Chapter 12: Beneath the Surface
The echo of footsteps tapped steadily against the cold, metallic floor as Kaido and Raymond walked deeper into the rogue base. Dim lights flickered overhead, casting uneasy shadows along the cracked walls. The hallway smelled faintly of iron and sterilizer—an odd mix of factory and infirmary.
A stern voice called out from ahead, breaking the silence. "State your intent and drop all weapons. Scanners will detect any hidden equipment."
Raymond glanced at Kaido, then gave a short nod. They approached a drop zone littered with racks and metal trays. With casual confidence, they began disarming.
"Guess it's time to part ways with the goodies," Kaido muttered, sliding out a short dagger from his side and placing it onto the tray.
"You'll get them back," Raymond replied dryly, unloading a compact dual-blade hidden beneath his coat. "Assuming we're not exposed and hung by sundown."
Kaido gave a mock salute. "Noted, Captain Doom."
They were waved through. The hallway turned into a downward spiral—an unending staircase that dragged them deeper underground. At intervals, automated security doors scanned them with beams of blue light. Every checkpoint felt more suffocating than the last.
Finally, the stairs gave way to a cavernous chamber—dark, eerie, and humming with activity. Massive glass cylinders lined the walls, each one filled with a murky greenish liquid that glowed faintly. Inside floated grotesque creatures—some humanoid, others beyond comprehension. Mutated limbs, twitching nervously. Extra eyes. Scales where skin should be.
"Damn," Kaido whispered, his eyes wide. "That's really something."
Raymond exhaled slowly. "Yeah... the Chancellor wasn't kidding. This place isn't just a rogue base. It's a damn research facility."
Their gazes swept over the bustling lab. Rogues moved crates, others packaged vials into locked containers. Scientists in grimy coats pored over tablets and notes.
"Kaido, wait here," Raymond ordered, slipping behind a stack of boxes.
Kaido raised an eyebrow. "Yeah yeah, I'll just chill with the mad scientists and freak show."
Raymond trailed a woman in a white coat toward a restricted area labeled Room 002 - Official Personnel Only. Timing his steps with precision, he slipped in just before the door sealed.
"Huff… always the boring part," Kaido muttered.
"Hey! You new here?" a gruff voice called.
Kaido turned. A tall rogue with a long gash scar across his cheek gave him a once-over.
Kaido smirked. "Define 'new'. I just signed in yesterday."
The rogue chuckled. "Hah. They're hiring them younger every cycle. Name's Dorn. You assigned to storage or science?"
Kaido shrugged. "Still figuring it out. You know how it is."
Meanwhile, Raymond was inside the white room—a pristine contrast to the outer chambers. Everything gleamed with sterile brilliance. Sleek white panels lined the floor, and bright holographic displays hovered above control pads. The air was cold, mechanical.
Raymond silently knocked out a nearby scientist, slipping on his ID badge and coat. He adjusted his voice with a small throat patch. "Now I look the part," he murmured.
His eyes caught the sign glowing at the end of the corridor: SPECIMEN. The word flickered in ethereal glyphs. Raymond's instincts flared.
"Kinda too easy, don't you think?" he whispered. Holding the ID steady, he approached.
---
Meanwhile...
Frank and Elias stood quietly at the edge of a narrow alley. Crates were stacked on both sides, the scent of aged wood mixing with oil and wet stone. The city beyond them was alive with flickering signs and floating transports. But their sector—Section 12—was eerily silent.
"Pretty boring, don't you think?" Elias asked, breaking the silence.
Frank shrugged, leaning against the rusted metal frame of the backdoor step. "Honestly, I prefer it that way. No action means no running or bleeding."
Elias smirked. "That's a first."
Frank rubbed his chin. "Alright, Elias... about our appraisal skill. We can read some levels and basic stuff, yeah. But recently, mine's been showing more... like class types. You ever seen that?"
Elias's brow furrowed. "No. But that's odd. Might be worth looking into later."
Frank nodded, eyes scanning the alley. "Yeah... we take it one thing at a time. Still... there's something messed up about this place."
He sat down, resting against the wall. Just then, two shadows appeared at the mouth of the alley.
"Hmm? Are they interns or something?" one rogue whispered to another. There were four of them—lean, armed, and dangerous. Their armor was a mix of leather and chain, with serpent emblems tied across their arms and legs.
Frank narrowed his eyes. "Elias... you see that too?"
"Yeah," Elias replied, his posture shifting.
"What are you two doing standing there like mannequins?" one rogue demanded.
Frank stood up. "Oh you know, just soaking in the shady vibes."
"Cute. You got jokes."
"Thanks. Been practicing. You guys do improv?" Frank quipped.
Elias stepped forward, hand resting on his katana's sheath.
The rogues unsheathed their blades.
"Whoa whoa, already?" Frank raised both hands. "Take a breather! We didn't even start the sparring session yet!"
"You'll regret setting foot here—" the rogue said, but a sudden thunk cut him off.
He fell, a dagger sticking out the back of his head. The others collapsed right after.
Frank stumbled back. "WOAH! What in the actual—?!"
Elias spun, sword half drawn. "We're not alone."
Fssht! A dagger whizzed through the air. Frank ducked, catching it mid-flight.
"Same dagger... different thrower," he muttered.
More followed. Elias deflected them with his sheathed blade.
"Show yourself!" Elias barked.
A feminine laugh echoed.
A cloaked figure dropped down, landing gracefully between them. Her hood fell, revealing tanned skin, under-eye markings, and three earrings on one lobe.
"Stalker lady! Finally revealin' yourself, huh?" Frank exclaimed. "Took your time."
She said nothing to Elias. Her eyes locked onto Frank.
"I need to kill you, Frank Onclave."
"You're gonna have to wait in line. Also, how the hell do you even know my name?"
She tilted her head. "Doesn't matter. I'm here for one mission."
Frank raised a brow. "Lemme guess—it's not a dance-off?"
Beep. A glowing appraisal screen popped up.
Name: Spike
Level: 76
Skills: Duplicate, Scythe Raid, Soundless Stroll, Conceal, Quick Step, Mirage
Class: Assassin
"Huh?! Upgrade alert!" Frank exclaimed. He glanced at Elias. "You see her class?"
Elias shook his head. "No class listed on mine."
"Damn, just me then? And... who names their kid Spike?!"
In a blink, she lunged forward. Clash! Frank blocked with his dagger, skidding backward.
"That was too close for comfort!" Frank said, breath heavy.
Elias's eyes widened. "I didn't see her move."
Twin scythes spiraled down her arms, attached to thin chains.
She threw daggers. Frank parried, Elias deflected. She vanished—only to reappear between them. A blur. Her scythes spun like a cyclone.
KRING! Metal rang as the two barely blocked.
Frank's eyes lit up. "She's using Scythe Raid."
A sudden burst—SLASH! Blood sprayed. Both had thin cuts across their shoulders.
"Gahh!!" Frank yelled. "Where the hell—?!"
She raised a sword from one of the fallen rogues.
SHING! A swing descended toward Frank's head.
CLANG! Elias intercepted.
"Not so fast, stranger!"
Frank swung wide. She dodged, hopping back.
"Okay, I caught a glimpse of her Quick Step. And those copied moves from Raymond and Elias... maybe Reciprocate does more than mimic. It... stores technique. Not perfectly. But enough."
He stood up straight, pointing his sword.
"Alright, stalker! It's rematch time!"
She narrowed her eyes. "Your name's still first on my list."
---
Elsewhere...
Tayla and Joel wandered a shadowy alley in Section 3.
"Uhhh, I think Raymond sent us to the wrong sewer," Joel muttered, looking at the neon sign. "It says Section 19."
Tayla shrugged. "Well, it beats crawling through sludge."
Joel snorted. "True. Still, I wonder what Frank's up to right now. Probably being loud... or getting in trouble."
Tayla blushed. "Heh… yeah. That's... that's Frank."
Joel raised an eyebrow. "Blushing already?"
"Wh-what? No! Just—never mind."
They both laugh it off....
It goes on with a soft wind rustling through the alley, an odd calm before whatever comes next.