Chapter 86 - Taimanin

---Mael POV---

As we were riding on the bus, I did my best to remember this world's storyline but that was difficult. Considering that I was more preoccupied with...other things...I didn't really remember much at all except names. One thing that I did remember though was that Yukikaze and her boyfriend shouldn't be in a public school. The Taimanin had their own school that they taught and trained the next generation of fighters at...so why were they in a public school.

"The two of us are on a mission, that's all I can tell you.", Yukikaze told me crossing her arms.

"You sure you should have just left him?", I questioned.

"This is an emergency, he will understand.", she stated casually brushing aside my concern.

'Somehow I don't think he will.', I thought as the bus stopped on the edge of the city.

Disembarking, Yukikaze said that I had to wait here for a moment. She needed to get her superior's approval before bringing me in. Running off into the forest, I shook my head at her stupidity.

"Jeez...how about thinking about that before dragging me out here. If I was a threat I'd know the general area to search for your base.", I mumbled, "She is almost as bad as Aqua."

Confirming that we weren't followed or being tracked, I waited at the bus stop for a few minutes before she eventually returned with Rinko Akiyama. Staring at me for a moment, Rinko hit her on the head and told her she was a moron for bringing me so close to the base. Rubbing her head as she apologized Yukikaze said that it was an emergency. Telling her she would get reprimanded for it later, she looked back at me with a serious expression.

"So Yukikaze tells me you are after some magical creature, tell me more about it.", Rinko stated as she watched me closely to read my reaction.

"This is what it looks like.", I said showing her a projection, "Overall it's base stats aren't the best, but it has a very powerful skill called Predator. Basically whatever it absorbs it gains the attributes, power, and knowledge that the entity contained. Every person it absorbs further increases it's strength which is why it needs destroyed immediately. If left unchecked it will continue to get stronger till it's too late to kill it."

"Fair enough, you said it's a creation of Kiryuu Sabato?", she inquired, "Just wanted to make sure that information was correct."

"Correct, having burned bridges with your group and Edwin Black...he wanted a creature to level the playing field for his own safety.", I advised, "Currently I doubt Edwin is aware of what he did, and that is why he is still employed by him."

Beckoning for me to follow her, Rinko said that I was allowed in. Leading us through an invisible barrier surrounding their base, she explained that my description matched what several agents reported before they went missing. Taking me to the Command Center, I got to meet the infamous Igawa sisters. Making sure I didn't ogle them, I kept things professional as this was our first meeting.

"I assume since you brought him his intel is good?", Asagi asked Rinko.

"Correct, the entity he is after matches our reports. It also confirms why latest victim, a senior agent, has vanished without a trace.", Rinko told her.

"Damn it...", Asagi spat in anger, "Your name is Mael, right? Thank you for giving us this information, I assume you already have some leads on it's location."

Telling them the last report I had was that it wasn't far from Kiryuu's lab, I asked if they had an idea of where that was. Stating that they didn't, as the people looking for it were missing, Asagi told me that the first place to start looking was at Edwin's clubs. It wasn't uncommon for people to go missing throughout the night so that was the first place to start looking. Glancing over at Yukikaze, she told her to partner up with me.

The moment the words left her mouth, Yukikaze flew into a fit of rage. Telling her that she refused to work with me, she said the only man she'd work with was Tatsurou. Moreover, she insisted that she already had a team and that breaking them up now wasn't acceptable.

"Tatsurou and Rinko are my partners on missions, not this guy.", she said crossing her arms.

"She's right, I don't need the shrimp slowing me down. They know your faces, but they don't know mine so I can move freely.", I remarked, "Besides which, you should probably correct her thinking process on bringing me straight here. You had no way of verifying who I was, and you brought me right to your base."

"He has a point.", Sakura stated trying not to laugh.

"It was an emergency!", Yukikaze shouted, "Why are you all treating me like an idiot!"

Receiving addresses from Rinko, she apologized for Yukikaze's behavior. Assuring me that it wasn't my fault, she said this was something she did with everyone she didn't know well. Telling her it was fine, I tucked the information into my pocket before looking as Asagi and Sakura. Shaking their hands, I told them I would report back if I found any information on their missing comrades. Leaving after that, once I was clear of their barrier I teleported away to start looking for Kratos again.

---3rd Person POV---

Once Mael was out of earshot, Yukikaze's superiors let out a collective sigh. The fact that she brought an unknown person so close to the base was frankly terrifying. If Mael had been working for Edwin things would have been really bad, he seemed more than capable of fighting them all together if it came down to it. Fortunately though Mael didn't seem to be working for any of their enemies which was a relief.

"Yuki, don't ever pull that stunt again. You not only endangered yourself but everyone else here at the base. This may only be a temporary location, but it is still our home for the time being.", Rinko scolded her, "Did he even tell you what organization he was with?"

"He said he was a Freelancer.", Yukikaze stated with a deflated expression, "I didn't push it because he brought up Kiryuu Sabato. I am really sorry...I got caught up in the moment, several of the people that went missing are friends so I hoped he could help locate them."

Telling her to make sure it didn't happen again, Asagi said she'd let it go this time as it appeared Mael was friendly towards them.

"Since you are adamant about going against your superiors...", Asagi told Yukikaze with a smirk, "Rinko, Tatsurou, and you will be his backup. Keep a safe distance from him, and don't blow his cover under any circumstance. Do I make myself clear?"

Nodding her head, Yukikaze swore to make sure they succeeded with this mission. Walking out of the Security Room, Murasaki wore a shocked expression. Asking her if someone had found their location, she shook her head and said that wasn't the problem.

"Asagi, Mael completely vanished from our view the moment he left the barrier. I don't know what sort of power he has, but I haven't seen anything like it before.", Murasaki stated with a bit of excitement, "We may want to consider having him join our group, that skill set would be invaluable to us."

"Agreed, we could use someone adept at stealth and evasion.", Sakura said with a playful smile, "Besides which, he's the first guy in a long time that kept eye contact with us. He gets some brownie points for that one."

"Haha that is true.", Asagi laughed with a smile, "Murasaki, see what you can dig up on him."

"On it.", Murasaki replied before looking at Yukikaze, "Where is your boyfriend, did you leave him behind for Mael?"

Telling her to fuck off, Yukikaze said there wasn't anything going on between Mael and her. Adamantly stating that Tatsurou was the only man she wanted, she said that she'd never cheat on him. Leaving it that, Murasaki returned to the Security Room to begin researching Mael.

---Mael POV---

Spending the next few hours flying around the surrounding area searching for Kratos, I turned up nothing. Knowing he was more than strong enough to protect himself, I decided to continue the search the following day. Finding the Dark Slime Fragment was a higher priority, and once it was killed I should be able to find Kratos with the radar.

"It be ironic if he ended up in modern day Greece.", I chuckled to myself as I touched down on a building, "Now then...if I am going to infiltrate the criminal underworld, I am going to need to look the part."

Making a custom black suit for myself, I decided to create a car to fit the vibe. Creating a black 73' Dodge Charger with white interior as well, I felt pretty cool just sitting behind the wheel. For the finishing touch, I created a few business cards for myself and used the name 'John Wick' just to add some flare. With my disguise in order, I drove around town for a bit to get a feel for where the clubs were before choosing one to start with.

Getting out of the car, I handed my keys to the valet and told not scratch the paint. Making sure to tip a hundred dollars, he swore to make sure it was parked safely away from other cars. Thanking him, I confidently strolled up to the entrance and got in line to enter.

Spotting Yukikaze, Rinko, and Tatsurou off in the distance they appeared to be heading in my direction. Asagi had problem sent them to be my backup in case something went wrong, but I really didn't need them here. They hadn't done anything to disguise their appearance at all, anyone here that knew of the Taimanin would easily pick them out the moment they saw them.

'No wonder they always fucking get caught.', I thought ignoring them, 'I can already tell where this is going, and I am going to have to save them.'

Easily gaining access to the club, after some mental manipulation, I went to the counter to order a drink.

"An Old Fashion please.", I told the bartender.

Nodding his head he got to work mixing the drink.

"I haven't seen you here before, where you from?", the bartender asked probing for information.

"Here and there, I go where the business takes me.", I told him keeping things vague.

Leaving it at that, the bartender slid me my drink and I paid him for it with cash. Browsing their array of different bottles as a cover, I used my magic to see if the Dark Slime was here. Not finding any trace of it or any of the upper executives of Edwin's organization, I was about to finish my drink and leave when I saw the three Taimanin get into the club.

'...didn't even bother using magic or tech to change their appearance before entering, fucking great. They already have security watching them like hawks, better get them out off the floor before this gets ugly.', I thought as I motioned for the bartender to come over, "I hate to be a bother, but is that curvy blue haired woman and her smaller tan friend employed here? I had a long flight in, and could use some stress relief."

Glancing over at Yukikaze and Rinko for a moment, he said they didn't but that he could arrange something if I wanted. Sliding him five thousand dollars, I told him to get me a nice room with some privacy. Grinning ear to ear, he said he would make it happen for me. Leaving the bar for a few moments, next thing I saw was security ripping Tatsurou away from the two women. Pulling them away from the main floor, the guards took them up to the private rooms before returning to their duties.

"They just need to freshen up.", the bartender told me as he came back behind the bar.

"No problem, thanks for the service. Give me a bottle of Louis the Thirteenth and a few glasses.", I chuckled, "Here's your tip."

Sliding him a few more hundred dollar bills, he said he would have the bottle delivered to the room. In addition to the money, I slide him my business card.

"If Miss Ingrid ever needs a problem removed, let her know I am in the market for work.", I stated with a nod.

"Of course sir, enjoy your evening.", he replied, "Enjoy your evening sir."