Dark Cloud (after battle)

Haah... now let us converse for a moment.

Aeng-du seemed to have recovered somewhat as we fought. She bound Jun with a rope before throwing him to the ground.

Agh...

I do not expect a mere Captain to know why your organization has put a bounty on our heads.

But... I cannot quite place the reason you were standing guard before this room. It was as though you were protecting our mentor from us, of all people.

Wait, it wasn't just you, was it? Every Kurokumo Clan filth we killed on our way up to this floor stood in our path like they were protecting something with their lives.

Fine. Here's the truth, then.

... We're the victims here.

...? Whatever do you mean?

You guys really have a way of pushing my buttons, huh...

Haah... we weren't part of the party pursuing you or cutting you down. That was none of my business.

You're just one of many, many Syndicates or organizations that were unlucky enough to be on the Thumb's shit list. Our run-in was just a coincidence.

We were ordered by the Thumb to stand guard next to a black stele here, that's all.

Everyone was on edge because we were supposed to transport it elsewhere pretty soon...

... and that's when you Blade Lineage bastards appeared out of nowhere.

... Out of nowhere?

I see... So this is where our mentor has awakened.

You... Sounds like you know something that I don't...

Can't say I've ever heard of a tech that could blip people into existence, just like that. Thought they were using a Singularity or something, tsk.

Besides... the Blade Lineage never had a chance.

Our numerical advantage was insurmountable.

... Of course.

We had your friends cornered. We had no trouble cutting them down until there were but three of you left standing.

Then, all of a sudden, your boss' eye suddenly began to glow, and...

Haah, he cut down everyone around him. It was a one-sided slaughter.

What...? Then...

You got that right. Blade Lineage, Kurokumo Clan, it didn't matter. He cut through *everyone*.

So what the hell was I supposed to do? What were we supposed to do? I'm their Captain - the lives of my men are my responsibility. I had to save them somehow.

So I stayed behind to guard the door while my men guarded the entrance to this building. What other choice did I have?

Haah... shit. Delivery deadline's coming up... I'm finished.

This won't end with me having to cut off a finger or two... Dammit.

...

Guh?!

Aeng-du struck the back of Jun's neck with a swift precision and dropped him to the floor.

Aeng-du?! That man had already been subdued! Wherefore didst thou -

I have merely put him to sleep. He would have caused us trouble had we attempted to enter that room while he was conscious.

I... must talk to the mentor. See him with my own eyes.

Have you gone deaf, lass? Your boss'll cut down anyone who gets too close.

No. That... cannot be.

Dante. We can infer from what information we have gathered that...

<Yeah, I agree... There's a powerful aura coming from behind that door. I can sense it.>

Our mentor...

Aeng-du's hands tremble as they wrap around the doorknob.

... We must prepare for battle.

I know that mentor Bamboo-hatted Kim will do no such thing!

She slammed the door open...

... only to come face-to-face with a Distortion.