After Rescue

The next morning, sunlight started coming through Delta's little wooden house's cracks. As Ark leaned against the table with his arms crossed and Delta sat cross-legged on the floor, eating bread and soup as usual, dust particles drifted slowly in the air. Although everything was quiet, Ark's expression was deathbed.

“Delta,” he began, his tone lower than usual, “yesterday while you were busy freeing the prisoners… I found something else.”

Delta moved her head. “Something else? You mean more coins?”

Ark shook his head with a faint smile. “No, not coins. Documents. Records. Blueprints. Whoever owned that warehouse wasn’t just running experiments or hoarding weapons. They’re part of something larger.”

Delta straightened up, her playful look fading into focus. “Go on.”

Ark walked to the window, staring outside as he spoke. “The papers mentioned a name… Spiral. A secret association. Their goal is to summon a so-called demon god and use its power to rule this world.”

Delta’s eyes narrowed. “Summon a demon god?”

Ark smiled. “Yeah. Honestly, it’s kind of cliché, isn’t it? Every evil organization either wants to rule the world or destroy it. No originality at all.” He let out a sigh, his voice filled with sarcasm. “It’s like they never get tired of the same boring plot.”

Delta laughed, though her ears twitched with unease. “You’re right. But boring or not, it’s dangerous. If Spiral exists and they’re preparing to summon a demon god, then the beast humans locked up in their hideouts are only pawns for their ritual.”

Ark turned back, meeting her look. His red eyes shining with determination. “Exactly. And the documents didn’t just talk about their purpose. They also mentioned other hideouts. Four of them, to be exact.”

Delta’s grip on the fruit tightened. “Four… more?”

Ark walked back to the table, spreading a rough hand-drawn map he had sketched while reading the documents. “Here. First and fourth are closer to the eastern and southern woods. Second and third are deeper in the western and northern ranges. If the Spiral organization is operating this widely, then each hideout could have prisoners, experiments, or even preparations for their so-called ritual.”

Delta leaned forward, her tail swishing as she studied the map. “So, what’s our move?”

Ark tapped the map with his finger. “We split up. You’ll handle the first and fourth hideouts. They’re further apart, but closer to the wildlands—you’re faster than me in the forests, and your claws can handle tight situations.”

Delta arched a brow. “And you’ll go for the second and third?”

Ark nodded. “Yes. Those are closer to human settlements. I can blend in, gather information, and slip past without drawing too much attention.” He smirked. “Besides, if I get caught, I can always pretend to be an innocent kid. No one suspects children.”

Delta laughed lightly. “That’s true. With your mask, though, you don’t look innocent at all. You look terrifying.”

Ark gave her a playful shrug. “That’s why I won’t wear it unless I have to.” His tone then hardened. “Delta, remember—our main goal is freeing beast humans. Don’t get caught up fighting every soldier unless necessary.”

Delta’s expression grew firm. “I understand. But Ark, if Spiral really intends to summon a demon god, we can’t just free prisoners. We’ll have to destroy their plans completely.”

Ark’s eyes gleamed. “That’s why I told you last night… our association isn’t just about saving beast humans anymore. It’s about stopping groups like Spiral from ever hurting them again.”

The room fell silent for a moment as both absorbed the weight of their mission. Then Delta stood up, brushing off her hands. “Alright then. I’ll take first and fourth.”

Ark folded the map and tucked it into his coat. “Good. I’ll handle the second and third.”

Delta gave him a sharp nod. “We’ll meet back here after.”

Ark smiled faintly, though there was a seriousness behind it. “Delta, night is coming. Be careful. Something tells me this is only the beginning.”

Delta’s ears twitched. She picked up her blade and strapped it to her side. “You too, Ark. Don’t die out there.”

He said softly as he headed for the door. “Same to you. Let’s go.”

Outside the village, the two separated ways as the sun started to set, casting shadows over the landscape. Delta's figure was swiftly covered by the trees as she ran into the thick eastern forests. On the other hand, Ark moved calmly toward the north, his mind already focused on the enemy that lay beyond.

As the night fell, both were on their way toward the Spiral hideouts—two directions, two missions, but one shared purpose.

The night was quiet, but Delta’s footsteps thundered like a storm as she arrived at the first Spiral hideout. Guards stood at the gate, torches flickering in their hands. Before they could even call out, Delta leapt high, her claws glowing with purple blaze.

Slash!

Two guards fell instantly. Panic rippled through the compound. “It’s a beast human! Sound the alarm!” one soldier cried.

Too late. Delta charged forward like a predator among sheep. Blades swung, but she dodged with effortless grace. Her claws ripped through armor, her energy blasts scattered formations, and her movements tore through the hideout like a whirlwind. Scientists inside shrieked, dropping their tools as Delta smashed open the doors.

Inside, dozens of cages lined the walls. Beast humans of all kinds—wolf-ears, rabbit-tails, fox-clawed—huddled together, eyes wide with terror. “Stay back!” one prisoner shouted. “It’s a trap!”

Delta knelt, her expression softening. “I’m not your enemy. I came to free you.”

With one powerful strike, she shattered the locks. One by one, the prisoners stumbled out, disbelief turning into tears of joy.

“Thank you…” whispered an old beast human woman.

Delta smiled firmly. “No thanks needed. Just live freely.”

Once all were safe, she turned, flames still dancing at her fingertips. “I’m not leaving anyone behind.” With that vow, she cleared the rest of the hideout, leaving not a single guard alive.

—

Ark, meanwhile, moved much more calmly through his target's hiding place. He was surrounded by soldiers with their weapons out..

“Kid? What are you doing here?” one asked.

Ark gave a sheepish smile. “Oh, me? Just sightseeing.”

The soldiers made a charge. Shining strings of magic suddenly came into being as Ark's hands flicked upward. Suddenly, the soldiers were tugged upward by threads that twisted around them. Like stuffed animals, their bodies hung helplessly from the rooftops.

“I don’t kill,” Ark said. “But hanging you like laundry should do.” He dusted off his clothes, strolling deeper inside.

He found the vault room beyond the corridors. The sight of the chests full of bronze coins, the shining silver falling across tables, and the high piles of gold coins shined in his eyes.

“Jackpot,” Ark said, leaping onto a chair like a king. “I am rich!” He let out a laugh that echoed in the chamber. “Ahh, but I’ll spend it all on the association anyway. Still… It feels good to be rich.”

One by one, he swept the treasure into his inventory, humming cheerfully to himself as if nothing dangerous was happening outside.

—

Delta had already walked into the fourth hiding place at that moment. Her eyes were burning with rage, and her claws were now darkened. She sliced through the line of soldiers in desperation without hesitation.

“I won’t let Spiral keep a single one of you alive!” she shouted. Energy balls burst from her hands, crashing into groups of enemies and sending them flying across the walls.

Prison after prison was unlocked, and once again beast humans spilled out in tears. “Go!” Delta urged. “Your lives are yours again!”

By the time the sun was about to set, Delta was standing among the released prisoners in the blood-soaked hideout, his chest heaving. Her voice echoed through the quiet ruin. “Not one of you monsters will remain.”

—

Ark, meanwhile, leaned against the treasury wall of his second hideout, stretching his arms. Strings of magic shimmered above, holding yet another group of defeated soldiers in place. He patted his heavy pockets, grinning. “The treasure sector is clear. And to think, Delta probably believes I’m saving prisoners. Well… I already knew the documents. That’s why I sent her to all the cages. She’s the savior…” He smirked. “I’m the rich one.”

—

Later that night, Ark and Delta met at the forest edge where they had parted ways. Delta’s face glowed with pride. “Ark! We did it. I freed them all. Dozens, maybe hundreds, of beast humans are safe now.”

Ark grinned, holding up a coin pouch that jingled heavily. “And I emptied their treasuries. Spiral’s funding is gone.”

Delta blinked, then laughed. “So… you planned it that way from the start?”

Ark shrugged, smiling slyly. “What can I say? You’re better at saving people. I’m better at collecting rewards. Together, we’re unstoppable.”

Delta folded her arms but smiled warmly. “Fine. As long as the prisoners are free, I don’t mind. But next time, maybe you could try fighting a little more?”

Ark smiled. “Fighting is boring. Counting coins is way more fun.”

—

Within days, the Spiral hideouts were reduced to rubble. Their prisoners escaped, their soldiers slain or humiliated, their treasuries emptied. News spread through towns and villages of an unknown duo who had dismantled an organization in mere days.

Spiral’s goal of summoning a demon god had been shattered before it could even begin.

And at the heart of their destruction stood two children—Ark, who laughed over treasure, and Delta, who swore no beast human would ever suffer again.

The world would soon remember their names.