Kyle walked in the Captain's office behind Liam and Cassie, still uneasy about being summoned on such short notice. Dylan stood near the wide window, hands clasped behind his back, staring at the lights of Radcliffe City that glittered against the night.
When Dylan finally turned, his expression was firm, carved with the weight of command.
"There are rumors coming in from the nearby town called Renstown." he began, his voice steady but heavy. "People have been vanishing near an abandoned hospital, Saint Owen Hospital."
Kyle frowned faintly.
Dylan continued, his gaze sweeping across them. "The hospital sits close to the border of the North Division's jurisdiction... I've already spoken with their Captain. So if this mission stretches on too long, they'll send backup. But until then..." He leaned against the desk, folding his arms. "...this is on you."
Cassie's hand tightened slightly on her side. Liam only cocked his head, his jaw set in something between eagerness and irritation. Kyle stood straighter, trying not to look like his stomach was twisting at the thought of going into an abandoned hospital where people had been disappearing.
"Clyck Squad..." Dylan said firmly. "You're being dispatched tonight to investigate the Saint Owen Hospital incident."
He let that sink in before fixing his eyes on Liam first. "And, Liam..." he said, tone pointed. "If you're faced with a higher rank demon again, you do not engage. You request backup, do you understand?"
Liam's lips pressed into a thin line. "Sir, with all due respect, me and Cassie have advanced to B-rank now. We can handle..."
Dylan cut him off with a raised hand. "You can handle an A-rank now, yes. But if you encounter an S-rank? You don't fight... you request reinforcement." His eyes hardened, voice lowering a notch. "I don't want what happened on Colrado Street to happen again."
Liam swallowed. His gaze faltered for the first time, anger fading into something quieter. He nodded once. "...Understood."
Dylan shifted his gaze to Cassie. "Cassie..." he said, softer now. "I want you to be the big sister of this team. Keep them grounded... make sure they don't do anything reckless."
She straightened her shoulders, nodding firmly. "I will, sir."
"Good." Dylan's eyes finally landed on Kyle.
Kyle stiffened under the weight of that gaze.
"This is your first mission with your actual squad..." Dylan said. His voice was measured, almost deliberate. "So don't let you team down... play your part and make them proud."
Kyle nodded, trying to sound steadier than he felt. "Yes, sir."
Dylan's tone shifted back to brisk command. "You're leaving right now, Renstown isn't far. The van is already waiting at the gates." He pushed away from the desk, looking at all three of them in turn. "And one last thing... Renstown doesn't have a Liaison. So you'll be on your own for the investigation. That means..."
"...no guarantees of safety, we know sir." Cassie finished for him, lips tight.
Dylan gave her a small nod. "Exactly, keep your heads sharp. And whatever you find in there… remember your orders. Don't play heroes with an S-rank in your face."
Liam straightened, his usual cocky smirk pulling back onto his face... though not quite as sharp as before. "Got it, Captain... we'll do this by the book."
Cassie gave him a side glance, unconvinced. Kyle just exhaled slowly, fingers brushing his side as if reaching for the scythe strapped in his memory.
Dylan stepped around his desk, dismissing them with a single nod. "Go... don't make me regret this."
The three of them walked in silence for a while, boots echoing against the polished floor.
Kyle finally broke it. "...Saint Owen Hospital..."
Liam chuckled low. "Don't worry rookie, I won't let the bed bugs bite you."
Cassie shot him a glare. "Not funny."
"I wasn't joking, I'll look out for him." Liam muttered, though there was a glint in his eye.
Kyle shoved his hands into his pockets, heart hammering faster the closer they got to the gates.