Yun assigned them to sneak into the specific areas and knock out the guards patrolling. After receiving more information from K'xug, who confirmed their patrolling time and the number of guards, all of them completed their own missions.

"Charge in! Let's go! Ephert, that trash, doesn't stand a chance!"

Haru barked out, wanting nothing more than to rush in and stomp right on Ephert's hateful face.

However, with the slaves all still under Ephert's control, there was no way they could leave them here. Holding them hostage was nothing to Ephert.

Thus, Yun had to hatch another plan.

Minimising the contact Ephert has with the slaves, by using the mercenary guards here.

"You have to report everyday, don't you?" Yun questioned lowly. "Tell me every single detail you report, and not missing a single beat."

The mercenaries were forced to vomit out everything, unless they wanted to die or be treated like a slave.

They valued their lives and their pride.

It didn't take long to receive their cooperation.

Apparently, their reports were always brief but lacked details. Something that Ephert has always beaten them up for.

"Is it that hard to write a competent report?" The mercenary exclaimed, before sweating bullets and reverting back to his nervous self. "Th-that's what Lord Ephert always screamed at us, before hitting us black and blue."

"Th-that's right, we always tried to send in new reports by making it detailed as he said," another one added on. "But it never satisfies him..."

Yun smiled lightly, adjusting his glasses.

"Detailed, you said?"

***

Thus, Yun watched over the mercenaries like an eagle, inspecting the reports they wrote closely. Not one of them could escape his watch.

Writing a detailed report.

That was Yun's speciality.

He gave a detailed report to Ephert but it was definitely not concise.

Since Ephert treated the mercenaries like dumb bandits, he was more than happy to keep up that facade. There was no way he expected these "dumb bandits" to be able to write a detailed yet concise report, but detailed yet long-winded.

Hence, when Ephert received the reports. It was close to ten pages long.

Moreover, it was not once, not twice, but for two weeks straight. Unable to hold it back any longer, he exploded.

"Tell them not to send me any reports unless necessary!" Ephert barked, tossing the scroll at the male servant's face. "It's all full of nonsense! Why would I need to know what they ate?!"

The initial phase of his plan succeeded.

Of course, Yun did not neglect giving duties to his teammates in this process.

Just like Cecil had requested, she was given a quiet space to find out the disease spreading around the people.

"Let me just take my books out..." Cecil muttered out, fiddling with her storage ring as she procured a book. "Here we go, one, two, three...four..."

Ryo's face turned green as she took out more and more books.

Haru staggered back in shock.

Kiyae went pale.

Yun blinked in shock.

K'xug was surprised as well.

She not only fights well, but studies hard.

...she's scary.

Is she really a mortal?

"I told you Cecil studies really hard!" Hana beamed proudly. "She did this alot at home and in the academy!"

Xue wore a proud look as well, earning a look from K'xug.

Why do you look so proud?

The amount of books taken out was endless, like stack after stack.

The study room became close to a library after Cecil was finished. Upon seeing the flabbergasted expression on everyone except Hana and Xue, she tilted her head in confusion.

"Hmm? What? Ah, the books are too little, aren't they?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

K'xug tapped Cecil's shoulder with his hand.

"What?"

He gave her a thumbs-up.

Yun joined in too.

Cecil smiled on cluelessly.

Xue appeared next to her with a clean wooden table and chair, to which Cecil smiled gratefully, and she got down to work. Xue was true to his words as well, ensuring nothing ever disturbed her.

Not even a squeak.

Not anyone else.

It was only Hana that was allowed inside, since she provided the hardworking Cecil with refreshments.

Yun obviously assigned Hana to the well-equipped kitchen.

Haru and Ryo were thrown in there to help her out. After all, she wasn't just preparing Cecil's refreshments, she was cooking for numerous people as well.

Hana went for the simple and easy choice, which is stew.

It was the first time the slaves ever received such heart-warming cooking in their time here. Hana felt her exhaustion was worth it as she whipped out the best meal she ever had in her life. In addition to that, it was not for a single person but dozens of them.

"Th-thank you."

"Thank you so much."

"I'll never forget this my entire life."

Hana grew emotional upon receiving the gratitude from the slaves, feeling full from watching them enjoy their meal with tears streaming down their faces.

Haru sniffled, wiping his tears away from his eyes, seeing that his people were happy over such a simple thing, there was no way he wouldn't cry. Kiyae threw her arm around his shoulder, laughing hoarsely.

Ryo cried while forcing Yun to lend him a shoulder. Yun sighed, watching on with a smile of his own.

***

Meanwhile, Yun assigned Kiyae and K'xug to scout outside the caves. According to the mercenaries, they received all their supplies for daily necessities from the markets in the town. Dressed as the mercenaries, they had to intercept the supplies, to prevent them from leaking any information to Ephert.

The two of them would also be able to provide additional information about the situation in the town. Cecil warned them about the lack of medical supplies in the area, as well as cleanliness of the resting area and their clothes.

If they weren't the people in the town weren't loyal to Ephert at all, it would make things a lot easier for them.

It was a different case if they were loyal though.

"You want my guess?"

Kiyae nodded. "Your guesses tend to be so accurate, it's scary."

"The people in the town aren't loyal to Ephert," Yun smiled. "Never have and never will. When the chance appears, they will grasp at it. They'll accept us without any qualms."

There was a long gravel path leading out from the path. There were tracks of footprints present, along with wheels being rolled across the gravel. Kiyae and K'xug wore masks that covered all the way up to their noses.

It was what the mercenaries wore when they took anything from the supplier.

"Oh, it's rare to see any of you making your way out here to take the supplies."

"Yeah well, it's boring to be stuck in that cave. We could use the exercise, ya know?" Kiyae bluffed easily, winking at their supplier.

Kiyae could detect the contempt from their supplier.

"Oh yes, the cave is extremely dreary, isn't it?" he sneered at Kiyae.

"Yeah, with those slaves in there, you know?" Kiyae emphasized, covering her nose and making a fanning motion. "Their bodies stink, especially those dead ones."

The supplier twitched, his face contorting for a moment as he started to mumble.

"Scums. Your retribution will arrive one day, and you'll die a horrible death."

K'xug and Kiyae had sharp ears, managing to pick up the supplier's words.

"What was that?" Kiyae feigned ignorance.

The supplier stiffened, lowering his head and leaving quickly.

She smiled to herself, sneaking a glance at K'xug.

K'xug nodded back at her.

It looks like the camaraderie is non-existent.

They hate the mercenaries here.

Kiyae pulled down her mask, whistling lowly. "As expected of Yun Yun, he nailed it down again."

She looked up at the orange sky, knowing that the sun was going to set anytime soon.

"Finally, they'll be able to return home."

K'xug noticed Kiyae's wistful expression, walking onwards and patting on her shoulder once. She focused her gaze on K'xug, who was looking back at her.

His expression was telling her to stay focused.

"Heh, who would have thought," Kiyae grinned, pulling her mask up. "You actually care a lot, huh? Even if we are all mortals."

K'xug turned to face her completely, a wry smile on his lips.

I understood it for quite some time now.

Whether you are an angel, a demon, a half-breed or a mortal...

K'xug spun around, his heavy footsteps trudging against the gravel path.

There's not much of a difference.

Kiyae dashed forward, throwing her arm around his shoulder. "Oh hey, that's right. It would be great if I could learn some spying tricks from you."

K'xug shoved her arm off.

"What? You shy?" Kiyae teased, placing her arm around his shoulders again.

K'xug shoved it off once again.

"K'xug K'xug!"

K'xug shuddered at his nickname.

Don't lump me in with Haru or Yun.

Kiyae snickered at his look of disgust.

The two of them ventured further, heading off into the town.

***

Two days passed.

Xue observed Cecil still burying her head into the books with a sigh, leaning against the cold, cavern wall.

He had tried intervening many times, as well as volunteering to help. Alas, Cecil seemed bent on finding the answer herself, not wanting any help from Xue, chasing him off with a hiss.

At one point, Xue had to drag her to the makeshift bed to rest.

Cecil did not have a peaceful sleep, and was eager to get to work as soon as she woke up.

Despite how composed and easy-going Cecil may seem at times, when it comes to anything that involves her passion, she was possessive of it. No one could intervene, and she stubbornly refused help until she reached her limits.

Well.

Xue leaned his head against the wall, observing her closely. The lanterns all around her highlighted her soft, attractive features.

I like that about you too.

"I-I found it!" Cecil exclaimed. "It's here! The disease!"

She lifted the book up, craning her neck up and looking at the book with bright, happy eyes. Her mesmerising onyx eyes flitted over to Xue, there was a brilliant smile adorning her face.

"Xue, I found it!"

Xue smiled back at her, nodding.

"Ah!" Cecil widened her eyes in realisation, bursting up from her seat. "I have to go find Yun quickly! The disease is contagious, but not for us, it's only for those with weak immune system and it can be easily cured--"

She stumbled and Xue caught her, her face landing on his shoulder. Cecil noticed that her legs had gone weak since she was sitting for too long.

Xue sighed helplessly. "I can never stop worrying about you."

"I'm fine, now I have to--woah!"

He carried her into his arms with one swift motion.

"Wait, Xue, let me go! I need to go find--"

"Go find Yun, right?" Xue said, smiling. "I'll bring you there."

Cecil widened her eyes. "Bring me there, just like that?"

Xue shrugged slightly.

"Wait, you can't be serious."

"Mhmm."

"Xue!"

***

Yun was inside the storeroom which had been transformed into a meeting room instead. On the wooden table, there were papers and objects scattered all over. Yun adjusted his glasses, tapping his fingers on the map of the entire town and the cavern system.

The doors to the storeroom swung open, and Yun lifted his head up.

"Captain, for the last time, we'll be waiting for Ephert to come personally. Like I said, it's the best way to minimise the amount of casualties, since we will be freeing the slaves and this place will allow us to...run wild..."

Yun blinked at the scene in front of him, flabbergasted.

Xue was carrying Cecil in a bridal-style, and she forced herself to maintain a composed yet haughty look, but he could see her mask slowly cracking.

"...I take it you are here for the disease?"

"Ye-yes!" Cecil brightened up, forgetting her embarrassment. "The disease, I found it! Autumn Rash, which is nothing related to its name, it only affects those with weak immune systems."

Yun smiled upon seeing her eager expression.

"And I take it that you know the cure."

"Definitely! The herbs and flowers are common, and the method to make it is simple enough. It's just that, since the patients have weak immune systems, their diet and their hygiene needs to be carefully considered."

Yun nodded. "So we are halfway there, now we only need to--"

Two more people walked into the room.

It was Kiyae and K'xug.

"Oh, Yun Yun! Good news, we managed to get the people on our side! We didn't even need to do much convincing after hearing Lord Kiba's name, and along with our Captain--what the--"

Kiyae did a double take after seeing Cecil and Xue.

K'xug halted in his steps, tempted to roll his eyes before approaching Cecil. He dug into his kimono, procured a bunch of flowers and gave it to her.

Cecil widened her eyes in delight.

"The two of you really got it?" she smiled in relief. "I mentioned it with little hope, but to think you managed to get it here. And you managed to get it right with just my brief description. Thank you, K'xug."

K'xug nodded back.

"Thank you, Kiyae."

"Anything for you, Cecil." Kiyae winked cheekily.

Cecil smiled brilliantly at them

At that moment, the two of them felt a chilly stare. They flinched, looking up at Xue and narrowed their eyes at him.

Cecil tilted her head in bewilderment, glancing up at Xue.

Xue reverted back to his fond gaze, meeting her eyes.

"What are the herbs and flowers needed?" Yun cleared his throat.

Cecil listed all of them out without hesitation, and Yun noted them down with ease.

"We require clean clothes and bedsheets too," Cecil added on. "If only we could shift the sick into the town, where I'm sure there is an appropriate medical bay for them to rest in."

"Welll, clean clothes and bedsheets will be easy enough," Kiyae responded, shaking her head. "But the latter is difficult to accomplish."

"I thought so too," Cecil said helplessly. "Having the former completed is more than sufficient."

Yun stood up from his seat. "This is the part where we need to tackle quickly."

"The quicker the better, the disease is contagious."

"Right, so we will need everyone to help as much as they can."

"Yes, yes. I'm in." Kiyae raised her hand.

K'xug raised his hand quietly as well.

"I'm in too!" Hana popped her head out from behind the door, beaming before looking over to K'xug. "K'xug, you are finally back!"

She rushed forward, tackling him with a hug.

"Hana, that's right." Cecil spoke, urging her to come closer. "Since I'll be feeding them the medicine, you will need to make food that is..."

"Mhmm."

"It's best if you include..."

"Mhmm hmm."

"And also..."

"Hmm hmm!"

Hana straightened herself, giving Cecil a confident nod. "I got it, I'll be able to cook something like that!"

"It'll be really tiring, Hana, but I'm sure you can do it."

"You too, Cecil! So I'll work harder!"

The two women cheering each other on made Kiyae's heart melt. She felt the extreme urge to hug them tightly.

"You are done here, right?" Xue suddenly said.

"Ah? Uhm...yeah, pretty much."

"Good, now rest."

Xue walked out of the room, still with Cecil in his arms.

"Eh, wait. Xue, aren't your arms tired?"

"No."

"Come on, just put me down already."

"No."

"Aren't you embarrassed?"

"No."

"Stop saying no."

"Nope."

"..."

The people in the storeroom, also known as the meeting room, watched the couple leave.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Are those the only words he said? For this entire time?" Kiyae asked, frowning. "Really?"

***

Yun was still thinking if there were any flaws in his plans. If he did, there were many spare plans he had in mind.

Being a strategist was second nature to him.

Outsmarting his opponent, and not winning with brute strength, that was his forte.

Just then, the door opened and he received an unexpected visitor.

"Xue? Do you need something?"

"Yeah."

"What is it?"

"Since Rugi explained everything to you, and knowing how smart you are," Xue crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. "You should be able to understand my warning."

"Warning?"

"I have a soul of mine, just like Rugi, headed here."

"Since this is a warning..." Yun adjusted his glasses. "I assume that this soul of yours isn't a friendly one."

"Not at all." Xue shook his head.

"Will he kill indiscriminately?"

"Probably."

"I understand."

Xue lifted himself off the wall, preparing to leave the room.

"Xue."

He paused, but he didn't look back at Yun.

"Since we'll encounter him soon enough, you didn't actually need to warn us," Yun smiled at the back of the ash blonde-haired man. "But you still did."

"..."

"If it was you from months ago, I believe you wouldn't have done this."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Thank you for starting to trust in us, Xue."

He froze for a moment, before glancing back at Yun. His expression was inscrutable, but compared to their first meeting, Xue no longer seemed as cold.

"I just...don't really want to see the people I know getting hurt because of my problems."

Yun did not respond, only smiling.

Xue exited the room.

"People you know?"

He glanced at Haru who was leaning outside the door, grinning at him.

"Don't you mean friends at this point?"

"..."

Xue never answered, giving Haru an indifferent look and walking off.

"Ah? He left just like that?" Haru gaped in disbelief, peeking inside the room. "We are friends right, Yun? Right?"

Yun shrugged.

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

Look.

Away.

From.

Her.

Smile.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

I can't even do a friend a favour?

Petty.

Possessive.

...

...poop god.

《 stop 》 

***

Author's Note: So, I was watching an interview with a popular game music composer. This man, bless his soul, did not have a maracas within his vicinity when he was composing a piece of music in the game. 

Basically, maracas are those shakers instruments. Those who goes to karaoke often should know xD.

This amazing composer, he wanted to do a makeshift instrument, so, he looked at his empty cup noodle, the duct tape and the wooden chopsticks, and he went...

"Yes! This is it!" 

This man, again, bless his soul, took the empty cup noodle, broke the wooden chopsticks and tossed it in there and taped it up. 

"Tadah! A shaker!"

That was the story of how the man composed the game music for an area in the game, with this makeshift instrument. 

The people with him in the interview at that time just simply said. 

"Can't you compose with a normal instrument for once?!"

Geniuses are really just eccentric geniuses, I guess.