The silence of the warehouse was broken by a faint, careful tapping on the cargo door. Kai had returned. Slowly, he unlocked the crate from the outside, prying it open just enough for a sliver of dim light to slip in. Inside, the Elites squinted as their eyes adjusted, and their tense expressions softening slightly at the sight of Kai.
"All clear for now. I scouted a way out. We'll have to move fast and quiet." Kai leaned close and whispered.
He gestured towards the rows of crates and shelves lining the warehouse. "Stay low and stick to the shadows."
Y/n took a deep breath, nodding as she glanced at her teammates. "Let's go, and stay together."
One by one, they crept from the crate, crouching low as they navigated the rows of towering boxes filled with smuggled goods. As they passed various crates, the glimpses of forbidden items confirmed just how far this operation extended, strange talismans, preserved claws, and ominous glass vials lined with dark liquids.
Kai led the group towards the narrow side passage, pausing at every creak and distant murmur to make sure no one was approaching. When they finally reached the side exit, he held up a hand to signal a stop, glancing around the corner before waving them forward.
"Quickly, through here," he whispered urgently, pointing to a door just a few steps away.
One by one, the Elites slipped out of the warehouse.
The Elites kept close together as they slipped into the maze-like layout of the base. The way to the main gate stretched farther than they anticipated. Their surroundings alternated between towering stacks of crates and open patches of dimly lit stone floors.
The journey to the gate was long, and it felt even longer with the constant tension building in the air. Every so often, they passed by dimly flickering torches attached to posts, casting ominous, shifting shadows along the walls. The occasional clink of their gear or the soft brush of footsteps sounded much louder than it was, making them hyper-aware of even the smallest noise.
They kept to the shadows, careful to stay out of sight. Yujin, held up a hand to pause the group whenever she thought she heard something, whether it's a faint rustling, a distant murmur. Each time, they would wait, until the sound passed or proved to be nothing at all.
At one point, they entered a wide, open section near the center of the base. The Elites slowed, eyes darting to each corner, searching for movement. They saw nothing but could feel the tension in the air, maybe because anyone could spot them here if they weren't careful. Y/n's pulse quickened as she glanced over at Kai, who nodded slightly, signalling them to keep moving, but with extra caution.
The path beyond the open space narrowed, forcing them into a single file, moving close to one another to avoid making noise. The main gate was still out of sight, but each step brought them closer. They were deep into the compound now, with no backup and no quick escape if things went south. The thrill of sneaking through unknown territory was overshadowed by the very real possibility that any misstep could give them away.
Finally, they turned a corner and caught their first glimpse of the main gate far in the distance, a hulking iron structure, with a few lanterns on either side. But as they stared at it, they could make out the dark silhouettes of guards patrolling near the gate, moving with deliberate slowness.
These weren't the casual, weary workers they had encountered before, the group braced themselves at the sight of a heavily armed patrol, a small battalion of soldiers stationed just before the gate. Each soldier bore the same insignia, marking them as a formidable force, and their expressions were far from idle or inattentive. The Elite members exchanged quick, silent glances, tension winding tighter.
In a moment of silent agreement, they pressed forward, Kai leading the way with Y/n at his side, each movement calculated and controlled. Yujin edged closer to the gate's latch, fingers deftly moving to begin unlocking it, her every motion precise and silent. For a brief second, it seemed as if they might actually make it, the latch finally clicking free in her hands. But the instant the gate cracked open, a loud, blaring alarm erupted, reverberating through the entire base.
"Go!" Kai yelled as the guards snapped to attention, their eyes locking onto the group with immediate hostility. The soldiers surged forward, weapons drawn, creating a wall between the Elites and freedom.
Y/n reacted instantly, summoning a shield of magic to deflect a swinging blade as she dodged another soldier's advance.
Chaewon spun into action, her magic sparking as she summoned bursts of light to temporarily blind the guards, giving the others a chance to move forward.
The Elites pushed forward with single-minded determination, the only goal now to break through the last barrier between them and the outside world.
Chaewon sent a burst of energy toward the line of guards blocking their escape, creating an opening as Yujin and Y/n took the lead. Yeonjun, shifting back and forth from beast form to avoid heavy strikes, covered their flanks, moving swiftly in and out of the line of fire.
From a shadowed vantage point far behind the soldiers, the boss of the operation watched the skirmish unfold, his gaze narrowing as he observed the distinctive fighting styles of the group. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as his eyes moved from one Elite to the next, piecing together their makeup from the way they fought. He could see it clearly, the raw, agile movements of the demons, swift blows characteristic of beasts, flashes of magic from the witch, and the tactical decision from the human. Just from the movement itself, he already figured out the composition of the groups.
The boss's curiosity was piqued as he crossed his arms, allowing the Elites to continue fighting their way toward the gate. It was clear they were a well-trained team. He could have signaled his army to close in tighter, to create an inescapable wall around the intruders. But instead, he held them back with a silent gesture, eyes glinting with intrigue.
"Let's see how far you can go," he murmured. And as they neared the gate, he remained still, knowing this encounter was only the beginning anyway.
For the Elites, they could feel it, just a few more steps, and the outside world would be within their reach.
-
The Elites finally managed to put some distance between themselves and the hostile base. Exhausted but relieved, they headed straight to the kingdom rather than home, knowing they'd have to debrief and report every critical detail they'd gathered. They made their way to the council chamber, where a room had been prepared to allow them to find a private place to gather their thoughts.
As they recounted the intense escape, the team exchanged glances, recalling the chilling moment when they felt the boss's gaze tracking them. It wasn't just any glance, it was an almost calculated, assessing stare. Even as they moved swiftly toward safety, his presence had loomed over them.
"He let us go, didn't he?" Yujin murmured, initiating the discussion between them.
"Yes, and he already knows what we are for sure," Soobin added, his face serious. "There was nothing subtle in his observation. It's like he was analyzing us."
Y/n just went on with her explanation, sharing what she had gotten to Kai, "The leader, he's a beast, but he's unlike any we've dealt with before. From what we overheard, he has a fascination, or maybe almost an obsession, with rare and exotic items, especially parts from his own kind and others."
"He's powerful, and it seems he has a keen understanding of different beings." Kai nodded, adding, "I could feel him studying us during the escape, almost dissecting our fighting styles. He knew exactly who we were just by watching, as if he's dealt with Elites like us before."
Chaewon tapped her fingers on the table thoughtfully. "That's a dangerous type of enemy to face. He's methodical, and he knows how to inspire fear and loyalty in his subordinates. No one would casually speak of his habits if they weren't deeply intimidated by him."
"Then there's the base itself," Yeonjun continued, pointing to a rough map they'd managed to compile from their observations. "It's remote, fortified, and there's an elaborate system of check-in and check-out procedures, making it hard to enter or leave unnoticed. The warehouse alone is guarded by a mix of soldiers and loyal workers, and it seems there's an alarm system tied to almost every exit."
Soobin picked up a few of the scattered notes and jotted down additional details. "If we're going to infiltrate again, we'll need a better disguise or a more covert method, something that won't trigger an alert the second we step inside."
Yujin was strangely quiet, the others noticed this as well, it's like she was pondering about something. "but guys, I'm not sure if he's a beast" she said, it's like a result of her analysis.
"Hmm, but we have heard it ourselves, those workers said that he's a beast, they must see them frequently, no?" Yeonjun added.
"You can actually notice that someone's a beast from their agility and raw power, but in terms of appearance... You guys see that he has horns as well? Demon's horn" Yujin explained, not wanting to close the possibility of the boss being a hybrid.
The Elites sat back, the boss was obviously more dangerous than they're expecting. Infiltration didn't seem like a possible plan anymore.
An all-out attack seemed inevitable given the level of security and the boss's awareness of their identities. Trying to infiltrate again would likely be suicide, especially now that their presence was exposed.
Yujin broke the silence, considering the alternatives they might have, "If we're really going for a full assault, we have to be strategic. The last thing we want is to bring in an entire army and turn it into a battlefield. Besides, he's seen us already. He won't be caught off guard twice."
"Their army isn't particularly large, and it's not built to take down an entire fortified base. So, I don't think we have to bring our army, we will risk unnecessary casualties. It's a question of quality over quantity here, his greatest strength is his own combat ability. He'll be the main threat, not the soldiers."
"So..." Chaewon's voice was thoughtful, "We shift our focus? Instead of an army, we invite individuals with specific skills. Specialists who could handle the logistics, the magical barriers, and maybe even counter his strategies in combat."
Yeonjun raised an eyebrow. "Specialists, like those from the kingdom's elite ranks? Or mercenaries, perhaps? People who have experience with fortified defenses or beasts. We need fighters who can handle powerful opponents without needing extensive backup."
Y/n, who had been listening intently, nodded in agreement. "Bringing some armies won't be a problem, but we will also need people who can think on their feet and operate independently if necessary. If we gather those with experience in magical combat, we'll stand a better chance of getting in and taking him down without a massive confrontation."
"We could compile a list of skilled individuals, both within and outside the kingdom. I'm sure the queen would approve if we make a strong case, she knows what's at stake here. And if we focus on the boss as our primary target, we can minimize the risk to our own forces and make this mission far more efficient."
-
As Y/n stumbled out from the kingdom's carriage, her eyes half-lidded and her feet heavy. It's been 2 days she spent at the kingdom, preparing their proposal whatsoever. She had no way to inform the members that she's come back safely as well. She's just so sleepy these days.
That's why she was surprised to spot a familiar figure waiting just off the road. Minji stood there, arms folded against the cool midnight breeze, a gentle smile lighting up her face as soon as she saw Y/n.
"Minji?" Y/n murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, too tired to register the full extent of her surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Minji approached, chuckling softly. "You really think I'd let you walk home alone after all that?" She reached out, giving Y/n's arm a supportive squeeze. "We've all been taking turns waiting for you. Lucky me, tonight's my turn."
Despite the heavy fatigue, Y/n couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "I appreciate it, but you shouldn't have to wait out here all alone. It's late."
Minji shook her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. "If you think I'm going to let you walk home by yourself after that mission, you're mistaken. I'll take my chances with the nighttime cold."
Y/n felt a warmth spread through her chest, but her head drooped, her eyelids falling shut more frequently than staying open. Minji, watching her struggle, quickly turned around and knelt down. "Hop on," she insisted.
"Oh, Minji, you really don't have to..." Y/n started, but before she could finish, Minji turned and grabbed her arms, helping her settle onto her back.
With Y/n nestled against her, Minji felt an unfamiliar flutter of excitement in her chest. As they started the trek back, Minji carried her with ease, her steps steady and gentle. "So," Minji began, glancing back at Y/n's sleepy face, "how did everything go?"
Y/n's words grew softer with every response, her answers slurring as sleep finally started to claim her. "It's... going to take some effort... but we have to do our best..."
Minji nodded, listening intently, though she could feel Y/n's grip on her tightening as her body relaxed. "That's great to hear. I know you've been working really hard. I'm proud of you."
With a quiet sigh, Y/n nestled closer, her breath warm against Minji's neck. As they walked on, the night was filled with the soft rustle of leaves.
But after a few more murmured words, Minji realized Y/n's replies had stopped entirely. Glancing over her shoulder, she found her sound asleep, her face relaxed against Minji's shoulder.
Minji smiled softly, her heart swelling as she looked down at Y/n's peaceful expression. "You're such a heavy sleeper," she whispered to herself, chuckling quietly. Adjusting her grip, she carried Y/n with extra care, ensuring she was comfortable.
The rest of the journey passed in silence, only the sound of footsteps on the ground. And Minji couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment.