The al at Ryan's mansion felt quite stiff and awkward because his father was strict; even the lovely Clara ate in almost silence. Nikolai felt that Ryan's father didn't like him from the way his sharp gaze flicked toward him several tis. Perhaps the father disapproved of his son's choice of friends... 'Well I was poor in the past, is it because of that?'
However, because Nikolai was too tired to confront him, the al ended in silence. "Ryan, it seems your mother isn't here?" The pair sat on the balcony of Ryan's room while drinking beer together.
"Yeah... it was because of a fight in the past, my dad is very stubborn and refused to accept his fault." Ryan's words ca out through gritted teeth. It was like an invisible hand was crushing his heart. "After that, Mother stopped coming ho when dad was ho."
Nikolai watched the pain that contorted Ryan's face; a mix of emotions stirred within his aura, from anger and sadness to frustration and longing for his mother. "How long has it been now? A few years, right? You didn't even fight with him for her?"
"Dad wouldn't listen... it was already too late," Ryan said. "He wouldn't accept it. That having another woman, wasn't sothing mother could accept."
'Another woman... affair, huh?'
Nikolai's mind began racing with thoughts and assumptions because he was in a relationship with two, maybe three, won. It made his heart race while sipping the light, crispy beer. Ryan gazed at him with a sharp gaze as if understanding everything.
"It must be complicated for you, with two fiancée's, right?" Ryan smiled at him.
'Or maybe three.' The thought popped into his mind. A small voice told him not to deny what might happen if those two won found out about him and Risa's strange relationship. They didn't even know about Sarah properly; when he made her his squire, they almost killed her on the spot. 'I should be careful...'
"Well, things just happened that way, and I can't pull out now; it's too late. Though, Ryan, would you support ?"
"Well... it's not a problem with , as long as you are happy. I just hope you don't get stabbed or torn apart. I heard that vampires and werewolves get very jealous... especially a female with Fenrir and Ookami blood in her veins." He spoke in a casual but slightly mischievous tone. However, it made Nikolai's throat tighten a little from nervousness.
'It was my life, and there will always be problems, however...'
"I understand that I don't want to hurt their feelings... and I find the situation fun, haha." Nikolai finished his beer before Ryan coughed with red cheeks.
"Ahem! Nikolai, about tomorrow's plan... are you happy joining?"
Nikolai turned to Ryan and smiled. "Yes, I do want to co. Why would you think otherwise, is it because of the nest?" Ryan looked surprised.
He then opened another beer, tossing it to Nikolai with a deep sigh. "Nests, they are dangerous. Especially when dealing with Wraith type Fiends... I honestly didn't want you to co at first. But our team needs you, the enemy is too strong and the SSS won't send their best hunters."
Ryan looked towards the nest, a place in the northwest, close to his current mansion and Clara. The enemy was too dangerous.
"Have any SSS hunters entered the nest?"
"Yes, one party and all 6 of them died." The tone in Ryan's voice was heavy, and even Nikolai felt his heart tighten for a mont. He never saw Ryan look this nervous and serious. The death of SSS Hunters was rare because of how powerful they were, and this nest had just wiped out an entire squad.
'I thought that the SSS would save them before death, it seems I was wrong.' a voice calling up to Ryan interrupted his thoughts.
"Master." It was a black-haired youth standing outside the door of Ryan's room. The wind whipped around the balcony with a soft howl before the man entered. Nikolai felt like the temperature dropped a few degrees. "Master, this is?"
"My best friend, Nikolai he's soone who knows. Tell about the scouting details..."
The male with black hair bowed before taking out several docunts; at first, he avoided Nikolai's gaze, but once he knew the truth, he started to distribute them to both.
"Master, the scout team only explored the first room and soon retreated, complaining they wouldn't go further." He frowned in disgust. A small part of his mouth lifted slightly, and the tone changed slightly.
'Though I am his best friend. It's better not to interrupt this stuff.' Nikolai glanced through the first set of images; it looked like any ordinary cave until they reached a room that looked no different from a normal room from inside a house.
'No... it looks almost identical.' He raised his eyebrows. The room even had furniture in it; there were paintings on the walls, though blurry, they looked real like a real human painted them and lived there.
However, the pictures were of monsters dominating humans.
Nikolai turned toward Ryan and raised his eyebrow as the male nodded his head before turning towards his underling and ordering him. "Get the full team here. We leave tomorrow morning. The evening mission has been cancelled..." His underling bowed his head and exited the room quickly.
Ryan then turned to face Nikolai with an apologetic voice. "Nikolai I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it, you're worried about the dangers of fighting them in the dark right?" Nikolai was already well aware of the dangers that hunting during the night would pose.
"Yes, that's correct. It would be dangerous for the humans at night. Not to ntion it seems so powerful monsters linger in these depths. Ryan are you really sure you can handle this task?" The image of Clara entered Nikolai's thoughts.
Ryan had never spoken much about his own family, so if anything happened to him, who would support her? The words that he wanted to say remained stuck inside his throat because the gaze of his friend had beco stern.
"I know what you want to say, but what if we keep ignoring them and this cave grows larger. Then they burrow closer to this mansion and Clara gets killed, or worse... turned?"
"Damn." He cursed at himself, knowing Ryan would do everything for Clara. "You're right... sorry, I didn't think about that point."
"Nikolai, I am confident this mission can work out, and if things get bad, you can flee... but please protect Clara." Ryan's words made Nikolai feel awkward. He didn't want to hear this kind of thing. No man wished to hear that.
"I'll do what I can, so you need to survive and protect her in the end." He looked back up. Ryan was grinning like he did all those years ago.
"After all, you haven't changed, even after becoming a supernatural."
"Haha, you fool! Of course I wouldn't, we've been friends for over a decade, don't be so stupid."
"Thank you, I really an it... I'm glad we t again, Nikolai."
"Ah... too."
***
After the al, Nikolai was walking ho from the mansion. Once he left the priority district, he gazed towards the Wraith nest and felt a sense of foreboding. 'I should contact Risa... tomorrow is going to be difficult.'
[To Risa]
Oi, where are you? Let's et up for a drink.
Here's my map information.
—
Nikolai wasn't human, but that didn't change the fact before a big mission. He felt nervous. Now, Nikolai wanted to get a little drunk and spend ti without thinking about complicated things. He felt bad for Nikita and Selene, but tonight wasn't the right ti to spend with them.
"Damn... this sucks." He knew it would be difficult to sleep even if Nikola tried, so while took a brisk jog towards the bar that Risa ntioned the other night. Yet, his mind wondered what to do about tomorrow's battle.
'That wraith I saw last ti if he was part of the outer nest. Wouldn't there be an elder inside? I saw those cave pictures and don't think they are normal. Could there be an intelligent monster behind this all? A Fiend with intelligence?' He didn't like to admit it, but it irritated him.
'They are dangerous, but I lack information... should I head to the Nexus?' Nikolai found himself outside the bar while feeling his phone vibrating. Risa replied to his ssage.
[From Risa]
How can you be so blunt? I won't co~ hmph!
See you soon... do you like black or red?
Let know quickly!
Hehe~
—
He answered her question before sitting on the bench outside. Nikolai noticed this club on the western side of town wasn't very busy for a late night club. 'I wonder why it's almost empty...' However, the ones that entered were all monsters or those of decent clans.
"Tomorrow, I have to clear the nest... then train with Alexei before preparing for the fight against Alistair." He felt his phone vibrate.
After checking, his mouth lifted into a slight smile before shaking his head.
"Why did she ask the colour... I sohow don't feel good about this..."
'Sotis I don't get her...' Nikolai entered the bar; the two bouncers looked at him for a mont before giving a nod. He then entered, took a seat by the counter, and ordered a mixed cocktail, wanting to drink sothing that would get him hamred.
The booming bass from the DJ's turntable and speakers caused Nikolai's chest to throb. At the sa ti, the thick scent of perfu and various people mixed, causing a sickly and slightly horrid mixture.
"Here is your drink," said the bartender.
"Cheers, boss." The sweet fragrance from his cocktail enticed Nikolai, who took a long gulp of the liquid, feeling his nerves start to settle. However, this didn't help his nerves. He still felt nervous about the job tomorrow because he was wearing the reinforced suit and couldn't take it off unless needed...
"This drink is a little fruity for my taste, but the colour reminds of Risa's eyes."
"Do you think of my eyes a lot?" A soft and seductive voice sounded in Nikolai's ear before two hands grasped his shoulders.
"Ah, her eyes are extrely pretty." He grinned to himself before gazing into the eyes that could captivate and charm anyone. However, Risa knew better.
She giggled at the response before coming around the front of Nikolai, then she sat down on his lap and flicked the ends of her black corset dress. "I see... you like my eyes, hehe~ that makes happy."
"You look really good tonight, Risa."
"Flattery... won't get you anything~ hehe." she nervously blushed while feeling a little hot from the praise.
"I'll get you a drink, anything you fancy?"
Risa then leaned close, whispering in his ear, barely audible over the loud dance music. "I fancy you." Then she suddenly kissed his cheek and showed a cheeky smile.
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