Chapter 402 (2/2)

“I’m Rose Calloway. I believe I’ll be in charge of analysis and tactics on our expedition. This is Ace. You are…?”

Lucifer frowned. Rose and Ace…? Those were not names that he was familiar with, based on the dossiers that he read of Donnyton’s personnel. And to go so far as to say she would be in charge of analysis and tactics… well, hopefully, she had the ability to back up that claim…

“...this is Lucifer. He’s from the South, and even worse at making friends than Randidly, so keep that in mind.” Annie said, removing her arm from Lucifer’s and casting him an amused look. Lucifer managed to shrug, trying to look nonchalant, inwardly sweating. Still… it might be hard to tell now, but these people were undoubtedly all strong. There was no reason to dismiss them. Better to just… extend an olive branch.

Lucifer, running on a flash of nervous energy, extended a hand and put it on Ace’s shoulder. Then, as calmly as he could, he spoke.

“Heeeyyyyy….” It came out as a low growl, hanging in the air. Ace’s eyes met his. Very rapidly, Lucifer felt the attitude between them change. Tension crept out of hiding for both of them, as they both began to glower more and more strongly. Lucifer realized abruptly how what he had done could come across as threatening, but now he could only sit back helplessly as the instincts of the beast inside of him took over.

The other groups looked over. Alana’s eyes narrowed, as she looked on, and she quietly drew one of her spears.

“You…” Ace said, his eyes squinted. Then his face broke and he sighed. “You might be the most talented villain I’ve ever seen. That flashy appearance, that deadpan expression, that gravelly voice…! You make enemies everywhere you go, don’t you? I’m so jealous!”

Ace patted Lucifer's shoulder a few times, then walked away, a sad expression on his face. Lucifer scratched his cheek. That turned out…. fine…?

An older man with short grey hair came out of a nearby building, carrying a long package, and looked around at the group of them quizzically. “Not here yet? Christ, that boy…”

Annie laughed. “You saw that spike of energy to the North. It just abated. He can’t be two places at once-”

“Yet,” And suddenly Lucifer’s perception narrowed, focusing on the tall young man that had appeared in their midst, his shoulder-length black hair swishing lightly from his obvious momentum. The ground beneath him remained undamaged, which made Lucifer’s heart pound.

To stop without damage, at that sort of speed…

He looked just the way he did in Lucifer’s memories, but he felt… so much more. So much more focused and real, so much heavier. The air was thick with his presence. His eyes flashed emerald, as he scanned through them all. But apparently, what he found there wasn’t what he was expecting.

And when the Ghosthound frowned, that weight turned piercing. “Alana, where’s your second? We should leave soon-”

“Thea’s my plus one for this dance,” Alana said, putting her hand on the shoulder of the young girl. For her part, the girl looked extremely nervous, just looking at the ground in the face of the Ghosthound. Lucifer could understand that. There was an intensity to that gaze that made him uncomfortable as well. Still, the beast in his chest would never allow himself to look away, if the Ghosthound initiated contact, no matter how uncomfortable Lucifer himself was.

But the Ghosthound’s eyes softened as he looked at the girl, Thea, and he said nothing. Instead, he nodded, and turned away.

“There’s a 10th spot, yes?” Clarissa asked, tapping her wrists. “Who will be our final member?”

“...Another from the North.” The Ghosthound said, this time looking at Ace, who waved good-naturedly at him with a cheesy grin. Almost in spite of himself, the Ghosthound’s mouth curved up into a grin. “From East End. Ace, you’ll accompany to ask for their assistance, yes?”

Ace’s happy expression fell away. Instead, his face twisted into a combination of pain and guilt. It was so strong that even Lucifer could discern it, so it was indeed extremely overt. The Ghosthound frowned in response, and it was Rose who stepped forward with a hesitant expression.

“...No offense meant, but… that is not the best idea. The two of them… did not part on good terms.” Rose explained. The Ghosthound said nothing. Ace’s foot began to tap again.

“Well, then I’ll go alone,” The Ghosthound said, turning away. Mrs. Hamilton and their research specialist, Daniel, were hurrying over. As they made a beeline for him, The Ghosthound turned over his shoulder and said. “Introduce yourselves to each other, familiarize each other with everyone’s Skills. It’s just a hunch, but… I suspect we won’t have an easy time in the Raid Dungeon. Strength isn’t enough… we are gonna need teamwork.”