We were all resolute in completing the mission so we were going to push forward. Currently crouched before the tunnel entrance we formed a sort of pseudo plan. With five likely sleeping targets, we were going to sneak down and use the rope Roen brought to tie them up. From there we would investigate the area and if needed interrogate the men.

We went back to the end of the tunnel and started down the very steep stairs. Just like the tunnel, these stairs seemed too smooth to be natural. In this case it was more a hazard than anything considering how damp the environment was. We quietly made our way down while trying not to slip.

Once we reached the rocky shore, Roen gave the signal and we got to work. The men were sleeping on cots with foldable wooden legs which raised them off the ground. Me and Dee would ensure two of the men stayed asleep while Roen got the rope around the other three who were sleeping near each other. I reached my man and watched him while glancing at Roen’s progress. Roen pulled a bit too hard on the rope while tying which caused that loud unique sound of fabric ripping across fabric. The man below me stirred and I decided to take no chances. I quickly put him in a hold to limit his arm movement. The chakra I was at this point nearly subconsciously using also enhanced my strength a good deal and I was able to drag him from his cot. I then dragged him over to Roen who then included him in his rope tying scheme. Dee dragged her man over in a similar manner and we were all set.

The three men Roen first tied together were now fully awake and began fighting their constraints. Dee designated herself to lead the interrogations. Her approach was not what I expected.

She started by introducing herself in a friendly tone saying, “My name is Daisy, but you can call me Dee.”

For the time being, Dee seemed to be having a civil conversation while telling a number of lies to get the men more comfortable talking. I hate to admit it but I was getting tired and sleepy. All the running and the late hour left me feeling like I’d drop on my feet. After almost falling asleep learning inane facts about these men, I told Roen and Dee that I would explore the area to keep myself moving.

The movement helped keep me awake and if I could take a break soon, hopefully I could get some energy back. Looking around I managed to find other connected tunnels which proved my idea of this being a cave system. There were three tunnels that branched off from this main cavern area. I did not explore any of them extensively, but they all led to smaller open areas that were similar to the main cavern. The main difference was height and space. These other passages were only twenty meters tall with stone columns littering the area. Thankfully these other areas also had the glowing mushrooms to provide some lighting.

When I came back it seemed Dee had finished and she asked me, “Find anything while exploring around?”

“Just three smaller caverns that are like this one. What about you?”

“Yeah, those guys started talking no time. Their description matches the three caverns you mentioned. From what they said, if we follow the path to the right of the lake, we’ll eventually reach a sort of hub. Unfortunately our original two kidnappers got away to the hub.”

“And we’re following them?”

“Yup. But the smugglers had some more promising info. The boss of these smugglers seems to be the only Gatyri they know about. He’s the one that runs everything and makes all the tunnels and stairs. They don’t know where he’ll be, but usually he visits during the day or when he needs to make some new tunnels.”

“Yeah, that sounds reassuring. But uh, I don’t want to slow us down or anything, but maybe a break to rest and eat something?”

Dee smiled and relaxed a bit as she said, “Oh, definitely. I didn’t want to say anything because you know ‘the mission comes first’, but yeah I’m tired too. I mean if you didn’t say anything, I was about to.”

From there we commandeered the cots of the smugglers, who were all now unconscious. We quickly sat down to eat our jerky and bread. Roen was looking a bit out of it with his usual focus seeming less intense. Dee talked about how she interrogated the men and the other less pertinent details they divulged. I think she did it to give us something to focus on which was nice.

Dee’s main method of investigation with people was to follow a three step plan. First, gain their trust or at least get them talking. Second, let them tell their story with no interruptions. Third, cross reference what they said and softly encourage them to clarify any details needed. Even though they may lie here and there, it was often easy enough to spot the attempts at deception which allowed you to get the information without too much work.

From what she explained, her technique usually worked for most types of people except those more trained or hardened. It seemed to work this time, so I was not doubting it. This cave system was used for smuggling as I thought, but the caves extended much further than I expected. No one had fully mapped it, yet it was still said to be nearly 300 kilometers long which was nearly half the length of the entire Ouro territory. I also learned where Yimi was likely to end up. Most often girls were kidnapped then shipped to some brothel after a training period.

After our short break, we made sure the tied up smugglers had no way to get away then we made our way to the hub. Despite the tense atmosphere, this cave was still beautiful to witness. We passed a group of shiny red bats sleeping up on the ceiling. One part of the cave was covered in salt which made it sparkle magnificent blues from the dim light of the mushrooms. Luckily there were just a few uncomfortable small tunnels we had to squeeze and shimmy through. When we neared the hub, there was even a giant pit that was so deep I could not see the end in the cave’s dim light. The pit even had some rope held up by metal stakes which provided proof that this path was traveled enough to warrant some safeguards.

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The area after the giant pit was the entry area for the hub. Alongside the mushrooms there were oddly shaped lanterns providing additional light. The cave floor also showed some obvious and recent footprints. Before we entered the hub, we stopped to form some sort of plan.

Dee suggested, “Before we do anything, I could pop into the area for a quick peak. I have enough chakra left to throw up an illusion or two for a minute, so I should be able to stay hidden.”

I thought it was a good idea and Roen agreed. Some more info before we began would be good, so Dee stealthily walked off. She looked behind her a few times and then I assume created the illusion. It was hard to tell from behind her. The flash technique and most illusion techniques were usually projected outwards which made looking at them from behind strange. When viewed from behind flat illusions looked like they were not there. An obvious flaw, but one easily remedied with skill and practice in creating more solid illusions. For now she went with a simple and effective projection of what the empty entrance probably looked like.

Her peak took no more than five seconds before she slowly backed away towards us. Dee dropped the illusion then told us, “It’s a giant empty open space with a flat cave floor and zero pillars or columns. The only exit is on the other side of the entrance. It is pretty much the worst place to try and sneak into. From what I saw the kidnapped people and what I believe to be the smuggled goods are kept in an area near the walls. The people are all chained up to the wall on the left side of the entrance. The smuggled goods are all in wooden boxes, barrels, and caskets near the right wall. There are six tents in the center of the area. Four or so ‘guards’ could be said to be up, so maybe two or three men are sleeping. But of the awake men three of them are playing cards around a lantern. The last man is stalking around the people chained to the wall. To hazard a guess that man is in charge. Not sure if he is just the leader here or if he is the Gatyri that runs the operation.”

I took in all that info. It would be hard to take down all these men. We were outnumbered and stealth would have limited effect if the space was as open as Dee said. And that last man stalking near the kidnapped people which could lead to a hostage situation. This was a troublesome problem.

Roen added, “With surprise and speed as are our main weapons, a direct attack may be best.”

I … did not like that plan. Looking for a better option I asked Dee, “Any other ideas? Maybe some illusion that covers all three of us?”

Dee looked contemplative for a matter and answered, “Maybe? If we all crouched real low to the ground and against a wall and moved the entire distance in less than ten seconds. The less time and area I need to display the illusion the easier it is for me.”

A plan was forming in my mind. I started thinking out loud, “What if we quickly sneak up to the left wall with the captured victims. We could surprise the nearby man. Preventing a hostage problem and being in good position to defend people.”

Dee added, “That man is a Gatyri. I just got a feeling he’s the leader.”

Roen also added, “The central enemies could alert their sleeping allies.”

I adjusted and said, “Okay. Two of us ambush the supposed Gatyri and one attacks the men in the center of the hub. Whoever subdues their target first then helps the other.”

We continued to build on my plan. The original idea was lost, but the plan we came to was honestly much better. I was designated to deal with those in the center. I would wait near the entrance and watch everything. Dee and Roen would sneak along the left wall. Now what happened next depended. If Dee and Roen made it to the Gatyri, they would give a signal telling me to rush forward. On the other hand if I noticed anyone that seemed to have noticed us, I would give the signal with Dee and Roen rushing towards the Gatyri. After we all got ready, they set off.

Currently I was hyping myself up while peaking out of the entrance. Roen told me to target the knees and legs to quickly subdue everyone. My heart was beating from a weird mixture of fear, excitement, and maybe sleep deprivation. I was envisioning how I would quickly take out the men in my mind, when I heard the signal.

Flooding my body with chakra, I sprinted across the open cave ground. The men all began to stand up and look around. With how fast I was moving it did not help them much. In probably three seconds I was already flying towards the first man. I had a lot more momentum than I envisioned in my mind, so instead of simply kicking his leg, I felt my calf hit his knee and then a *Crack*. I felt some pity as he went down probably with a broken knee.

Focusing on my goal, I moved to the next man. This man threw the deck of cards in his hands towards my face. Copying a move from Roen, I crouched then used one leg to sweep both of the man’s feet from under him. From this point of view, I was able to see the third man getting ready to fight.

I quickly moved forward towards the last man standing. He threw a punch aimed at my face due to him being the same height as me. I copied another of Roen’s moves and wrapped one arm around his throwing arm. I then stepped forward placing my hip between his legs. Slipping his arm over my shoulder, I used my hip placement and my raw strength to throw him to the ground.

All three men were dazed for now, but I needed to make sure they would stay still. It seemed that the men in the tents were heavy sleepers because they have not gotten up yet. Moving towards one of the empty tents I quickly ripped the fabric apart. Using the strips from the tent, I began hogtying the three men I brought to the ground. They were yelling and I didn’t know how to make them stop, so I worked as quick as possible.

I quickly tied two of the men. While I was working on tying the third with the broken knee, I noticed movement from the tents. I ended up only tying this man’s hands since he wasn’t walking anywhere fast and quickly moved towards the tents. I was ripping up the other empty tent for more tying material when the first man made his way out.

I swept his legs as soon as he stepped out. I quickly hogtied him. The other two men left were a lot more cautious. They peeked from their tent openings but never got out. Deciding I needed to be fast, I knocked both tents down on their occupants. They scrambled for a moment and I saw my opportunity. I saw the feet of one sticking out, so I quickly tied his feet which after some wrangling allowed me to tie his hands and then hogtie him. The last man was a similar process.

I quickly hogtied the man with the broken knee just to be safe. Then I looked over my handiwork. Six men were hogtied and yelling profanity towards me. I was satisfied that they were subdued, so I looked over to see how Dee and Roen were managing. It was not looking good.