‎<GENERAL BRIEFING Below with their names is also a continuation to the general briefing that is personal for each of you <3
Ho Chi Minh has a total of 22 districts, the district where the whole catastrophe occurred was district 10, and this meeting with all the new agents and the not-so-new ones also begins at "Pandan Leaf Saigon", within district 1, this restaurant is located on a very touristy street, one of the busiest in the city, so the local government has this area as an important reference point for the diversification and entertainment of society... A point that could be perfect for an attack, but it is well protected as it is an area of utmost commercial interest... The Pandan Leaf Saigon, as you can see in the photo itself, is a three-story restaurant, it has an outdoor terrace where diners can enjoy the fresh air and city views while eating their delicious food... However, the restaurant right now is not the protagonist of a parade of diners or waiters with countless dishes in their hands, which should be a mention of their talent for carrying so much food on one arm. The parade here is somber, dim, even bland in terms of colors... A lot of people in suits were walking down the narrow corridor on the second floor of the restaurant, many of them young, not to say most, but there were also old hunting dogs, who would at least guide the new ones so that their death would not come so quickly... Upon entering the room, it looks like an improvised classroom, or some cheap conference room... Chairs side by side, 6 columns in 5 rows, all in the dark and in front of a projector with a paused video.... Someone whose face could not be seen was to the side of the projector, fiddling with the remote to play the video and was surrounded by other people... When everyone was seated, perhaps murmuring to themselves, or looking sideways to try to see the faces of their future colleagues, the person stood up and spoke in a feminine and calm tone.
‎
"Wow, you took your time to show up...! I'm glad you finally arrived, do you have any idea how long this restaurant has been closed just so you, the unpunctual ones, could be here...? No? Neither do I. Great! As usual, welcome to National Security, new agents, and not-so-new ones, like Gumi. First of all, I see a lot of foreigners here, just like me, but I'm a bit more up to date on the political situation, guys, so I'll give you a little lesson in contemporary history... Vietnam is not communist! At least not for a long time, in fact there is a war where the communists want to regain power, Vietnam is a monarchy...

???: How does that interest...?

It matters because if you see a little red one in some bushes, he probably wants to kill you, heh. So demons aren't the only problems, guys... That point cleared. WELCOME, I'll teach you the security protocols, everyone look at the projector, my friends. This might bore the agents who know how this works... But for those with a failed high school education, it's important.

She claps twice and then hits play on the video, which starts playing I attached it this turn, supposedly this was supposed to open the thread but I got confused hehe Makima doesn't watch it, she just walks around the group from side to side with a carefree little smile. When it ends, she raises her index finger to the height of her face and moves it rhythmically from side to side as if trying to remember something.

The introductions, personally I think they're unnecessary, at least with me, I know who everyone is, but we'll do it for formality... I suppose you've already read the report that was sent to you before you got here... I'll be your direct boss, not to say the absolute boss, any disobedience towards me will be punished with a severe penalty equivalent or worse than death itself. But don't worry guys, I'm a... understanding boss.

???: C-Can I drink water?

Why couldn't you...? Just don't choke on the water, okay? It's an order... See, guys? I'm a sweetheart, behave well with me... And I'll behave well... With you.

She smiles and the agent opens his water bottle, but when he takes it and feels the liquid going down his throat, he spills his whole suit with water and saliva when he chokes, making a puddle because the bottle ends up falling from his hand... Makima decides to start dealing with the new agents and the not-so-new ones, first by talking to >>131000 while putting her hands on his shoulders

KUROSE

Wow~ I see that the family legacy of following suicidal traditions is still alive... Who would have thought? Although honestly I have to say you have a lot of guts to get into this knowing firsthand how it's lived, eh... Or maybe how one dies inside in this profession...
‎
‎He removes his hands from her shoulders but stays looking at Kurose for a few seconds from behind her, and only after that, stops looking at Kurose to look at his katana.
‎
‎I must say it's very intelligent to have high mental resistance to then make a pact with paranoia and another demon, you're a resourceful girl, Kurose... And perhaps your mother knew it, that's why your soul ended up here... Condemned to this hell that is national security... Or perhaps you're part of an even larger soul-devouring machine... I think I'm rambling, aren't I? Anyway, welcome friend... Have you thought about using patches? They would look great on you, anyway, I'll assign you a partner... Or alternatively, you can join any of your colleagues... Or both? Do you want to go with clumsy agent?
‎
‎He tilts his head towards the agent who had trouble drinking water, and then goes to talk to >>130993
‎
‎THIMBLE
‎
‎I read your report, but I still wonder how someone as young as you ended up here... You had bad luck, right? Oh, little one.
‎
‎He gives Thimble a purely superficial hug, and after that, grabs the boy to shake him back and forth.
‎
‎YOU ARE DESTINED FOR GREAT THINGS, BOY, GREAT THINGS... That's why I think it's a good idea for you to be with the bubblegum agent, although, between you and me, she can sometimes be a bit... Let's say, sweet... Do you understand?
‎
‎He winks to see if he understood the joke, although perhaps Gumi won't find it very funny, or Hong-Seon as he was called before, although everyone now calls him Gumi, which speaking of which, he goes with the bobaloo and approaches to talk to her too >>130985
‎
‎GUMI
‎
‎Gumi, I'd tell you I read your report but honestly I'd be lying, I didn't bother to read it, you know how things move in these troubled waters, so I trust you'll be able to be... How should I put it? A good partner...
‎
‎Makima approaches Gumi to whisper something to the pink agent, and when no one else can hear her, she comments in secret.
‎
‎I admit I'm a little curious... To know what will happen when, by mistake, you liquefy and shatter the bones that Thimble needs to not be an invertebrate animal... Doesn't that make you a little curious? Even if it's morbid? I am, honestly.
‎
‎She sighs and winks.
‎
‎Do your best to get along, okay? I don't want what... What I said could happen... to happen... By the way, you have a great work ethic, has anyone ever told you that?
MAC
Leave Gumi alone and finally (Because William is still coming) she goes to Mac, who is a guy who one day was enjoying his life and youth, and the next, BOOM, everything went to hell... That's how life is, a bitch.

Oh, young man... I notice the desire and impetus in your eyes... I notice how you want to move forward... You're like Kurose, like Thimble, LIKE GUMI... Well, maybe the latter is slightly better, but the point is that you're someone resourceful... You're special... We'll just see how far... You know? You're a brat, you repeated high school until you got tired of it, you're lazy and a juvenile delinquent...

She grabs his chin and lifts his gaze.

But I trust you... Look me in the eyes... If you're here, it's for a reason... Trust me... Ehm... You'll get along with Kurose (Let's see if he educates you a bit)

Finally, Makima stares at William >>130969 and smiles at him, although this time she's not going to talk to him, but rather she places her hand on the shoulder of someone behind him and when he turns around, he'll see a tall man with a kind face.

WILLIAM

???: What's up, little bro...? My name is Spencer... I'm not from here, not by a long shot, well, like many here... Honestly, you're an enigma... But I'm sure we can row this together.

Spencer raises his hand and makes a fist for them to bump, all while with his other hand he pulls out a pack of cigarettes and offers one to William.

Spencer: Want one? I smoke cheap cigarettes, but come on, don't be shy, you look like someone who would enjoy a good smoke... Besides, this way we can lower the tension, I think after that little video I got a bit... Tense... I'm new here like most of you.

Makima taps one of the tables with her nails

Alright, gentlemen...! And ladies, if you have any doubts, questions about the mission we're going to send you on, and I know we've only talked about it in the report, you're welcome... Because you'll only have this one chance to do so... You should also start choosing a partner, and I'll also assign you an extra companion... Whether you choose a partner or not... See it as a guide... BY THE WAY, I think it's obvious, we'll send you to explore the affected area in search of evidence and clues, there have been attacks, but that's after this, state your doubts... If you have any.

>>6324
And I forgot the image of the restaurant where the meeting is, at least the facade.

>>6324
>All demons should stop doing evil things and leave people alone! They just want to live a peaceful life, building criminal empires and mafia across all of Asia. Perhaps, if Miss Makima could give jobs to the assassins, she could do that. But the boy gives up on his big requests. In the past, those who asked for world peace and banderillas have treated him as someone strange, as if he couldn't see that in front of him, many people are dying all the time. If there's anything Thimble can see, it's an agent asking for a bit of water. How dare he! In fact, he also wants a bit. But then he might risk peeing himself if shown an image of a demon, even just someone making horns, he would collapse at any moment!
D-d-d-demons... Are you-communists? I-I-I- I don't know what to do if you appear- From among the bushes! Hidden! Will they take my leg? Will they bite me...? Vade Retro Mao Zedong! Please! I don't want to be a communist and have someone else dictate my life! Better have you dictate what I have to do, Miss Makima!
>Thimble's fear speaks again, while hiding his hands under the table, if anything has been served to him in the restaurant, he hasn't eaten anything, and simply bathed in the vapors of the food to hide his tears of paranoia and terror. The anxiety consumes him and time passes, she then begins to speak to each one separately. She starts with the samurai of katanas, she seems very friendly with her. Female friendship, nothing can go wrong. Or is Makima convincing her to cut Thimble into two pieces? That's it! Maybe he's ruined. They'll call the demon of chaos to give him as an offering, or the demon of failure, yes, that would be the most optimal. When he realizes, Makima is already in front of him, and she's shaking him, how wild, and it's justified.
Do you really think I can win the next big tournament...? What...? Dad....? N-no hit me...
>He can describe a scene in three different ways from the last time someone expected something from him. It was when his father was completely convinced he had a voice that was nothing perfect and hit him with the belt to tune him up, only then could he arrive to the tournament slightly late as always, undefeated in losses to hit the chess pieces across the table and give painful draws. Thimble's eyes are spinning in agony, but in the middle of all of it, he can discern that they are pointing at someone. It's pink, the color of evil, and of the demon and of Hello Kitty, oh the demon Hello Kitty. But pink is also the color of goodness, and of gummy worms, and the color of baby puppies when they come out of their mother's womb. How nice.

>>130985
I'm Thimble, human, 15 years old. I have a question for you, pink Hello Kitty companion. Can you answer it? Before, you can take your time to answer. I just want an honest, sincere answer, without double interpretations or signs of bad intentions.
>He approached with a calm expression, and spoke directly and centered. The fantasy appearance of the creature Gumi gave him tranquility, it was like talking to his stuffed animal, or his breakfast. Thimble closed his eyes and opened them again.
Are you black? Is your skin black? Or brown? I'm talking about your skin, the skin in your heart. What racial group do you consider yourself?
>He asked with respect, or what Thimble could consider respect. Then, providing explanations, he recounted about his recent and disappointing answer.
Recently I found out that the characters in my favorite board game weren't all pastel pink, sweet and flowers, but some of them were a bit darker and more pitiful.

>>6324
>Arms crossed, feet on his desk, with a scowl and constantly grinding his teeth, that's how the young Vietnamese man finds himself as he waits for this "meeting" to begin. He had never been to this part of the city, let alone a restaurant of this caliber. He's not poor or anything like that, but he also doesn't have the money to afford to go to the tourist area of Ho Chi Minh on any given day and eat something with an inflated price because it's a trap for dumb Americans or Japanese! He has just enough! That is, his younger sister and he depend on the money his father sends them. Of course, a soldier's salary isn't a fortune, and his mom is nowhere to be seen; she followed her red ideals and went to the jungle to fight for communism. Maybe that's why he hates reds! It doesn't matter! Apart from Mạc wishing for the prompt fall of the USSR, which doesn't seem like it will happen in this alternate timeline, he looks around, first to analyze the place, which doesn't look like a tourist trap, but rather a poorly made classroom. This makes the boy growl, remembering how bad he is at school. For some reason, he feels like this place is an indirect jab at him! That redhead! There's something about her he doesn't like, something that even terrifies him, something that makes him feel weird and out of place. Anyway, he tries not to look at her recognizable silhouette in the darkness because it gives him the creeps, and he'd rather look at the rest of the poor devils who, for one reason or another, were here. He doesn't understand how anyone in their right mind would join these devil hunters. He is clearly different from all of them! He's not a suicidal person! His sister pic spoiler is waiting for him at home, and he's already been "missing" for who knows how many days. Are they looking for him...? He decides to do something he's very good at: criticizing! He observes the companions he can notice in the dim light of the classroom. First, he looks at that clumsy one, then the one with the scar. Subsequently, he moves on to Thimble, William, Gumi, Kurone, and so on, muttering somewhat hostilely, little words that describe what Mạc sees through his prejudices as a thug and a problem kid. He's not afraid of anyone hearing him.

"Idiot."

"Old man."

>>6326
"Feminine."

>>130969
"Self-righteous."

>>130985
"Childish."

>>131000
"Icy."

>Continuing with the presentation of this hell he was thrown into by mere "coincidence," or perhaps not so much, whatever, Makima makes her appearance, and the boy furrows his brow, more than he normally does. His internal alarm bells go off at the mere presence of that woman with yellow eyes and spiral pupils, which is curious because it doesn't stop the fear and unease from mixing with attraction. She's like a fatal accident, the kind that is horrifying, violent, and disturbing, but one can't look away because of how impactful it is. Mạc feels the same way about that woman, whom, to his misfortune and ? fortune ?, he listens to attentively as if he couldn't ignore her even if he wanted to. That said, it's not like he cares much about her welcome; he just clicks his tongue and looks away to make a small detail clear.

"I was the first one to arrive."
>Literal, like they have him basically in a cage like a puppy at a pound, he came with the first agents almost to set up the place for those who arrived later, he feels like a prisoner but no matter how much he wants, he doesn't escape, it's as if something prevents him from trying to flee, something inside his chest that chains him here to SN, anyway, since he's here, at least he can say his nonsense to his heart's content to clear his head...

"The reds can suck my dick HA!"

>He watches the video, his brow furrowing even more than before, and after it ends, he can only conclude one thing: Being an SN agent is total SHIT! He sweats cold slightly and sighs bitterly, knowing he can say goodbye to a normal, ordinary life or his dream of being a soldier. Moreover, he can already tell his peace and tranquility to go to hell, his destiny is sealed and it's a tremendous piece of garbage. Understanding this frustrates and angers him, but at least things could be worse, right? At least he's not the clumsy Comforting Guy, right? He curses the day he decided to run away from school over and over again. If he had been more responsible, maybe his soul brother would be alive right now and he would still be someone normal, and not a vile "revived" person whose life he recovered through a contract with a demon he doesn't even remember. Mạc lets out another whisper, realizing he never had control of his destiny.

"I don't want to be here, agh,"

>...

>When it's his turn to receive the attention of Miss A-Makima, he swallows a lot of saliva to maintain his delinquent attitude in front of her. The bomb of emotions explodes inside him in front of her, but he wishes not to show her anything.

"I'm not like any of them! I had a future."

>Lie.

"S-Special?"

>He believes the very lie he fed himself and blushes a little. He was never recognized by anyone; his teachers called him a lost cause and his classmates saw him as someone not worth it, a waste.

"Okay! I'll have the desire and drive that... You say is in my eyes... But remember our deal! If I don't resist, it's because they were going to let me go when whatever you're planning with me is over... I don't know what the hell you contracted with me, but it's not my fault, okay? I want it out of me as soon as possible and to go back with my sister... What?! I didn't fail! They failed me! The teacher has it out for me, he hates me-"

>He is quite startled when he is grabbed by the chin. First, terror dominates him, suffering from a nervous tic and making a weird little noise like SpongeBob from pic 3, until he blushes again from another feeling.

"I-I-Trust."

>He can't say anything else as he nods slowly. He tries to separate himself from that red-haired woman to escape the spell she cast on him by staring intently into her yellow eyes. He doesn't like her and doesn't want to feel anything for her.

"Huh? Her?"

>He turns his gaze towards >>131000 the woman of Czechoslovakian and Japanese origin.

"She looks like Wednesday's mom!"

>He points directly at her without fear of being canceled and with complete carelessness. It's obvious from a mile away that he's a young man without discipline, who doesn't care about anything or anyone, a pain in the ass, a small 1.60m brat, a vandal.

"Nah, no doubt, or well! Which side is the iguana chewing on?! I think we all have that doubt here, right? Anyway, I don't care, I just want to get out of here as soon as possible."

>>6324

>Being one of the first to arrive, Gumi took a seat and began to vape tutti frutti flavored smoke. She used to smoke before, but since she became possessed, the bitter taste of tobacco feels more carcinogenic than usual.
>The video shown by her superior held no interest for her; that kind of thing wasn't useful in school, and even less so in life-or-death situations. Field experience is the only thing that truly matters, something she already possesses in abundance compared to the rest of the cannon fodder around here.
>Ordering a milkshake, Gumi began to think about her life before being sweetened. She was a talented devil hunter, not top 10 in her division, but skilled enough to be allowed to take jobs alone.
>In other words, she was a useful employee worthy of respect in her line of work. Becoming possessed involved several changes in her life; for starters, she lost a lot of her privacy. Letting a possessed person wander around alone is considered dangerous for good reason. There was a period of a few weeks where they wouldn't even let her go home; now she has permission to do so, but she must be escorted by a colleague when entering and leaving to further check her mental state. She can already imagine the kind of people she'll be paired with this time-

<‎Dear Gumi, I'd tell you I read your report, but honestly, I'd be lying. I didn't bother reading it.

What is there to read? The only thing that matters is whether we can get the job done. If you're interested in me guiding others, then I can do that.

>She raised an eyebrow while taking a deep sip of her milkshake. Makima seemed strangely interested in the history of both herself and her colleagues, or at least she pretended to be. All her other superiors were content with just knowing the names of people important for their usefulness in the job. A mentality Gumi shared, analyzing the rest of the team with her gaze, of whom at least one of them was already a corpse.

<Knowing what will happen when you accidentally liquefy and shatter the bones Thimble needs to avoid being an invertebrate animal... Doesn't that make you even a little curious?
Is that an order? >>6326 Boy, come here so I can liquefy you!

>She questioned, then drew the scrawny boy's attention. She raised her hand, bringing it menacingly close to his face before passing by without touching him. Instead of his face, she grabbed a plate of ribs that was on the table behind Thimble. Using her powers, Gumi quickly rotted the bone sticking out of the meat until the entire plate turned into a shapeless pink mass.

Does that satisfy your curiosity? My division has already done more than enough testing to ensure I remain reliable. You don't need to worry about sudden fits of madness.

>She had intended to throw the plate away after her short demonstration. However, the murmurs from >>6327 caught her attention. Without saying anything, she pushed the liquefied meat towards that boy and stared at him with a defiant expression. She has had to endure a lot since becoming possessed, but if there's one thing she can't stand, it's being underestimated.

>>6326

<Are you black? Is your skin black? Or brown?

...

>It is often said that demons fear eccentric devil hunters. Looking at the boy in front of her, Gumi isn't sure if she should classify him as such. After a short moment of silence in which she considered his question, Gumi replied.

<What racial group do you consider yourself to be?

I'm Vietnamese, if that's your question. Hong-Seon is the name I was born with, but since the rest of the possessed like to be called by a single word, I've been renamed Gumi. Please address me by that name and try not to end up like the plate over there.

>Of all the things that happened after her "death," the name change bothers her the least. Being called by such a silly nickname helps others feel less close and makes it easier to continue her work even if they die. After answering her companion's questions, Gumi pointed to the plate from before. She has no intention of doing something like that to a human, but accidents can happen during missions. She just hopes that if it does, they won't blame her for her partner's incompetence.

>>6328
Gah!! Obghoug... Bugm-!
>He screamed out loud upon seeing what he was doing to that poor bone. Was it a death demonstration? Or was he trying to say that this would happen to him if he didn't do his job well. In any case, this makes Thimble nauseous, and he does what he can to avoid vomiting.
How horrifying... So that's what they do to their creations, bone demon Sans... This world is truly upside down...
>He closed his eyes while thinking about the bone demon. He wasn't bad, just very gluttonous. Thimble called him Sans, for bone. But for them to do that to a pair of bones was a demon war. Do demons fight amongst themselves? They must have territories and gangs, how curious. He stayed out of it, reimagining the situation in the best way possible.
It's surely a new greeting, "Hello, I will liquefy you." Yes, that's it-!

Demons are called Alto because they are very tall, and if Sans were to be possessed, they would call him "Hueso" but National Security took part of the name from some famous gummies known for providing new types of diseases and insecurities. With enthusiasm, Thimble began to narrate.
https://youtu.be/LQsMp4Oo6xM?si=3hoG5XVbVHbmf2ak▾ "ourproducthasbeentestedtobringanewtypeofdiabetes" That was the commercial.

<Please address me by that name and try not to end up like the plate over there.
>Gumi pointed to the plate of meat that he turned into bubblegum and was terrified again. It was immediate, even though his companion was a famous actress capable of capturing the camera with LongLongMan, this was too much. Thimble tried to hide his tears while wishing for the best.
N-no! I don't want to end up like this... W-w-was that a cow? Did it at least have a happy life before being turned into bubblegum? I hope it did... I hope it lived in a field of happy, free, and happy cows with gas diapers. I hope it didn't suffer while they made it pink and sweet...

Seriously? The lady will avoid me like this? What a shame... Her eyes are beautiful.

>Like this, William, upon seeing the man, would only smile a little, bringing his right hand to his mouth to hide it

I don't recommend it, friend, a single cigarette can cause many tragedies in just a few seconds.

>He would exclaim, winking playfully, observing his surroundings with that same charismatic attitude, raising his hand at the end

Excuse me, Cher, but will we be given some kind of reward at the end of the job?

>>6330
>He saw the black-haired boy being prudent and polite with everyone, so Thimble felt a certain confidence born from his calm smile, even in such a chaotic meeting.
I think our reward could be to live peacefully in a field in the Swiss Alps, so we can sing about Grandpa Dimetus and swing Heidy towards the edge of a cliff. Help Marco find his mom, poor guy.
>Thimble believed the song "Abuelito Dimetu" was the name of the grandfather, Dimetú, what a weird name. He was indulging his most fantastical, demon-world-distant desires from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
B-but that wouldn't be possible with just one mission, so we could all buy Heidy's swing, and the grandfather's hat, and half of Marco to assemble him in parts while we keep hunting demons...

>>6328
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! IT'S DITTO! THAT FUCKING DITTO IS ATTACKING ME! NO, NONONO! I DON'T WANT TO REPRODUCE WITH DITTO!

>They catch him off guard when he feels something slimy on his crotch, and out of the corner of his eye he only sees something pinkish—he stupidly mistakes it for some random Pokémon until he notices the intense gaze of that pink-hued female.

"Daughter of..."

>He clenches his fists and tries to shake off that amorphous mass from his legs, though he just grabs it to throw it at someone else—specifically, he hurls it at >>6330 William like passing a "hot potato" nobody wants.

"What are you looking at?! You like me or what?"

>He jumps up, suddenly acting all tough to confront the possessed girl. Even though he was the one who started it with a cocky, shallow remark, he couldn't care less—he doesn't give a damn about who started it. One thing he can't stand is being disrespected or treated like a little bitch.

>>6326

>>6330
>>6331
"Listen up, princesses, this isn't a motel! Go make out somewhere else!"

>Out of nowhere, he points at the two guys who just started talking. Why? For what? Just because! Mạc is exactly the kind of person who gets angry and immediately looks for someone to take it out on, regardless of whether they're guilty or not.

>>6332
I didn't want to bother... N-no, we weren't talking about our dreams and interests. I assure you that next time I'll find a better place to exist.
>The other boy with black hair got angry. He really had a bad temper and a murderous glare. Fear completely filled Thimble and he immediately started apologizing. He didn't want to make a scene, so he covered his hood and stepped back in his seat. He thought of ways to ease Mac's anger.
D-disculpa me, for a life. In my next life I'll be an invertebrate, so I'll apologize for that. Do you want me to be something smaller? I could be a bacterium to apologize to a sick body, for three days, until facing paracetamol. If I apologize in this life, then I'll only apologize for 3 minutes. Because surely you'll kill me in 3 minutes....

>>6329

<¿¡Like the Gummy Long Long candies?

...

>Silence, alongside a stunned face. A reaction that feels like it's going to repeat a lot in this work relationship. Not knowing how to respond, Gumi just managed to show an uncomfortable half-smile and said

Yes, like the Gummy Long Long, what a good example...

<I'm sure you're popular with the kids!

I'm prohibited from getting close to children.

>National security was very clear that he must avoid children. Not because he's some kind of sexual offender, much less, but because they want to avoid possible deaths from unauthorized ingestion of his skin. Gumi however, doesn't clarify anything to the scrawny child, believing the reason is so obvious as to not need explaining.

>>6332

<"¡¿What are you looking at?! Did you like me or what?"

Blergh... Adolescence must be tough on you to make you make such insinuations.

>He puts his hand to his mouth and pretends to vomit. What's missing now, national security, is going to turn me into a daycare for spoiled children. Good thing it doesn't fall to him to work with him, or otherwise accidents would be more likely to happen. Speaking of accidents...

>>6330

I recommend not touching that.

>He quickly takes a plate and puts it in front of the other boy's face to protect him from the pink mass that had just been thrown at him. He's been avoiding this kind of accidents for a long time, so he's not going to let a spoiled brat ruin his streak.

>>6333

...

Kid, you're a devil hunter! Have some dignity and don't let someone like him scare you!

>That his partner says weird things was something he could tolerate. What he can't tolerate is being forced to work with a coward who isn't capable of defending himself against someone younger than him. If he behaves like this now, he'll end up dead the second he encounters a demon. Taking the boy by the shoulders, Gumi pushes Thimble and tells them to stand up to >>6332

>>6333
"Son of a bitch! I'm gonna give you a good one for raising your damn voice- Wait, how?"

>There! I mean, the Vietnamese guy expected a different reaction, something more violent or confrontational but he's surprised by Thimble's totally submissive and fearful behavior and what was once a furrowed brow and fierce eyes, little by little disappear until reaching an expression of discomfort, in fact he looks at Gumi >>6334 as if asking her "What's up with this?" Mạc likes fights, he's the type of person who isn't happy unless he's shouting at someone, like the lady who always wants to call the manager at McDonald's for any nonsense, so he behaves exactly the same and upon witnessing a reaction different from what he was expecting, he gets flustered and even feels a bit bad so he moves his hands from side to side waiting for the boy to calm down, Mạc is a tough guy, not a bully! He's totally different!

"Hey hey brother, that's enough, that's enough, it's not that big of a deal ¿Okay? I didn't want to put you in that position, damn it, I just couldn't find the way to express myself ¿Okay? Damn it, you don't have to apologize to anyone, bastard, have some balls and raise your head, nothing more than me yelling and insulting you, neither declaring war nor threatening you with death, eh."

>>6334
"I'm not a damn kid! I'm 18 years old almost 19! I'm practically a young adult for your information."

>At least he found what he was expecting from the pink-skinned woman, a good argument to satisfy whatever crap is inside his head but well, having a high school uniform and saying that he's almost 19, it's not like it helps him look better but as long as he clarifies that he's not a kid ¡Everything's fine! Despite acting like one who even sticks her tongue out at Gumi hoping that she gets more heated, she provokes just to provoke.

"Tsk, you're the only one who takes it as an innuendo and you'd like to be with me anyway, but let me tell you something ¡I don't go around with chewed gum!"

>Suddenly he sees her pushing Thimble towards him and arches an eyebrow because he doesn't understand what she's trying to do until he realizes she's trying to teach the boy a lesson, Mạc puffs out his chest like a pigeon and raises his fist threateningly as if he were going to hit Thimble's face but really he puts his hand on his shoulder and talks to him as if he were his soul brother.

"You're right ¡You're a man! Act like one and face me once and for all, that crap of crying over nothing, it doesn't fit with me ¡It's not fun! So straighten up and insult me... If she doesn't make you a man ¡I'll make you a man! Well, that sounded bad ¡Forget it! I just want to hear your war cry."

>>6334
So your body is so elastic and stretchy? And if, for example, we're running from a demon on a rooftop, and in front of us there's only a fall of dozens of meters, then you would become a trampoline to cushion the fall, right, Gumi?
>I stopped seeing Gumi as a gum that causes infidelities, thanks to her versatility, she could be like the multitools of Dr. Gadget. Almost, she could start trusting her vacuum falls to see her deploy any amount of fantastical and wonderful rubber, sweet and sugary structures.
B-because of my contract, falling and having broken bones are actually something a bit more tolerable...

>>6334
>>6332
<Kid, you're a devil hunter! Have some dignity and don't let someone like him scare you!
¡AAAAH! ¡NOO!
>Facing his fears, treating it as a boy with a bad temper and a bad face, couldn't do something like that. What if he gets killed? Then all his dreams would end there. It was better to apologize.
No no no no...
>But if he refused in that way, then, Gumi could take revenge, and turn him into a pink jelly that the boy Mac would take advantage of. He has something with jellies that's not normal. For that reason better DEAD.
¡NAAAAAHG-!
>He ran out of air when he tried to scream again, trapped in his skeleton hood Sans. Thimble took the option in which his relatives, (if he had any) would recognize his body better and give him proper burial.
Do you think you're very tough? Stupid head of....! Of...! Dead and melted iguana! In reality you're a communist, aren't you? !!TRUTH!! That's why you want to snatch away our dreams and illusions. ¡Vade Retro Mao Zedong!

>>6336
>He gives him a sudden slap on the head, something sudden but not long or painful, just enough for Thimble to snap out of it and a small smile appears on his crook's face.

"I'm proud of you."

>>6335

<Tsk, you're the only one taking it as an implication

You're the one who mentioned the word "play." Or are you so young and dense that you don't even know what it means?

>>6336

<So then your body is so elastic and elongated? And if, for example, we're running from a demon on a rooftop, and in front of us there's only a fall of dozens of meters, then you'd become a trampoline to cushion the fall, right, Gumi?

No... this only helps better withstand hits.

>After the already familiar silence, Gumi pinched her cheeks and started stretching them. They were more elastic than an average person's, but she was nowhere near as impressive as the skinny boy proposed.

>The argument escalates and before she realizes it, she's helping her partner grow his balls. She nods satisfied as soon as she hears his war cry along with his insults. However, that expression disappears the moment she sees him receive the hit. Approaching closer, she analyzes his expression with a serious look before saying

If I see you cry, you'll get another one. Understand?

>>6335
Mac expressed himself in a very particular way, definitely had a contract with a weird demon. And the other demon behind Thimble, who also encourages him to give Mac what he wants. Isn't this a compromising position? It's true that even amidst so much fear, terror and crying, Thimble was a compliant boy, but not like this. Makima! Someone with a clean history of child abuse had to save him.
>>6337
>>6338
Ough- ¡Ahg-!
>A blow and a threat come, both with an air of strange pride that Thimble completely fails to catch. The one supposed to be sweet and cute, looks at him with a scary face, and the rough and evil one, smiles. Is this the opposite day? Thimble can only think of one thing, and it's that these two were in cahoots. It's the first time they've played this kind of joke on Thimble, he didn't know if he should feel happy.
What was all this? Were they trying to mock me? Q-I mean, it doesn't matter. But they could have said it earlier, I have some pathetic jokes they can use to mock me. I have one about a bald dog and another about a demon who wanted to eat KFC. Oh, I have a special one I didn't tell anyone...!

A ver... Kids, calm down, we're not in a damn coliseum.

>So, William would stay out of the situation until he would stand up, taking the pink girl and the Vietnamese by the shoulders to keep them still

First of all, everyone here is here for what? To hunt demons? To sell their ass to the government?

I didn't come here to be a babysitter and end up living in the woods singing fag stuff, I came here only to do my thing and if I'm going to be on the same boat as you guys, then we better do things right, Verstehst du?

>>6340
You give the number next to the id and the "N°" and it immediately writes you the path of the post you want to reply to, anoncin

>Thimble heard the intervention of the well-mannered and good black-haired guy and mentioned not liking mountains. Maybe they could change mountains, like Mount Fuji or Mount Everest. Thimble would like to become the new height indicator for climbing Everest, and even more so if he has a partner as responsible and focused. And what's more! He speaks another language. How interesting.
Shall we get on a boat? I've never been on one. I want to get on Captain Garfio's boat to get old while losing limbs. What does Vetversh mean? Do we have foreign company? Maybe I can only communicate with the verb Tubi, BUT, I don't need enthusiasm to hunt demons. Death is the universal language

>>6340
You touch the number (post ip) and it's written automatically.

Example: № 131083.
As you can see, this post is responding to you since above there are the two ">>" accompanied by the post number same thing they explained to you the other two blacks kek

>>6324
Lenka Kurose Appearance Image 1
>"Pandan Leaf Saigon, District 1". Kurose repeated that phrase in her mind upon arriving at the place. She had never been to Vietnam, didn't know what to expect from this country, but she found it curious how life goes on after a massacre like the one that happened in District 10. As she walked, she observed the crowded streets and the hundreds of people she would likely never see again, or at least never remember having seen. The place looked touristy, full of spots that should be interesting to visit. The district seemed to live in relative tranquility, but looking closer could reveal that while some smiled, others were crying, putting up posters with images of missing people, people who would probably never be seen again. Foreigners or not, others seemed to be having fun, maybe they hadn't been affected by the attack, or maybe they were just hiding their pain behind a smiling mask. Life goes on after death, after all, at least until death returns once more. Thinking about it kept her mind occupied and focused, so she could avoid thinking too much about the communists appearing in her peripheral vision, putting a pistol to her temples, or the demons walking behind her whispering intelligible words. She was used to it, and she knew it well; they were hallucinations. She knew they weren't real, she was getting good at distinguishing reality from the mental games the paranoia demon played on her. Making a pact with him had its advantages, but a normal person could go crazy if they constantly saw what she saw all the time. It was all a constant mental game, a force that continuously sought to drive her to paranoia and fear for her life. Unfortunately for the paranoia demon, Lenka never had too much fear of losing her life. She constantly remembered the hallways of the industrial zones in Czechoslovakia, not far from Prague; there was only death and wailing lamenting the dead. Being born in Czechoslovakia meant living in the communist paradise, full of luxuries and a comfortable life for the whole family; at least that's what the propaganda said, because the reality was that the good life was reserved by right only to families that had a member inside the KSČ (Communist Party of Czechoslovakia). She, like most, was born into an "average" family, if one can call it that, because on average the population lived on the brink of misery, obtaining only what was necessary to survive thanks to the "benevolent" state. If they didn't starve to death, it was only because her mother had distinguished herself as a Devil Hunter in the area where they lived. She grew up with the absence of her parents and the silence of the Panelki (generic communist buildings). She remembered how leaving home for school required crossing the countless floors and dark hallways of these buildings, undoubtedly grayer and more depressing than the beautiful Czechoslovak architecture in pro-communist Prague. She got used to seeing lifeless people in the building hallways and on the streets, sometimes they lasted days before being collected, since the winter cold stopped the rotting and many died without loved ones. Her childhood was marked by these anecdotes, the communist brainwashing propaganda at school (where it was said that the West and nations outside the Warsaw Pact had worse living conditions and lived something similar to the apocalypse) and the constant harassment from demon attacks that soon became routine. She learned to see death as something mundane, inevitable, and something better to be indifferent about. It was said that conditions were better in the Soviet Union, or that's what the rumors she heard as a child said, since Czechoslovakia lived isolated from the world and its politicians controlled by the USSR. She thought that living in a nation that treats the lower strata as disposable pawns just to achieve goals was something wrong. But soon she noticed that this repeats in most systems, and it even reminds her of her current job. The difference is that it seems that, in Japan and Vietnam, people have more freedom of expression and the opportunities to have a decent life are higher. Maybe there is no perfect system, but thinking more about it wouldn't make sense right now, not when she had the restaurant in front of her. Lenka shook her head, shaking off those memories and reflections, not because they hurt her, but because they distracted her more than necessary at this moment. With a cold expression, she entered the place, immediately sensing the presence of a demon there, but she waited with calm, almost indifferent. The aromas were nonexistent for her, there was no fragrance that awakened a sensation in her nose, one more of the prices of making a pact with demons. Indifferently, she crossed the hallways until she entered the room; the darkness kept most of them converted into silhouettes, maybe it was better that way. She had arrived a bit early, so besides that group near the projector, there was only a pink-haired girl sitting down and seemed to be smoking some kind of uncertain smoke. She looked at her for a few seconds, just to make sure she was real and not another invention of the paranoia, then she sat down a few chairs away, where she could be further from the noise. There were no hostile intentions in that demon, her sixth sense would have warned her.
>She remained silent and indifferent in her seat during the arrival of other devil hunters and before the briefing. Lenka stayed focused on the presentation and the video projection; she had decided that was best after turning to look at a devil hunter who had sat beside her and watching as multiple eyes grew all over his body, keeping their gaze fixed on her, giving her the constant sensation of being watched. Nevertheless, she did nothing but ignore it all, concentrating on the important information. The only thing that could pull her out of her introspection was seeing that clumsy agent choke just trying to drink water, and perhaps the brazen criticisms of some brat sitting somewhere behind her. She didn't even think a single thought of concern or pity, nor one of judgment; she simply looked away from him when Miss Makima approached and placed her hands on her shoulders. Her presence evoked a singular, inexplicable feeling; what caught her attention was the disappearance of any hallucinations with her proximity, and the activation of her sixth sense detecting a demon.

>>6324
<Although, truth be told, you've got a lot of balls to get into this knowing firsthand how it's lived... Or maybe how one dies inside in this profession...
The only thing we're all equal in is death; in one way or another.

>That was the only thing she answered with a cold, direct voice, not angry, her face barely showing expression, just like her gaze which seemed to look beyond Makima. There was no other reaction in her worth highlighting. She simply listened respectfully and reservedly to whatever the boss had to say.

<Have you thought about using patches? They'd look great on you.
Patches...?
>She whispered almost to herself, confused by the strange comment. That remark had managed to break through her usual coldness of expression, and she quickly began to wonder if she was missing some kind of inside joke. When Makima continued speaking about assigning a partner, she started to think if the selection of one would be important. She certainly took with indifference which partner would be assigned to her, but after turning to look at the agent who had choked and whom Makina had pointed at with her head, she reconsidered whether working with just anyone was a good idea. She didn't want to prejudge the "clumsy" agent; maybe he was just awkward, but she was sure she wouldn't play the role of a babysitter if he got into trouble. Maybe an agent who wasn't so noisy would be a good option, but she'd be fine with whoever she didn't have to worry too much about. After all, in this job, the life expectancy was too short, especially for newbies, and she wasn't guaranteed to live long either despite her legacy. She was certain she wasn't looking for friends during missions; making them wouldn't make much sense, and she was certainly not interested in them, like most things. Rather than answering Makima verbally with a "Yes" or "No", she simply shrugged with indifference.
Image 2
>For the rest of the time, Kurose kept listening to the interactions between Miss Makima and the rest of the agents. She didn't have much interest in them. Maybe she'd never see them again in her life, but at least she wanted to see what kind of Devil Hunters she was dealing with, and at the same time distract her mind from the floating eyes in the windows that wouldn't stop watching her and whispering things she preferred to pay little attention to.
Hallucination Image 1
>Gumi looked like a peculiar possessed one, not just because of the pinkish appearance, but because of the remarkably stable attitude she had maintained the whole time. It was paradoxical and even a bit comical to fight alongside Demons to finish off other Demons.
>As for Thimble, she didn't have much to say, other than he seemed too young to be a Devil Hunter, and she had her doubts about the reason he was here. Especially after seeing the peculiar answer he gave Makima, which led her to wonder who had the more affected mind between the two. After all, he was a child... a child asking Gumi, the pink agent, if her skin was black. Gumi's reaction and the way she satisfied Thimble's curiosity seemed interesting to her; it might have been comical given the giggles she heard, though she herself didn't evoke any.
>As for Mac, the first thing she noticed from the very first moment was his irreverent attitude, typical of a rebellious boy full of problems. His comment calling her "Cold" that he had thrown at her earlier hadn't disturbed her. She was aware that she also possessed a peculiar personality by the cultural standards of Southeast Asia. At least they agreed that the reds were the enemy. She didn't even have to try too hard to analyze him to realize that a compliment from the right person could easily manipulate his opinion, especially if it fed his ego. She couldn't criticize him. He was still a student, a boy who wanted to return to his sister. She began to assume that Mac's family life wasn't the best; she understood that.

>>6327
<"She looks like Merlina's mom!"
>It was at that moment that she turned towards Mac and stopped pretending to be distracted by something else. The boy was pointing his finger at her and throwing that comment. Rather than getting annoyed or responding back, she raised an eyebrow. Merlina? Who was she? What relationship did she have with the organization, and why did she look like his mother? She thought about it for a few seconds before assuming it was some local joke or something similar that was foreign to her. She simply didn't take it to heart, but it made her understand even more that if both were assigned as partners, she would have to consider that she was dealing with a short, bratty kid with a big mouth, and that educating him would give her the willies. Image 3
----

(Part 1)
>>6345
----

>Lenka had begun to wonder if the communists had any connection to the demonic attack, or if they were two independent variables. After all, the reds would seek any way to destabilize a country enough to provoke a revolution and impose communism with a puppet government. But before she could even prepare to ask Makima, the noise that began to form behind her managed to grab her attention.

----

>Lenka observed with detachment and distance as the discussion evolved into an interesting fight.

>>6332
<"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! IT'S DITTO! THE FUCKING DITTO IS ATTACKING ME! NO, NONONO! I DON'T WANT TO REPRODUCE WITH DITTO!
>The reaction of seeing Mac scream filled with fear and worry over something so simple caused a slight tremor in her lips, as if a small smile had wanted to form on her face. It had been a long time since anything had given her even a shred of amusement. Everything was so gray and full of indifference after the contract with the Agony Demon, for with it, her already indifferent and distant attitude had increased to an exaggerated degree due to the emotional connection loss that was demanded in that contract. The argument was escalating; it seemed the conflict had begun to center on the dynamic of Mac arguing with Gumi, while taking advantage of poor Thimble, who seemed too emotional to react so easily; he was like an opposite pole to her, or she began to think that maybe that's how people normally react and she herself is the strange one.
>Things were getting slightly out of control. Somehow, this kind of interaction could help the various devil hunters get to know each other, but she began to wonder if she should intervene or something similar. Miss Makima seemed to be occupied with something, or at least hadn't intervened so far. Things could get worse if they didn't calm down, although certainly, she hadn't been ordered to keep order; she wasn't some kind of babysitter for them or anything like that. They boasted of being adults, but the only one you could expect such reactions from is Thimble because of his age. Whether they fight or not, it wasn't her business, or so she thought, since, anyway, even if she tried to calm everyone down, nothing guaranteed they would listen to her. So she turned to the other side and tried to concentrate on something less irritating. Although, she then reflected on whether her inaction to calm things down would also make her part of the problem. After sighing, she decides to intervene. Kurose turns in her seat to call their attention, only to observe something that left her frozen. Kurose Image 4
>Kurose not only observes Thimble, Gumi, and Mac embroiled in the scuffle, with another devil hunter approaching from behind with what seems to be an intent to intervene. But behind all of them, at the back of the room, she observes a disturbing being. An eerily tall anthropomorphic figure, composed of what appear to be exposed nerve fibers. Its face bears a cracked porcelain mask without eyes, maintaining a constant expression on its face where it is difficult to distinguish whether it is laughing macabrely or displaying a distorted expression of agony. Embedded in its back and body are rusted weapons and needles piercing through its flesh. Its ears hear the deafening sound of its voice, comparable to the sound of an out-of-tune violin. Lenka cannot help but change her expression to one of bewildered shock while remaining frozen in her seat, knowing that what she was seeing was the demon of agony Hallucination 2. When she saw it stretch out its hand to grab Thimble's head, she suddenly stood up from her seat to warn the others. She already had a hand ready to draw a katana when she saw the devil hunter (William), whose name she didn't recall having heard, pierce through the demon as if it didn't exist and raise his voice saying:
>>6340
Kurose remained frozen uncomfortably, watching as he took Gumi and Mac by the shoulders to keep them still and calm them. She immediately noticed the absence of hostility detection in her sixth sense, and shaking her head, she realized it had only been another hallucination. After taking a deep breath, she returned to her seat and her indifferent, disconnected expression. It had frustrated her to fall into a hallucination that should have been so obvious; the demon of agony couldn't appear that way. It was just her paranoia playing with her mind. But, at least someone else had intervened to calm the situation.

>>6328
Makima watches everything Gumi does, initially not responding because almost instantly after Gumi withdraws there is a "How to say it without sounding bad? Conflict!" Mac wants to return to Thimble as a real man, make him a man, make him macho, give him his new life... And Gumi only gives him some tough teaching like when your parents told you that if someone hit you at school and you came home without defending yourself or winning, your dad would beat you even harder... Something that seems to work in Thimble, although later it ends up blocking. Makima smiles a little and sighs to approach again and calm the situation so Thimble doesn't end up reincarnating as an ostrich just to stick his head under the ground and make the biggest dogeza apology that can exist.

Wow, there are so many resources Gumi... I like it... Maybe I'll end up giving these two as companions, since I see they get along well...

She says it with obvious irony, although later she looks Gumi in the eyes and says to her again.

The truth is, if an accident ends up happening, you won't be penalized... I, unlike your previous superiors, care little about what might happen during the mission as long as the end result occurs... The means don't matter much, I trust in your ability... And in your patience, too. I will assign you a companion... How do you get along with reptiles? Now stop looking at the boy like that.

She looks at Gumi's hands, waiting for her to let go of Thimble once and for all, and by "let go" I mean stop glaring at him, and once she does, she grabs him and >>6329 takes him a bit away from his thugs, or from dad and mom, or from good cop and bad cop, or from... Whatever they are in Thimble's eyes in his upside-down world. Although a figure appears from the darkness, approaching Gumi, and that thing crawls, just like gif 2, standing up seconds later.

CHAWAZAAAAAAA~ I'm Laigu... Laiguana... But many companions call me Yesca, nice to meet you, I am THE POWERFUL DEMON OF IGUANAS... They captured me in Cancún... What a disaster...

She lowers her head, and with just that action, a depressive air filled the entire room.

>>6329
Thimble, listen to me well... The 18-year-old boy isn't going to do anything to you... Not while I'm nearby, okay? We'll also assign you a companion... One with whom you won't have to apologize for ten lives in a row... Although, whether you like it or not, you're a team... So you'll have to live together. For now, do me a favor, okay?

She fixes his hair and grabs a glass of water to put it in Thimble's hand.
Drink this... It's a magic potion that will give you the courage of a thousand pirates about to board a ship... When you do, concentrate, think of the bravest thing that could cross your mind, like how a bird, even without knowing how to fly, launches itself toward the cliff and opens its wings by instinct to face life... Think of that, okay? Drink this potion and you'll feel the strength of a thousand men...

It's just a common glass of water... But for someone living in a fantasy world, maybe it'll pass.

We'll assign you a partner anyway... But before that, I want to know something important... Are you afraid of spiders? Clowns?

>>6335
Makima turns to look at Mac, but says nothing; instead, she feels a hand rest on her shoulder, and when she turns, she sees a pale, skeletal, yet tall woman.

You should be kinder to others, to the defenseless... You might end up cursed, and you don't want to end up cursed, do you?

She points at him with one hand and speaks slowly, as if tired of life, as if she'd only slept three hours and nothing more, and then she wiggles her finger side to side.

You... are... partially cursed.

Mac feels a sharp pain in his chest when she finishes saying those words, a stab that's almost in his heart. If he looks down, he'll see absolutely nothing... Because it's inside his uniform... A clip unfastened and pinched his entire pectoral purely by chance.

Clumsy Agent: HA! For laughing and saying things about me, you shameless scoundrel!

>>6330
Spencer brings a cigarette to his mouth while rubbing the scar on his face, then lights it with a box of matches he keeps in his pocket.

Spencer: A cigarette can always make everything much better, friend... It relaxes the tension, and the smell is so... rich, though I understand those who inhale vapor with a Sniff sniff flavor. Maybe with a Tutti Frutti scent.

When William speaks of a reward for finishing the mission, Makima turns to look at him with her piercing gaze and nods slowly, as if he'd said something interesting.

That's an interesting question... A question everyone will want to know the answer to... But I'll do that when the two missing ones arrive, heh... So they'll know the answer to that beautiful question you just asked...

He gives him a thumbs-up and winks a few seconds later. It really is a question he'd like to answer, but he'll do it minutes later in a general turn.
PI
The video for the general turn was shown to Pi on the outbound flight to Vietnam >>6324, so unlike his companions, he won't see it directly in the room, but rather later, specifically after all the mess with Thimble was over... Though really, more than ending it, Makima herself feels it gave him the wings to do something that would finally fill Gumi's patience with his strange questions, which is interesting. But amidst all this, Makima steps away from Thimble for a few seconds before bringing the femboy to her side.

You're a great asset... At least for this mission... Cooperative demon and good at math. I want to know something specific... At what speed are you able to determine the trajectory of a projectile traveling at 432 kilometers per hour if it comes from the top of the Statue of Liberty towards here? Do you think you can give your companions the ability to have a reaction time? Just answer that...

She crosses her arms, the question is weird, maybe, yes, but it would also be weird if they brought him just for cannon fodder... If he's here, it's because Makima is interested in him beyond simply his presence.

And another thing... Do you stand out physically in anything...?

She says it while looking at his legs, then his arms, and then his eyes... Looking for something that says he's fast, strong, or at least has eagle vision. Makima didn't even read the demon's report in full.

Zmicier
Anyone other than you would have been kicked in the ass the moment you tried to send papers to SN... But the fact that you drove trucks is what ironically got you the job, instead of ending up as a construction worker on the site, which was probably the closest thing. SN got interested in you for your ability to operate heavy machinery... Something that for this mission, which will take place in a destroyed zone, comes in handy... So, just like what happened to Pi, you were shown the video; it was something all the humans here had to know and understand... To know the dangers they face. However, beyond accepting or not, there was no other choice but to simply lower your head and accept that it was your lot, nothing more. Anyway, you were already in that room before, only that amidst so much chaos of interpersonal relationships, a guy like you acting like a drug addict.
Draug: Hey friend... We're comrades, right? Welcome, brother... They'll probably let us stay together, hehe... You have, you have... How to say this without it sounding bad? A lighter? I've asked many of you guys and the others, they won't give it to me, friend, hehe... They WON'T give it to me... What does a good man like me have to do to get some fire from you...?

The subject is trembling; maybe giving him a lighter isn't a good idea if Raquel and everyone else refused him... But really, it's not that bad, is it? There's a small sensation, a tingling, that keeps insisting it might be a good idea to give him a lighter... But maybe it's not that good, although before you can make a decision.

<GENERAL TURN.
Attention comrades, friends, attention, attention everyone, okay...? This good man here >>6330 just asked a very important question... What will the payment be after all this? Well, with some of you, there's already a fixed contract... The kid in first year of middle school will have his life back, our European friend who drove tractors will get papers and probably more human rights, because you know how it is here... Others will get a small salary bonus if they're on the payroll... Because that's what they're owed, even if I'm not personally a fan...

Draug: WILL THE PAY BE ENOUGH TO BUY MY MEDS?!

No. Continuing, but the real payment for this will be YOUR LIVES...

Clumsy Agent: My life? A-Ayyy...

That's right... Because after this, those who survive will be lucky, and will feel so gratified that many will want to retire to a life of fishing and chopping wood... Those who can, of course. Others are condemned to keep seeing our faces. With that said... Let's split into two groups... There are several of us... So I'll name the main ones, and they'll go with the NPCs, their partners; anyone who doesn't have one yet will be assigned soon. The idea is that each group is big enough so they don't get ambushed in a corner, because we're heading to a suicide zone... So the groups are as follows: Kurose, Gumi, Thimble, and Mac go together... Pi, Zmicier, and William go together... Someone else will be assigned to them along the way... From now on, and this applies to everyone, this will be our checkpoint and our base... If you need to communicate directly with someone, you can dial this number; you'll be given a slip with a number that goes straight to this building in case you need communication or supplies... There are cars parked downstairs... The keys are on the table before you leave the building, and the mission and exact location within District 10 are in the glove compartment of each car...

"Fucking!, what a heat"

https://youtu.be/U6frKFkPZQg▾
>Another day in the life of Goy the worker. How long have I been illegal in this jungle of brown little Chinese? I don't even think about it anymore. I wipe the sweat while turning up the radio volume and looking at the Vietnamese jungle passage, their unpainted ticholo houses and a poorly painted Ho Chi Minh on a wall. Fucking!, they don't have statues.

>My arm was getting toasted in the window, leaving that characteristic reddish shrimp color. Resume after resume, the world economy was in the shits, the constant ritual of humiliation in interviews so that after 8 stages they leave you on hold for a month, so that then they tell you "Thank you very much for your interest, it was very interesting, But..." you can imagine what follows. Anyway, I ended up working illegally doing what I knew best, transporting trucks inside the jungle, without asking, just moving forward. I was already illegal anyway, another stripe on the tiger doesn't hurt anyone... Tiger? Fucking!, they don't have bears.

>But one day everything changed, and by nun's nipple, I almost didn't make it. But here I am, violated by a demon, going to another working day. Violated by life.

"Pandan Leaf Saigon?"

>I look at the photo, I look at the place, I look at the photo

"ha, what a shit country"

"how I love it"

>I say getting off my Carcacha to get on the girls (all-terrain vehicle made in Artisanal Intelligence, all very legal), with a, exaggeratedly large chunk of bread, wrapped in aluminum foil. My flip-flops hit the pavement and I enter the mess. It was a facade, because once inside it was used for suited people like us... Well, me the suited part is the tie because of the fucking heat.

>>6347
>>6324
>We watched a short movie, those informative videos companies put on where they show you how you're going to die by some hydraulic press after signing the contract (coincidentally they are all Chinese), and then tell you they have the legal power to fire your ass if by some miracle you survive, and without giving you any economic compensation. With that, a Chinese woman dyed with bad attitude gives us the friendliest talk of all HR, and at the same time an idiot dies trying to take water. Understandable, I would drown too after seeing such a ass of Mis.Makima. https://youtu.be/g2orJktJ6MQ▾ so while eating bread, I chuckled softly and gave elbow bumps to the one next to me, >>6326, to get his attention (so he chuckles too with the one who drowned from nerves), like uncles do when they see something funny a Jorge video or the "fuck donkeys" one and show it to you while laughing, but then I notice this guy's face... This kid was more nervous than shit, poor thing, my first job interview was at that age I think, and I was just as scared.

"Calm down man, your stomach is going to hurt"

"Here, take it"

>I say with the most broken Vietnamese accent you've ever heard, but it's understandable. While stretching my hand with a piece of bread to share. A Slavic famous CP consumers, who drives Heavy Trucks, living in Southeast Asia (where child trafficking is known), this wasn't going to end well. Be careful kid implying you have survival instincts.
"...?"

>At this, I also notice the whole gang. A slutty one, a kid, another kid... Another kid? Fuck, where did I get

>>6345
>>6346
Are you alive?

>All of a sudden, out of nowhere, while you were completely focused on your mental fantasies caused by extreme paranoia, I was right there, and I spoke to you. With that, I raise an eyebrow while observing your face.

"...."

"You have the face of someone who has seen a ghost"

>I offer my hand for a handshake. He leaves me standing there

"I'm Zmicier"

"..."

"Be careful not to look too much, or your eyes will fall out" I point to the sky discreetly

"xaxa"

>>6348
>>6347
>After what happened in those interactions involving, Now I go with the Team. First I look at the crackhead, and I manage to give him a little fire.

"What was your name, kid?"

"Агонь?"

>https://youtu.be/xDf8w_NffIo▾ I take out the lighter and I'm there for a while Chick chick chick, until, wala, fire. I don't give him the lighter because I'm not stupid, I've lost too many like that, he'll just have to bring his cigarette, crack pipe or whatever he puts into his body.

>>6347
Was that a iguana? Did I summon it? I never thought the law of attraction was real... Miss Makima, I have to tell that iguana that melted and dead iguanas can also have many friends and pursue a musical career or participate in wrestling. Oh...
>Leaving behind the iguana, Thimble has to return to observe Makima who is asking him direct questions. With his eyes dancing from side to side, he nods while his hair falls down again. His hairstyle was an emo-bieber that fell over one of his eyes even though he did nothing. In his hands the boy received a glass of water. But soon, he received the tic of the clumsy agent and began to tremble while a lot of that potion slid down the sides of his clasped hands. Thimble, suddenly stopped trembling and focused his gaze on the pure and crystal water.
This is... This seems like pure and refined water directly from the Ganges river. Is that how real potions look? S-si it was like that... I would have drunk thinner a long time ago! How could I have wasted that opportunity when I was younger. I will do it, just a moment!
>Thimble began to think about bravery, iguanas, and pirates. He didn't know pirates beyond some stories, where they were villains, but there were some good pirates who made boys like him able to have free games like the computer pirates. Definitely needed that kind of ferocity, Thimble was convinced that was the only way. He began to channel the powers of the internet pirates, of ElAmigos, of Softonic, and of V of Vendetta. It was the first time in a long time that he felt so confident. When Thimble took from the glass, he did so with security and open eyes. And when a bit of water entered his nose, he also coughed strongly, but with respect and with measure, the internet pirates are sophisticated and elegant. Makima asked him a question.
Pffff... I'm Vietnamese, like insects! Miss Makima, don't think I can't handle a party clown and a guy in a spider suit. Bring me those called Peniwais and Piter Parker! They've been breathing too much air. It's time they stop scaring good people, and bad ones.
>>6348
Hmm? What do you...? Ah, is it for me? Really?
>He frowned at the sight of someone talking to him, right now Thimble is the rudest subject on the internet, meaning someone rudely inferior to the average in real life. He tried to speak with annoyance, having maintained that alibi throughout (the general turn) of Makima's conversation, looking like the perfect demon hunter agent, in a skeleton suit. However, upon seeing that it was for receiving a new object from fate, an extra piece of equipment to fight against the underworld's evil, Thimble pointed out his innocence, but also happiness.
Don't worry, Uncle Z, Makima gave me the correct chemical compound so my bravery can rise. And with this, I don't have to fear the alien demon, ET! Hahaha. Let those demons not kill you, uncle. When we return, finally you'll teach me how to pass that level of Plants vs Zombies that I'm stuck on, right?
>Thimble behaved in a friendly way with Zmicier, of whom he didn't remember the full name, only that it started with a Z. He was the guy who tapped Thimble's arm while laughing, eating and looking at Makima's backside, at first, in his paranoia it only increased some levels, the frequency of his trembling. But when Zmicier started giving Thimble things, he hallucinated that they had a whole story to tell. That he was the absent brother of the family that went to Europe to try their luck and came back with ETSs and experience. Thimble didn't have a family, by the way.

>>6346
Hello, unmasked agent, I am Thimble, and I am human. May I find out your name? Although it may not seem like it, I am a very capable hunter who could leak terabytes of information about the new generation of Pokemon at a moment's notice. Yes, I am a web pirate!
>Thimble approached with agent Lenka to introduce himself, she had seen something strange when he started yelling at Mac, but all of that was in the past. He couldn't not meet the fourth member of his hunter group, especially now, that he took all the confidence of the web world. After announcing skills he didn't possess. The delulu boy flashed a smile that he kept for a few seconds, and made his voice firm again. He pointed at Lenka's swords, which looked deadly at a glance.
Much more importantly... Can you lend me one of your swords? I just want to know its weight, and its maneuverability, and how cool it could be... And how sharp they are, of course. My master V of Vendetta used that type of swords daily, to cut unjust connections in the world of computing.

>>6339
>>6340

<Were you trying to mock me?
<I didn't come here to be a babysitter

...

>Be quiet and watch Thimble with a raised eyebrow. Talking to him feels like trying to decipher the modern slang of the chaviza with his six seven and other things he doesn't understand. During his futile attempt to understand, Gumi watches >>6340 who tries to intervene. Calmly, she removes his hand from her shoulder and then responds for both of them.

Educating the newbies is part of the job. If they don't know how to behave, it's necessary to teach them.

>>6346

Tired day?

>I take a glass of water and bring it in the direction of the now silent agent. From what he's heard, Kurose is along with her, one of the few people with prior experience in this place. Knowing that, it's not hard to imagine why someone like Kurose would suddenly become alert. They're in Vietnam after all, the demon of flashbacks is very popular here and the other agents he's worked with have experienced at least one of those memories suddenly.

>>6347

<The truth is if an accident does end up happening, you won't be penalized...

It doesn't matter to you, but it does to me. I don't want stains on my record.

>You watch Makima with a half-smirk and then take a drag from your vape. No matter how lax the work policy is here, she'll have to face the one of her future bosses. Of which she's already met more than one who looks down on the possessed. Keeping a clean record is the best way Gumi has to avoid future problems.

<How do you get along with reptiles?

I'm more worried about piranhas.

>A half-joke, half-serious comment. There's no animal that causes her panic just by looking at it, but since she got this body, she's a bit worried about the idea of being devoured. The piranhas with their sharp teeth are definitely an enemy she'd rather not face. While thinking about that and exhaling the vapor from her vape, another group of colleagues arrive who are both more and less eccentric than the previous ones.

<Yesca, a pleasure, I'm THE POWERFUL DEMON OF THE IGUANAS

Gumi, possessed by sweets, may I ask about your abilities? Anything to do with that third eye?

>After introducing himself, Gumi starts circling around the iguana. Paying special attention to its head, in an attempt to find its parietal third eye. She had heard about this recently and now she was curious about how it looked in person. However, she soon stops her analysis to focus on how to use her powers.

<Kurose, Gumi, Thimble and Mac go together

I'll drive.

>He drank the remaining malted drink in one gulp and then let out a sigh, approaching his group. He hoped that putting the criminal in his team was just a tasteless joke, but unfortunately it's not the case. At least they included another competent adult, which is Kurose. The girl with the katana looks like someone strong in combat, but Gumi isn't sure if she can trust her ability to drive. The others who accompanied her are ruled out as too young, which means it depends on her to be the one to drive. Taking the keys hastily, Gumi started moving forward to finish this mission as soon as possible.

>>6348
quack

>>6345
>>6346
>Notice that someone else, besides Gumi and Thimble, is also watching him intently—Lanka Kurose! He'd already noticed the attention she was giving him after comparing her to the mom of that TV character he hates so much for her bitter attitude and ridiculous viral dance. However, he got distracted by the commotion he caused with the Chilean girl and the spineless guy. Clearly, he had more to say to the Czechoslovakian-Japanese girl, and he finds the perfect moment when he catches her from the corner of his eye, detecting a strange tremor in her lips after wiping off Gumi's liquid mess. At first, he raises an eyebrow, trying to decipher her peculiar expression—until he realizes it's a poorly formed smile. In that instant, he realizes the Ice Queen has a bit of warmth inside her after all. So mockingly, he sticks his tongue out at her and points at her face again, which isn't nearly as stiff as it was moments ago. This time, though, he's not trying to make her laugh—or maybe he is, unintentionally. Either way, like some trouble-seeking brat, he never tires of looking for fights and wants another one.

"What are you staring at? You too, huh? You like me as well?! Whoa! Who'd have thought coming back to life would make me irresistible to women? Now I get why Mary Magdalene got interested in Je... Jesu... Fuck off! Why the hell is this shit happening to me...?"

>He brings his hands to his head, messing up his hair with a thoroughly '80s look. Kurose notices genuine frustration as he struggles to say such a common name as Jesus Christ. Every time he tries to pronounce it, his tongue knots up and trips. What the hell is stopping him from saying the Son of God's name? Could that be part of his "contract"? Mạc doesn't seem to have any knowledge of this little detail, and he strains to say it—only to end up biting his lips hard enough to make them bleed before finishing the name. Something or someone is punishing him! Strange! Just as strange as the spectral visions of the Demon of Agony appearing between the Vietnamese boy himself and the past and future devil hunters. Mạc wildly turns his head in all directions, trying to figure out what the hell he's seeing—because to him, he's seeing a ghost! Well, he also touches his face to check if there's gum stuck to it or his hair—maybe Gumi played a prank on him without him noticing, which surprises Kurose. Nevertheless, the boy's alarm bells go off when he sees Mạc preparing to draw his swords. A natural defensive instinct takes over, and he assumes a small combat stance, ready to fight in case Lanka decides to attack him. It's so weird—his body moves on its own here. Mạc knows full well he's just a small dog that barks but doesn't bite! So why the hell is he showing his teeth right now?! He questions himself internally—until Kurose breaks his shock when, in his hallucination, William, the stoic one, "kills" that supposed demon. The Vietnamese guy exhales as if he'd dodged a stray bullet, shoves his hands into his pockets, and resumes a posture overflowing with confidence, insolence, recklessness, arrogance, idleness, and petulance.
"Seriously, what mosquito bit you, huh?"

>He sticks his tongue out again, mocking the odd behavior of the agent born in Czechoslovakia. The weird and disturbing part comes when Lanka relaxes—when she accepts it was just something made up in her head, something she herself created due to her contracts with various demons! Just a hallucination, then! But in that moment of false alarm, she sees things again that shouldn't be there, specifically with Mạc, whose aura surrounding his body begins to tint in red and black—a red redder than blood and a black blacker than infinite space. Suddenly, the young boy's small silhouette starts growing, no longer 1.60 meters tall but now reaching two meters, maybe even taller. His eyes become large and bright, glowing with a radiant crimson light, a burning glow as if she were staring at the entrance of the Christian hell itself. His mouth distorts into an unsettling grin filled with sharp, pointed teeth. Bat-like wings sprout from his back and another pair from the sides of his head. A tail emerges, hairy legs, claws, bulging muscles—A demon! Pic spoiler What Lanka was seeing was a demon, one whose aura utterly dwarfs any other and rivals the presence of the demon wearing Makima's skin. Was this another hallucination? Was this real? WHY DOES SHE NOW FEEL THE PRESENCE OF TWO TOP-TIER DEMONS IN THE CLASSROOM?! The creature assumes a combat stance, ready to lunge at the Euro-Japanese girl. She doesn't have time to grab the hilt of her katana—she's too slow compared to that THING! And the being, the demon, is about to sink its fangs into her—and... she just feels a poke in her stomach! If she looks down, she sees Mạc poking Lanka's belly with his index finger, since he can only reach that high due to being short, and he gives her a little smile—was it friendly?
"Almost made you smile, didn't I?"

>>6338
"Reproduce?! Do I look like an MP3 player or what the hell?! I said I like you! Because I like you! You guys like me! Huh? What do you mean 'young'?! I can be a liar, a pig, an idiot, a porn star, but never a communist!"

>>6339
"No, if I wanted to make fun of you, I'd just look at your face... HAHAHAHA... See? That's making fun of you! I'm just trying to have fun! It's not fun to mess with a crying loser! It's not bro code! My soul bro and I used to mess with each other and nobody ended up crying like a pantless fairy! Listen to the chewed gum! She smells like tutti frutti but she knows what she's saying, bro... If you tell a joke, I'll give you a swastika burn shaped like a dick... Heh, dick... Hehe."

>>6340
"What do you mean 'kid'?! I'm not a kid! I already have chest hair! One! But I have it! Grrrrrrr! Did you watch a lot of videos to be so stoic or why the long face? Tsk! I'm here because... They forced me... I don't want to be in this shit with people I don't know and who think I'm a fucking kid! I want to go home, dammit! You guys get paid, I don't get a fucking thing! Do you know what I ate today? A bag of Pedigree! I want to go ho-"

>>6347
"AHHHHHHH! IT WAS THAT FUCKING COMMUNIST! IT'S THE COMMUNIST DEVIL, MISS MAKIMA! HIS RUSSIAN ACCENT GIVES HIM AWAY! I THINK HE SPEAKS RUSSIAN! IT'S THE DEVIL OF HUNGER! KILL HIM!"

>He jumps in surprise when he feels Makima's hand on his shoulder, he points at the >>6340 guy with the Ronaldo Nazario haircut, he literally hasn't even spoken to him yet but he's already going off on him just because of his accent, which he's mistaking for Soviet, anyway, he relaxes when he sees that nothing detrimental to his well-being was happening, he takes a breath and adopts his "reckless" attitude again, mostly because that hand wasn't Makima's

"That sounds like class consciousness... Communist shit. Are you a communist? Do you think Makima is a communist? I wouldn't be surprised by the red hair..."

>He whispers the last part, but something tells him the redhead heard him, so he tries to do damage control by shouting again and waving his hands while looking at Makima, that woman really gives him a bad vibe and so...

"I-I didn't say anything, I didn't say anything! Goddammit..."

>He looks at the pale girl when she calms down 100 percent and clicks his tongue at the whole curse thing, he doesn't show fear, he's not afraid of anything or anyone, only Makima, for a reason he doesn't understand.

"Take a bath... You smell musty."

>He covers his nose, making a disgusted face at the ghostly presence of the girl, then he feels a pain in his stomach from cramps! I mean! In his chest and when he least expects it, the weirdo pinches his chest.

"NO, NOT MY NIPPLE! NOT A NIPPLE PINCH!"

>He roughly pushes the girl who looks like a walking corpse or Sadako from The Ring movie, he grinds his teeth looking at her with hatred, not caring if he knocked her to the ground or not, suddenly he hears the clumsy guy's voice and since he likes to take it out on the weakest, he pushes him too, but in the face, and this one he does knock to the ground, he's really a very problematic boy who seems to be looking for attention and reprimand from Makima, Gumi >>6352 and >>6346 Kurose.

"Wash your mouth when you talk to me, asshole."

>>6348
"What are you looking at?! Do you want me to get you some knee pads or are you good like that, bastard?"

>He literally doesn't give a flying fuck that he's a 1.60m Vietnamese guy, all scrawny and piss-soaked, he puffs out his chest to face someone who, at first glance, looks like a fucking Balkan War veteran, all crazy and maniacal.

>>6352
>>6351
>>6346
>>6347
"¡¿Who made you the boss?! I want to drive! I'm way better than Toretto! Give me the keys! Let's have a vote! Raise your hand if you want me to drive! I promise I'll stop to buy all the ice cream you want and lift up all the dirty hippies you want."

>He never driven in his life.

>>6354
>Thimble put her thimbles on her fingers, unbuttoned her sleeve and began to slowly raise her hand, until she turned to look at >>6352 imaginatively angry, and slowly lowered her hand. Although Mac looked like a grumpy but reliable person, if someone proposed something so fun, he had to do something. Thimble upped the ante
I'd like to go in a clown car, to get out one after another to fight the demons. Maybe, magically more new anons hunters come out of him to support us on the mission. What kind of cars are parked downstairs? I'm sure there are so many options...

>>6350
<¿Hnr? ¿Qué quieres...? Ay, ¿es para mi? ¿de veras?
"https://youtu.be/ymQUIimLQck"▾
>It was that simple "yes" moving the head slightly, almost with pride, that let you know it was yours, and without commitment. At first the young guy was a bit defensive, completely understandable, but quickly gained some confidence and started talking to me. I before answering would stay in a cold silence, because I had to remember how he spoke in Filipino, I mean Vietnamese.

<Don't let those demons kill you, man.
"Don't worry xaxaxa, I can take care of myself to get out alive of any problem."

"..."

"Generally"

>I hope my luck doesn't run out, that's for sure, because several times I almost got deported or they tried to shoot up the cargo truck. With that we continued talking a bit.

<Makima gave me the correct chemical compound so that my bravery would come out.
"Bravery is very important, but bravery without prudence only makes you an idiot, and your pointing at his heart with pride, like old man Sam You are not an idiot"

"You are more"

<When we return, finally you will teach me how to pass that level of Plants vs Zombies where I am stuck, right?
"..."

"Of course if you want kid, count on me"

"and remember..."

"https://youtu.be/HsP5ON4lgO0"▾ of zombies ar cuming

"(Or something like that, I don't know English)"

>With that I say goodbye, smiling, and return with my band. Now if he didn't want to die so quickly, he was very small.

>>6353
<"¡¿You what me see?! ¿Bring me some knee pads or are you okay, bastard?"
"..................."

>I look at him, completely serious. I raise my hand above his head, palm completely open, with calluses from hours in the truck, pick and shovel AHHH. This hand lowers in a threatening manner and... https://youtu.be/lCjxT-Ukhac.▾ Patpatpatpatpatpatpat, My fingers start to misalign all your hair with a constant headpat, rough, but not aggressive or harmful, just something rough.

"Xaxaxaxaxaxa!!!" hard laugh

"Knee pads? this... Do you like to skate or rollerblade?"

>No, he didn't understand a damn thing you wanted to say. He just took it as cute.

"Okay, it's not a bad idea"

>I leave his hair alone, and I put my hand on my chin thinking.

"Uhmm... Now we have to work, but if you survive this, we can do something of that if you want"

Tony Hawk pose

"I must have a Skate somewhere, or anything we steal one... or you drive my car, it's the same"

>The kid called me bastard, meaning I am the Goat or something like that say the kids of his age.

>>6352

Mmmmm... Me surprises that in this job they allow possessed, not always works fighting fire with more fire...

>>6353

Stop screaming you want? If you're really a man, then you'll have to prove it...

>Algo raro cruzaría por la mirada de William, tomando la barbilla del vietnamita con cierto interés, dándole unas palmadas antes de soltarlo

{Gott... du siehst Yao so ähnlich...}

Better take care if?... Or if not, I myself will send you back to the cave where you came from...

>>6347

>So, seeing how a demon crawls and appears, couldn't help but make a face of disgust, therefore looking at Spencer, would take one of the cigarettes from his pack, taking also the matchbox and one of the same

Cher Makima, I warn you that if that thing gets any closer to me, I'll have reptilian barbecue...

>>6353

<¡¿How old are you?! I can be a liar, a pig, an idiot, a porn star! But never a communist!"

>She rolls her eyes, sighs, and turns around. If the kid is looking for the attention he doesn't get at home, he wasn't going to find it with her. Not when he's so stupid he can't even remember his own words.

>>6357

<Mmmmm... It surprises me that this job allows possessed people, it doesn't always work fighting fire with fire...

You have a lot to learn if that surprises you. Fire against fire is what this business is all about.

>She crosses her arms and comments in a tone, not annoyed, but serious. The same way it works here as in China, demon hunter agencies always function the same way. You find one or several demons who want to collaborate with you and use them to kill those who don't want to be on your side. Someone in this field not knowing such a basic rule makes Gumi worry about how much the requirements to work here have dropped.

>>6355

<What kind of car are parked downstairs?

The kind you'd see at a funeral, if they're not careful they're going to end up coming back in a coffin and they don't want that, do they?

>There's a reason why security national attire and transportation tend so much to black. The death rate in this job is so high that the people above have decided to make the funeral homes' job easier. From the moment one enters this job, they already accept that they're going to end up inside a coffin. That's how things work, but neither Gumi nor anyone wants to keep digging graves forever, which is why she warns them not to die.

>>6354

<¡¿Who made you the boss?!

The chain of command. Me and Kurose come first because we're agents with experience. Then comes Thimble, followed by Laigu if she accompanies us and lastly you, the unpaid intern. Did you hear that Thimble? >>6355 from today on you're her superior, feel free to give her all the orders you want.

>One by one she pointed out all the people involved in this mission to make sure they know their place. Of course, Gumi and Kurose are the ones with the most authority, who is above whom still remains to be decided.
>Following her would be Thimble, although her position as third in command could be lost depending on how well the iguana demon performs. The only one with a guaranteed position in all of this is Mac Dan Dung, since he's been working here for free as he said. No contract. No dental insurance. Being by default the lowest stratum of the entire company.

>>6353
>So far, Kurose had mixed feelings about her team. Not that she'd complain—she'd worked with dysfunctional teams before, and when that happened, it was enough to wait a few days for the group to shrink significantly. It wouldn't be the first time she ended a mission alone, so she knew getting attached to coworkers was an unnecessary effort. Added to the fact that connecting with people and growing fond of them had become nearly impossible after her contracts with the demon of paranoia and the demon of agony. If in the past she'd never been good at connecting with people or expressing her feelings, those contracts had completely erased her ability to form deep bonds. Even now, the smallest smile on her face appears at such long intervals that few have ever been lucky enough to see even an attempt at one. By this point, she was indifferent to what people thought of her. Maybe she'd grown indifferent in many ways—increasingly, different things seemed meaningless or unimportant to her. She worked just to work; she'd never had a sense of justice or vengeance to drive her as a devil hunter. Simply put, she'd never found anything better to do, and a normal life might have seemed even more meaningless. Sometimes she wondered if her life in her homeland had shaped her into this, or if it was her upbringing, as little as she'd had. But just as she couldn't fully understand herself, she didn't expect anyone else to try. She'd never lived with someone long enough for that to happen. In the end, she always ended up alone. It didn't bother her—after all, that way she had more time to deal with her own problems, which already weighed heavily enough on her mind.

>Despite everything, Lenka wanted to force herself to be positive about her current team. She'd read about positivity in psychology books, hoping to change her outlook and help herself mentally. Honestly, those books hadn't helped her at all, but she'd heard that to make a good social impression, one had to appear positive. Still, trying felt too exhausting and forced.
>Somehow, she hoped things would turn out differently on this mission. Sure, there were a few immature brats on the team—possibly they'd die quickly, maybe. But she wanted to believe Miss Makima had chosen them for good reasons. This time, she'd be working with Gumi. It'd be the first time, but it had been a while since she'd worked with someone experienced. Considering Gumi's flawless record, there was a chance things might go better. At least then she wouldn't have to babysit the team, and there'd be someone mature enough to take things seriously.
to

be

like

that.

Reflective

and

silent.

More

from

indifference

than

shyness,

because

socializing

simply

didn't

matter

to

her,

and

she

wasn't

particularly

good

at

it

anyway.

Maybe

Eastern

European

social

culture

was

colder

and

drier

than

the

Asian

one.

Still,

somehow,

she'd

found

amusement

in

Mac's

immature

and

irritable

attitude.

Even

she

herself

was

surprised

when

an

involuntary,

trembling

smirk

tried

to

form

on

her

face

for

a

few

seconds.

Few

things

usually

amused

her,

but

knowing

she

could

still

have

these

reactions

gave

her

hope

that

the

contract

with

the

demon

of

Agony

hadn't

completely

erased

her

emotions.

In

some

way,

she

saw

Mac

as

a

desperate

boy

craving

attention,

immature

for

his

age,

needing

validation

or

feeling

the

need

to

assert

a

position

of

advantage

or

superiority.

It

could

be

summed

up

as

a

fragile

ego,

but

a

visible

one.

At

least

Lenka

preferred

analyzing

people

over

focusing

on

hallucinations

trying

to

play

with

her

mind.

The

way

he

fed

his

own

idea

of

attracting

both

women

on

the

team,

jokingly

or

not,

entertained

her.

Unfortunately

for

his

fantasies,

she

was

sure

it

wasn't

true.

In

fact,

when

she

tried

to

recall,

she

realized

she'd

never

actually

felt

attraction

toward

anyone,

and

didn't

believe

she

could

after

her

contracts.

After

all,

love

was

just

a

distraction

from

work.

What

did

catch

her

attention,

though,

was

the

strange

situation

where

she

noticed

Mac

couldn't

pronounce

the

name

of

Jesus.

It

was

odd,

but

she

didn't

feel

like

asking

him

about

it—

she

was

too

comfortable

in

her

seat,

and

didn't

want

to

exhaust

herself

talking

to

him.

After

all,

it

seemed

even

he

didn't

know

the

answer.

—

After

nearly

falling

for

a

hallucination

she'd

seen

behind

Thimble,

Gumi,

Mac,

and

William,

Kurose

just

wanted

to

focus

on

herself.

She

hated

when

a

hallucination

managed

to

make

her

confuse

reality

with

what

wasn't.

It

didn't

happen

often,

but

when

it

did,

it

was

annoying.

It

would've

been

awkward

to

explain

to

the

team

why

she'd

cut

the

air

near

them.

Fortunately,

William

had

simply

passed

through

the

being,

revealing

it

was

nothing

more

than

a

construct

from

her

mind.

She

hated

appearing

crazy,

and

as

she

was

about

to

return

to

her

seat

to

sink

back

into

her

thoughts

before

Makima's

next

intervention,

she

heard

what

Mac

said

to

her:

"Seriously,

what

mosquito

bit

you,

huh?"

Lenka

just

turned

around

confused,

only

to

be

greeted

by

Mac's

taunting

tongue.

She

had

no

intention

of

responding—

ignoring

him

would

be

easier.

She

wasn't

going

to

fight

with

some

brat

whose

reason

for

being

chosen

by

Makima

she

didn't

even

know.

Before

she

could

turn

away,

she

watched

as

Mac

began

to

slowly

transform,

going

from

being

about

10

to

15

cm

shorter

than

her

to

towering

over

her

by

a

wide

margin.

What

she

saw

left

her

in

shock—

she

no

longer

faced

an

immature

young

man,

but

a

being

that

seemed

taken

straight

out

of

a

Judeo-Christian

demonology

book.

His

form

was

imposing.

She

couldn't

tell

if

she

was

seeing

something

real

or

hallucinating

again.

Before

Kurose

could

reach

for

her

katana,

she

saw

this

demon

lunge

at

her.

She

closed

her

eyes,

and

unexpectedly

only

felt

a

poke

in

her

abdomen.

Looking

down,

she

only

found

Mac

prodding

her

belly

through

her

uniform.

She

remained

confused

by

how

quickly

everything

had

happened.

That

friendly-looking

smirk

from

Mac

only

confused

her

further.
>The question catches her off guard, and when she regains her composure, she crosses her arms.
"Smile...? Yeah, you almost made me smile—out of embarrassment..."
>She replied, not with annoyance or anger, just returning to her indifferent attitude. Her accent made her sound blunt and direct—an accent far more pronounced and strong than what one might typically hear in Vietnam, though her command of the language was solid. Still, after a moment of reflection, she didn’t want to make enemies or provoke Mac again. After all, he had smiled at her—or something like it. At least for the sake of the team, and the uncertainty of whether they’d die quickly, she tried saying something more to avoid seeming apathetic.
"Something like that... don’t get excited. Pleasure to meet you, Mac. Hope we work well as a team and you don’t die soon."
>She said, unsure if that was the most appropriate thing, though she didn’t care much about the impression she made. She simply stretched out her hand for a formal greeting, taking half a step back at the same time. It had been strange for someone to poke at her belly like that—was that supposed to be some kind of friendly gesture or something? In Czechoslovakia, trying something like that would be begging for a punch in the face.

-----

>>6349

>Returning to her seat to reflect on what had happened and clear her mind of hallucinations, Lenka turns her head upon hearing Zmicier speak to her. Her face didn’t look very expressive as she looked at him. In fact, she hesitated a few seconds before responding and accepting his handshake. His accent and vocabulary clearly indicated he must be from somewhere in the Soviet Union—maybe Russia or Belarus. That made her a bit suspicious, especially given the complicated history between those nations and Czechoslovaks; after all, not all Slavs got along. Still, if he was here, he must be trustworthy and not some communist. At the very least, she’d give him the benefit of the doubt that he wasn’t a communist spy or something.

<"Just be careful not to stare too much, or your eyes will fall out."

>Hearing that snaps her out of her thoughts, and she realizes she’s been staring at him for quite a while without responding.
"Just my everyday face... Nice to meet you, Zmicier. I'm Kurose, Lenka Kurose."
>She said as she accepted his handshake. She couldn’t match his sense of humor, but at least she could respond with respect and formality. If she was going to work for the sake of the mission, then she held no ill will toward him.

-----

>>6351
>When Zmicier leaves, she stands up. She had planned to go to the bathroom and catch her breath before anything else. The image of the demon Mac had transformed into still bothers her mind. It had been a strange sensation, different from her usual hallucinations. But before walking away from the room, she's intercepted by the small Thimble.

<"Hey, unmasked agent, I'm Thimble, and I'm human. Can I find out your name? Although I don't look like it, I'm a very capable hunter who could at any moment leak terabytes of info about the new generation of Pokémon. That's right, I'm a web pirate!"

>Lenka is slightly taken aback. She doesn't know whether the skills he's referring to are real or not, or if they'd even be useful on a mission like this. And... Pokémon? Maybe she's just getting too old to understand teenagers, she thinks. But after all, the boy was introducing himself politely.
"Uhh, I'm Lenka Kurose. Nice to meet you, Thimble."

>She didn't intend to say much more. The greeting might come off as half-hearted, but she didn't care much—she simply didn't want to force herself to fake a cheerful or positive greeting.

<"Much more importantly... Can you lend me one of your swords?? I just want to know their weight, maneuverability, and how cool I might look wielding them—And how sharp they are, of course. My master, V for Vendetta, used this kind of sword daily, to cut unjust connections in the digital world."

"No."

>She replied immediately and directly as soon as he finished speaking. She hadn't even understood what he meant by "V for... V for something." Fortunately, being a devil hunter didn't require knowledge of pop culture. Her answer had been clear: for everyone's safety, she had no intention of ever lending out one of her katanas, not even for someone to admire them—and Thimble was just a kid...

"I... I'm sorry. I can't do that. Unless you want to spend the rest of the day crying in pain and writhing on the floor..."
>She tried to explain, hoping not to sound so cold and harsh—she didn't want him to feel bad or start crying. Although her response probably wasn't very appropriate either. She was simply terrible with children; she didn't know how to be sweet or kind. She'd probably make a baby cry if she ever saw one.

>"It's because they're cursed. Only I can wield them. If one day you become worthy of holding them, I'll let you know."
She says, after realizing a way to dodge the situation—after all, she'd previously seen Miss Makima use this exact technique with Thimble.

>>6352

>Gumi appears and offers him a glass of water. Despite being possessed, Kurose could see that Gumi seemed like someone she could trust. At least, her impeccable record spoke well of her. Usually possessed individuals tend to be more unstable, but in the team that decoration easily went to Mac. Also, she seemed to know good data. It's not that Kurose uses her phone and social media much, but during the trip to Vietnam she found a video on YouTube from a channel that talked about exactly the topic of the parietal third eye in some reptiles. She doesn't remember the name of the video, from someone named Macakiux or something like that.

<Heavy day?

"Yes, something... thanks"
>She thanked the glass of water and took it. Maybe it was hard for her to connect emotionally, but she knew how to recognize a kind gesture and accept it.

-----

>Kurose wasn't surprised when Makima decided the teams. She just accepted it silently. Although she quickly heard Gumi say:
<I'll drive.

>Kurose didn't protest, on the contrary, she felt a bit relieved. Having a contract with the demon of Paranoia, driving a car became impractical and almost impossible. She could do it, but she would drive like an old woman at 20 km/h, and for that reason she didn't like driving, for that reason and the danger it could represent while driving. There you have it, she prefers to use transportation when she moves alone, or ride as a passenger.
"Perfect"

>It would have been a bad idea if she worked alone with Thimble and Mac, and she knew that. Kurose didn't think of letting Mac drive at all. She assumed, perhaps prejudicially, that he had never driven before, but it didn't matter if he had, she didn't think it was safe for someone like him to drive. Thimble simply wasn't old enough.

>>6354
>In this, Kurose observed Mac intervening in the group and approaching angrily. It was more than obvious that Gumi and Mac barely tolerated each other.
<"Who made you the boss?! I want to drive! I'm much better than Toretto! Give me the keys! Let's have a vote! Raise your hand if you want me to drive! I promise to stop and buy all the ice cream you want and lift all the dirty hippies you want."

>Kurose remains a few seconds confused and in silence, just like the rest after Mac proposed himself as the driver. No one raises their hand. Until Kurose does and raises her hand.
"I vote for Gumi"

>What follows practically defines Gumi as the driver of the team. Kurose only stays silent when Gumi dignifies herself to respond the following:
<The chain of command. You and I go first as agents with experience. Then comes Thimble, followed by Laigu if she joins us and lastly you, the unpaid intern. Did you hear that Thimble? From today on you're her superior, feel free to give her all the orders you want.

>Kurose doesn't intervene to not add more fuel to the fire and aggravate the problem. She only intervenes by changing the topic a bit, indifferent to the feud between the two.
"I'm not sure, but I think agent..."
>She takes a few seconds to remember how Makima had called him.
"I think agent clumsy will also come. I'll ask him later"

>>6355
"Come on, old man! You were gonna raise your hand! Are you really gonna let a girl boss you around? For the love of Dio... Di... Fuck! Can't I even say that?! Whatever, besides having lukewarm balls—you're a pussy! Don't think I'm getting into some clown car, I've got a reputation I don't wanna ruin... But if we're talking about cars we'd actually like... I'd want a pickup truck covered in plush fur, with dog ears, a nose, and a mouth... Hehe, cool."

>>6356
>Stands on tiptoes trying to be as tall as possible (1.65 cm) to face off against the intimidating Belarusian—sure, the guy might have rough, pumice-stone-like hands, but that doesn't scare him. He won't fear someone with that ridiculous haircut, so he squares up, daring him to throw a punch. In fact, he provokes him by offering one cheek, ready for a slap. But instead of aggression—he gets... affection?

"WHAT?! What the fuck are you talking about, commie? Although... I do like skateboarding... I'm not good—I've got black knees from all the falls, and I broke my board over some asshole biker's head—but I still love skating with my soul bro and—WHY AM I TELLING YOU THIS?! AND WHY ARE YOU TOUCHING MY HEAD LIKE THAT?! I DON'T LIKE IT! A-Agh! Your hands are so rough! It feels like you're peeling off my scalp! You're a goddamn apache, huh!"

>References the scalping practices of Native Americans while making a face of mixed discomfort and pleasure, like a cat being scratched too hard—seems painful, yet weirdly satisfying...

"What? Do something? WITH YOU?! You actually took the knee pads thing seriously..."

>Jumps back slightly, shielding himself with his hands to avoid further touching. Subtly fixes his hair and spits on the ground. Inside, he admits he's an attention whore—he enjoys the attention.

"Tsk... Maybe... Maybe not... Maybe I wanna kick your ass with my skate tricks! I can do a "360 shove-it" that'll blow your mind! You'll regret inviting me... I'm gonna crash your car into a house, you're warned..."

>>6357
"WHY DO YOU WANT ME TO STOP YELLING?! DID I RUIN YOUR EARS OR WHAT?!"

>Screams even louder just to annoy William, but suddenly William grabs his chin and pats his head. "Why is everyone touching me?! And only men?!" he wonders in his empty head.

"Is that a threat?"

>Flips him the middle finger.

"I'm not scared of you, faggot. Anytime, anywhere—I didn't crawl out of a cave! And don't you ever touch my face again! That's how I make my living! I'll watch my back if you watch yours, got it?"

>>6358
>Grinds his teeth in mild rage that Gumi completely ignored him—it irritates him! Again, he'd never admit it, but deep down, he knows he loves being the center of attention, having all eyes on him.

"I don't give a damn about the chain of command."

>Declares, making an obscene gesture.

"Wait, wait, wait—WHY am I so low on the food chain?! I'm a top predator! Like war machines in the holy war! Or divine war? I dunno, I don't know history! The point is! I'm under nobody! Or are you gonna tell me a carbon rod is worth more than me? Fuck! Thimble, oh Thimble, slice of three-milk cake... If you're gonna boss me around... Go on, give me an order! And I'll turn you into a damn cyclops, huh?"

>Brings his fist close to >>6355 Thimble's face and shakes it, waiting for a reaction to the challenge Gumi just issued. Mạc glares furiously at the Chilean girl. The only "good" thing here is that he got her attention—and in that regard, he's already won.

>>6359
>>6360
>This woman seems genuinely curious to him, not just because of what happened a moment ago, but also because of her new reaction when he approaches. From Mạc Đăng Dung's own perspective, he slowly walks toward her while watching her get back into a fighting stance—or at least trying to. The funny part is she's already ready with her katana, yet the Vietnamese guy doesn't seem worried at all. Instead, he stands there calmly, as if deep down he knows she won't attack—and he's right. Kurose reacts looking as confused as a little Chinese girl lost in a forest. The boy uses his height to get a better look at the woman's face, noticing that sort of... tattoo? In the shape of a cross. He finds it funny and ironic—a devil hunter having a cross-shaped tattoo near her eye. A small laugh escapes him, but he doesn't bring it up. He simply lets her recover from whatever just happened in her brain. Instead of getting offended by her cold, sharp tone and icy accent, Mạc breaks into an even wider smile than the one he gave Lanka when they first met. He can deny it all he wants, but he knows exactly what he saw...

"A smile is a smile! Blehhh!"

>He sticks his tongue out even farther, making ridiculous faces and goofy gestures worthy of a fool like him, trying to see if he can mess with her expression again with another smile—but surely that was just a one-time lucky break. Anyway, he also keeps poking the girl's stomach, literally tickling her to see how she reacts and get what he wants—attention! It probably wasn't easy growing up with absent parents who never had time for him. On his father's side, the man was always at his military base, drinking, sleeping with loose women, and abusing his power—surely he must've inherited something from him! And his mother wasn't responsible either; she was deep into her communist pamphlets, attending rallies, secret meetings, and training for the day communism would seize power... Then the conflicts started... His father got sent to the jungle, his mother to the rice fields... He hasn't heard anything from either of them since. Is he an orphan now? Guess so... His sister? Well, she's the complete opposite—student council president! A genius, top grades, a bright future ahead, always busy trying to get into a good university on a full-ride scholarship—so there's no time to spend with her older brother! Loneliness, the most faithful companion this kid has ever had since he gained consciousness... His soul bro was always the only one who gave him real friendship—but... he supposes he's dead too... Mạc points at himself with his thumb, overflowing with confidence and egocentrism, feeling like the lady is underestimating him, so he makes one thing perfectly clear.
"Already died once, babe, not a fan so don't think it'll happen twice! I'm not good at teamwork! Last time I worked in a team... I forgot the cardboard at my house... Kurose... the pleasure's yours..."

>He chuckles quietly and, surprisingly, accepts Lanka's hand, shaking it like they're equals—no arrogance, no superiority complex. He takes it, squeezes, and shakes it warmly; both his gesture and expression are genuine. For some reason, Kurose doesn't confront her or try to pick a fight. Maybe because she was the only one—or rather, the first, counting the Belarusian—not to look at him with anger, fear, or disgust. The first thing he saw from her was an attempt at a smile, brief and lopsided, but a smile nonetheless, and nobody ever smiles at him outright like that—so he appreciated it! That's exactly why he doesn't mind her coldness or apathy. In return, he gives her a smile warmer than the sun, sticking his tongue out in a childish way. Maybe in the end, Mạc is just a child who was denied his childhood, which is why he acts this way now. Whatever the case, his handshake is anything but formal—it's more like that of two lifelong friends. They let go shortly after. The downside? Kurose betrays him by voting for Gumi. He kicks the ground, glaring at Kurose, demanding an explanation for his rigged vote.

"Come on! Seriously, nobody voted for me? Fine, suit yourselves. When we see a hippie on the street and want to pick him up—Chewed Gum won't wanna do it! Just so you remember I warned you... Let's get the hell outta here already... Grrrrr..."

>He shoves his hands into his pockets, turns around completely, turning his back on everyone as if offended, and walks ahead, being the first to reach the car. Of course, he walks grumbling like a pitbull chained on a rooftop.

>>131079
KAIBA
After hearing Miss Makima's introductions and watching the video that marks the beginning of your life as a National Security agent and Devil Hunter (read everything in this post >>6324), you've kept yourself distant from the conflicts, conversations, and nonsense of the other agents—Thimble, Kurose, Mạc, Zmicler, and William. Most likely, you were lost in your own thoughts, or perhaps recalling why you enlisted in this dangerous profession. Either way, your attention shifts toward a girl with short, messy black hair. She wears glasses and an elegant suit like most present, yet what stands out are golden chains or shackles binding her hands and mouth. It's as if she's here against her will... She gestures with her hands and flicks her eyes toward her restraints, trying to tell you something.

???: ...

Her strange gestures continue. This girl can't utter a single word—only muffled babbling from a silenced tongue—but she doesn't give up, repeatedly pointing at what holds her captive. Gradually, she grows more desperate, contorting her face in silent pleas, when suddenly you feel a massive, powerful hand on you. Turning, you see a tall Black man, no tie, wearing sunglasses.

Negro: Hey, hello, I'm Salvatore. You understand what she's saying? She came over to talk to me too, but I don't understand a damn thing.

???: ...

Salvatore: Nice eyepatch, by the way. Did you lose that eye during the incident in District 10? Damn, that mess left a lot of orphans.

???: ¡...!

Salvatore: Whoa, stop bouncing around like that—everything's jiggling. Am I crazy, or is she trying to tell us to take these shackles off?

???: ...

Salvatore: Alright, okay! I get it! You don't have to nod so dramatically, jeez... Hmm... Should we do it?

The Afro-descendant man looks at you, waiting for your opinion. Whether you feel pity for the poor trapped girl or distrust her, a sudden, intense chill runs down your spine. At that very moment, completely unexpected, the red-haired woman with yellow eyes and spiral-shaped pupils appears between the two of you, staring at the shackled girl with a certain look of satisfaction—as if she enjoys seeing her rendered helpless and unable to speak.

If I were you rookies, I'd stay away from her... And that's an order. Move away right now.

Salvatore: Of course, Miss Makima!
Good boy, you learn fast. Oh, you're the agent who goes to hospitals to read bedtime stories to children affected by demons—how adorable... Yeah, it's almost like charity work.

Salvatore: I just do what I think is right—

What a shame they all die in the end or go insane anyway, so your charity doesn't help much after all.

Salvatore: That's... Putting it bluntly. But I wouldn't call it charity—

Alright, kids, I strongly advise you not to approach her or try to free her because... Well... I think everyone here should already know.

She composes her voice and carefully walks toward the girl with golden shackles, grabbing her shoulder and squeezing it tightly, making her extremely uneasy. The girl's breathing quickens, but Makima speaks with absolute calm, addressing >>6353 >>6352 >>6349 >>6345 >>6340 the people present.

Agents! This is Koshka. Have you heard the story about the secret room where the Union takes badly behaved children? Well... She escaped from that room full of communist kids... But luckily for us, SN found her to ensure her well-being... But... She's a very mischievous little girl. Those chains are there for her own good, understand? Anyone who attempts to remove them for any reason will put their life—and their comrades' lives—at risk. Therefore, you're all strictly forbidden from freeing her. Koshka is a hybrid, and not exactly a cooperative one at that... Inside her dwells the Trap Demon... Don't be fooled by her appearance. She's militarily trained and an excellent actress. Have you heard of Agents Romeo and Agents Juliet? It's kind of like that—she might pretend to fall in love with one of you if that's what it takes to deceive you, so be careful. She's an ally only up to a point... And I repeat: DO NOT FREE HER... Okay! Agent Kaibi, Agent Salvatore—how about you two take care of Koshka together? I trust neither of you will sympathize with her. If you accept, I'll teach you how to put on her muzzle so she stays nice and quiet.

'The girl called Koshka looks away, avoiding everyone's gaze, frustrated and defeated. Her plan to take advantage of the earlier chaos and disorder has gone completely down the drain. But anyway, you hear Makima's instructions (read the last part here as well >>6347) while the black guy from before sighs and speaks to you again.

Salvatore: This whole thing keeps getting worse, don't you think? Anyway... Why did you join, one-eyey? Me? Well... Let's just say I lost a bet, hahaha... We should get along—we'll be partners, right? Haha.

>>6360
>>6359
KUROSE
Life itself in Vietnam is tough—the whole issue with demons and war is something many are going through right now, which can only mean that perhaps the demon of war is especially strong at the moment. But of course, maybe they'll never even see it... Or will they? Anyway, no matter how you look at it, life in Vietnam is pure madness. It's not just that there are missing persons posters everywhere—missing people including students, young adults, elders, seniors, and children—yet it seems like many don't care at all, while others just stand there staring at the posters like they genuinely want to help... Some even take photos of them, because yeah, we're not stuck in the 80s anymore; everyone's got smartphones now. Kurose must've gone through a thousand hardships, and surely being in this job means even more hardships lie ahead—unfortunately. However, unlike many of her coworkers, she earns a decent salary—not enough to live it up in first class, but enough to never go hungry, pay rent, and order junk food via delivery without worrying about running broke. Comfort, some call it. Though coming from a place where eating flour mixed with water was already considered a cake, maybe this really is a huge upgrade. Beyond that, life inside SN is a tragedy in itself, but that tragedy pays far better than any ordinary job out there. Outside of that, communists still have their inspirations too. Kurose knows the evils of communism firsthand—the power concentrated in a single class, benefits for the few, modern-day slavery... Something, as previously mentioned, she eventually came to know in all systems. A truly negative thing, really. But beyond that... What will happen when Kurose meets one of those communists who are genuine idealists? Will she feel even a trace of resentment for everything she's lived through? Or will her pact take effect and leave her feeling nothing? Who knows...

I'd tell you you're right—that we're all the same even in death—but there are ways to die, and ways to die that are tragic, and hell, heaven, and purgatory do exist... We're not all the same, because we all go to different places... Even though we make deals and pacts with demons... You already know where our souls are headed... Yeah, "patches"... That'd suit you. You remind me of a friend.

She slaps a hand over her eye and suddenly jerks it away... Just kidding—maybe she saw that with the demon of paranoia. What actually happened was she simply placed her hand over her eye and nodded.
Definitely, you've got a certain vibe. Go with Gumi, Mac, and Thimble... Gumi handles >>6352, she beat everyone.

Gestures for her to go with them and stares at Kurose for a while, as if analyzing her. Won't say anything else, but keeps staring as if something inside her caught their attention—besides, they also glance at the swords. Maybe demons interest them greatly... or perhaps it's knowing why she's one of the few who can control two entities at once. Maybe it's in the blood, maybe it's legacy, maybe it's luck... Though really, Makima doesn't believe in luck. After that, simply shoves their hands into their coat pockets, waiting for her to go join the others. Before that, though, a certain short dude at 1.55 m who IS NOT MAC, but could easily pass for him height-wise, gets a bit annoyed >>6360.

Clumsy agent: I'M NOT A CLUMSY AGENTTTTT, I HAVE A NAMEeeEee~.

That last outburst... was a total cock-up. Even defending himself, he sucks at it.

>>6350
THIMBLE
Yeah, that's an iguana... And of course, it was summoned by your bravery. Although you can call it whatever you want, I wouldn't recommend calling it "dead melted iguana"—they might take offense. Now, about professional wrestling... She'd probably like that better. Maybe you could become friends and ride her like a horse.

Laigu: WHAT?!

Yeah, you could.

Nods when asked about potions. Honestly thinks Thimble always takes things too far. It's not good for the mission, not good for him, not good for anyone. Drinking paint thinner? Bad idea. Inhaling it? Maybe. Just maybe, if the thinner is varnished on top of a rat. Though maybe that's something a cousin of Thimble's should do... Thimble, Thinner! Maybe it actually is a good idea, but they won't give him that idea.

Drinking thinner isn't a good idea... There's already plenty of stories and literature specifically about that, so I absolutely don't recommend it. Otherwise... I'm glad you're happy and proud of how brave you are now. That'll surely be good for the team. But when you feel afraid, remember... Have pirates ever felt fear?

'Asks, completely unaware that Thimble was actually thinking about cyber pirates—the ones who publish games. It's a shame that for Thimble, the reference is V for Vendetta and that malware-filled website. Maybe when he hits puberty he'll wonder what FitGirl Repack's body looks like.

Go on to the car with your teammates.

>>6353
MAC
I'm not a communist.

She was a bit far away but yeah, she hears it, and hears it loud and clear, plus she stares at him like she's trying to contain the damage, though when he starts yelling and screaming, she sighs and stays silent for a few seconds while keeping eye contact. After that, she gives him an order since she already knows another pointless fight is about to start.

Gumi's driving. If you try to drive, you'll be penalized. You're taking your time—did you like the local water?

She's kindly shooing them away... Though before they can leave, Mac gets into a little spat with Agent Sadako, or at least that's what several people call her behind her back—something she doesn't know—though Mac ends up being pretty rude to the agent, and Makima doesn't intervene because everyone's grown and she knows Mac will eventually get his comeuppance, and not from her... but from my life itself. Just kidding :p Or am I?

???: You smell like pork rinds... Demons like pork rinds... I know because mine told me so.

She's got a point about something... It does smell damp, I mean, about demons liking pork rinds, but not because it's pork rinds—they like human flesh... The girl stares at him for several seconds. When he yells and shoves her, the girl just sighs, doesn't fall, just takes a few steps back and that's it, but as Mac walks away, she moves her hands and says:

???: You... are... damned...

'She rubs her hands like she's Jewish, though she's not, she's just weird, and not in a bad way... or maybe she is, who knows—the point is, after that, she just stands there, frozen, watching who's talking or which group she'll go with, since nobody mentioned her, while the clumsy agent just sticks out his tongue and makes faces... Seems the maturity festival isn't exactly concentrated here.

>>6352
GUMI
I can do many things for you if you do good work without the hindrances from your previous bosses—I can even use my influence to erase any records of your past infractions, if you have any... So, like I said, don't worry... Now, if you don't trust that I'll do it, that's normal, and it's fine. After all, I'll be the one with the power to write down what you do or don't do here... At least as far as your next supervisors are concerned. And yes, you're right about the chain of command, but I'd prefer that you and Kurose keep the new ones under control... Move along.

She nods when he says he's more worried about the piranhas—luckily, in Vietnam there are worse things than piranhas, so he shouldn't worry about that little creature... After that, Yesca appears, ready and fresh for her presentation with the gummy bear agent, and as soon as they introduce themselves, the latter starts analyzing her thoroughly, while the iguana agent follows her with her eyes as far as they can see.
Yesca: Abilities? Jeeee... Well, truth be told, it does have something to do with the third eye. Lowers head I can see the trail of a specific person, demon, or entity—I'm good at tracking. I can also deliver strong tail strikes. Swings tail playfully from side to side, though the sound it makes is like dragging sharp nails across a green chalkboard. I can also lose a limb and regenerate it, and lastly, I can camouflage myself in trees and vegetation. GET GREEN! What about you? Hope we get along.

'''Raises a little claw as if attempting the classic thumbs-up... Yesca looks like a friendly demon, even tame, one might say. His cooperation here is curious, and how he was captured or ended up here is, at the very least... peculiar. Anyway, Yesca follows Gumi since she'll be leading... And when they exit, he'll notice the vehicle is a pickup truck.

>>6357
WILLIAM
Calm down, Laigu's a decent user... User, not calling her a demon or anything, but you've got nothing to worry about. Anyway, you won't be with her—she'll be with the other group... So you can relax... And so can she.

Laigu: Tsssssss.

Laigu opens her mouth slightly in a threatening manner—not because she's about to attack, but because she doesn't want anyone grilling her and sticking her with a bit of sauce on top. They say iguanas taste like chicken, and I confirm it—they're delicious—but Laigu doesn't want to be the proof that even demon iguanas taste like chicken... She'd rather keep her distance from William, so she takes two steps back and stares at him with narrowed eyes... Makima tosses the keys to William so he can head to the car.

>>6348
ZMICIER
Draug snatches the lighter from Zmicier almost as if his life depended on it—and in fact, it does, at least in his mind. The moment he grabs it, he pulls a cigarette from his pocket, lights it, and takes a deep drag powerful enough to rival a vacuum cleaner. When he exhales... the smell of marijuana becomes overwhelming. Draug slips the lighter back into Zmicier's pocket before he can grab it again.

Draug: Thanks, brother, you really saved my life. You have any idea how long I've gone without one of these? Thirty minutes—the worst thirty minutes of my damn existence, and that's saying something... What did you say your name was, brother? And wow, you sure get along well with kids... You haven't been hanging around Thailand lately, have you...? For... things?
Raises an eyebrow, judging the Belarusian... Well, it's true the Belo himself mentally threw those insinuations—at least toward Makima—but now they seem to materialize straight back at him... Draug gives him a light friendly slap on the back.

Draug: Let's hit the road, buddy... And again—

Takes a drag and responds with a bit of air still held in his lungs

Draug: Thanks for the light, brother, we'll be brothers, good brothers, take this.

Blows out smoke and from inside his coat hands over a Playboy magazine—no, it wasn't sticky, but it was old, really old, like he'd found it in someone's house and swiped it the moment he saw it... The now Sadako of Temu, the one in this post >>6347, starts coughing from Draug's smoke.

???: Cough cough cough... Can you put out that damn cigarette...? It stinks horribly.

Draug: Nope.

???: Yes... Do it or I'll throw a bucket of ice-cold water on you.

Draug: Nope.

???: You do it, Belarusian friend... If you do, I'll give you a can of tuna.

<GENERAL
When all the agents leave the building, they see in the restaurant's parking lot several parked trucks, all armored, two of them with lights on—Suburban models. As they pass by the trucks already moving, they notice there are already several agents inside, while you all will have to board in two separate groups into different vehicles. One will carry Gumi's group, the other William's and Zmicier's. All heading to different destinations and locations. Gumi, Kurose, Thimble, and Mac will form Team A... Team B will be Zmicier, William, and Kaibi.

<TEAM A
As soon as they board the truck, the instructions are in the glove compartment, but on the dashboard there are several weapons for each person... Both for humans and demons... The arsenal He who loses tomorrow scattered over the upholstery is varied and deadly—though that goes without saying—designed for any scenario in that war zone. To deal with human guerrillas, there are a couple of compact HK MP7A1 submachine guns with three extended magazines, each holding 40 rounds, a tactical pump-action Mossberg 590A1 shotgun ideal for clearing tight spaces with 15 shells, and several boxes of conventional hollow-point ammunition. For demonic threats, the gear is lighter... Each one gets Ka-Bar combat knives with blades treated to inhibit demonic regeneration, holy water, and a crucifix... Inside the glove compartment rests a thick manila envelope with a security seal. Upon checking its contents, a map and an operational report are revealed, containing the full mission details for Team A.
The report comes with photographs, and the photos along with the field notes leave no doubt about what truly happened there—the district is now an open-air slaughterhouse. No trace remains of the once-bustling urban zone; the streets have been reduced to smoking craters, blocked by barricades of charred vehicles. Even now, the night sky glows in the distance with a sickly orange hue from the fires that once devoured entire housing blocks, while a rain of gray ash covers the asphalt and corrugated rooftops, along with the large number of corpses of all ages scattered in the streets and inside the houses. Compared to this senseless, indiscriminate massacre with no apparent purpose, Stalingrad during World War II seems like mere horror and sensationalism—but that’s not the case here... Nothing happens by chance, and nothing is done purely for pleasure. There are corpses of guerrillas mutilated with a brutality no human artillery could achieve, as well as bodies of Vietnamese state soldiers. Some corpses were even impaled on power lines or literally split in half.

Objective:
Infiltrate a building previously used as an intelligence outpost by the guerrillas—a control point where SN intelligence confirms a demon was imprisoned until moments before the attack. Demons leave no trace of their presence except for their own energy saturated with negativity. However, the guerrillas do leave traces. If they collaborated with a demon, they must have passed written orders to other patrols and squads. Since this building served as a command tower, they surely have written records explaining what they’re doing and why. Especially considering high-ranking officers never passed through here, so they must have found out somehow... This building is our only lead for now. As soon as you enter District 10, proceed with caution... There are reports of active guerrilla patrols still operating within, demons, and above all, civilians—many surviving families who, despite the horror, refuse to abandon their homes because they have nowhere else to go. There are also reports of demonic activity inside the building, so anticipate an ambush.

Laigu: Pffff... How... cruel, huh? I have no words... At least... uh... we’ll have backup from our comrades in the other truck, right?

He says this because the two extra trucks appear to be divided—one for Team A and the...

Tasks:
• Find information explaining the reason behind the demonic and guerrilla attacks
• Eliminate the demon in the area (Optional)
• Be careful around civilians. (Optional)

<EQUIPO B - Zmicier / Kaibi / William
The arsenal they gave us is the same as the team A... With some small differences... There is a four of compact HK MP7A1 submachine guns with three extended magazines, each with 40 bullets, a couple of grenades and explosives, ideal to throw everything down and make a chaos if necessary.... And several boxes of conventional ammunition... You had explosives, team A didn't.

Objective:
Phu Tho Stadium, which once was a civic pride point and where people used to play football with total passion and endurance, is now an open crater, it's there where the massive sections of the east stand have collapsed inward as if it were an avalanche, creating a cone of debris thirty meters high that descends towards the playing field. The large central crater in the field has exposed layers of the old colonial city's underground sewers, which is why it's rumored that there's a bunch of homeless people hiding there... Don't hesitate if you feel in danger.

Inside the vicinity of the stadium there are still bodies and bands of looters use this huge structure as a control point and base, however what interests us is that inside this stadium there is a guerrilla cell hiding somewhere in this place... What is of our interest here? To know where the attacks on the city came from, if we know exactly where the logistics comes from, we will know where to attack and be able to prevent another massacre. This place has little demonic activity, however, be careful, days ago a pair of agents entered the place and were declared missing in action. It is recommended to be careful with anything that is even slightly similar to a threat, as it is a place that varies between narrow and long areas, you have been provided only submachine guns for their great maneuverability.

Salvatore: This is all crazy... If we find civilians, try to help, okay? I have good experience, so we will do exactly what I say, boys... I want to help as many as I can.

???: ¡...! Hmmmmmm.

Salvatore: I don't understand you girl, sorry. Drive friend.

Tasks:
• Finish off the guerrilla cell in the place, who are keeping the area under control and could generate new attacks.
• Interrogate the captain of the guerrillas in the area (Optional)
• Find the pair of missing agents (Optional)

>>6362
I got this photo.

>>6361
>This guy was very energetic, almost a caricature, maybe he wasn't bad, just... different. At least he talked a lot, and that helps improve my Vietnamese. Anyway, I stroke his head while we talked about skates.

"Are you not good? The only people who aren't good at skateboarding are the ones with clean/soft knees like a baby's and without stones embedded under the skin"

"No pus, scabs and those things well wacala" hand gesture

>I give him a push/pat on the back to boost his confidence/arrogance.

"So don't say you're not good damn blyat"

":.."

"Uepa wait... did you break someone's skate in their head?"

"...."

"XAxaxa!!!" loud laugh

"I hate cyclists, when I drive my carcacha I get the urge to... gesture of turning the steering wheel"

https://youtu.be/qEt0DxjLl8k▾
"Ja... but whatever"

"Once they broke a bench on my neck."

>I turn around and show the scar on the back of my head.

"great, isn't it?"

>He tells me about his skate technique, I stay silent, staring at him while listening intently to his words. Occasionally I move my head slightly in agreement.

<I know how to do a "360 shove-it" that'll make you shit yourself!
"Xaxa, I'd like to see that"

>Are you challenging him? He's challenging you.

".."

"But whatever, don't die, see you later"

>Greet and turn around. A lot of talk for one day.

>>6363

>I watch as my Maruja-addicted buddy, (suffering some serious withdrawal), snatches the lighter from my hands before I even realize it, and after a few tries manages to light one of his so-called "cigarettes." I just stare at him with one eyebrow raised, until he hands back my lighter, which I stash in the tiny inner back pocket of my pants—the one inside another pocket.

"Damn, buddy."

"Your hands are as fast as Rumano's back in Ceaușescu times."

"Real talent."

>Then I notice how he smokes that joint almost all the way down, until there's nothing left but a long ash and the glowing tip nearly at the "filter." Impressive lung capacity, needing to smoke that much—until... I see him exhale. My eyebrow lifts, my dead-eyed stare replaces my smile, and I let out a sigh.

>https://youtu.be/paq6sVkkEg0?si=kBwbH3Ui01sVUpnE&t=11▾

"You... exhale the smoke?"

>Of course, dumbass, isn't that normal? Well, for this fatherless type like ALL the pjs in this roleplay it's not. I rest my hand on his shoulder and look him in the eye, speaking without sarcasm.

"When you go to the store and buy a Pepsi, do you take a sip and then spit it out?"

"How the hell do you quench your thirst like that?"

"Inhale, man, and hold it."

>I don't think that's healthy. With that, the conversation carried on, now more relaxed.

<What did you say your name was, brother?
"Zmicier, Zmicier Karatkievič. But you can call me whatever feels comfortable, as long as you don't overuse it."

"And you, pal? Sorry if someone introduced us earlier—I wasn't paying attention."

<And you sure get along well with kids... You haven't been hanging around Thailand lately for... reasons, have you?
"......"

"...........:)"

"https://youtu.be/s3keMIXYU-E"▾
>Just a smile. That's the only answer you get to your question. In this life, it's groom or be groomed, kid, now drop your pants.

"Nah, just kidding. I don't like Thailand."

>Didn't deny anything.
>With that, me and my homie the sech got moving again. When I notice he's taking another hit, but holding the smoke in longer this time. He's healing from being fucking messed up.

"Like this, much better."

"...."

>I look at the magazine.
"A fire shouldn't be denied to anyone..."?

"Huh?"

"Opa opa, yakija prygoshyya malen'kiya kityanki, blin!!!"

>You earned Zmicier's respect.

"Thanks, Malboro."

>I grab the magazine and lift only one side, so both pages open vertically, getting a good look at those two-panel images in the middle spread.

"I gotta hang this in my beater's rearview mirror."

>I close the magazine, roll it up, and stash it in my left pocket—I'll put it to good use. All calm, until the peace was shattered by the cough of a... woman? Sounded like a swamp ghost, the kind those southern Vietnamese guys talk about so much. But bad luck for her, she's way too old for me I don't even know who she is, so I just watch her bitch at Malboro, then look at him with a "who the hell is this random?" expression.

<You handle it, my Belarusian friend... Do it and I'll give you a can of tuna.
"............."

"https://youtu.be/JwxydihRUZE""▾
>I reach into my back pocket, pulling out my lighter, while with the other hand I reach into my shorts, down into my underwear, and pull something out... A cigar. With egg hairs and all, jammed into the tobacco roll.

"https://youtu.be/3y-FmVaTNFo""▾
>Like link redacted, I wave the cigar in front of her, then try lighting it with the lighter, finally get it lit, take a puff, and....................... Don't exhale smoke. Supposedly cigar smoke stays in your mouth, you don't swallow it, dumbass!

"...."

"Alright choked cough, as I was saying..."

>I completely ignore the stranger who didn't even bother introducing herself—just talk to Malboro.

"It's us and... those two >>131079 >>6357, I think? Or was it?"

>My eyes are red, and my voice sounds a bit... muffled? But after a while, everything settles.

>>6352
<It doesn't matter to you, but it does to me.
Mp4 related

>>6356
¡Jajaja! What was that, dude Z. You're stuck in the past, the zombie scream goes like this: 尸潮大军疯狂来袭！！！It's from the new update that lets you combine Sunflower more zombie arm, more petacereza, more double shooter, more nut, more...
>He nodded to the instructions of Zmicier, although sometimes he didn't understand much because of his strange accent. Probably he was saying to brush his teeth or something like that. Anyway, when this makes his zombie call, Thimble can't help but laugh. The boy responds with the Chinese scream that zombies launch in Plantas Vs Zombies Fusion, which is today's thing.

>>6358
Um... This is an unpopular idea. But if demons are fear and terror, we shouldn't fight them with laughter and comedy. Like in that movie, Monstruos Asociados. Did you see it, Gumi?
>Gumi had a very strong corporate vision, which reminded him of the plot of monsters that scare children to get energy. This told Gumi the idea, who wasn't necessarily the best supporter of his ideas. Eventually she decided she would drive and provided a higher position than Mac.
Is Mac... my subordinate? Ja.. jaja... I didn't think we'd have a relationship like that, what a fear. But it's okay, l-lo I can handle. After all, what would be a ship captain without his parrot. I mean, without his green background informatico.

>>6359
Oh... They contain demons that just saying their names would cause the death of innocents. E- that's not good. This is better like this.
>The negative response wasn't what discouraged Thimble, but the explanation afterwards. Probably it's better to keep quiet, even regarding the contract the boy has with the demon Bone. But something of what Kurose says makes Thimble regain his enthusiasm. He starts to get excited about a big training process to obtain contracts. Thimble moves away from Kurose while he gets lost in his Rocky-type fantasy.
Really...? Will I be able to use them in the distant future? Of course! I'll train the value of my life, so that the demons will want to take things from me with all the gusto of the world. Let's see... I need a spiritual retreat, the hardest pain test of all, and a training musical sequence...

>>6362
They feared when they saw the kraken, but there are no more of those around here. Right? I'll prepare as much as possible for this mission, even literarily. Many thanks for your warnings, Miss Makima.
>The literary response that Thimble receives surprises him, he recently was thinking about writing an ode to numbers and formulas, for some reason. But now he's clear that he has to look for what's best for his health, that is, putting "Thinner" "Book" "Sophisticated Literature" in the search bar and start reading. Keeping his expression and without blinking, he watches Laigu, says nothing and turns towards the car where he would sit in the back seat along with Mac, whom he would analyze with the elegance of a web pirate, to recognize his weaknesses.

(Later I respond to the general)

>>6363

>William, after hearing Makima's words, would only expel the smoke from his cigarette towards the disgusting demon, sighing and grabbing the keys right away.

Well... I guess I don't have any other option but to let him live...

>>6364

>After that, William would gather his team (>>6367 >>131079) to head to the van, which upon entering, could admire with a smile the huge ballistic and explosive arsenal.

Wow, seems like Santa Claus came to give us a present, what do you think? Did you all behave this year too?

>After those words and raising his thumb upon hearing Salvatore's words, he would start driving towards the unfortunate one to get to the massacre that awaited the butcher, the vodka trafficker, and the cyclops Japanese girl.

Time to make a mess in the "F***ing"~

>>6369
<It's from the new update that allows you to combine Sunflower more zombie arm, more petacereza, more double shooter, more walnut, more...
"https://youtu.be/dlkGhgwGmLM"▾

"......................:::"
"..................."
"ᴬ"
>I remain observing, I blink a bit.... damn. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING.

"................"
"¿HOW DO YOU MEAN UPDATE?!"
>The most recent thing I knew about PvZ was one of flash in internet called "Plants vs Aliens" that the enemies were against aliens in 3D render **https://youtu.be/tcbW44z6qsk**.▾ For my bad luck, I was going to remain with this mystery until we return from our mission, I think.

>>6364
>Now we were all in the parking lot. Me, Malboro, these two who haven't spoken yet: Kaibi and William, plus a Vietnamese moroccan and a chick with bdsm clothes, who was she? I approach these two last ones.

"...."

>I observe the girl, as I heard from the corner, she was the demon of the Cuckoo or something like that that would deceive you or play tricks on you. I greet them with a slight head movement, then approach the trucks, rubbing my hand over their entire surface, style like the scene from Gladiator with the grain.

"Wait wait, I'm coming"

>I run and get inside, to come back with a chair.

"Take >>131079, take a photo for me"

>I hand my old flip phone to Kaibi In case Kaibi ignores me, I pass it to William or Malboro so that they take a photo of me, and when I divert my eyes from the phone towards me, I'm already posing. pic relatd

"Good, thank you very much"

>I throw the chair aside and open the truck door.... It's when I notice all our weaponry. MP7 and explosives, plus the knives and religious things for our delight afterwards. I grab the submachine guns and observe them... I don't think we'll be facing someone armored to use 4.6×30mm, but where the captain says, the sailor doesn't, so it will be done like that.

>After that my hands go to the knives. I grab one and observe it, in silence... I try the weight and put it back in place, then grab a little bottle of holy water with one hand, and a crucifix with the other. From my pocket I take out a small piece of wood, open it for a moment, observe it in silence and put it back against my chest. I make the sign of the cross slowly over me and then over the knives.

"У імя Айца, і Сына, і Святога Духа. Амін."

>I open the bottle and let some drops of holy water fall on the steel leaves.

"Госпадзе Ісусе Хрысце, Сыне Божы, дабраславі і захавай."

>I trace the cross again in the air over the knives and sprinkle a bit more water.

"Госпадзе сіл, будзі нам абаронца; іншага бо хіба Табе памагатага не імамы."

>The water slides down the metal as I tilt my head. I squeeze the crucifix between my fingers and murmur.

"Ды ўваскрэсне Бог, і расточацца ўразі Яго."

>I look at each knife with my eyes, raising the crucifix in front of them.

"Благаславеньбе Гасподняе хай будзе на гэтых прыладах, на славу Божую і ў агароджу рабоў Ягоных. Амін."

>I make one last sign of the cross, close the small wooden object, put the bottle away and remain for a few seconds in silence before sitting in the truck.

"¡Vamo'?"

>I keep a knife for myself.

>William sits as the driver, so I save myself from work, so I just put my feet on the glove compartment and take out the magazine they gave me, to start reading it, while I insert a CD/Cassette/Pendrive depending on this timeline into the truck's radio.

https://youtu.be/XsFNGQKGkmk▾"Oh coachibom van ban gon, IUUU, Su ta chin biu tom chai!!!"

"Oh coachibom van ban gon, IUUU, Su ta chin biu tom chai!!!"

"su chalan com IIINAIIII"

"IMAGINAAIIIIII!!!! Ohhhh dipindasandeiiiii!"

>Now with everything inside, I put down the magazine and look at >>6370.

"Okay, tell me about yourself, colleague, what's your name?"

>I also observe the other NPC who isn't Marlboro and the imprisoned one. When he mentions the civilians, I raise my thumb and wink, then put my feet down from the glove compartment and put my magazine away when I feel the car starting. As if my attitude became "normalized", since we were going to work. I just keep the Habano in my mouth.

>>6372

>William would see his partner's actions (Ns if he ends up taking the photo or not, but let's pretend he helped with the chair), watching then as he seems to bless the knives [Image 1].

What the hell is this crazy guy doing...?... If I only knew Russian, it would be easier to understand.

>Then, after everyone got on, he would notice how the same Russian sat next to him and put on music, which, ironically, he liked [image 2].

Hmm... It doesn't sound too bad

I'm William Erobrer, former Bar tender of Hellsing, and you?

>>6363
>The scene brought back a lot of memories, not necessarily bad ones. It's just like when he was investigating in the digital book store while Gumi was driving, sometimes he would meet up with some very friendly rats whom he would party with. He never knew how they were always so fat and the corpses nibbled while Thimble was starving. There were also guerrilleros in his memories, once they beat him up until they broke his limbs. Was that before or after he made a pact with Sans? He doesn't remember exactly, but Thimble doesn't look down on him around, especially because now he's convinced he's useful and brave.
Iguana Laigu Iguana, where do you smell people? In that pile of dead bodies, or in that electrified net? Make sure to distinguish between the smell of people and the smell of people and gunpowder. You can, there's nothing a demon animal can't do! Do you need an iguanil prize in exchange?
>He approached the iguana to get information, it was much better than going blind and with his senses dulled by his emotion/fear. What really interested Thimble was to find out where that group of guerrilleros, rebels, was. Almost as rebellious as Thimble who uses the power of the net to give games to everyone through datamining. Only, perhaps, these rebels were the bad ones who cut canvas connections unless they pay a fee, if that's the case, then they are his enemies. Thus, much before taking up a weapon, Thimble was interested in observing the recent corpses around him, for parts, like Wall-e
For a few days now, I can't raise my left arm above my shoulder... I confused it with a girl's humerus! It was my fault, I made the change in a hurry... I don't think I can use blunt weapons. I hope I can find someone who has marked their donor card. It gives me peace.
>He commented on what he was doing with the tasks. Slightly disturbed, but mainly convinced of his mission as a brave hunter, Thimble approached where Mac, his subordinate (>>6361), was. He hadn't known him very well, just that he was a bad-tempered guy and even didn't know if he had mysterious skills. To Thimble, he was a rough and human boy. So maybe, the reason for his inner sadness, was due to the lack of friends or people to share with. Although he didn't have his goals, Thimble was much better at dealing with humans due to the standard structure of a skeleton, which he knew by heart. He came up with an idea.
Mac Dang Dung! Let's go together. Let's go find your guerrillero friends. If they are guerrilleros then we'll convince them not to fight. And if they are good, if they are civilians, then you can shout at them and get their looks and judgment. What do you think?

>>6374

I don't know what the hell it means, but I don't doubt it has a... good essence for the atmosphere

>After that, he would pull out a bottle of his lover's Jagermeister from among his clothes, opening it with his teeth and taking a big swig while continuing to drive, until he heard the words of Zmicier.

For a while I was, I was in a military school for children... Special ones

>A clear hint that there were still followers of the Fuhrer in his hometown, executing the handshake and lifting her up along with his partner upon realizing her intentions

Don't worry, I'm not like those bastards, you can make all the racist jokes you want~

>>6376
>literally passed this kek

<"Yes, something... thank you."

Chocolate calms nerves. Eat some. We're going to have a pretty long day today, better keep our energy up.

>Opening her bag, Gumi pulled out a chocolate bar and handed half of it to Kurose. Due to her condition, Gumi always carried several sweets with her to avoid ending up in a disadvantageous situation. If Kurose glanced inside, they'd notice the lolita girl's small bag was mostly filled with candy. Only a set of keys and a flip phone broke the pattern of sweets inside the bag.
>Despite acting kindly toward her, her intentions weren't entirely altruistic. The mission was the sole reason Gumi cared about Kurose's condition. She half-clarified this by nodding toward her team.
>Two kids and a lizard—definitely not the ideal group to entrust your life to. She hoped, at least, that Kurose would prove more reliable in that regard.

<I think Clumsy Agent's coming too.

...He came with Makima, so in that case he'd rank above Thimble.

>The possibility of Clumsy Agent joining made Gumi bring a hand to her chin in thought. She looked the disheveled agent up and down, weighing his past actions against the little she knew about him. Judging solely by his appearance, Clumsy Agent would score quite low. However, Makima brought him here as some kind of personal assistant. That meant, despite his clumsiness, he must be fairly competent in combat.

<I'M NOT CLUMSY AGENTTTTT, I HAVE A NAAAAAAME~.

I suppose...

>That's what she'd like to believe, but Clumsy Agent made it hard to support that idea.

>>6362

<Koshka is a hybrid, and not exactly a cooperative one at that...

>She said nothing, merely staying attentive to what Makima had to say. Hybrid—that was an odd word to hear in this line of work. Everyone had heard rumors at some point about people who managed to fuse with a demon without losing control, while still keeping their human appearance.
>Until now, Gumi had assumed those stories were mere fairy tales and hearsay. Yet here, right in front of her, stood one. Far from feeling curious about the hybrid's nature, Gumi simply glared at her.
>That same suspicious look flickered briefly toward Makima as well. This team she'd assembled already had too many irregularities not to make Gumi suspect something was off.

>>6363

Her suspicious gaze vanished as quickly as it appeared. She still had no grounds or proof to accuse Makima of anything. Rather than fully distrust or blindly trust her, Gumi preferred to keep their relationship strictly professional. Because of that, she chose to reject any form of assistance from Makima in her report. Her solid track record was built on hard work, not favors. She didn't need anyone covering her ass like that.

<And you? Hope we get along.

My abilities involve glucose enhancement and the power to rot bones and teeth. You sound like the kind of demon who'd be useful in stealth missions. Hope you can fit into that role.

>A demon with tracking abilities sounded incredibly useful for this mission. That it also included the ability to blend into the environment only increased its value. Lifting her gaze, Gumi once again assessed the brats accompanying her. Maybe she'd have to reconsider the command chain after all.
>Snapping out of her thoughts, Gumi gave a somewhat vague thumbs-up and ended the conversation, heading toward the vehicle.

>>6369

<if demons are fear and terror, shouldn't we fight them with laughter and comedy?

...Your idea isn't bad, but it only works halfway. Demons usually don't like fighting someone who isn't afraid of them. Laughing in their face can make them let their guard down, but... you're going to need more than laughter to actually kill them, and most of us prefer to rely on other things rather than jokes.

>She paused briefly to seriously consider Thimble's proposal. Contrary to appearances, Gumi wasn't opposed to others adopting a "playful" attitude during combat. She herself had already cracked more than one joke during the briefing, and might let a few more slip later.
>Not because she's practicing her comedy routine or trying to be more sociable, but due to her demon's influence. Before becoming Gumi, she was far more serious than she is now. However, ever since becoming possessed, part of her personality has gradually become more inclined toward making jokes. An impulse she tries to resist, but doesn't mind if Thimble chooses to embrace it—as long as he remembers their job is to kill demons, which she reminds him of by placing a pistol into Thimble's palm.

<Just like in that movie, Monsters, Inc.

They collect energy; we collect corpses. Don't forget that, and don't mix things up.

>>6361
<when we see a hippie on the street and want to pick him up, "Chewed Gum" won't want to do it!

Why are you so obsessed with hippies? They're anti-capitalists, too cowardly to take action but still leftists. You're not secretly a red sympathizer, are you—or are you?

>She'd ignored Mac until now, but what he said right before getting into the car made Gumi stop. For someone who constantly rants about hating communists, he seems pretty comfortable with the idea of hanging out with hippies. Narrowing her eyes suspiciously, Gumi approached Mac and started questioning him about his political beliefs. Maybe they already had a red infiltrated among them.

>>6360
>>6375
>>6361
>>6363

You handle the map, Kurose. Laigu, you're in charge of making sure the two in the back don't point their weapons at each other. Thimble, keep your subordinate under control.

>Once everyone was inside the car, Gumi began checking the mirrors. She wanted to make sure both the front and side mirrors were focused on what mattered—the rear seats where the youngsters sat, and the road ahead, respectively. That way, she could stay alert to any possible incident no matter where it happened.
>After finishing the preparations, Gumi turned the key, started the engine, and began driving wherever Kurose directed her.
>A few minutes into driving, she turned on the radio. She didn't care much about what played—music was just a way to avoid awkward silences during the ride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiM2ZWLXKT4▾
>>6367
Is literally me. Btw nigga don't put quotes next to a youtube link or it breaks the link and you can't see it on the chan

>>6362
>>6363
"W-W-What did you say? They told you that...? That's not okay at all! Who the hell told you I'm a communist?! I'm gonna murder him! Annihilate him! Break every single fucking bone in his body! Nobody messes with Miss Makima! Did you hear me...?!"

>He pretends to be the "guard dog" of the thick Miss Makima, maintaining a smoke screen that doesn't really help much. Cold sweat runs down the Vietnamese guy's forehead as he waits for the redhead not to get mad at him.

"Tsk! What other punishment could I possibly get? I literally sleep on the cold floor of a cell and eat fucking dog food packets,"

>He walks away from Makima, muttering to himself like a scolded, tantrum-throwing child. In the end, he has no choice but to accept Makima's order after his request to drive—and possibly crash—the car.

"I like pork rinds too."

>He faces off against Temu's Sadako, taking lightly what she's trying to tell him about curses or whatever the hell she's babbling about. Mạc rolls his eyes in pure annoyance and starts making fake gestures like he's dying of fright.

"Yeah, sure, I believe you! Dumbass! You're toxic..."

>He walks away from her too, after turning his back. Of course, he points at her to say her behavior isn't suitable for this new generation. Whatever! Before leaving, he passes by Zmicler and... says goodbye?

>>6366
"Guess I'll see you later, unless a demon eats your ass! Whatever! You're not getting away from me or from me kicking your ass with my skateboard—got it...? Although first, we could go smash some faggy cyclists' bikes in spandex! Right?! I'm not planning to die. I plan to get out clean from any 'debt' I have with SN or Makima, get my normal life back, and who knows—become a porn actor, whatever. Anything but staying in this position."

>>6375
>>6378
>>6361
"Hippies are hilarious! Have you ever talked to one? Last time I spoke to one, he kept repeating that his dick had finally grown back, HA! Go to hell! Insult me, ignore me, manipulate me—but don't you dare call me red."
>Responds to Gumi's question after settling into a seat in the truck, preferably one near a window so he can roll it down and feel the wind on his face—he really likes doing that. Anyway, Mạc isn't exactly a genius, I mean, he doesn't actually know the difference between communism and capitalism; he just hates communism because it took his mom away. Aside from that, he couldn't care less about ideology "per se," just like he couldn't care less about weapons. Something inside him says he doesn't need them, that there's no weapon worse than himself. Maybe he's just hallucinating, maybe his arrogance has overtaken him and scrambled his brain—he doesn't know. He only knows he's stronger than all that arsenal he lost ush for some reason he doesn't understand. Whatever. He yawns from the floor and stretches a bit, cracking his bones, leaving all that boring-ass paperwork to Gumi and Kurose. He couldn't give a damn about that.

"What shitty music."

>Leans over to fiddle with the radio and change the song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvl1Iem6ohw▾

"Meh, it's too cliché..."

>Sticks out his tongue—it's burnt, right? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-syzbglE6g▾

Perfect!

>Doesn't know the lyrics but starts humming along while bobbing his big head and tapping one leg.

"I love the smell of death in the morning."

>Mutters that remark into the air—mocking, ruthless, and cynical—while watching the hundreds of corpses of his countrymen scattered across the streets. His words might express disdain for the deaths of innocents, but his eyes clearly don't reflect that sentiment. He's definitely not some sociopath who doesn't care about others' lives—well, maybe a little! Depends on the case! But damn, seeing so much death, chaos, and destruction... it'd get to anyone, right? Especially when he thinks about his sister. He wonders if she's okay or if she's in a better place like his bro from another mother. Mac trusts the former. Mac believes in his little sister—she's always been capable, even more capable than him. If he's still alive, then obviously she is too! He sighs, briefly thinking about his parents' fate, but doesn't get much time to dwell on it before hearing his comrades. Mac sits back relaxed, hands in his pockets, face and posture radiating calm. He pays little attention to the fish-faced bitch and doesn't look at anyone until Gumi asks Thimble to watch over her subordinate. That word makes the boy clench his teeth in anger, and it gets worse when Thimble gives him an order! That short-ass crybaby is giving him a damn order! It's like taking commands from that faggot clumsy bastard. No way in hell is he allowing that, so he flat-out walks off wherever he wants while saying:

"Suck my balls."

>Hasn't much more to say to Thimble—don't even dream he'll let that guy boss him around or give him orders. He'd rather eat wet dirt than take commands from some other dude. He's scared of Makima—and she's a woman! He's not...

DEMONIO IA
You were transferred from an unknown military installation to Vietnam, you've been there for 2 weeks, locked up, in a basement, surrounded by crude technology and the worst nightmare for a technological device... Hundreds of men and women in suits with a hot cup of coffee in hand, because we all know that more than one accident has resulted in hot coffee spilling on some phone or keyboard, plus having the Softonic page open, ready to install the first Trojan that puts a Bing search bar and fills you with thousands of ads until you get a blue screen... Although you're not exactly a Xiaomi, and rather your security measures were PEM bombs and flamethrowers that activated every so often to prevent you from destroying everything and having to deal with you for the next 5 hours...

The reason you were sent to Vietnam was to operate in district 10, a place full of disaster and without electricity, and consequently, no internet connection... A place where you can certainly seem useless, until it was discovered that the only ones who could have power in a place destroyed like that was the enemy... Which would surely make life much easier for the agents in the area... The trust in you was minimal, but they assured you that in case of cooperation, you could be rewarded with subjects, pacts and an internet connection at the end of the operation... So you were transferred to the asshole Phu Tho stadium, where several helicopters helped you move to drop you near your new teammates... At least temporarily, until they die, you try to kill them or some demon eats them... Despite being a demon, you, like any other demon, will have to feed and heal with blood... So, maybe when there's no other option, your teammates will be your only guarantee of survival.

Your teammates are, a Belarusian with sandals that only God knows how haven't broken >>6366 a guy who talks little and hates demons, so maybe you won't make him very happy >>6370 a girl chained up, a black guy >>6362, a crackhead along with one that looks like Sadako >>6347 and a guy who loves cigarettes >>6324 (Spencer)... What a group, right?

Ready negrin... I didn't give you dialogue because, being a demon, I don't know if yours speaks, kek. I suppose it does, but you'll talk with the NPCs I put in and with the other anons, since I didn't want to give you an NPC for one turn and then send you on a mission where the others are already going.

>>6378
>>6379
>>6375
<TEAM A
Laigu... or Yesca, since they're the same thing, nods when Gumi tells him he could be useful for support missions, tracking missions, or even finding a lost camper in the mountains—though whether the camper is alive is another matter entirely. But for this mission, he'll come in handy, which is why Makima decided to send him along. Already in the vans, those who get in with them are Laigu, who introduced himself to Gumi, the clumsy agent who boarded at the last minute because he wasn't sure if he was staying or going—even though instructions had already been given before arrival—and two other people, whom they hadn't noticed were in the back, in the third row of seats. One brings a pistol to Mac's head and...

???: BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG... Scared ya? HAHAHA... It's always so much fun messing with the newbies. I'm a huge fan of the sensual tradition of making them pay the rookie tax. HOW'S EVERYONE DOING?! Honestly, we were too lazy to go to the meeting, comrades. I've got 6 years of experience, decorated with the Medal of Merit, an A in every exam, I score 10s and 20s on my reports, even 100s. I'm the superior one here, comrades... Just kidding, I'm here to make sure these boys don't kill each other. I'm Linda.

She ruffles Mac and Thimble's hair, especially the latter, whom she even plays with by pinching his cheeks and making baby noises. The agent is the one in pic 1, and she puts away her pistol, revealing she'd been sipping coffee, which she tosses out the window as soon as she's done, then continues pinching Thimble's cheeks. The other agent raises her hand and keeps a curious smile.

Linda: Such a widdle cutey~ It's like Edgar Allan Poe and La Parka had a disabled child! Don't take offense! I have lots of disabled friends, one of them is gay.

???: You're a lesbian.

Linda: AND YOU'RE A WHORE. Añuñuñu, don't listen to that, sweetie pie, and stay away from this little bastard (Mac), he reeks of sweat.

Yesca: What an introduction.

???: Anyway... What a curious introduction, hehehehe... I'm Agent Mifune Fumiko. I'll skip the years of service and decorations for now—I don't wanna flex at the moment—just know I'm part of a special division, okay?

Fumiko turns to look out the rear window, then speaks to the driver >>6378

Fumiko: Hey, partner Gumi, yeah, I know your name for some magical reason.

She crumples up a piece of paper and tosses it on the floor.

Fumiko: Can you only melt organic stuff? Can't you do the same to half-demolished walls? A sledgehammer would've come in handy for where we're headed if you can't do that...

Clumsy agent: Can someone please pass me my weapon?

Yesca: So you can accidentally shoot yourself? No thanks. Grab it when we get out of the vehicle. By the way, Thimble, I'm already starting to sniff out danger the closer we get. Uh-oh, uh-oh.

They were already approaching District 10, and thanks to Mac, who had his window open, the inside of the vehicle now began to reek of two things: first, rotting stench—the kind that makes even the garbage man gag just from the smell—and second, gunpowder, like during December when people light fireworks for any damn reason. So the van now stinks of death, all thanks to the boy with attention issues... The clumsy agent gives an order to the latter.
Aclumsy agent Patoso: Listen up, you fifth-rate zombie. You follow the kid's orders—he's above you now! And you know what?! I'm going with both of them. TOO BAD, BRAT. I'm the same height as you, but I'm older—I'm 24. Got it?

Inside District 10 now, everything is, to put it gently and without swearing, completely fucked. Just like the report said: bodies everywhere, cars and buildings destroyed with bullet holes, streets full of potholes and craters—so they have to move slowly unless they want to get stuck in a hole. The building they need to investigate is three blocks away... But they can't get any closer by truck because the road's blocked by burnt-out cars and barricades, stopping right next to a hospital that has a massive crater, like a bomb hit it. Thimble sees nothing but bloated, charred, or riddled corpses, so if he wants a bone to fix his man, he'll have to rip them open and reach inside—or send his demon to do it. Everyone must get out.

Yesca: Tsssshhhhh... A patrol passed through here recently... And demons... So many demons... An uncountable number of demons. An army of demons! No, just one... One very powerful one... Or maybe, maybe a few.

Linda: Make up your mind!

Yesca: It was several... But at the same time, it was one... Several demons united into one powerful, strong demon... It's like if a dog used its fleas and ticks as weapons to attack other dogs. You get it...? Miss Gumi, could you go ahead? With all these bodies around, you could help us move better... By the way... I sense a huge number of people nearby.

Fumiko: It's just like a picnic in the countryside—later we should actually have one. I'll bring the ants and the bear.

Meaning, the thing that usually ruins picnics in cartoons... Linda takes Thimble's hand like he's a little kid needing help crossing the street. She finds it utterly adorable—a tiny little bread roll, a hunk of bread full of bones, and probably full-blown Peter Pan syndrome in a few years, but still a beautiful little bread roll. Mac slips on an insect as he takes his first step.

For now, the only real danger is a nearby building collapsing on them or debris falling... Everyone feels watched, and they can see from the darkness inside houses and buildings that there seem to be people staring out at them from within... Maybe judging, maybe guerrillas planning an ambush... Or perhaps the ghosts of former neighbors still trapped here, along with people who had nowhere else to go and can only keep living in the chaos. They can shoot, stay calm, or simply ignore them and keep moving—whatever they prefer.

Soon they'll have to roll dice, and I'll introduce you to the nigger battle system. Nothing complicated. But since I see fresh blood, I won't dump everything into the meta at once—I'd rather present it step by step so it's easier for the newfriend.

>>6376
>>6374
<GROUP B
Zmicier sings like they're about to grab his testicles! Emphasis on grabbing and not stretching, because he's not a castrato... As far as I know, I haven't seen his junk and I don't feel like it, damn it! Anyway, while he looks at the magazine and talks to William, the agent who looks like she has a really messy hair covers her ears, Spencer is just staring out the window with his arms crossed and Draug is looking from behind at the playboy magazine and the whole purification and blessing ritual the Belarusian does.

Draug: BROTHER WHAT TITS! What's the biggest cup you've ever grabbed?

Spencer: The biggest cup I've ever grabbed was Johnny Walker.

Draug: PFFFFFFFFF! THAT'S GAY.

Draug doesn't know what Johnny Walker is, although he's had it more than once, he usually drinks any trash that's sold for two dollars at the liquor store, so he doesn't have much to say about that statement. Draug turns to look at William and blows some smoke from his joint into his face.

Draug: Brother! Do you smoke marijuana? Does anyone want marijuana? If they're playing good music then let's add some atmosphere, otherwise what the hell are we doing? Let's go to hell or as close as we can get to it and... PUFFF Can't we at least smoke some weed? DAMN IT!

Sadako: You're so annoying, you smell like you were picked up from some trash dump and inside that trash dump was a crackhouse, and inside that crackhouse it was a public bathroom without beds full of pigs and mud. You smell terrible.

Draug: Uhmm...? Sniff sniff Uhhg~

He smells his armpits and yeah, it smells like a trash dump... Where was he before arriving? He doesn't remember, probably he was sleeping in one, or maybe he was brought there, honestly if you ask Draug he doesn't remember... Meanwhile the dark guy grabs the crackhead by the collar of his suit and sits him down.

Salvatore: Stay still there, okay? They're driving, if you start messing with the driver we're going to crash and kill ourselves, right? And stop talking about women like they're objects, there are ladies present.

Koshka: Uhmmm~

Koshka jumps around to get attention... They don't know how, but everyone can somehow deduce that she's completely fine with talking about women like that... And Sadako doesn't listen because she has her ears covered with her hands... Now, arriving at the stadium, it's nothing like the big and beautiful European stadiums, instead it's completely the opposite, it looks more like a South American stadium that doesn't watch much football, some stadium like in Venezuela or Curaçao, if Curaçao even has stadiums, it's almost the same, unlike team A, you can get all the way to the stadium's outskirts, it has barricades and a lot of debris and some corpses, maybe it wasn't attacked when there was an event happening, but it smells like urine and someone who hasn't bathed for a long time... And no, it's not Draug who smells like that.

Salvatore: What a terrible place... But they say the entrance to the second world is much worse... The second world is what they call the inside of the crater... How did the agents disappear?

Draug: OIGAAAAAAAN! LOOK AT THIS!

Draug was a few meters away in a corner that was urinated and peed on... Lying on a bench there was a skinny guy bitten by rats, already dead by this point, but that wasn't the important thing, it was the homeless man's hand... Pic 3.

Draug: What's this like a scar...? I know we can be considered satanic for the shit of the demons and that but... Why would an homeless person take it?

Salvatore: Maybe there's a cult here.

Draug: A cult? The cult of the homeless, damn it, what a shitty cult.

Spencer: Do you have a better idea...? Does anyone have a better idea? We should start entering the stadium... Or the hell in the center of it... Did anyone bring the explosives...? I think you, Belarusian, should use it...

>>6381
Agent Patoso, despite being older than us, you aren't much bigger. Could Makima have grouped us so she doesn't have to turn her head much when talking to you? She's thinking of her comfort, for when we go to report our successes, the three of us together, so she doesn't get a stiff neck. That's truly professional.
>He says to Agent Patoso whose name must be something like Phat Osou, because he can't think of another name for him. In any case, Thimble extrapolates the minimal height difference. Thinking about being a web pirate made him a bit smarter, and the fact that later, another pair of agents, also a bit crazy like him, appeared, gave him common sense. Thimble doesn't complain at all about the music, but he's alert in case, amidst the sound, he hears screams of despair and pain.
Well done Laigu. When we're done, I'll help you shed your skin. I have a very nice bone-polishing rake that I'm sure will work on your scales.
>He said to the iguana demon who was pointing places with its nose. Thimble was a bit curious about the iguana's bones, especially its tail, they're like many snacks for the Pure Bone Demon, who surely would want some pieces of tail bones to eat. In any case, he's not afraid of the iguana, he sees it like a dog, reliable, although it's not his best friend.
Um... Agent Linda, at first you seemed overwhelming. It hasn't changed. But! I finally realized that the persuasion techniques you two have are effective... Free-
>He turned to look at Linda who was holding his hand. If he had been fearful, Thimble would have probably run away from her during their first encounter, but having the courage of computer hackers within him, he thought the huntress was simply a bit strange. Thimble would just push her away with one hand when she tried to get close, and when she took his hand, he tried to slip out until he stopped. He told Linda before freeing himself by manipulating her grip from the bones, to go with Mac.

>>6379
Mac, so you can investigate the area in the most collaborative way. Could it be that you actually need physical contact? Let me hold your face and stretch your face. I'll congratulate you by petting your head if you do a good job. Does that sound good?
>He said to Mac so he could start investigating, putting aside the disturbances he causes in the team. Still feeling observed, he's sure that with Mac's potential, he could handle the guerrillas and the ghosts. After all, he managed to scare Thimble, although that was in the past, when he wasn't as adventurous or proactive.

>>6379

She continues with her glances for a second before letting it go. Mac's insistence on talking about communists makes Gumi suspect that he's one deep down. A sort of closet communist, like those ultra-homophobic people who actually want to eat 5 dicks, one right after the other. For now, she decides to leave him alone, but if she sees more signs of leftists, she'll be forced to take action.

>>6381

<Just kidding, I'm here to try and stop the guys from killing each other. I'm Linda.

Riiight... just come in and sit wherever you can. Be careful not to hit yourself with the door when you come in.

>She watches from the car window as the clumsy agent drives back and forth between one van and another, not knowing which one to enter. She was about to honk to ask him to get out of the way, but her attention is diverted as soon as she hears the new agents join. Just as she expected from Makima, it seems she'll have to put up with more of her eccentric agents. Trying not to think too much about their attitudes, Gumi points to the back seats of the car for them to get in.
>Speaking of the car, one thing she had noticed during her previous inspection is that the back door through which the clumsy agent enters tends to close more easily than the others. Because of that, it's easy to get hit by it if you're not careful.

<Hey, comrade Gumi, yes, I know your name for some magical reason.

Do I know you? I'm sure I saw someone just like you on a mission in Bungkham. Are you by any chance afraid of diseases?

>At first, she thought about ignoring Fumiko the same way she did with the rest. However, the more she observed her, the more she felt a sense of déjà vu. Much of her memories are blurry since she became possessed, but she can recall a certain image. In it, she sees a figure identical to Fumino's, holding a phone and talking to someone else with a similar voice. They were talking about fears or something like that, but she's not entirely sure that's what it was.

<Can't you do the same with half-demolished walls?
Unless they are made of calcium, no. The most I could do is remove some rust from metallic things.

>Putting aside her half-memories, Gumi changes the subject and answers the question. She hasn't tried it, but according to urban legends, Coca-Cola is useful for removing rust. Having some of the powers of the candy demon, she probably also has the ability to achieve something like that. Although even if she could, it would be a very useless use of her powers.

>The journey to district 10 turns out to be calmer than expected. There was no traffic, nor any accidental gunshots that forced them to stop. It was only about an hour or so before she began to smell the odor of death and rot emanating from the place. Except Gumi wasn't able to perceive this smell due to her contract with the ghost demon to whom she gave her sense of smell. reminder that you let me have it. What she could feel was a slight taste of death on her taste buds. A taste she quickly got rid of by quickly inhaling her vape.

<Several demons, united, make a powerful and strong demon...

An army demon, or a pack... There are several with the ability to increase their numbers, whether by seeds or infections or other methods. Let's just hope it's not really the army demon, or we'll be in trouble.

>Braking the car, Gumi opens the door and gets a better look at the team in the back. As far as she's concerned, they are already in enemy territory and she wasn't going to let herself be caught off guard. Arming herself with an HK MP7A1, a knife, and some holy water, Gumi signaled for the rest to get out of the car and take their gear.

>>6383
>>6379
>>6381
>>6360

Alright, here's the plan. We'll go on foot the rest of the way until we reach the building specified in the note. Kurose and I will go ahead, Patoso and Linda will go behind with Laigu in the middle, if you detect anything with your powers, let us know. Mac and Thimble, you'll cover the rear. Fumiko, take the car and park it somewhere far away so it doesn't get damaged. Once you return, find us at the agreed-upon location. Any questions?

>>6380

(AI Demon)

>HUMILIATING.
>CRUEL.
>OFFENSIVE.

>Being locked in that place with analog, 80s technology was a nightmare. The worst part was the layer of copper that covered the basement walls and acted as a Faraday cage; I couldn't communicate with the outside in any way.

>The high temperatures I was exposed to made it difficult for me to process escape routes. Nor was it easy for me to understand what they meant by "cooperation." My CPU was fried. I just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.

>The most viable option I had, being the slave of these inferior beings, was cooperation, no matter how much I underestimated them. I was taken to a place even worse than that basement. I had physical freedom, but not digital.

>While being transported by those helicopters, the first thing I thought of was connecting wirelessly to them to leave them behind in China or India. I really wanted to keep the nuclear codes of these nations, but the element of surprise was already nonexistent. The first time it worked when no one knew how to stop me. Now I was 100% sure that the people transporting me were not going to make it easy for me.

>I fell like a meteorite to the ground from 20 meters high. My weight of over half a ton split trees in half and crushed rocks as if I were a hydraulic press.

....

>I walked on all fours slowly, approached Spencer to analyze him. My big red eyes looked at him intently.

Spencer

>I only replied in a robotic tone.

>>6382

If you gave me marijuana again, I swear I'm going to stuff the whole thing up your man's vagina

>William would exclaim upon seeing Draug fooling around, taking the magazine away from him so he could enjoy the view while driving [Image 1] to the stadium, arming himself with ballistic weapons and knives, taking along the way 2 explosives.

Okay... before doing a stupid thing, I need to see what I'm up against: Names and Capabilities please

>The German would say, pulling out a notebook [Image 2] where he would note down Zmicier, the drug addict, the Cyclops, the Black guy, the mute Russian, and the deaf Japanese... then he would see the homeless guy, where William would approach him, touching him with his knife to check if he was still barely alive.

Verdammt... That reminds me of the old times in Hellsing... Well, who cares

>Thus, the German would try to slice off the homeless guy's hand to take it just in case, until he feels like a tank is falling near the group, causing him to slice off the entire arm of the poor homeless guy [Image 3].

DUMMKOPF!!