(The scene begins with the view of a dirt road path that connects two cities, and the sun is shining on team 18 as they stand by a lake.)
Ra'ell is seen taking a drink from the lake when Itally speaks, "What the heck was that about, I can't believe you stole from a mayor, what if you get disqualified or worse arrested?"
As he finishes his drink of water, he replies, "Technically, we stole from a mayor, so whatever happens to me happens to you too."
Itally panics, " Oh my gods, I didn't even realize that I've become your accomplice. We should head back and return this stuff."
Ra'ell shuts him down as he says, "Wouldja pipe it down already drama queen, you said it yourself we've got no cash, we need these supplies and you were hurt, how we're you planning on paying for everything huh, scrubbing dishes, mopping floors, I don't think so, look we as contestants, work for people, do their dirty work, run their errands, and you expect us to do it for just votes and emblems, that's basically slavery, so of course we gotta get paid somehow, next time we get a mission, we ask for pay as well okay?"
Itally speaks up, "You may be right, but we still stole from the government. It's still a crime."
Ra'ell then points at a floating object in the sky, "You see that, that one of Aegis' thousand eyes drones, we can see what all of us are doing almost all the time, we only get 12 hours of privacy everyday, and he then selectively broadcasts what he sees to the entire continent so that all the citizens of the kingdom, can place bets and use us as entertainment, but he also does it to look out for suspicious or illicit activities, and he totally saw, us so the fact that he didn't report us to Alastor to do something about it, says that it was either no problem or for some reason we were let off the hook."
Itally still looking at the floating orb in the sky says, "OK, I get your point, but what if he did and Alastor is on his way but hasn't reached us yet."
Ra'ell scoffs, "Ha, don't you dare underestimate the power of the High guards, they're all continental level threats, and can travel across the whole of Veylora in a matter of seconds, if Alastor was coming he would already be here. Now let's get moving to Portland already. Its gates are in view."
The team then starts walking westward towards the city of Portland, on the way Itally thinks to himself, "Wow, I can't believe I didn't notice the seeing eye, watching us the entire time, Ra'ell's sense of detection is pretty good, not only can he sense distant objects but he can also sense people's strength, like he did at the hotel that day, but he seems way to convenient with bending the rules to his liking, I should keep an eye on him."
(A few minutes later, the duo reaches the gates of Portland. The city has a distinct smell of fish, sweat, and oil, as boats, ships, and other vehicles can be seen transporting goods all around its port. The city, though, appears to be in a state of distraught, with potholes, graffiti, and beggars litter the streets.)
Itally, after taking in the sights, says, "I thought Portland would look much more splendid as this should be the financial capital of Valmorra, but instead this place makes Dawnsreach look like a paradise."
Ra'ell then replies, "Well, this is what you get when all the profits are pumped back into the ports and the pockets of the government and the rich. Definitely the poor common folk will suffer, it's the most crime infested place in Valmorra, full of thugs, petty criminals, it used to have criminal organizations as well but they all got wiped out by one man, the same with the capital Pinhelm, the former most crime infested place in Valmorra."
Itally then speaks with wonder in his voice, "Wow, he must be such a great and powerful hero to have gotten rid of so many criminals, in to cities nonetheless, I wonder if he could show up and fix this decrepit looking city as well."
Ra'ell laughs as he says, "Hahaha, he probably won't, because he is not the hero you think he is, in fact it was more like he was the greater of two evils that forced out and eradicated those criminal organizations, but he's been gone foe a year now so crimes have begin popping up again, plus he isn't that powerful in the grand scale of things, sure compared to this weak little nation of Valmorra he was strong, but weak compared to the world at large."
Itally then replies with shock on his face, "Really, I would have expected it to be a hero that would do such a thing but the greater of two evils, that's a surprise, but doesn't anyone knows his name, I mean he is a criminal as well so he should get arrested as well."
Ra'ell then replies, "Only a select few know his name and face because he always wore a mask but all knows his alias, the Blood eyed beast, he was the inspiration for my alias."
Itally then gazes at his teammate's face due to his statement as he says, "Really then, well let's get going to the mission board to see any missions we can take."
Ra'ell replies, "Sure, I know the way, so just follow me."
(The scene suddenly changes to a dark room with only one light, a man covered in scars, plentiful facial hair, wearing brass knuckles with purple tips with a large club with purple spikes in hand can be seen sitting in a chair with a lady completely covered up with a mask standing beside him when three men walks in.)
"Boss, we have news." One of the men said as he kneeled.
"Then spit it out already." The boss said.
"The one you told us to watch is him, and he should be here in Portland right now. His strength is comparable to yoursbut he should be no problem for you. He also has some company, a man stronger than us but weaker than Lady Dart." He answered.
The boss then laughs with joy as he says, "Hahahahaaa, the time for our revenge is almost here, I do hope he falls for our trap, but even if he doesn't, we will end him, but we must wait to catch him by surprise, hahaha."
(The scene then shifts back to the duo)
As the team walks through an ally, they pass by a sickly looking kid with a tinge of purple on his face and around his eyes, he grabs Itally by the leg, "Please sir, I haven't eaten in days, please if you could spare a little change that would be very helpful sir."
Itally, with a sad look on his face, speaks, "Sorry lad, I have no money to give you, maybe another time, but don't worry, may the Goddess Gaia provide you with food and good health."
The child's face and demeanor then takes a negative turn as he replies with a bitter tone, "Ya know, ya could have just said you didn't want to give me, instead of lying and calling a God's name in vain, you stingy, greedy pig."
The boy then presses his nails into Itally ankle, as he groans in pain Ra'ell swiftly kicks the child shouting, "If he said he's got no money he's got no money, no need to be a little monster about it, how about you go get yourself a job from Mr. Oppo at the port, or do you want me to beat you up, eh?"
As he shouted, the boy ran away into a nearby alleyway. Itally then scolds Ra'ell, saying, "How could you kick a child? He was hungry before, and now he's probably hurt."
Ra'ell then replies, "That's the only way these kids learn, plus even if you had and gave him some money, he probably wouldn't have used it to eat, but instead get himself some 'shimmer'."
Itally asks, "Shimmer, you mean the popular drug that's being peddled across the western regions?"
Ra'ell nods as he says, "Yeah, like half the people here are addicted to that shit. And that kid was definitely using that stuff. You could see it in his eyes. So, in fact, we were doing him a favor, and now let's go check the mission board already."
Itally, in a state on disbelief, replied, "A kid, addicted to shimmer at such an age, this city just keeps getting worse and worse, let's get our missions done with and leave this place."
As the two reach the pinboard, they read out the missions pinned on it;
Complete 3 of the following to obtain a vote if you're an adventurer. If not, ask the client for pay.
1. Hunt tremor hatchlings - C Rank - Hunter Gavin .
2. Port laborer - D Rank - Mr. Oppo.
3. Warehouse guard - C Rank - Mr. Oppo.
4. Goods delivery - C Rank - Vendel Sevega.
5. Street cleaning - D Rank - Atuka Ihcag.
6. Clinic supporter - D Rank - Nurse Sukaru.
"Let's do missions 1,2, and 3." Ra'ell says.
"You're suggesting we do two C Rank missions when our average tier is 6, and C Rank missions are between 6 to 10. Why don't we take all the D Rank missions instead." Itally replied.
"Nah, D Rank missions are easy, weak, and boring." Ra'ell disapproved.
"Okay then, how about we do all the three C Ranks then." Itally said sarcastically.
"Oh, believe me, I would, but I prefer not to work with Vendel Sevega." Ra'ell said.
Itally frustrated replies, "I was being sarcastic, you idiot."
Ra'ell replies, "Oh, I knew dumbass."
As the two continued to argue, a short, dark skinned lady with black braids walked up to the board holding a sheet of paper, and Ra'ell recognized her, "You, you're mayor Hibachi's receptionist, Pimpi, does the mayor have a mission for contestants to do."
She replies with confusion on her face, "Sorry, I don't recognize you, but yes, I am Pimpi, the receptionist and secretary of mayor Hibachi, and yes, the mayor does have a mission but the details are being kept secret and you would need to meet him for it."
Ra'ell replies, "OK then, we'll be going to his office then. Hopefully, it's pretty interesting."
As he turns around, Pimpi calls out to him, "I'm sorry, but the mayor isn't receiving any surprise guests. So I'll need to go first and tell him of your arrival."
He responds, "Cool, let's go then. Hey, Itally catch up, wouldja."
He gestures for the two to follow him as they with visible confusion on the sequence of events that just played out comply and head to the mayor's office.
(The scene shifts to show a two-storey building next to the port. The building has a lustrous coat of paint. It was a massive contrast to the main parts of the city. The three can be seen entering inside the building.)
"Wait here, I'll tell him of your arrival." Pimpi said as she gestured for them to stay outside the office as she stepped into the office.
Itally then asked his partner, "Ra'ell, how do you know the mayor of Portland and his secretary? Please tell me it's not related to anything illegal."
He responds, "Okay then, I won't tell'ya, but let's just say we are old acquaintances."
As he finished his statement, Pimpi steps out of the office and says, "You may go in now, sirs. The mayor has agreed to see you two."
As the two walk into the office, Ra'ell says, "Thanks a lot, Lil Miss Pimpi."
And with those words, a jolt is sent down her spine as she says, "So it's you." Ra'ell just smiled in response as he walked in.
(Inside the office is a wide, beautiful oak wood oval shaped desk with the mayor, a blonde, light skinned, slightly rotund man sitting on one side.)
The man then speaks, "Ah, Ra'ell so nice to see you here after all these years, can't believe you're a contestant now. I heard you want to take on my mission."
Ra'ell then takes a seat, "Yeah, yeah, nice to see you too, mister Hibachi. Yes, we do, in fact, want to take on your super secret mission that even Lil Miss Pimpi doesn't know about it."
Itally distraught by Ra'ell's lack of courtesy stands and watch the interaction unfold. "It's mayor Hibachi to you, but yes, it is 'super secret', look, I'll cut straight to the point, I received an anonymous letter threatening me about the death of me and my son, and so I called for an elite tier 11 bodyguard from the northern regions but he won't be here for about a week, so I am looking for people to guard him in meantime, I have enough bodyguards per se but my son isn't really fond of the thugs I use as bodyguards, so that where you come in, and frankly knowing you will do the job puts me more at ease."
Ra'ell then replies, "Sure, we'll do it, but in exchange, you will give us your vote and a thousand gefts, deal?"
Itally and Hibachi are flabbergasted by his demands, "My vote and a thousand gefts, that's enough to buy yourself a whole month's worth of food supplies, that's more than most people's salaries here. I can not accept such terms." The mayor objected.
"Oh, I know that, but I also know how much you care for your son. Remember the last time I was here five years ago."
(Suddenly, there's a flashback showing a young man wearing a mask standing in front of a massive fire.)
"Oh yes, I do remember, but still." The mayor said, but he was abruptly interrupted by Ra'ell, "I do know a lot about your dealings, and unlike Pimpi, I'm not afraid to spill the tea."
The mayor suddenly starts sweating. He then adjusts his tie and says, "OK then, I accept your terms."
Ra'ell responds with a smile, "Good, I knew you'd come to your senses."
Itally upon seeing what just transpired was left in shock, when suddenly a loud flush can be heard coming from a connected room most likely a bathroom. "Ah speaking of which, it seems you're about to meet my son, who you will be protecting."
The mayor said with a smile on his face as he cleans up his sweat, a boy who looks like a carbon copy of the mayor but is even more rotund than his father walks in and says with a smile, "Hi, I'm Hibai Eben."