Jas stood outside the Regional Headquarters of the Dungeon Regulators Association (DRA)*, his hands tucked into his pockets against the crisp evening breeze.
He waited for Adrian, who had gone to change out of his bloodied clothes after a round of routine interrogation. Within monts, he erged from the building, a bag carrying his blood-stained clothes slung over his shoulder. Jas approached him with a smile.
"That was quick," he said, handing Adrian the keys to his new rcedes. "Consider this an apology from the upper managent for today’s events."
"You didn’t need to, but thanks either way," Adrian curtly replied, accepting the keys.
"Also, I’ll submit the incident report to the executive director and keep you in the loop about the next steps," Jas inford Adrian, walking him to his new vehicle. Considering your status and the proof, the Tiger Clan should have a tough ti slithering out of this ss."
Adrian nodded gratefully, adjusting the strap of his bag over his shoulder. "Thanks, Jas. And thanks for the fresh clothes. I really appreciate it."
Jas shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "It’s the least I could do for you after everything you’ve been through in the DRA-controlled dungeon."
"So, what’s on your agenda next?" he asked, his tone sounding more worried than curious.
Although Jas had only known Adrian for a few days, he knew Adrian wasn’t soone who’d sit idly after being attacked without any provocation.
As such, he wanted to dissuade Adrian from doing anything reckless. After all, he had his entire life left to live, and it would be a sha to see his talent wasted in a prison like Tartarus.
"Not much on my agenda at the mont," Settling into the car’s comfortable interior, Adrian sighed softly. "I think I’m just going to take so ti to reconnect with my family, you know? It’s been too long since I’ve seen them."
Jas nodded understandingly, leaning against the doorfra. He was relieved revenge wasn’t on Adrian’s mind and encouraged him to spend so ti with his family, hoping it would take things off his head.
"Family cos first, always," he agreed. "And as for the guild, any particular one caught your eye?"
"Yeah, I’ve set my eyes on one," he confessed. "But I’m not in a hurry to join them just yet. I want to make sure it’s the right fit for ."
"Smart move," Jas remarked with a nod of approval. "oh, and rember, if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out."
"Thanks, Jas. I’ll keep that in mind."
With a final wave, Jas stepped back as the car pulled away, watching until it disappeared from view. As he turned to head back inside the headquarters, he couldn’t help but feel that sothing was amiss. Adrian was being too logical for once, and that thought worried Jas.
’Nah, I’m probably overthinking.’
Spoiler alert: he wasn’t.
***
At Joseph’s penthouse...
Jacob, Joseph, and Emma sat huddled around their dining table, enjoying the drinks and the top-tier food. As usual, Ava hadn’t joined them, still depressed.
A half-eaten cake sat in the centre, and candles flickered in the dim light of their luxury apartnt. Laughter echoed off the walls as they celebrated Adrian’s downfall.
Suddenly, a loud banging shattered their peaceful party, causing Joseph to jump up from the sofa, thinking the neighbours were probably making a fuss about the noise.
However, he was in for a surprise when he opened the door. He swung it open, only to be greeted by dozens of imposing figures standing on their doorstep. All of them wearing White Tiger’s coat.
"What’s going on?" Jacob asked, noticing that Joseph had gone silent.
Jacob’s brow furrowed in confusion as he stepped forward and asked, "What are you all doing here?"
Jacob had been expecting the news related to Adrian, but he hadn’t expected the tiger goons to personally deliver the news to him. But even if that was the case, why were there so many of them when one ssenger would have been sufficient.
One of the n stepped forward, his expression as plain as the skies above, as he handed Jacob a phone. Jacob hesitated montarily before bringing it to his ear, hoping to get so answers from the person on the other side.
The voice told him sothing and all the colour on Jacob’s face disappeared as if he had seen a ghost. His legs gave away as he collapsed right at the doorstep.
Joseph and Emma imdiately rushed to his side, wondering what had happened. Then Joseph took the phone, and the man narrated the entire thing again, and cue, Joseph had a similar reaction.
"What is it? What is going on here?" Emma asked, shaking Joseph, who stared at her with blank eyes.
"It’s Adrian," Jacob finally managed to whisper. "He... he’s killed them all. Every single one of the assassins..."
Emma’s eyes widened in horror as she looked from Jacob to Joseph, her hands trembling at her sides. She had warned them sothing like this might happen, but they didn’t listen to her, and now they were in this ss.
"What do we do?" Joseph asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he grabbed his head, pulling his hair.
Suddenly, the voice from the phone interrupted their thoughts, "We can no longer fulfil our contract. But we will hell you in other ways to compensate for our failure and as an obligation as a friend."
The voice continued, "Please follow my n; they’ll bring you to safety."
Jacob nodded. They were no longer safe here, not with Adrian on the loose. He glanced at Joseph, his eyes filled with fear and agreed with the clanmaster’s decision.
"We need to go," Jacob said, his voice firm as he turned to Emma. "Pack your things and wake Ava. We’re leaving tonight."
Emma nodded, and she hurried to gather their belongings. Joseph clenched his jaw, his hands shaking as he reached for his coat, wondering how he could fail like that.
As they were gathering their stuff, a sudden commotion erupted outside, shouting and crashing echoing through the hallway. The white tiger clan mbers rushed outside to investigate, leaving Jacob, Joseph, and Emma alone in the apartnt.
"What’s happening?" Emma asked, her voice trembling as she clung to Joseph’s arm.
"I don’t know," Joseph replied, preparing to use Emma as a shield if needed.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the room as one of the White Tiger mbers burst through the wall, landing at their feet with a thud.
Jacob’s eyes widened in horror as he looked through the hole, his blood running cold at the sight of Adrian’s nacing red eyes staring back at him.
***
Author’s note: I changed DRA’s na from Dungeon Research Association to Dungeon Regulators Association as it was more suitable. Sorry for any inconvenience.
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