Guardians of The Damned-Chapter 13: Smooth, Perhaps

I arrived at the classroom—well, technically a meeting room, though the setup said otherwise. Desks lined up neatly, small lockers for shoes sat by the door, and a podium stood up front like it belonged to a teacher.

I scanned the room. Woo, Eve, and the others were already there, but one face was missing.

"Where's Ginto?" I asked Woo.

"He's taking a day off," Woo replied. Then he added, "Sit down, Sunny. We're about to start the meeting for the upcoming mission."

I lingered on his expression a moment longer—flat and unreadable—before heading to my desk and sitting down. A strange sense of disappointment tugged at me.

"As you all know, this is an A+ grade mission. But you're not just anyone—you're exceptions," Woo began. "Based on your previous missions, I believe you're ready. That said, I'm not forcing anyone. If you don't feel prepared, you're free to withdraw."

Silence settled over the room.

"Excellent," he continued. "Now, about the mission. As we went over yesterday, shadows have infiltrated the ancient city. They've created a device that's threatening the existence of mankind."

As he spoke, a steel sheet slid down over the window, dimming the room. A projector descended from the ceiling and cast a series of images onto the whiteboard—a black, round device with a rhombus-shaped gem in the center and strange carvings etched along its surface.

"It looks like an artifact," Len said, skeptical. "Are we sure the shadows made it and didn't just find it?"

"It's confirmed," Woo replied firmly. "According to our reports, it's currently in Gram's black market. It's being auctioned tonight. I want it retrieved—no matter what."

"The mission will be split into two teams: Alpha and Charlie. Eve, you'll lead Team Charlie. Lan, you're in charge of Alpha. Your team members are listed here."

He handed them each a sheet of paper, then returned to the podium.

"I expect great things. That's all for today's meeting."

With that, Woo stepped down and exited the room. The steel sheet slowly lifted, letting in the daylight, and the overhead lights blinked on one by one.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

The moment Woo left, the room stirred to life. Everyone gathered around Eve and Lan to see which team they'd been assigned to. Before long, the groups settled into their places—Team Charlie on the left, Team Alpha on the right.

We began discussing how to retrieve the device. Stealing it wasn't an option—it was being auctioned in a black market known for its security.

The black market traded in weapons and artifacts recovered from shadow nests and corrupted zones. People came from all over—even the surface—to buy and sell. Naturally, the market's owner ensured business ran smoothly by hiring powerful Honors and their private army. Their weapons were deadly, even against an Honor.

These weapons were illegal, but they had Synth's approval. The market itself operated with Synth's indirect consent—otherwise, it would've been wiped out long ago.

"We don't have a choice but to buy it," Eve suggested.

"You've got to be kidding me! That thing's probably worth more than five billion Erk!" Miem, the pink-haired girl, shot back.

"Then do you have a better idea, Miem?" Len asked.

Miem tapped her chin, thinking, before turning to me. "Sunny, can't you sneak into the vault with your mist form?"

"It'd work—if the vault's not made of lern."

Lern. A mysterious ore that emerged alongside the shadows. It rendered Honor abilities useless.

"I'll go in," Hakku offered. "I've got an artifact that lets me shapeshift. I'll disguise myself as a guard."

"I'll join you," Goo Han said. "My ability could be useful."

"Much appreciated," Hakku nodded with a small smile.

"I'll handle the guards and clear a path for Hakku's exit," I volunteered.

"No, Sunny." Eve shook her head. "Your combat ability is top-tier. I want you to stay hidden and only engage if Moose makes a move."

I paused, then nodded. Moose was a plasma-wielding Honor, infamous in the underworld. I didn't think I could beat him, but I wouldn't lose either.

"I'm fine with that," I said. "But if other Honors jump in, I can't promise I'll hold them off."

"Don't worry," Eve replied with quiet confidence. "I'll make sure they don't."

I nodded again.

"Miem, Ned, and I will investigate the artifact and the seller," Eve continued. "Dre, you'll be backup if anything goes south."

"I'm just one guy. What if all of you go down?"

"I'll help." I took a drag, then shaped the smoke into twenty-one small beads. I handed out three to each person. "Crush one, and it'll form a clone of me—fifty percent of my attributes. Or you can reshape it into anything to help you escape. Just picture it as you crush it."

"Thank you," Hakku said, accepting the beads gratefully.

The others reacted differently. Miem and Len gave small nods. Dre, Ned, and Goo Han expressed their thanks. Eve took hers silently, her mind elsewhere.

"Any questions?" Len asked.

"Yeah," Eve said. "Do we still get paid for overtime?"

"Yes," Len confirmed.

"Awesome," she grinned.

"Let's regroup here at midnight. You're free to prepare until then."

Some people left their seats, others stayed behind to chat. I made my way over to Eve.