PATROL

A couple of weeks had passed, and now only two weeks remained before Taizen would return to the agency after his three-month training with the Beast Organization. During his time there, he and Mionara had been training relentlessly, going on missions, and making remarkable progress in their development.

At the gym, Taizen and Mionara were surrounded by other agents from the agencies who were in other packs, and Beast Organization members, competing to see who could bench press the most. The atmosphere was lively, filled with friendly competition and laughter.

Lino walked into the gym, scanning the room before spotting them.

"Yo, Lino. What's up?" Taizen called out, sitting up from the bench.

"We've got a mission this afternoon," Lino replied. "Briefing is starting soon. Let's head over."

Taizen and Mionara exchanged glances, then dapped up the other agents before following Lino out of the gym.

They arrived at the meeting room, where the rest of their pack was already gathered. Lino stepped forward, crossing his arms as he addressed them.

"Alright, listen up. We've got a simple mission tonight. We'll be heading to the border for security detail. As you all know, tensions between Delria and Nordia are escalating. We need to be on high alert."

He hesitated for a moment before delivering the next part. "Also… I've got some news for you, Taizen and Mionara. All agents from the agency are being recalled. You'll both be heading back in two days. This will be your last mission with us."

Mionara frowned. "Why so suddenly?"

"There's too much unrest," Lino explained. "A full-scale war could break out at any moment. If that happens, the Beast Organization will stop sending out missions altogether, and all personnel will be dedicated to the war effort. You two aren't part of that."

Taizen exhaled sharply. "Damn… A war, huh? What even started this?"

Rachel, one of their pack members, spoke up. "Word is that a Nordic representative was assassinated here in Delria while on their way to a peace summit. But why would Delria do that, knowing it would provoke war? It doesn't make sense."

Rex, another agent, shook his head. "If we go to war, it won't be a fair fight. Nordia is twice our size, and the Berserkers have way more manpower. It feels like suicide."

The room fell silent. The weight of the situation pressed down on them. No one wanted to admit it out loud, but they could all feel it—the looming despair of what was coming.

Lino broke the silence. "Alright, that's enough for now. Meet outside the HQ front gate at 1900. A truck will be waiting to take us to the border. Other packs will be joining us as well. Be ready."

He glanced around the room. "Dismissed."

Taizen and Mionara got ready and met up with the rest of their pack at the front of the HQ. Several large pickup trucks were lined up, their engines rumbling softly in the night. Winzo Clans 5 through 3 had all been assigned to this mission, and the area was filled with agents making final preparations.

The convoy set off, driving through the outskirts of Delria. The country was a vast forest city, dense with towering trees that stretched high into the sky. Massive roots wove through the ground like veins, and thick canopies formed a natural roof that barely allowed moonlight to break through. Vines hung over old stone roads, remnants of a civilization that had long adapted to coexist with nature. Wooden bridges connected different sections of the city, spanning across rivers and valleys that cut through the terrain. Small settlements and watchtowers, built into the trees themselves, dotted the landscape, hidden within the foliage.

As the convoy moved deeper toward the border, the trucks split off, each taking a designated position. Every clan had a specific section to guard, spreading out across the heavily wooded frontier where Delria met Nordia. The tension in the air was undeniable—everyone knew the situation could escalate at any moment.

Taizen sat in the back of the truck, gripping his katana as he scanned the dark treetops ahead. Mionara sat beside him, arms crossed. Neither of them spoke, but they both felt nervous.

The pack arrived at their stationed outpost, a fortified position along the natural border between Delria and Nordia. The land itself formed a rugged boundary—steep cliffs, dense forests, and winding rivers made it difficult for large forces to cross undetected. But over the years, man-made defenses had been added. Tall stone walls reinforced the weakest points, wooden watchtowers stood nestled between the towering trees, and a network of trenches had been dug along strategic locations. Floodlights illuminated key areas, while camouflaged outposts blended into the environment, allowing the Delrian forces to monitor any movement near the border.

The area was eerily quiet, with only the distant sound of nocturnal creatures breaking the stillness of the night. The soft rustling of the leaves, the occasional hoot of an owl, and the whisper of the wind made it almost peaceful—almost.

As the pack settled in, the agents dispersed, some sitting near makeshift campfires, others leaning against crates, casually chatting.

Taizen walked over to Lino and asked, "How come everyone is so relaxed?"

Lino smirked, "It's just a patrol mission. We're only here to keep watch on the border in case of an invasion—which is very unlikely."

Taizen crossed his arms. "A bit more likely now, though, with this war brewing."

Lino sighed, glancing toward the dark horizon. "Yeah… that's true."

He stretched and nodded toward the tent. "You guys can head inside and rest. I'll probably just stay on watch all night—I'm not tired."

Taizen and Mionara exchanged a glance before nodding. There was an unspoken relief between them. The looming threat of war was unsettling. They had already witnessed the horrors of battle during the fight at Heaven's Garden, and they knew firsthand how devastating large-scale conflict could be. If war broke out between Delria and Nordia, it wouldn't just be a political dispute. It would be brutal, bloody, and unforgiving.

For now, though, all they could do was wait.