487 A Meet Up by the River, An Enticing Proposal Mark had Received (1/2)

Day 125 - 9:47 PM - Agos River, Barangay Anoling, General Nakar, Quezon

Emika created quite a commotion after Aephelia introduced herself. After all, the last time the lively dryad girl saw the loyal maid, she was still in the same size as Amihan. Now, however, it was hard to link this beautiful but stern-looking woman, to the cute but silent Sylph from before.

Nevertheless, looking at Aephelia's behavior, it never really changed. This fact made it easier for Emika to accept it. Of course, she was very curious about how this happened. If not for her family, together with General Faustino appearing in time, she might have started to annoy Mark to get the answers she wanted.

General Faustino thanked Mark's group for interfering with the enemies' plan. He did not know how Mark came to know about the situation. Nevertheless, his interference made the settlement avoid the worst conclusion. The abducted people had already returned, and seeing that they lost almost lost that many people without noticing made them feel ashamed.

The deaths of their comrades felt unjustified, but they had no choice but to accept. It was because the enemies came at the time they least expected, and the enemies were not just regular beings either. The soldiers that witnessed Huo Long Yue catching the bullets and throwing it back still made their spines shiver.

One unexpected thing was that after hearing about the real identity of Jones did not make General Faustino any more surprised. The old general already knew since the start.

After all, he was the one who personally ”hired” Jones Galley as a mercenary. But in fact, it was Jones who volunteered to help them as they found traces of the Auraboros operating in the country.

One of those traces was the Death Valley Settlement. It might be a gathering of criminals with the founder, who was an international drug lord. However, their backing was the same organization that Jones Galley escaped from during his childhood.

While they talked at the school grounds, the clean up started. General Faustino wanted to invite Mark's group. To their dismay, Mark declined. They still had things to do, after all.

Mark's group bid goodbye to General Faustino's group. Emika was a bit sad. After all, her family separated from Mark's group for a long while now. It was the first time she saw them after almost two months. Who knows when would she see them next time. With how the world was right now, it might even be forever.

However, Mark promised that he would bring her to his base next time. His daughters were also quite close to this little dryad. They would be happy to see her. Still, now was not the right time.

After all, his base still had enemies to face.

With that promise, Emika settled down, and Mark's group departed.

It was quite dark, but they all moved towards the east of the New Infanta Settlement.

Soon, they heard the gushing water as they reached the vicinity of Agos River.

Then, looking around, Mark sat down with Mei on a large rock.

”There's only us here. Are you not going to come out?”

Mark suddenly called out to everyone's confusion.

But then, they became alert as the bushes on the south side of the place they stopped started rustling.

And there, a small white fox made its way out of the bushes.

The fur of the white fox was beautiful, and its appearance was cute. However, not only that foxes were not endemic to this country, but this white fox had three tails.

That appearance, however, made Spera flinch. She immediately hid behind Mark and Mei as if it was natural to do so.

The fox looked straight at Mark and the others for several seconds.

”Are you done watching?”

Mark asked.

As if sighing, the fox exhaled a deep breath. Then, bright light enveloped its body, causing everyone to cover their eyes. This light was too bright for this dark environment that was only lit by the moonlight.

After the bright light vanished, the fox also disappeared. In the fox's place stood a beautiful woman in white robes.

A Kitsune, it was what the woman was. The word meant ”Fox” in a literal manner. But if used in a paranormal context, the word Kitsune would refer to Demon Foxes and Spirit Foxes.

The appearance of the woman made Spera even more uneasy.

”Don't worry. We're here. Nothing will happen.”

Mei assured Spera like an older sister.

This gesture made Spera nod, though she was still a bit nervous.

”It is as she said, Spera. With that man in front of you around, I won't be able to do anything here.”

The fox woman said with a fearless smile.

”So, you have been lurking around all this time. I'm getting annoyed. What do you want?”

Mark asked directly.

This gesture made the fox woman quite surprised. Most men would flirt, introduce themselves first, and ask for her name after seeing her face. That was how confident she was with her appearance. But seeing Mei, who sat beside Mark, his reaction became too acceptable to a hateful level.

”Gathering information.”

The fox woman replied as direct as Mark's question.

”So, you are going to inform those guys that ran away, maybe not.”

Mark said. This fox had been around every time he was hunting. That was one of the reasons why Mark held most of his abilities back. However, when he encountered Huo Long Yue this time, it made him realize something.

Even though this fox was watching, Huo Long Yue and the others seemed to have no idea who he was. It meant that this fox never reported anything to them.

”She is Yukine, the vice leader of the Yuki Kitsune. An intelligence group from the Japan Branch of Auraboros and move directly under the orders of the Empress.”

Spera spoke. It seemed that she knew this fox woman.