Zairon and his team returned to the city's underbelly—not with weapons drawn, but ears open. Information was the true weapon in this battle.
The group split up to gather intelligence. One beauty slipped into a tavern where mercenaries liked to drink; another vanished into the marketplace, weaving through gossiping merchants. Zairon, meanwhile, visited the adventurer's guild and quietly slipped gold to those with loose tongues and sharp eyes.
The cult's name surfaced again and again: "The Crimson Veil."
Purpose? Still unclear. But their presence stretched through the city's upper and lower layers like mold—hidden but growing.
What they uncovered:
Purpose: The Crimson Veil worships an ancient entity said to hail from beyond Raur, promising ascension through chaos.
Activity: Ritualistic kidnappings. High-tier beast sacrifices. Strange energy fluctuations in the upper district.
Force Composition: Around 80 to 100 known members. 10+ A-Ranks, 3 confirmed S-Ranks, and rumors of one SS-Rank leader only referred to as "The Veiled Prophet."
Base Location: Disguised beneath the noble quarter in an abandoned temple sealed off after a plague incident 50 years ago. Magical wards, traps, and guards protect the entrance.
With the information collected, the team reconvened.
Zairon stared at the map of the city and pointed toward the temple. "This is where we strike next. But first—we scout. I want eyes inside, not just blades."
The next step would be infiltration—stealth, disguise, and strategy.