Spark, Lilith, and Ivy moved with practiced efficiency. Their expressions were grim. The Labyrinth was once their hunting ground for fortune. It was now their hunting ground for targeting nasty terrorists.
Inside the Labyrinth, the familiar, cool air of the dungeon washed over them. Spark didn't waste time. With a thought, he took out and opened his Slave Grimoire.
A ripple of displacement shimmered in the air. And then... Ivy, Serenade, and Melody materialized beside him.
The three looked to Spark with quiet curiosity and anticipation. They were supposed to be re-summoned outside. But, this was clearly still inside the labyrinth.
"Situation update." Spark stated. His voice was devoid of pleasantries. "Canarine Town is in ruins. Brilliant Horizon scums lured dragons there. Then, they fled into this labyrinth dungeon. Now, we hunt them."
His subordinates nodded. Their loyalty was absolute. There was no argument. No hesitation.
"Tracking protocols initiated." Spark declared. "Scarlett, your gu-insects are first. Spread them wide. Lilith, use your spyglass often. Ivy, Serenade, use the dolls. Melody, prepare to map any new sections. I'll go Draconic Werelion for scent tracking."
They nodded, each moving to their positions.
Spark's body began to shift quickly. Muscles rippled. Bones groaned. And his skin transformed into part scales part thick fur.
His human features elongated. His dark-grey eyes narrowed into slits. And sharp teeth sprouted from his gums.
Curved, black horns erupted from his forehead. And, his hair turned completely into thick mane. Completing the transformation into his Draconic Werelion form.
It was a towering beast of power. Its every breath was a faint mist of power.
Lowering his massive head, Spark sniffed the air. Searching for the faintest trace of the most recent human passage.
Serenade and Ivy worked in tandem. Serenade produced a small, cute cloth doll, the [Witch Doll of Misfortune]. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent red light. Its hand pointing towards concentrated danger.
Ivy, not to be outdone, held aloft a similar doll. The [Witch Doll of Fortune]. Gentle golden light pulsed from its button eyes. Indicating pathways of good fortune.
The two dolls were normally used for navigating dangerous ruins for treasure. They were now repurposed for manhunting. Their combined readings would pinpoint the enemy's location with unnerving accuracy.
Scarlett, meanwhile, released a silent swarm of her gu-insects. These tiny creatures flew and dispersed into the cracks and crevices of the walls. Moving with unnatural speed.
They were her eyes and ears. Capable of traversing narrow tunnels and observing undetected.
Her dark-red hair swayed as she focused. Her mind was linking with the swarm. Processing the myriad of sensory inputs they provided.
Lilith raised her [Life Observing Spyglass]. The polished brass instrument hummed faintly. Its enchanted lenses could detect through walls and other solid objects.
She swept it around. Searching for any life signatures. Skipping any creature other than the targets they were searching.
Melody, was not directly involved in the initial tracking. But her role would be crucial for navigation. Especially if the chase led them into unexplored areas of the Labyrinth.
She was still the one tasked to meticulously chart their path. Ensuring they would not get lost in the confusing labyrinth.
The tracking was swift. The combined efforts of the team painted a clear picture. The [Witch Doll of Misfortune] vibrated violently. Its red glow was intensifying. Pointing deeper into a section of the Labyrinth they hadn't explored.
The [Witch Doll of Fortune] was surprisingly pointed to the same direction.
Scarlett's gu-insects confirmed life signs ahead. Three distinct clusters moving quite leisurely. Lilith's spyglass pinpointed them. Three distinct energy signatures. One was undeniably stronger than the others.
"Three targets." Lilith reported. Her voice was hushed. "One is suspected to be Tier-5, very dangerous. The other two are Tier-4, also dangerous for us."
Her spyglass was also designed to give general power readings. It confirmed Spark's initial suspicions. These were not common thugs.
Spark lowered his head. A low growl emanating from his throat. Tier-5. That was a serious threat.
His eyes met Scarlett's. "Your task, Scarlett. Wear this [Appraisal Goggles]. Get me details. Use Spirit Form. But, prioritize your safety."
Scarlett nodded. She received [Appraisal Goggles] with the a glint of enthusiasm in her eyes. She quickly placed them on her face.
And then, she chanted under her breath. Activating her crestmagic spell. A shimmering aura of purple energy enveloped her. Her body seemed to ripple. Becoming ethereal as she activated her crest magic, [Spirit Form].
She was still visible. But barely. An ephemeral shadow that could slip through the dungeon's defenses like a whisper.
She moved forward. Passing through walls. A silent wraith. The others held their positions.
Several moments later, Scarlett returned. Her form was solidifying. The goggles were still perched on her nose.
"Report." Spark instructed.
"I had confirmed it, Master." Scarlett stated. "The tall, gaunt man with the scars... He's the Tier-5 Sorcerer. The stout, bald guy is a Tier-4 Framepath Warrior. And the younger one, he's a Tier-4 Technomind Mechanic. Frost-based tech."
A Tier-5 Sorcerer, a Tier-4 Warrior, and a Tier-4 Mechanic. A powerful group. Their tiers were higher than any on Spark's team. But Spark thrived on overwhelming odds and prepared ambushes.
"An ambush, then. I'll try to assassinate the Sorcerer in one shot." Spark decided. His voice was flat. "Melody, Serenade, prepare your songs. Enchantment and debilitation. Ivy, Scarlett, cover the Mechanic. Lilith, pin down the Sorcerer in case he isn't dead. I'll handle the Warrior."
Every member of the team knew their role. They moved through different path. Toward the large, empty hall that the three criminals were heading to.
They moved into position, finding cover behind large stalagmites and ancient rubble. The air grew heavy with anticipation.
The rustling of the Brilliant Horizon members grew louder. Their voices were echoing off the Labyrinth's walls.
"It was quite unfortunate." Growled a voice, likely the Warrior. "That bastard mayor was not in town."
"It was a warning!" Snapped another voice. Sharp and cold. "It doesn't matter the mayor was in town or not. He won't dare cross us again."
Spark took a deep breath. The scent of their arrogance was mingling with the dusty air. His hand moved. Preparing the Power Rifle he had already taken from his Techomind Space.
The massive rifle felt like a natural extension of his arm. now. Its dark metal was glinting. He aimed his rifle.
The Sorcerer, tall, gaunt man with the scars, emerged into the killing zone first, He was arguing heatedly with the stout Warrior. The younger Mechanic lagged slightly behind. Tinkering with a device on his arm.
Bang!
The power rifle roared. A bolt of pure kinetic energy. Crackling with arcane force, ripped through the air.
It wasn't a warning shot. It was real assassination's bullet. The bolt struck the Tier-5 Sorcerer clean in the chest. He hadn't even registered the danger.
The sound of tearing flesh and splintering bone filled the corridor. The Sorcerer reeled back. A gurgle was escaping his lips.
A gaping, smoking wound appeared where his sternum should have been. He slammed into the wall. Blood was splattering. But incredibly, he remained on his feet. Albeit barely.
"Ambush!" the Sorcerer shrieked. His voice was raw with pain and fury. A surge of uncontrolled magic erupted from him.
Immediately, the three terrorists snapped into combat mode. The injured Sorcerer, ignoring his grievous wound. Raised a trembling hand.
A jagged bolt of pure lightning. Thick as a tree trunk. It erupted from his fingertips. Arcing directly towards Spark's position.
The stout Warrior transformed. His body was bloated. Fur was sprouted. And his bones shifted with sickening crunches.
In a matter of seconds, he turned into a monstrous were-bear. It was twice Spark's size. Its claws were extended. Its eyes were burning with savage intent.
The Mechanic, though surprised, also reacted quickly. A shimmer of frost metal coated his body. Mechanical plates suddenly snapped into place. Encasing him in a form-fitting, icy armor.
Spark was already cloaked in lightning. He met the Sorcerer's lightning strike head-on. The two forces clashed. A blinding flash.
But Spark's sheer power and his augmented hide absorbed the worst of it. The strike staggered him for a moment. But he remained on his feet. Growling.
He wasted no time. With an earth-shattering roar, he launched himself forward. A blur of fur and lightning. His target was the were-bear. The two titans met in a collision that shook the very foundations of the Labyrinth.
Claws raked. Teeth gnashed. And the air crackled with primal fury. Spark's lightning-coated limbs ensured every blow landed with concussive force. Burning through the were-bear's tough hide.
Lilith was a ghost. She blinked into existence behind the staggering Sorcerer. Her arcane handgun spitting a stream of devastating bullets.
With [Spatial Blink] and [Lightning Speed], she danced around him. A blur of motion aiming decisively for vulnerable points.
The Sorcerer, already half-dead from Spark's initial shot, struggled to track her. His counter spells were erratic and desperate.
On the other hand, every one of Lilith's movements was a calculated torment. Chipping away at the sorcerer's remaining life force.
Ivy's small frame was belying her destructive power. She aimed her grenade launcher at the frost-armored Mechanic.
Bang! Bang!
Alchemy grenades. Each containing a volatile concoction. They rained down on the Mechanic. Some exploded with corrosive acid. Others with sticky, debilitating goo. And still others with blinding flashes of light.
The Mechanic's armor hissed and warped under the assault. But it held.