Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
We used the time for intense preparation—Lora and her team reverified every piece of intelligence, Nora prepared all the support magic, and I trained the Strike Division through combat simulations.
Now, the moonless night had arrived.
We gathered in the dark forest near our first target—a slave warehouse in a remote village called Kardan. The night air was cold, but nothing compared to the cold determination in our hearts.
I wore a black cloak and a silver wolf mask that covered my entire face. Only my crimson eyes were visible through the narrow slit. Every member wore an animal-shaped mask—our secret identities as the Shadow Corps.
Tina wore a tiger mask. Mira wore a bear. Mia wore a cat. Kaguya wore a black fox.
Together, we looked like demons born of darkness.
"Intelligence Division, report," I whispered through the communication crystal hanging from my ear.
Lora's calm voice answered, "Fifteen guards—eight outside, seven inside. There are twenty-three captives in the warehouse—eighteen children, five adults. All weak, but none dying. The three Silver-ranked captains are absent—currently at the main base."
Good. Without the captains, this would be easy.
"Support Division?"
Nora's voice came next. "Teleportation seals active at five points. Lilia and Karina are on standby for emergency healing at headquarters. Kagura has deployed a barrier around the area to block sound."
"Perfect." I drew in a deep breath. "Operation start. No mistakes. No noise. No survivors."
In the darkness, we moved.
Lora was already in position—perched atop a thirty-meter tree branch, her black bow drawn. She didn't need light for a perfect shot. Her sharp eyes saw clearly through the darkness.
Swishhh… Swishhh… Swishhh… Swishhh… Swishhh… Swishhh…
Six arrows flew through the dark, too fast to see. Six patrolling guards froze—each struck cleanly in the throat. None even had time to scream before collapsing soundlessly to the ground.
Mia moved like a ghost. Her small, agile body darted from shadow to shadow. The two guards at the front door never even realized what hit them—Mia's claws slit their throats in a blink. Blood sprayed, but she was already gone before their bodies fell.
Eight guards outside—dead without a sound.
Tina and I stormed through the front entrance. Inside, seven guards were playing cards and drinking. They were far too relaxed.
Crash!
Tina's spear shot forward like lightning, piercing through the heart of a guard sitting with his back to us. He didn't even turn around before dying.
I dashed forward at high speed, sword raised.
"Void Sword Technique—Silent Slash!"
My blade moved in a single horizontal sweep. No sound. No flash. Only a clean cut that split two men at once—their bodies severed cleanly at the waist.
The four remaining guards reacted, scrambling for their weapons—but too late.
Tina threw three small poisoned knives. Each struck a throat. The men fell, clutching their necks, trying to scream—but only blood came out.
The last guard tried to flee—only to find Mira waiting at the back door. Her massive axe, Wrath, came down with brutal force.
CRAAACK!
The man's body was split vertically from head to toe.
Total time: three minutes and twenty-seven seconds.
Fifteen guards—dead before any could call for help.
We found the captives in the basement. Iron cages lined up neatly, holding dozens of people—mostly children, their eyes hollow, their bodies thin.
A foul stench filled the air. The smell of suffering.
I removed my wolf mask briefly, revealing my face. My red eyes softened—a striking contrast to the massacre I'd just committed above.
"Don't be afraid," I said as gently as I could. "We're here to save you. You're safe now."
A little girl—no older than seven—looked up at me with teary eyes. "R-really?"
I smiled and nodded. "I promise."
Tina shattered the cage locks with a single strike. We opened them one by one.
The crystal communicator buzzed. "Support Division ready. Send the victims through the teleportation seals one at a time."
Lilia and Karina were waiting at headquarters with healing potions and warm food.
We helped the weak captives out. Some had to be carried because they couldn't walk. Outside, Nora had prepared teleportation seals—blue glowing circles hovering on the ground.
One by one, the victims stepped into the seals and vanished—teleported to safety.
Twenty-three people rescued.
After the last was evacuated, I turned toward the filthy slave warehouse.
"Burn it," I said coldly.
Nora raised her staff. "Inferno—Eternal Flame."
Blue fire erupted from the tip of her staff, spreading rapidly through the warehouse. This flame would not fade until everything was ash.
We vanished into the shadows, leaving the burning structure behind.
Ferez Trading Company Office – Morning
Back in my office—the director's room of Ferez Trading Company—I sat behind the elegant desk. This was my public identity: Livy Ferez, the young, successful trading director.
The room was nothing like the underground Shadow Corps base. Here, everything looked clean, legal, and bright. Shelves filled with ledgers, contracts, and trade route maps. Certificates of recognition from the kingdom adorned the walls.
But behind my desk, a hidden staircase led down to our underground headquarters.
Two identities. Two faces. One purpose.
Morning light streamed through the large windows. I heard the sound of employees arriving—laughter, small talk, the rhythm of ordinary life.
None of them knew their director had killed people last night.
I opened a drawer and took out two different documents:
Document One:
Monthly financial report of Ferez Trading. Profits up by 15%. New branch in the Gloria Kingdom running smoothly. Investors satisfied.
Document Two:
Shadow Corps operation report. Twenty-three captives rescued. Fifteen enemies eliminated. Zero casualties on our side.
I smiled faintly, placing the two reports side by side.
This was who we were.
Merchants by day. Assassins by night.
I began writing the second report—for Zeref.
Mission Report: Kardan Slave Warehouse
Date: [Redacted]
Mission Leader: Livy
Result: Successful without complications
Rescued Victims: 23 (18 children, 5 adults)
Enemies Eliminated: 15 (all guards)
Allied Casualties: None
Operation Duration: 18 minutes
Witnesses: None (all guards deceased, area sealed by barrier)
Additional Notes:
All victims have received medical care and food. Their condition is stable. Some children show severe trauma—Lilia is performing mental-healing magic.
Those capable of working will be offered employment at Ferez Trading, giving them a new and honest life. The younger ones will be placed in the orphanages we fund (under anonymous sponsorship).
The warehouse was completely destroyed—no evidence remains.
The remaining two slave warehouses will be targeted within the next two nights. Operational funds from this month's profits are sufficient for five more large-scale missions.
— Livy, Strike Division Commander, Shadow Corps
(Public Identity: Director of Ferez Trading Company)
I set down the pen and looked at the report.
Smiling faintly, I folded the paper and sealed it in an envelope.
This was only the beginning.
The Shadow Corps would grow. Ferez Trading would expand.
We would become a legend—one feared by the wicked, and a beacon of hope for the weak.
On the surface, we were successful merchants.
In the shadows, we were hunters of evil.
Two faces. One mission.
I gazed out the large window overlooking bustling Helion City.
Merchants trading, children playing, life moving on as usual.
They didn't know that beneath their feet, in the darkness below, an organization worked tirelessly to protect their peaceful lives.
The sun rose, its warm light bathing the world.
But we would continue to move in the shadows—protecting the light from the darkness.
All of this… for Zeref.
The one who gave us a second life.
The one who gave us purpose.
Knock knock.
"Enter," I said, using my professional tone—the voice of Director Ferez, not the commander of the Shadow Corps.
A young employee entered, carrying documents.
"Ms. Livy, the contract with the Avalon Kingdom has been signed. They agreed to import ten thousand sacks of rice from our new agricultural method."
I smiled warmly—the perfect smile of a successful director. "Excellent. Give the negotiation team a bonus."
"Yes, ma'am!" The employee bowed and left.
As the door closed, my smile shifted into a thin smirk.
Ten thousand sacks of rice = fifty thousand gold coins profit = enough to fund ten rescue missions.
In every sense… a very profitable business.