Crete, the city of swords and battles. More than a dozen men are gathered in a room in the town, which is in the midst of a boisterous celebration of the Martial Emperor.
Some are smiling. Some with frowns. Others were irritated. They were all different in age and dress, but the only thing they had in common was the atmosphere they wore.

A monstrous atmosphere like that of a cannibalistic beast. The vigilance peculiar to those who have always lived by eating others and not trusting them is something that can be seen at a glance even by ordinary people who are not involved in warfare.

In fact, the people gathered in that room were cannibalistic beasts.

The Martial Emperor Festival is a festival for warriors. And it's not just the good guys who gather here.
To capture a bandit who has absorbed mana material, you need someone with the right skills. In this age, many of the most famous warriors are also bounty hunters. And there are many who hold grudges against them.

Secret societies that plot to overthrow countries out of their own desires. The Red Hunters, who specialize in assassinations, and the Thieves, who mainly attack the merchant corps that cross the country.
Even if you don't have a personal vendetta, killing a famous warrior can give you an edge. Some of them even pay to get revenge.
At this time of the year, the deaths of contestants outside the tournament were a kind of tradition.

However, it is impossible for such people to gather in one place.

These underground contestants are not on the same side, as a matter of course.
Sometimes they even kill each other for profit. There was a tacit truce during the Emperor's Festival, but most people think that it doesn't matter as long as they don't get caught.

There is a reason why we were able to escape the hands of the government and hunters for so long. Besides, at this time of year, cleats are on the lookout for marauders.

The reason why they, who are naturally very cautious, were able to meet together like this was because the person who contacted them was so huge.

No one knew the name of the organization, but no one knew its true nature either.

A secret society that has lurked in the shadows for a long time, antagonizing all kinds of countries and organizations, and always surpassing them.
Its members, its exact size and influence, and even its leader are unknown. However, it is said that the organization is behind every major incident and war that shakes a country, and is the emperor of darkness.

The Shadow Fox of the Nine Tails.

And the men who live in the same field know that its reach is much wider than its reputation.

The Fox is a huge organization. A formidable opponent that has made enemies in many countries and still can't get its tail between its legs. Many of its members would be influential in the outside world.
Its power is now equal to that of a country. In fact, there are rumors that the organization originated in a once defunct country.

Therefore, even if the organization was different, the call could not be rejected out of hand.
There was no way I could send a lowly agent in my place.

As long as we live in the darkness, we cannot escape the influence of the stronger darkness.

In the midst of the tense atmosphere, one of the men spoke up as if he couldn't take it anymore.

'But what happened to the 'fox' calling out? Have you guys been told anything?

'No. We've brought together several different organizations. There must be a good reason.'

'Is it a warning, or is it business? It's typical of that 'fox' to be so paranoid and cautious that he doesn't even reveal the purpose of the meeting...'

They were both watching each other's faces as they checked each other out. This convocation was quite unusual considering the fox's modus operandi up to now.

Some of the members had dealt with the foxes as an organization before, but their usual communication was by letter or, if they met face to face, one-on-one.
The foxes do not like to leave footprints. One-on-one is fine for warnings and normal business.

There must be a big reason why they've gathered all the outside members in one place.

In the underground, people respect each other. No matter how powerful your opponent is, there is no way you can sit back and let them destroy you.
But there's no way the fox doesn't know that.

Then, an old man sitting deep in the back of the room - a certain organization's leader - opened his mouth gravely.

'Is it related to the "Thousand Transformations"?

'!!!

''If you're here, you already know. That man crushed the fox's plan, you know.

The meeting that took place just the other day in Toaizant, the Land of Sand.
It is still fresh in our minds that a level 8 hunter was chosen to be Emperor Zebuldia's bodyguard.

And although it's not widely known, anyone with an ear to the ground knows that the Thousand Transformations prevented an attack on the Emperor from occurring.

And that the attacker was a fox.

It's hard to imagine that you could survive an attack by a fox that is unpredictable and has a number of high level hunter class members.
The knights of the Zebrudia Empire are said to be full of skilled men, but that alone is not enough to escape the clutches of the fox. Although the details of the situation have not been reported, it is not difficult to imagine that the activities of the "Thousand Transformations" existed in the fight against it.

And the Emperor of Zebrudia recommended that the Thousand Transformations participate in the upcoming Martial Emperor Festival.
Taking all this into consideration, there was only one conclusion.

'Retaliation?

The other members of the group gasped at the words of one of them.
Foxes do not forgive those who stand in their way. Even if the opponent was a level 8 beyond Ark Rodin, he would not stop his hand. Because of its thoroughness, the organization has been feared.

After protecting the Emperor of Zebrudia and defeating the fox, they will be crushed at the Martial Emperor Festival, where they will compete on the Emperor's recommendation. There will be no more effective retaliation than this.

I can't even imagine how it survived the fox's attack, but it's the end of the line for the Thousand Transformations.
No matter how much of a monster he is, as long as he is human, there is a limit to his vigilance. The First Step, organized by that man, is a powerful clan, but their organization is too different from that of the fox.

Once again, silence fills the room.
No one said anything more. But their eyes shone brightly.

One felt his blood tingle at the prospect of war, and another instantly calculated the benefits of aiding the fox's organization in defeating the Thousand Transformations.
Others are both terrified and excited at the opportunity to avenge the deaths of their comrades.

If the Fox starts a war, there is no question of participating. The Thousand Transformations, which has completely crushed all those who have tried to fight it, is the natural enemy of all those who live in the underworld.
There is a possibility that you will be used as a pawn, but such things are lying around everywhere. You just have to get around it.

At that moment, the only door in the room opened.

The hot air in the room escapes through the wide open door.
Entering was a slender man wearing a crimson fox mask. The man's demeanor took my breath away.

He was dressed like a kimono without any unnecessary ornaments, and carried a sword at his waist.
His face was hidden by a mask, but his flaming crimson hair stretched out from the back of his head and was tied behind his back. He was not dressed in an intimidating manner, but the hint of mana material that quietly rose from his body was so thick that it took the breath away of men who had lived in the underworld.

I had never seen him before. He had heard that the members of the foxes were all skilled swordsmen, but there was no doubt that their public face was that of a famous swordsman.

The man entered the room unconcerned by the countless stares, looked around at the men, and said as if it were nothing.



'Hey, hey, hey, you're here. I don't know why, but I'm ...... sure you'll die anyway.










'I don't know what it is, but there were so many of them! The quality's not great, but it's good for a workout! People are good. People are good.

'There were so many guards, I haven't moved my body in a while. I've been working out for a while now, though I'm not sure how I feel about it.

I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure what to say about meat that has absorbed mana and materials, but the response is completely different. The equipment is also very good, it's got a lot of character!

'Evil people have money, after all. They're all armed with treasures...'

'Well, ...... yeah, yeah, yeah.

Lizzie and Luke are barking at each other like dogs on a leash.

Apparently, the fox mask lovers' tour was much to Luke's liking.
Luke and Liz love violence. They prefer to deal with demons rather than illusions, and humans rather than demons.

It's a disturbing story, but I suppose there are certain things that only a warrior can understand.

In the corner of the newspaper, there was a small report that the Order of the Light had destroyed several criminal organizations.
Luke gave a wild grin.

'I gave it up. I just need to be able to kill people. No problem, right?

'Uh, yeah, yeah, I guess so. ......'

I have a feeling there are quite a few problems, but I dare not say. Luke's nature was completely manslayer.

'Look, Cry! They're so much more than just what they were wearing!

'Yeah, yeah, that's great.

Liz turned over the leather bag she was carrying and splattered the table in front of her with jewelry.
Shiny gold coins, daggers, rings, bracelets, and even a pistol. The rings are shining with large jewels, and I can't imagine how much one of them would cost. Of course, it could not be a fake.

Incidentally, when you capture a bandit in the town, all his belongings will be confiscated by the government, and a part of it will be paid to you later as a reward.
It is against the rules, though it is implicitly allowed to bring back the loot as it is. Lies was a thief at heart.

I can't help but think of the hardships of the lights who were supposed to have attacked with them.

Liz's eyes lit up, and she reached her arm out in front of me from behind and put something on me.

'You can have it, Crye! Look at this trophy--a necklace made of bones!

'Oh, thank you, .......'

I'll just take the feeling.
You'll be able to get a lot more than just a necklace.

'Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! I'll cut you up!

'I'll kill you!

Luke slashes at Lizzie in no time. Liz avoids it in no time.
It appears that you have too much energy to send in once. .......

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'Mr. Cry, I've bought you a cake with a reputation!

I could understand why Luke and the others were in a good mood, but Citly was also in a rare good mood.
His expression was the same as always, but the sparkle in his eyes was different. As a childhood friend, I can tell. His emotions were uncontrollable.

Sitri is always calm and collected, so this is quite unusual.

'Did something good happen to you?

'No, no, no... I'll make some tea.

Sitri makes me a cup of tea while fidgeting. I wonder what really happened?

There's only one cup on the tray.
She always takes care of me, but it's rare that she even serves me cake. Or rather, she seems to be using it as a trump card that she only serves when something is wrong.
I guess it's a signal from Sitri.

I quickly prepare a tea set in front of me, and forgetting to open the cake box, Cicely walks around behind me.

He touches my neck with a cool hand.

'I'll rub your shoulders.

'............'

I can't make tea while having my shoulders rubbed, but I let myself go. Citry squeezed my shoulders a few times and then wrapped his arms around me and hugged me from behind. He looked just like Liz. It was different from the usual massage.
A soft touch pressed against my neck. And then, in a feverish voice, Citri said in my ear.

'Mr. Crye, ...... can I lend you some money?'

'............'

As I remained silent, Cicely finally got to the point.

'Please give me that instead. It's that thing. Hey? Can't you?

I'd give you anything if I could, but ...... I'm scared. I'm afraid I have no idea what I'm doing.
As he rubs his hands over my body, Citri puts his lips behind my ear. Fear or pleasure, it sent shivers down my spine.

'Hey, when did you get it? How did you get it? You'll give it to me, right?'

'...... what are you talking about?'

'The one you're talking about. Hey, I'll definitely take good care of it. Please give it to me.'

You're begging too much. Did I get anything? What have I got lately, what have I got lately .............
It's the kind of thing a wealthy Citly would want.

'What,......, what should I do?

'Are you holding out? What do you want me to do? I'll do anything, hey, Mr. Cry. Anything, sir. Please don't rush me. Come on.



No. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, but I can't think of anything that Citri would want.
Citri, it's a bad habit not to speak up. Or what? Is there something you want that you can't tell me?

As I stroked his exposed arm, desperately searching for an idea, Lucia walked in, just in time.




'...... Leader, Gark-san and Rosemary-san are here. What should we do?'

'Send them away.'

'That's not how it works! Citri, get out of the way! Come on, let's go! Pull yourself together, brother!

With a wave of her wand, she physically shakes him off, and Lucia forces me to my feet.

I'd forgotten. I'm not sure if it's a pairing of a demon and an abyssal fire, or if it's hell. Are they bored?
What's the point of running away from the toilet if they're chasing you? Let's read the air.

I don't want to see you. I don't want to see you. It's too much trouble. I'm busy.'

'Don't be selfish! Come on, let's go! I'm busy. You're busy making out with Sitri.

What do you want me to do? What's the point of asking?

Sitri follows me, fidgeting with his hands. Luke and the others, who were playing with the fox masks they'd gotten, followed behind without saying a word.
And I was taken before the monsters, feeling like a criminal on my way to the gallows.