.


    The sheer intensity of their power sent a shockwave through the air, causing Mika and the others to recoil in their seats.


    The group exchanged uneasy glances, the realization of their situation dawning on them. They had walked into a situation far beyond their control.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Mika felt a chill run down her spine, her throat tightening as she swallowed hard. The gap in strength between them and these two women was undeniable.


    It was as if they had entered the lair of monsters with no way out.


    Before the tension could escalate further, Dabric raised his hand, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Enough," he said firmly.


    Both Creselya and Karla froze, their auras dissipating instantly.


    Creselya crossed her arms, her expression still cold, while Karla’s smile remained, though it had taken on a sharper edge.


    Dabric gestured toward the seat beside him. "Creselya, calm down. Take a seat."


    Karla chuckled softly, her tone laced with mockery. "Dabric, you should keep your pet on a leash. Her fangs are getting sharper, and it looks like she’s itching to bite."


    Creselya’s eyes flared with anger. "What did you just say, you moron?!" she snapped, her voice cutting through the room like a blade.


    Dabric raised his hand again, this time closer to Creselya. "Stop it," he said, his voice steady but commanding.


    As he lowered his hand, he added, "Karla’s right. You need to keep your head cool."


    Creselya huffed, crossing her legs and turning away with a scowl. "Tch! I’m always cool-headed," she muttered. "It’s just that this old rag keeps showing up here like she owns the place!" She shot a glare at Karla, her voice rising. "Can’t you recruit someone without barging in here?!"


    Karla leaned back with a sly smile, her tone dripping with mockery. "What’s the matter, Creselya? Jealous that I can talk to Dabric whenever I want and steal his attention from you?" She chuckled softly, her words cutting. "What are you, a child? Oh, wait... you are still a child."


    Creselya’s fists clenched, her crimson eyes narrowing as she prepared to stand. But before she could act, Dabric’s calm voice cut through the tension.


    "Alright, you two. That’s enough," he said firmly.


    Creselya froze, her jaw tightening as she turned her head away aggressively, refusing to meet Karla’s gaze.


    Karla, however, wasn’t done. Her smile widened as she added one last jab. "That’s right. Don’t talk to us adults like that."


    Dabric shifted his gaze to Karla, his expression calm but commanding. "Come on, Karla. Stop it already."


    Karla raised her hands in mock surrender, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Alright, alright. I’ll behave."


    Turning his attention to Mika’s group, Dabric offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. They don’t exactly get along well."


    The room fell silent, the tension lingering in the air. Mika, ever composed, kept her cool as she always did.


    She offered a small, polite smile and replied, "That’s fine."


    Dabric nodded, his demeanor softening as he turned to Creselya. "Creselya, let me introduce Mika and her group," he said, gesturing toward them.


    After the introductions, he continued in a calm, authoritative tone. "Take them to your office and assign them to their areas. Explain how much they’ll earn and any other important details. Understood?"


    Creselya stood, her movements sharp and deliberate. She bowed slightly in front of Dabric, her voice steady and resolute. "I’ll do everything you’ve asked, without fail."


    As she straightened, her gaze shifted to Karla, her eyes burning with determination. It was clear she intended to prove herself, especially in front of Dabric.


    Turning her back to the room, she glanced over her shoulder at Mika’s group. "Come on. Follow me."


    Karla watched them with a wide, almost mischievous smile. "You’ve got this, guys! Do your best!" she said enthusiastically, her tone oddly cheerful.


    Mika stood, her expression neutral as she motioned for the group to follow Creselya.


    As they walked, Mika couldn’t help but wonder why Karla had been so enthusiastic in wishing them luck. Her tone had been almost too cheerful, as if she knew something they didn’t.


    The truth was far from comforting. Mika and her group were about to face something far beyond their experience, something gruesome and unthinkable.


    While they had been criminals before Azrael joined them, their crimes had been limited to theft.


    They were thieves, not killers. But the work awaiting them was darker, more brutal than anything they had ever imagined.