Chapter 13: Ruined Date

In this world, magic exists but hidden from the common men. They were segregated away from this knowledge. However, inevitably. Some will know and most of the world leaders and the elite knew the existence of magic.

Japan itself was a country with the presence of magic or supernatural factions. The Shinto pantheon is the de facto leader of Japan and their representative is the Youkai faction where their leader is a Kyubi that serves the Chief Goddess Amaterasu. Meanwhile, the Five Principal Clans were the leaders of Japanese people on the supernatural side of the world. Both the Youkai faction and Five Principal Clans were the real leaders of Japan, despite the fact that on the surface existed the government that governs the mortals.

The Washuu Clan was an anomaly. Forcefully annexed Japan from the hands of both the Youkai faction and Five Principal Clans. However, the Washuu clan were begrudgingly acknowledged by both groups because of the presence of Ghoul. A mutant created by RC cells' presence in humans. The Ghoul at start were a menace for Japan's supernatural side because of how absurdly strong they were.

The Ghoul existed during the Edo era till now and the Washuu clan were also Ghoul but see themselves as the leader of the race. They monopolize the Ghouls, trapping them in a city and portraying themselves as the slayer of these abominations, their facade which is CCG. Ghoul is a race that grows stronger through cannibalizing their own kin. A secret only few know and the Washuu clan themselves definitely knew. The city is but a cage where Ghoul are the livestock to grow the power of these ambitious Washuu clan's patriarchs.

The ultimate goal of the Washuu clan patriarch was to dominate the world with Ghoul and reign as the king of the new world.

The Washuu clan were never recognized as a supernatural faction and he thought whatever he did isn't the concern of the supernatural factions as they cannot interfere with what the mortal does as long as magic isn't involved. After all, the mutation of Ghoul was man-made and not caused by supernatural causes.

Thus, when the news of a Ghoul wielding magic reached the patriarch. His Gestapo instantly mobilized to hunt down Ray. Not to eliminate but to harness this power as Ghoul were incapable of magic due to their mutation.

———

A week has passed since Ray's hunting trip in Ota district. Everyone had been going into dungeons and grinding their levels quite religiously almost due to the increasing conflicts across Tokyo.

Just two days ago, news spread that almost 18 of the 23 districts had been taken over by Ghoul's formed groups with two exceptions being districts that have heavy presence of Hunters and their main branch, CCG.

But Ray discovered yesterday that a level cap exists. Once his group reaches level 30, they no longer can level up while he remains an exception which he suspects is due to having a class which is an existing mechanic in some games. This made Ray order everyone to choose their skills very carefully because Skill Points is now a commodity as the only way to obtain it is through level up.

Ray's current level sits at LV 45 which increases only 3 levels for the entire week of grind along with everyone. His level would be higher if he were to grind alone but for him, this is a worthwhile sacrifice as everyone now had reached LV 30, even Hinami who decides to become an archer after meeting with Layla who made an appearance once in a while when Ray summoned her.

"Hmn… What an interesting place your world is." Layla said while both her and Ray are on top of a building watching the city as the sun starts to set.

"Is it? Honestly I find your elven city in a giant tree more interesting than a concrete forest choked with polluted air of this world." Ray replied while yawning because he lacked sleep. Hunting Ghouls at night and grinding dungeons in daylight with very little rest.

Layla inches closer to Ray and looks at his tired face. It's no longer a secret that both showed attraction to each other. Fighting side by side in the dungeon to save the elves, in the dungeon and spending more time together quite often.

For Layla, she liked Ray because she was attracted to him because despite having no obligation, he saved her race and her family. She liked him not because she felt like a princess saved by the hero from the demon lord but as a close companion and person she can trust her back to.

"Hmn?" Ray noticed Layla gazing at him deeply and asked. "What's the matter?"

"N-nothing." Layla was caught looking at him in a daze and quickly turned away with a flushed face. But she suddenly felt Ray touch her hands and pulled her closer.

'Is he going to confess his love to me!? Oh my god. Oh My GOD!' Her heart was beating wildly and her entire face to the end of her ears were burning red and heated up.

*Ding* x4

"Tsk, who is it…" Ray grumbled while Layla's panic calmed down a little.

Ray pulled out his phone from his pocket and saw Akira was calling him. Usually when Akira calls, it's usually important. So, Ray picked the call.

"Hel-"

"RAY! *Cough* go-"

*Clang* x2

"Everyone… they are in dan-"

*Crash*

Ray heard the phone drop to the floor while something smashed to the wall. Then the sound of footsteps got closer before someone picked up the phone.

"Good evening. Am I speaking to Rei Sasaki?" An unknown person spoke from the otherside of the phone.

"Don't worry about me Ray! Save everyone else! They are under a-"

*Smack*

"It's disrespectful to interrupt another person's conversation."

"Anyway, we got your people and if you want them back then come to Edogawa alone. After we confirm that you follow our instructions properly, we will give another instruction. Try anything funny and we will kill your friends. Easy right? May you have a pleasant evening date." The mocking tone ended with a beep and the call wall hanged.

"Fuck!" Ray cursed.

He had become lax. He let his guard down. He should know that his encounter with the Agents and reveal of his ability to use magic will definitely paint himself a target yet he was careless.

"FUCK!" Ray roared and almost break his phone which is his only way to contact the kidnappers.

"Calm down, Ray." Layla had been tense the entire time as she could pick up the sound from the phone. But being angry and hot headed is the last thing they need at the moment.

"But… Everyone. They were attacked because I was careless. Because I was… I was arrogant, thinking I'm untouchable with magic." Ray understands his flawed thinking. Of course he is hard to be targeted. That's why the other paid the price for his arrogance.

He stood up and left but Layla pulled his arm to stop him.

"I must go and save them." He said forcefully while gritting his teeth from anger on himself.

"No, you will play right into their hands. This is what they wanted. It's a trap to lure you in. Calm down first and think of a plan before you storm in." Layla tried to talk reason into his head while hugging him tight to give him some comfort.

It worked and Ray calmed down when his body sagged and almost lost his strength to stand as he leaned on Layla.

Ray spends almost ten minutes silently in Layla's lap that she offers for him. The exhaustion for his daily routine piled up and affected him negatively.

Meanwhile, Ray followed her advice and thought of a way. Maybe he can still save them. He opened his Map and checked each of their locations and all four were in different places but heading in the same direction which means they are indeed captured. To subdue Ghouls, no doubt the kidnappers are also Ghouls.

"Have you thought of a plan?" Layla asked while looking down at her lap, at Ray who nodded.

"Good." She said, "This is better than chasing them hot-headedly, clouded in anger and falling right into their trap."

"Well, my time is almost up. So, if you need help. Just summon me again. I will make preparations to help you." Layla said moments before she vanished as the summon spell expired as its duration of 15 minutes had ended.

With resolute eyes, Ray stood up and willed his body to jump off the building as he landed on another which he tensed his limbs and jumped again, zipping through the darkened sky.

———

Akira who was subdued by group of people wearing black suits, black fedora and white mask like an mafia gangs, were drugged with RC cells Inhibitor and drag into a car before he was transported away. He can't see where he was going as his head were wrapped with a bag or he aware how much time had passed.

When the car suddenly stopped, he was forcefully dragged by his collar and brought into a building where the wrapper on his head was removed and he can see Kiko, Ryouko and Hinami.

Kiko had the worst injury, battered black and blue with blood all around and a bloody hole on the clothes on her abdomen that thankfully was healed. Ryouko and Hinami were mostly unharmed except for bruises. Hinami had puffy red eyes probably from crying but she is silently sobbing right now while her mother whispers comforting words.

"Now, attention please." One of those kidnappers wearing skin tight white clothes on his face walked closer and looked at each of them.

"What a surprise to discover that each of you can use magic. My I am only informed that your friend, Rei Sasaki is the only one capable of using magic." The man said with a theatric expression.

"So, I'll give you a deal. Tell me how you all learned how to use magic and I will spare one of you." He offered.

Everyone remains defiant except Ryouko. She only priority is Hinami and she will do anything it takes.

The man saw Ryouko's hopeful and hesitant expression. He knew that Ryouko needed a little more push to divulge the secret.

Akira was angry at the thought of Ryouko betraying the group so easily but he also understood that she did this because she loved her daughter too much.

"No! Onii-chan definitely will come to save us!" Hinami shouted defiantly.

"Oh, of course he will. I am counting on you to lure him here after all. After that, you all are no longer useful to me."

They understand what it means. After they get what they wanted. The hostage is useless and probably will be disposed of.

Akira prayed that Ray would not be stupid and come to save them. He will be outnumbered as in the room alone have two dozen suited men and more outside waiting for Ray.

"Boss, he is here." Another suited man wearing a white mask walked in and informed the leader.

"Oh well, let's go." The leader brings everyone out leaving only five to guard the hostage.

Meanwhile, Akira is cursing Ray for his stupidity falling into an obvious trap like this.

—————

(This is actually an AU if I forgot to inform you all and I will not follow the canon plotline at all. If you hadn't noticed or don't know, the Gestapo I mentioned is V. It's a good entrance for Rize and Eto to be involved with MC since both hate V and by extension, the Washuu clan.)