Da'at… Why isn't she in the room?
In that instant, an emotion Kali couldn't quite name—perhaps worry, perhaps fear—rose violently in her chest.
Almost subconsciously, she took two rapid steps forward, throwing the covers aside—but what awaited her was merely an even harsher reality:
—Da'at truly wasn't there.
She instantly rushed out of the room, desperately hoping that Da'at had simply awakened early… nothing more than that.
But clearly, this hope fell to pieces.
Kali searched every corner of the Thumb's base, but found no trace of Da'at. Gradually, her steps slowed, and inexplicable anger surged into her mind.
Da'at had disappeared without a trace. As Kali rounded a corner in the corridor, she brushed shoulders with Hugh. Without hesitation, she roughly grabbed his shoulder, slamming him against the wall, staring fiercely into his eyes.
Hugh's brow furrowed slightly, but he still calmly looked back at Kali, quietly asking:
"What's wrong?"
"…Da'at disappeared."
Kali's voice came out hoarse and strained. At that very moment, a complicated glint flashed through Hugh's eyes… at least, that's how it seemed to Kali. Hugh then gently lifted his hand, brushing away Kali's fingers that were still digging into his shoulder. Brow knitted, he paced a few steps around the hallway.
"…I saw Da'at leave last night. She hasn't returned yet?"
Hugh raised his head, frowning as he looked at Kali and asked.
"…You saw her last night?"
Kali's eyes sharpened instantly. With Da'at missing, the violent, bloodthirsty instincts from the City—those belonging to the Red Mist—were about to fully awaken within her.
"Don't panic just yet… If Da'at really disappeared, things could indeed become problematic… I'll immediately send people out to investigate. Wait here for a moment."
"How long?"
"Half an hour."
Without even turning around, Hugh answered, throwing a communicator to Kali before quickly disappearing down the corridor. Kali watched Hugh's back, feeling unbearably irritable.
Without realizing it, she drew out a cigarette, lighting it as she placed it between her lips. This was the first time she'd smoked since arriving on Terra.
"…Da'at, nothing had better happen to you…"
Watching the thin smoke drift upwards, Kali quietly muttered these words to herself.
Then she pulled her Mimicry E.G.O from the dimensional bag, carelessly tossed the bag aside onto the floor, and strode decisively out of the Thumb's base.
...
In the faint dawn of Siracusa, misty rain fell gently, as if attempting to wash clean the bloodstains of the land.
A crimson figure emerged through the mist, massive blade resting over her shoulder, stepping boldly into the street.
Meanwhile, rather than immediately arranging for his T Corp. subordinates to investigate, Hugh went directly to Texas's room. Without even the slightest pause, he knocked swiftly on her door.
Before Texas could respond, Hugh had already pushed it open, drawing a somewhat surprised look from her.
Honestly speaking… throughout all the time she'd known Hugh, this was the first time Texas had ever seen him display such urgency.
"Hurry… Immediately start the battle against the Bellone Family. It's time to provoke conflict and reel in the net."
As soon as he stepped inside, Hugh spoke rapidly.
"…Has something happened?"
Texas, her senses sharp as ever, looked up and asked carefully.
"…If we wait any longer, I'm afraid it will become too late… things will escalate far beyond our original expectations."
Hugh sighed softly as he spoke, yet Texas clearly noticed the corner of his mouth curling into a faint smile.
A kind of unsettling, chilling smile, as though he eagerly anticipated exactly such an escalation.
"How big of an escalation?"
"The entirety of Siracusa bathed in blood and rain—would you call that big?"
Hearing Hugh's words, Texas unconsciously shuddered. She knew immediately that wouldn't be something the Wolf Hunter could pull off… For the Wolf Hunter, that kind of devastation was likely still beyond reach.
Hugh smiled radiantly at Texas, continuing, "I admit, that would be quite the spectacular sight… But unfortunately, for T Corp., that wouldn't yield nearly enough benefits."
Not to mention, it wouldn't suit the City's interests. That scenario would attract far too much attention…
Hugh silently considered this to himself.
"Anyway, we need to hurry."
Finally, leaving those words behind, Hugh quickly exited the room again. Texas exhaled deeply, remaining seated, lost in thought for a moment before picking up the communicator on her desk.
With perfect calmness, she issued the command to the Thumb's commanders to begin the battle.
At the same time, once Hugh left the room, he also picked up a communicator. He first contacted the Bellone Family, notifying them to begin their move. Then, hurriedly arriving at T Corp.'s temporary station, he swiftly contacted Kali:
"…Hello, Kali. We found her."
"Where?"
On Kali's side, the quiet pattering of rain was audible, immediately followed by her urgent, impatient voice.
"Da'at was spotted near the Saluzzo Family… Judging by her earlier tracks, she most likely headed there."
Hugh spoke with a cool voice, and immediately after, he heard the clear sound of Kali sheathing her blade, followed by the scraping of its tip against the ground.
"…What exactly were you just doing?"
"Looking for Da'at. Asked a few locals along the way."
Kali's voice was ice-cold. Before hanging up, she left Hugh one final warning: "Don't bother me again… And if your information turns out to be wrong, I'll be right back, blade at your throat, waiting until you give me accurate intel."
Then, Kali ended the communication immediately. Hugh tossed the communicator aside, laying back on the long bench with an extraordinarily bright smile spreading across his face.
"…Ah, this really is perfect."
He quietly whispered, raising both hands toward the sky, as though embracing something invisible before him.
"Now, let me have a good look… just how splendid will this play turn out to be?"
Meanwhile, having formally declared the start of war with the Bellone Family, Texas paced back and forth within the Thumb's base. After a moment, she released a deep sigh and stepped outside.
As the Thumb's boss, she still had to personally check the situation since their current strength wasn't ideal…
Thinking along these lines, she stepped out the front gate. But at that exact instant, a shot suddenly rang out. Texas's pupils shrank sharply as she rapidly dodged backward, narrowly avoiding the bullet.
Immediately, she jerked her head up, only to catch a glimpse of a scarlet hood flashing in front of her. In the very next moment, a scythe blade was already slicing toward her throat.
"Found you… Another wolf."
Little Red Riding Hooded Mercenary whispered softly, staring straight at Texas before her.