The Survival of an Inferior

"I have observed the Night Owl's activity. Instead of terrorism, the appropriate word should be a vigilante. You aim for high-ranking officials and people of power that oppress and destroy the lives of many. However, all of that wasn't exposed to the public and the government used that to label all of you as villains." I say. 

The man exchanges glance with Alure. 

"I have a group that has the same objective. But I lack support." 

"And that's why you infiltrated the BOV?" Alure asks, her brows furrowing. 

I nod. 

The man sighs and scratches his head. He takes off the straw hat to reveal messy black hair. 

"How can I trust you?" He asks. 

I take out the BOV badge from my coat and toss it to the man. He catches and inspects it. 

"The badge?"  

"Killing me will trigger the mechanism in the badge, it's linked to my life force."

The man widens his eyes. "I see...that's why we were constantly bombarded by the BOV. They had access to our various locations..." 

...

"Is that information enough to form some trust?"  

The man tosses the badge back at me and turns around. "I am Aerin, the oldest, and she is Alure. If you know about our activity, you can guess where our origin is." 

Aerin Isva is the oldest child of the Isva bloodline. Following him are Alure, Kae, and Bodev. 

Kae is the second youngest, the guy that used a bow at the rift valley. 

The Isva family originates from the Kingdom of Yurha, the fallen human kingdom next to Elvis. They moved to Rodgof after the fall and were granted a title upon sharing some crucial magic knowledge that contributed vastly to the technology. Under the surface, they form a vigilante organisation with like-minded people to punish those who deserve it. 

"You said you have the same objective, I want to know what you have done," says Aerin. 

"The orphanage in Libra, and some establishments in Southern Rodgof. The area was infiltrated by the Insanity Worms."

"I thought those worms were quarantined at the west?" Alure asks. 

"Some got out I guess. Anyways, those establishments all belonged to a group called Despair, I am trying to hunt for the leader." I say. 

...

Aerin looks down and sighs. "Hmm...alright. The more the merrier. But let Kae follow you, my younger brother, he is the one that almost shot you back at those mountains."

And he heads for the door. 

"Are you the leader?" I ask Aerin. 

He looks back and nods. "You can call all of us siblings one." 

================================ 

Present...

================================ 

Kae walks up to me and gives me a black look. He does not like an outsider taking advantage of his brother's kindness. 

"If you do anything I deem a threat, I will kill you immediately." 

"Sure," I respond without hesitation. 

-------------

Kae Isva 

Age: 21

Level: 203

Title: Bow Jester 

Class: Arcane Archer

Hp: 40000/40000

Mana: 300000

Atk: 149

Def: 91

Dex:230

Mag:299

Luck:31

Skills:

-Rapid Shot(lvl max)

-Stealth(lvl max)

-Eagle Eye(lvl max)

-Locked Target(lvl max)

-Shadow Fade(lvl 3)

-Hell Fire(lvl 4)

[Passive]

-Archery Genius(lvl max)

Favourability: 5

-------------- 

I understand what Aerin means. Each of them is strong enough in their respective roles to be called a leader. 

"Kae, punch me," I say, stepping in front of him.  

Kae raises his fist and did as planned. 

================================== 

Grad is chained to a chair in a room full of torture equipment. His head looks low, dripping blood off his nose. His nails were plucked and his body whipped of cuts. 

*BIIIIII* 

The door creaks open. 

"H-Hey," I say, running to Grad. 

Grad looks up. "It's...you." 

Grad's internal injuries were healed. His current wounds won't kill him. 

I cut the chain and pull Grad up. "I managed to take down the few remaining guards. The rest went somewhere. Let's escape before they come back."

"Escape? How...?" 

I scratch my head. "I don't know. But we should move." 

Grad glances at me. "You...look worse than me."

Blood flows down my mouth and forehead. 

"As if you who can't even walk yourself are better." 

He places his arm across my nape and on my shoulder as support. We then slowly trudge to the exit. Halfway through, Grad falls unconscious. 

Kae helps carry Grad and we return to Haeru. 

At the BOV building, Melissa walks around her office anxiously. 

*Knock* *Knock* 

Audrey slams the door open. "M-Melissa, two! Two of them survived and returned!"  

"Two? Where are they right now?"

"In the infirmary, both sustained immense damage, broken ribcage, bones, and some...I don't know."

Melissa rushes out with Audrey to the first level. A crowd gathers outside the infirmary and tiny drops of blood trail from the entrance. 

Melissa pushes the crowd aside. 

"Sir Arsto and Grad! Ms Reaive, how are their condition?" 

A healer turns to Melissa. "Mercenary Grad is in a difficult situation. For mecernary Arsto, he is better off. But both are fine."

Melissa heaves a sigh of relief. Reaive kindly asks everyone to leave for the patients to rest and closes the curtain on the windows. 

Melissa turns to Audrey. 

"When they wake up, question them but be empathetic." 

Audrey bows. "Yes."

When Melissa returns to her office, on the way, she meets every officer bowing their head to someone. She turns the corner and sees an old man with a scar across his nose and short white hair. He wears a wide large open coat on his shoulder. He stares at Melissa with his hands inside his pocket, behind the old man are two warriors as burly as him. 

Melissa bows instantly. "Greetings General Arctius." she says. 

The tall old man walks to Melissa and slightly lowers his head. "Nice to meet you, Captain Melissa. May I have a bit of your time?" 

Melissa looks up. "I do not mind."

"Let's talk in your office."

They enter Melissa's office. Melissa tells an officer to get some tea but Arctius refuses. He sits on the couch opposite Melissa. The two warriors stand behind Arctius. 

"I will get to the point. How are you going to take responsible for letting the heir of Night Owl escape?" Arctius's tone changes. 

"I..."

Melissa drops her body down by ninety degrees. "I will take full responsibility. The misinformation gathered was solely my mistake, I apologize. I will reconstruct the scheme of the information department and work towards cornering Night Owl to reveal themselves."

Arctius stares at Melissa and nods. "Good, I will be staying here until the end of the banquet a week later. I will be the one escorting that mercernary as a representative of the BOV. When he wakes up, inform me at once. I want to talk to him." Arctius gets up and leaves without another word. 

Melissa clicks her tongue and sighs. She goes to her seat behind the desk. The stacks of paperwork induced stress is getting to her. 

*BANG!* 

She slams the table and rubs her forehead.