CHAPTER 83: THE CLIENT’S ASSURANCE

The masked man who stood before the large crowd of Shinigami Soldiers had begun the meeting.

"First of all," he began with his distorted voice, "I will not reveal my name or identity. As you can see by my red mask and my voice changer, I would like my identity to be kept private. I hope that you can understand."

He bowed, and Liohime gulped.

This was him. One of the richest clients that he had faced, and the man who was now initiating the biggest mission in the history of the criminal organization known as the Shinigami Soldiers, right here in the flesh.

Gazing upon him, he could not help but feel an air of menace around him, but at the same time, his kind expressions that emerged from his words so far gave him nothing but a relaxing mood.

It was confusing.

The client continued, "As you can see, I’ve given you all transport, free housing and a monetary reward that can literally change all of your lives once the mission is successful. One billion dollars to be divided amongst fifty personnel. That’s twenty million per person at the very least, a financial gain that could basically set you for life.Therefore, with all of these provisions set in place, I beg of you to do your best in order to achieve what could be life-changing. Also, please expect a special piece of technology to be handed over to each and every one of you when you will be transported to the Paradisus Legion tomorrow. It will allow you to contact me and set up a teleportation mechanism in order to send the Magical Beast egg to me immediately when you find it."

"...If we find it," Harvey muttered under his breath, scoffing lightly.

In a sense, they were still pretty much about to search for an object that was not confirmed to be there, and only speculated to be around due to scientific research and word of mouth.

"Now, you all are very aware of this, but please remember and keep to heart that this place that you will be headed to is like hell on earth," the man said with a much more serious tone, causing most of the listeners to stiffen up. "Illegal Magical Beast Raiders that hunt for eggs without a licence and isolated tribes that are scattered throughout the deep, inner layers of the vortex-like land are a threat. Be prepared to face humans that are most likely ready to kill. Also, rogue Magical Beasts that have hatched without being contracted to humans prowl the area, and with the newest scientific findings based on their behaviors, most if not all of them seem to be influenced by a strange magical power deep within the inner layer of the Paradisus Legion, and are very hostile."

Immediately, the crowd began to mumble among themselves, creating tension that hovered in the air.

""Influenced by a strange magical power? Could that mean...?"

"The Magical Beast that we’re about to look for? There’s no fucking way that a beast that’s still unhatched can influence other hatched Magical Beasts, right?!!?"

"S-So scary! How the fuck can a beast have that much power!? That can’t be true, can it!?"

Liohime and Jolene exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing.

--Just what was this Magical Beast that they were about to retrieve?

CLAP! CLAP!

With two loud claps, the man had interrupted the noise, and had regained everyone’s attention before continuing.

"I know that you all may have a lot of questions about this. Some of you may even be wondering if what you’re about to do is the right choice. Well, I can say this: If you are able to retrieve this Magical Beast egg, you will be single-handedly contributing to the new era of a Magical Beast society that me and my team will create, and I know that the future can be bright if we can secure something as incredible as this."

The Shinigami Soldiers began to silently mutter again with confused glances, but the man quickly cut off further interactions.

"Over the past week, I have gotten recordings and documents that showcased the various skills, physical abilities, Magical Beast usages and more from your Chiefs. I am very impressed with you all, especially those from Polar Town and Hallory Circuit."

The two groups mentioned flashed grins and winks at each other, and Liohime sighed with relief.

"Still, I know that in terms of your areas of work, some of you must be wondering, ’how the fuck am I gonna contribute? I don’t usually fight or use strategic thinking in my original sectors of work!’ And that’s fine. What I will say, though, is to support those who can while they remain on the front lines as we continue to go deeper and deeper into the heart of the Paradisus Legion in order to get what we’re looking for. Trust in yourselves, your co-workers, and in your Magical Beasts. Specific instructions will be given on how to approach and navigate the dangerous terrain tomorrow, but until then..."

The man held his right arm out as his palm gently touched his chest where his heart lay within, and concluded:

"Enjoy the calm before the storm, and good luck. You all will need it."

With that, the man dismissed them, and his personnel proceeded to guide the group back into the private buses.

Jolene, after hearing that speech, merely rolled her eyes.

Well, all of that could’ve been sent to us in a fucking text message."

"Yeah, but, I guess that it’s kind of nice to see what our client is like and hear his words face to face, you know?" Liohime suggested. "In a sense, it’s kinda...motivating? I don’t know."

"I guess you’re right."

"Hey, everyone," Harvey called out, doing his best to briskly bring the Polar Town Shinigami Soldiers together in a circle as many were rushing back to the vehicles.

With Liohime, Jolene, Ophiel and Bica, as well as Leah finally close together, he bit his lip and paused for a bit before replying.

"...I know that we’re only co-workers and all, and we can barely call ourselves any more than that, but..."

He held out his clenched fist toward the center of them all, exhaling before letting out an innocent grin.

"...Don’t you dare fucking die out there, okay? Let’s all return to our Chief in Polar Town in one piece."

Liohime and Ophiel exchanged widened glances, Bica finally opened her eyelids, confused about where she was at, and Jolene rolled her eyes once more, while Leah’s eyes were...watering?

"Y-Yeah!’ Liohime replied, disregarding the harsh relationship that existed between him and Harvey, and held out his fist as well, with a spirit full of vigor and hope. "Good luck, everyone!"

"Good luck everyone," mentioned Ophiel, also doing the same, and Bica, who had no clue what was going on, simply repeated what the three men were doing.

Leah also joined in with her emotions almost going out of control, and Jolene sighed.

"You guys and this cheezy ass shonen shit....whatever. Good luck guys, but that bet is still on, by the way."

"Oh trust me, it’s been on," Harvey responded, and Jolene smirked before finally completing the group fistbump as she replied:

"For the mission, for the money, for our lives. Let’s do this shit, Shinigami Soldiers!"

"YEAH!!!"

With a triumphant cheer, the group all awaited the next day...

--The storm that was yet to come.