Chapter 9: Street Life: Stakeout
'Should we really be doing this? The last time was really dangerous, wasn't it?' Hearing the spontaneous thought appear in my mind, I was very tempted to verbally reply that the main reason I'm even doing this is probably because of her side of my personality in the first place.
Still, I knew the importance of silence, so instead I just continued watching the scene play out below me, as I knew my less rational side would reaffirm my decision.
'We shouldn't worry too much. We're really strong after all!' I heard another thought in my head before all was quiet again, at least mentally, with only a slight linger of trepidation left in the aftermath.
It's been a strange few months getting used to my current situation, but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way.
I've seen so many strange and exciting things since I escaped from that bad man. There's a whole bunch of people walking around all the time and they all look so different from each other. There were even times water actually fell from the sky! I knew of the thing called rain but it was so interesting to finally get to see it!
We…I mean I haven't felt this good…this free, in years. And though it hasn't exactly been easy all the time, at least we have each other.
'As much as I would love to reminisce over all the things I've done recently, now isn't exactly the best time.' I idly thought as the situation below finally began to change a little. I was lucky to even catch a hint of another deal like this so I couldn't mess this up.
The large warehouse door slid open slowly as the two younger looking men I've been watching, oozing confidence, swaggered over closer like they owned the seemingly abandoned building. From the outside however, three figures appeared with only the really small all black one dressed in a very familiar bird mask.
"Took ya long enough ta get here. Was starting to think you lot wouldn't show. What? Scared of the big bad heroes?" The pale, purple and silver haired man also with a strange mask on his face, asked sarcastically.
His partner on the other hand with white hair, slightly darker skin, wearing a domino mask over his eyes and a cowl cape combo, 'that looked really cool and mysterious', said nothing but his posture and glare indicated mild annoyance. Whether that be with his partner or the new attendees remained to be seen.
"Sorry, sorry we've been a bit understaffed lately so things have been going a little slow. Luckily I got a promotion out of all this so it's still a win in my book. Besides Venom, when have I ever let you and Raid down?" Surprisingly, 'but not so much so', the small black plushie was the one to take the lead in the conversation. He also seemed well acquainted with the two "heroes" I have been waiting above for the past two hours.
"Tsk, whatever. You got the stuff or not, Joi?" The purple one asked while breathing out a putrid purple mist from his mouth.
"It's Mimic now! And of course! So long as you're payin' and not about to spew some loan crap again. Gotta keep the funds accounted for now with my new position." He said first in a quick burst of rage before simmering down. He was clearly feeling very prideful about his new position which must be pretty high up to be one of the few that needs to wear a mask. That means he's in "his" presence quite often.
He snapped his fingers and one of his silent followers brought out a case that my senses immediately reacted to. Him flipping open the case finally let me confirm the legitimacy of my previous hint as I was greeted with the sight of four red vials of what I've come to learn has been dubbed, Trigger.
Only one of the vials, the one on the far right, is separated from the rest a little. That's the one reacting to my senses though and I noticed that particular vial had a more vibrant hue and maybe even glowed just a little.
"Hey, you know we're good for it, Joi! How about we trade a bit of info, huh? You said somethin' bout being understaffed, right? We got a tip on a place that might be good to start lookin." The purple one, likely Venom going from the occasional mist coming from his mouth, said with a bit of panic in his voice.
"Being a hero really pays in unexpected ways, huh? Tell ya what, you let me know just what it is and I'll see if I can't arrange a little discount." The tiny one said in a tone that radiated smugness on levels that even I might find hard to beat. A worthy opponent indeed!
"Just tell him." When it looked like Venom would keep on arguing it was the cool and mysterious looking Raid that spoke up and intervened.
Seemingly cowed by his partner, Venom just clicked his tongue before going on to explain about something called the "Underground Masquerade".
It appeared to be some sort of fighting event that takes place in the next town over under the ground for some reason where people similar to themselves meet up to conduct deals like this one, while some people fight in a ring for money and other prizes. Apparently the only rule to the entire thing is you must wear a mask, be it to spectate or participate. It really did seem right up their alley!
"All kinds of mooks with bad blood will be there. Even the commission isn't really up for getting involved without some major back up and wants us to just look the other way on this one. If you guys lookin to restaff that'll be your best place to start scoutin'. Ton's of crazy fighters like to take part in these things. Heck ya might even make a little dough if you a bettin man or ya got a ringer of your own." Venom finished his explanation of the event.
Personally, I was a little interested in participating myself. As interesting as the last few weeks have been, I've quickly discovered one very crucial detail. Money is far more important in this world than I initially realized. Sure I knew of it vaguely from both my lives since it often came up in conversation with my teachers before they trained me.
Still I never really realized the scope of it all until we…I got out. I've been able to make due without it for now with some strategic rewrites, but as the days go by it's becoming more and more of a necessity. Taking from others without permission is wrong apparently 'unless they've already done something wrong first!' so my hands have been pretty tied most of the time. This could be a very good opportunity for me to finally secure a stable living of some kind.
'But isn't it Illegal?' 'So is beating people up without a license apparently.' 'But we're just getting back what they took from us..' 'Aww don't pout! I think it still counts though?' 'Does that mean we're criminals?' 'Maybe? But don't worry we're doing a good thing so it evens out!' 'If you say so…'
I nod to myself unconvinced by the very sound argument and refocus on the men below. It seems I'm not the only one that thinks the fight might be worth visiting as the little man decides the info is worth the discount and agrees to lower the price. Venom and Raid both sigh a little and Venom motions for Raid to take out the money.
This led to an equally interesting sight of Raid raising his arm which made his shadow rise from the ground in the form of a hand holding a briefcase.
Once it was deposited in his hands the shadow receded leaving behind a plain black briefcase of the same size which he promptly opened to reveal several stacks of money. Which also thankfully signaled the end of my waiting, seeing as all my targets were now visible. Although the money is secondary to the vial of my blood, it's still better to handle as many things at once as possible.
Allowing a bit of excitement to filter through, I willed my horns to reemerge from my head and allowed my hair to switch colors as the vibrant green-ish energy filled me. Making sure my new mask was properly covering my entire face, I gave one final check before exclaiming internally,
'Showtime!'
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
UncrownedKing
UncrownedKing Sorry for the long break. If you've read my other stories I mentioned in some of them that I unfortunately caught Covid yet again. Luckily I got better pretty quickly but I still decided to take it easy the rest of the week just to be sure. But now I'm better and back for more!
New arc finally begins! I don't plan to crossover into the vigilantees manga just because I haven't read most of it yet so don't worry on that front. Though I thought it might be fun to cover this event for various reasons.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone