Getting On With Plans

I did as I was told, finding out that it was only mint oil. Even if so, it did the trick for me, and I was back to my usual self. I never enjoyed being dizzy despite my interest in thrill rides. Just then, VK woke up, confused, while trying to figure out what had happened to him.

"Well, Boss... It looks like you have to take back your words against Lizzie. Never expected you to be brought down by a headbutt," mocked Vincent as VK growled at us.

"That wasn't a headbutt... That was a full-on assault! How has her skull not broken yet?"

"Years of training with my father did the trick. He did so, knowing that I might not always have a weapon on me at all times. So, are we ready to discuss the upcoming tasks, or would you like another round?" I asked, smiling while walking over to VK to extend a helping hand.

The man huffed before begrudgingly grabbing my hand to pull himself up. He dusted his attire, which was a white shirt and black pants, before walking to the bookshelves behind his desk.

"Well, whoever you are, you've proven yourself worthy of being in the Mafia. And I owe you an apology, so tonight's dinner will be on me, including drinks."

"That sounds fair."

"But I am curious... Why are you that experienced in combat? Those moves can't be from being born as a Mage in this world..."

"You are very right about that fact; I am a seasoned combatant in my previous life. And I used to work with Vincent as well; the two of us were like partners," I answered, stretching my arms.

"So she's the one you've been talking about? Ah, now it all fits perfectly..."

"Hush it, VK. Let's get moving, shall we? But, first, we must properly plan our attack phase and take down the enemies before Gorgon truly goes on a rampage."

"What you need is a drawing room; come 'round here," said VK, opening the bookshelves like they were two big doors.

An eerie creak rang throughout the room, and behind the bookshelf was not Narnia but another spacious room with a large table right in the middle. VK grabbed the candle from his desk and went into the room, slowly lighting the torches around the walls.

If I valued my eyeballs, I might have to invent the light bulb a few centuries ahead. Nonetheless, the fires were enough to light up whatever was on the table, which was the entire European continent's map.

"This is the site of Mount Vesuvius, and the Gorgon has been sighted here. The people have all been evacuated, and the place is now deserted. How you want to go by is up to you, and I would be here only to give advice," mentioned VK, as he gave us some stone markers.

He placed a stone on the East border of Teuton and one at the bottom of the map, near the water. I walked over to the map, glancing at the names of the Domains and recorded places. So we were at Teuton, the enormous Domain of the entire Five Domains.

I glanced at Vincent, gesturing for him to put the markers to locate the Four Symbols. Vincent nodded and placed four stone markers throughout the Five Domains. He then tapped onto Albion's stone marker, which was placed at the Northern Coast.

"We should head to Albion's monster first. The locals there have sighted it as the White Tiger or Baihu. I'm not sure what the danger rank of all these monsters is, but it shouldn't be a problem for us."

The White Tiger of the Four Symbols... I've heard that in legends, this Beast was massive. It symbolizes the West direction and the season of Autumn. Vania could still research the Four Symbols in which she captured a single image of the White Tiger.

Vania says this Beast wields the Metal Element and is the strongest at dusk. Thus, we have to defeat before then, so the best choice would be to attack in the daytime. The White Tiger is cute, as it has blue stripes and snow-white fur. It reminds me of a cartoon drawing...

However, another thing that sounded the alarm in my head was the symbolic meaning behind the Baihu. Another thing that the Beast represents in the humans' eyes is power and the army. In Chinese culture, the tiger is known as the King of the Beasts since China doesn't have lions.

Thus, it would be a formidable foe, but no active reports about it harming the locals. And as I judged the Beast's stats, I began to doubt if I could stand a chance against this Beast. This thing was an all-rounded monster with stats meant for a tank.