"It's an emergency, Chief. We need a quick decision." The Vermin's voice was calm, but there was an underlying urgency in his tone.

"Give me the location. I'll send Naira Sorkin." Zero's voice was sharp, his mind already racing, assessing the situation, planning the next move. He needed to act quickly, but he couldn't afford to make a mistake. The stakes were too high.

"No, Naira Sorkin can't reach that place," The Vermin countered, his voice still smooth, but with a firmness that brooked no argument.

"What do you mean?" Zero's voice was laced with suspicion. The Vermin's words were cryptic, and his calm demeanor was unsettling.

"The seal is underground. It's been filled with cement. No one can get in except me." The Vermin's explanation was brief, but it painted a clear picture. He was their only option.

"And I'm currently in front of Naira Sorkin. Requesting your approval, Chief. I can depart immediately." The Vermin's offer hung in the air, a gamble that Zero had to take.

…

Inside another helicopter.

The Vermin stood before Naira Sorkin. "Commander, please think this through. This is a matter of life and death. We don't want to die." His voice was soft, almost pleading, but his eyes held a strange intensity.

Naira Sorkin faced The Vermin, neither of them speaking. The tension in the helicopter was thick enough to cut with a knife. Naira Sorkin's eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned The Vermin's face, searching for any sign of deception. But The Vermin's expression remained unreadable, a mask of calm that belied the urgency of the situation.

At this moment, Zero's voice came through Naira Sorkin's headset.

"Naira Sorkin, deploy the Right Hand. Take the Trident and go to the bottom of that mountain. Don't let 019 get the Trident under any circumstances." Zero's voice was sharp, his orders leaving no room for argument.

Naira Sorkin abruptly stood up, along with the other Right Hand soldiers. They moved with practiced precision, their movements sharp and efficient, their faces grim. They knew the dangers of the mission, the risks involved, but their loyalty to Zero was unwavering.

Reinhard looked left and right, then also stood, a knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach. He still wasn't sure what was going on, but he knew it was serious. He clutched the book in his pocket, a small comfort in the face of the unknown.

The Vermin shrugged. "The organization doesn't trust me, I guess. There's nothing I can do." His voice was light, almost flippant, but there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes. Resignation? Or perhaps, something more sinister? A plan within a plan? He smiled, a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

...

Boom!

A loud explosion suddenly came from a distant helicopter!

Countless insects swarmed towards Naira Sorkin, but he waved his hand, unleashing a ring of fire that incinerated the insects!

“What are you doing, 019?!” Naira Sorkin’s voice was sharp with anger and disbelief. He hadn't expected this betrayal, this sudden attack from within their own ranks. He glared at The Vermin, his eyes narrowed, his face grim.

Two pairs of giant insect wings sprouted from The Vermin’s back. Spider-like features appeared on his body, shooting out webs that wrapped around Naira Sorkin!

“Hand over the Trident!” The Vermin hissed, his voice now a chilling, insectoid rasp. His transformation was complete, his human façade gone, replaced by something monstrous and terrifying.

Naira Sorkin swung the Trident, severing the insect webs.

“You’ve sided with the Fish-Men?!” Naira Sorkin’s voice was filled with disgust and betrayal.

“No, you’re wrong. It's not siding with them. This was a plan between the Sea King and me from the very beginning. You just didn't know.” The Vermin's voice dripped with mockery, his eyes gleaming with a sinister amusement. He’d played them all for fools.

Naira Sorkin gritted his teeth. “What did they offer you?!” He demanded, his voice tight with rage. What could possibly be worth betraying humanity for?

The Vermin flew into the sky, clashing with Naira Sorkin. “You’re so loyal, Naira Sorkin. What did Zero offer you to make you so obedient?” He taunted, his voice laced with a mocking amusement.

“It’s nothing more than self-preservation. Why don’t you join us, Naira Sorkin? The Kitsune are finished. The Sea King’s victory is inevitable!” The Vermin’s words were tempting, offering a way out, a chance to survive. He extended a hand, a gesture of invitation, but his eyes held a predatory gleam.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

...

The Right Hand soldiers were deployed.

But their first target was The Vermin.

Seeing this, Reinhard didn’t hesitate and ran. Survival was key!

The Kitsune were losing badly. If he didn't run, he wouldn't survive.

But as he was running, the cargo door of a helicopter suddenly opened.

A hand reached out and pulled him in.

The one who’d pulled him in was none other than Zero.

Reinhard was dumbfounded as he looked at Zero.

Dude, if you’re not running, I have to!

What’s the point of pulling me in?!

Zero put a cigarette in his mouth. “Don’t worry. It’s not over yet,” he said calmly, his eyes fixed on the chaos unfolding below.

Does Zero still have a trump card?

Reinhard felt a little relieved. “Then what should we do? The battle is completely one-sided…”

Zero looked at the images from the drone. “That monster’s individual strength is greater than all of us combined.”

“In other words, if Celestial Beast isn’t his match, then no one can fight him physically.”

“But this was within my expectations. The only thing I didn’t expect was that The Vermin made some sort of agreement with that monster.” He paused, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. The Vermin's betrayal was a complication, but not one he couldn't handle. He had planned for this, anticipated it. He just hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

“But it’s still within controllable limits.” His voice was calm, steady, reassuring.

Still within controllable limits?

What trump card are you hiding?! Reinhard wondered, his anxiety slightly abated by Zero’s confidence. He desperately hoped Zero had a plan, a way out of this mess. He clung to that hope like a lifeline.

...

The Vermin lost after a round of fighting. He wasn’t Naira Sorkin’s opponent. This was normal, and within his expectations.

Because if he could defeat Naira Sorkin, he wouldn't need to trick Zero and the others. He could just take the Trident.

It was precisely because he wasn’t Naira Sorkin's opponent that he needed to use deception. He needed to play the role of a loyal subordinate, to earn their trust, to get close to the Trident. It was a risky gambit, but he was willing to take the chance. He needed that Trident, needed its power to fulfill his pact with the Sea King.

Zero had Naira Sorkin guard the Trident mainly because of Naira Sorkin's ability.

No matter who took the Trident, Naira Sorkin could retrieve it remotely, and even pull back the person who took it. It was a powerful deterrent, a safeguard against theft.

The Vermin landed on Chino’s shoulder. “It’s no good. That guy’s ability is too difficult for me to deal with. I can’t beat him.” His voice was strained, his breathing ragged from the fight. He’d underestimated Naira Sorkin, underestimated the power of the Right Hand. He cursed his own arrogance, his own miscalculation.

Chino slapped Celestial Beast to the ground.

“It’s alright, you hold that dog back,” he rumbled, his golden eyes fixed on Naira Sorkin and the Right Hand. He would deal with the Trident himself.

Then, Chino approached Naira Sorkin and the others!

Strangely, his speed was incredibly fast, completely disproportionate to his size. He was upon them in a flash!

Naira Sorkin hurriedly waved his hand. “Lightning, stun him!”

Boom!

A bolt of lightning shot out from Naira Sorkin’s hand, striking Chino and coursing through his entire body!

Chino’s movements stiffened, but it didn’t last. He roared, his massive body shaking off the effects of the lightning, his golden eyes blazing with anger. They dared to attack him? Such insolence! He would crush them all.

The Right Hand soldiers gathered. They focused their mental power, combining it with Naira Sorkin's spell!

Naira Sorkin’s hand condensed cold air, then he slammed his palm downwards!

Crack!

Chino’s massive body was instantly encased in ice. Naira Sorkin seized the opportunity and rushed toward the crumbled mountain.

“Save the others first!” He yelled, his voice echoing through the chaotic landscape. Every second counted. Lives were on the line.

The Right Hand team began rescuing those trapped under the rubble.

Using the locators on each person, they successfully rescued Arthur, Fan Ye, and White Walker.

The moment Fan Ye was free, he ran towards Chino!

But when he saw Chino, he froze, his eyes widening in horror, his body trembling uncontrollably. He stumbled back, a strangled gasp escaping his lips.

Naira Sorkin grabbed him and pulled him back. “Don’t look directly at him! You haven’t trained your mental strength. You can’t resist his mental contamination!” He yelled, his voice urgent. He couldn’t afford to lose another member of their team.

“Retreat! We’ll handle the rest!” He ordered, pushing Fan Ye towards the helicopters. They needed to regroup, to reassess the situation. Their original plan had fallen apart. They were facing an enemy far more powerful than they’d anticipated.

At this moment, Chino broke free from the ice.

He twisted his neck and moved his wrist, then countless tentacles erupted from his body, attacking the Right Hand soldiers!

The Right Hand soldiers leaped into the air, briefly gliding.

But it wasn’t true flight. They were using wind magic to propel themselves.

But the tentacles, enhanced by the Rabbit amulet, were too fast. Even with the wind’s help, it was difficult to escape.

Soon, the tentacles caught several Right Hand soldiers.

But Chino didn’t kill them. He pulled them back with his tentacles, absorbing them into his body.

“Excellent nutrients.” He rumbled, a satisfied grin twisting his lips. He’d gained a much-needed boost of energy. He turned his gaze towards the remaining soldiers, his golden eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger. The battle was far from over.

These people possessed extremely strong mental power. After absorbing them, Chino felt his own mental power surge!

Meanwhile, Naira Sorkin had already reached the bottom of the mountain. He used a dissolving spell to clear the rocks and saw the entrance sealed by Chino with cement!

But at that moment, a flash of blood descended from the sky, a foot stomping on Naira Sorkin’s shoulder!

Bang!

Naira Sorkin was knocked to the ground!

The newcomer was a black-robed man.

Blood-red light flickered beneath the black robe. Naira Sorkin pushed himself up, putting distance between himself and the man.

“A vampire?”

“Why are you helping them?!” Naira Sorkin demanded, his voice filled with confusion and anger. The vampires were supposed to be their enemies. Why was this one working with the sea creatures? It didn’t make sense.

The black-robed man removed his hood, revealing a young face.

And Naira Sorkin recognized it!