CHAPTER FIVE

It was just their second day yet Chen Li Sha never felt so drained on a mission until today. Shu Xin's face kept resurfacing in her mind.

'Was I hallucinating?' She wanted to believe so.

"What's up, pig head?"

There was a hint of provocation from Guo Feng so early in the morning but Chen Li Sha ignored him. She wanted to confirm if what she saw was real. She could risk anything right now to clear her name. Even if it was such a sliver of a chance, she had to grab it, believing there was nothing impossible in their world.

Seeing her lost in her thoughts, Guo Feng frowned. It was rare for Chen Li Sha to ignore him. She had been dazed after their mission and too quiet for his liking.

Even when she was accused of murder, there was still the spark of stubbornness in her eyes yet now she was staring blankly in space. The last time he saw her like this was after the time they almost died.

He grabbed some steamed buns, put one in his mouth, and shoved the other one into hers.

"Wha—"

He pushed it further to her lips. A grin crept on his face as she glared at him, having no option but to chew.

"We'll be having another mission this evening. Don't even try to skip breakfast and complain about being hungry later."

"What are you talking about? I'm already done eating, bastard." She pointed at her empty bowl with great emphasis.

Guo Feng chuckled. "Ah, my bad. I forgot you're not just pig-headed but really a pig in the most literal sense."

"Argh!" She kicked my leg but he dodged before sitting beside her. 

"Can you not sit here? Leave me alone! I'm thinking!"

He ignored her glaring. "What can you even think when you're too stupid?"

"Huh?! You're the stupid one!"

"I'm just stating facts." He took some food in his bowl before turning back to her. "Did you forget that it is still one of the greatest mysteries in our branch how did you pass the DEMII exams when you're all fight and no brain?"

"Bi zui gou fangpi!" (Shut up dog fart!)

If he was so stuck up being a DEMII, he should have stayed there. Chen Li Sha stormed off her chair and was about to go upstairs when someone blocked her way. 

"Li Sha, perfect timing. I had something to discuss," Zhu Mu Yang said.

Liu Hui beside him snickered. "Perfect timing, my ass. You just waited for them to end their bicker."

Zhu Mu Yang slapped Li Hui's shoulder before turning back to them again. "Anyhow! We're going back to the HQ before we go to the mission. We might have to cooperate with the DEMII since they discovered something unusual from the monster last night."

She nodded. "Up to you. What time are we leaving?"

"Before lunch, I guess," he replied.

"Okay, I'll take a quick nap—"

"It's not even an hour since you woke up—"

She elbowed Guo Feng who was already beside her, ready to interrupt everything she said.

"And please reign this dog fart while I rest." She pursed her lips to Guo Feng's direction before going back to her bedroom.

‧ 🀦 ‧

Compared to yesterday, someone greeted them as soon as the group stepped into the lobby.

"Hi! Welcome to Mythos," the woman spoke in such a charming tone.

Her blue eyes were already eye-catching but the scales on her green-tinged skin were more prominent that Chen Li Sha stood there in awe. She had seen foreigners on and off their branches and had visited some branches too but she could not help but was still fascinated by other demigods' features. 

"Laeya, you're back!" Carlos beamed and hugged her. 

"Obviously. Care to introduce our visitors?" Her green hair fluttered as she turned her direction toward them. "I am Laeya, by the way."

"They're the guest from the China Branch," Carlos stated and the team also took turns to introduce themselves.

"I see, a pleasure to meet you all. I guess almost everyone is here."

"Almost? I thought everyone arrived yesterday?"

"There's some mishap in the Korea branch."

"Oh, what happened?" 

Laeya gave them a quick look and a polite smile bloomed on her face. "Inside matters."

Carlos quickly understood and changed the topic. "Is Mr. Atlanta here?"

"Yes. He's in his lab, why?"

"He set an appointment but just give him a heads up saying that the China branch is here."

"Alright, give me a minute."

Laeya picked up the phone while she motioned her hands for us to sit on the lounge.

The white tufted chairs sprawled on top of the woolen carpet, appearing cozy among all the elegance exuded in the surroundings. Nonetheless, they didn't even have the opportunity to sit when Laeya called them back.

"He's waiting. Carlos will lead you there," she said.

"Alright." Carlos directed them to the lift but Zhu Mu Yang turned his back with a smile.

"Thank you, Laeya. We'll be seeing you around."

Chen Li Sha could not help but nudge his waist. "I'll tell Wei-jie about this."

"About what?"

She clicked her tongue. "Being a walking air-conditioner as always."

"You're acting more like his jealous girlfriend," Guo Feng interrupted, pulling her away from Zhu Mu Yang.

"Ew! I can't even imagine! Help, I'm gonna puke. That is practically incest!"

Zhu Mu Yang's face remained his warm expression despite the insult. After all, what she said was true. He and Chen Li Sha were far from possible. He peered at Guo Feng, a ghost of a grin forming on his lips. 'Definitely impossible.'

"Everyone, hurry up," Carlos goaded after they stopped in their tracks. Liu Hui had already stepped inside the lift, hands on his pocket pants with little to no care about what was happening.

The three of them joined the other two going to the fifth floor. The hallway was as silent as the whole building as Carlos led them straight before he knocked.

"Mr. Atlanta, I have brought the guests."

The door handle slid before showing the man on the other side. Chen Li Sha was quickly reminded of a doctor. He looked more like one than Liu Hui's nonchalant appearance who was just wearing s simple shirt and jeans. As for the man named Mr. Atlanta, he was wearing a dress shirt and slacks under the white coat.

In fact, all the guys with her were in the most basic outfits while she went on her way to pick a cute cheongsam and styled her hair into mini-buns to suit her dress. The only one who was her vibe was Carlos when he was sporting a bright yellow neon shirt with gold dollar signs on it.

Tacky but at least he tried.

"You stay here, they go inside," Mr. Atlanta instructed as he pointed to Carlos.

"What? No. The Hinirang had tasked me to watch over them," he protested.

Mr. Atlanta's irises were too dark to decipher any glimpse of emotion but based on how his brows almost became one, annoyance was an evident emotion.

"You're blinding me with your clothes. Scram."

There was a hint of magic in his voice causing Chen Li Sha to tense. She readied her talismans when hers and Mr. Atlanta's gaze met. He looked away, appearing more grim as Carlos had to leave with slumped shoulders. 

Mr. Atlanta widened the door, and the four of them entered. He was almost the same height as her when she passed by him. He stood by close to her before muttering. "It's good you're vigilant."

Chen Li Sha's face crumpled with bewilderment, wondering if he was praising or insulting her.

He guided them to the couch while Chen Li Sha took in her surroundings. It could pass off as a bachelor's pad if not for the pieces of equipment around her.

Mr. Atlanta placed a few folders on the coffee table as soon as they sat down. 

"As you can see—"

"Why not a little introduction before we start? We haven't gotten each other's names, correct?" Zhu Mu Yang said, a gentle smile on his face.

Chen Li Sha swore that his smile was a weapon. Couple with a voice that was comparable to a spring breeze, she didn't know anybody who could get upset with him.

"Alright. I am Agon Atlanta, son of Anagolay. You can call me Agon and I'm from the DEMII."

Chen Li Sha grimaced. Once upon a time, she was part of the Department of Mythologies Investigation and Interrogations but all thanks to a small incident that almost cost her and Guo Feng's life, they were both transferred to MHAF.

'Uh, wrong...' It was only her who was transferred but Guo Feng resigned on his own. It was that decision of his that led them to where they were today. He should not have given up his position when he could have done more in DEMII. 

There's nothing wrong with the Mythical Heritage Alliance Force, but as much as she was proud to be on the brawn side, she loved investigating as well. Unluckily, it was not meant for her after being banned from transferring to another department.

It wouldn't have been too much of a big deal if Er Lang Shen had not overreacted. That event skyrocketed her reputation, even in other branches. Then again, she'd gladly be in that moment with life hanging on the thread than being the one known to be the killer.

"I'm Zhu Mu Yan, son of Xue Shen. I am the assigned team captain of the team and we're all from MHAF."

Squeezed between Zhu Mu Yang and Guo Feng, Chen Li Sha spoke next. "Chen Li Sha, daughter of Xi Wang Mu."

"Guo Feng, son of Sun Wu Kong." Chen Li Sha wanted to wipe the snicker on his face as if he just announced that he was the son of Buddha.

"Liu Hui."

They waited for him to continue but he didn't.

Zhu Mu Yang eyed Liu Hui who was slouching on the armchair. "Introduce yourself properly."

Liu Hui rolled his eyes upon sensing a magic array forming on Zhu Mu Yan's hand. "Son of Yao Shen."

"Interesting..." Mr. Atlanta cupped his chin. "The whole hierarchy of the Chinese gods is in your team. Aren't your members chosen randomly?"

"Not really. Feng-er and Li-er volunteered," Zhu Mu Yang explained. "As for the latter comment, it is just a mere coincidence."

Indeed. No one expected that all four members were from belonged to a different tier. Nonetheless, the hierarchy system of the gods did not affect the children. When mortal blood is mixed in, who could say that it will be the same?

Yan Wang, the gatekeeper of Hell and known for his fighting prowess, had a son the same age as her but he was not even on her toes when it came to fighting abilities despite both having parents who were cosmic gods, the highest tier among all.

Having a progeny of demigods was not anyone could control. Unlike other famous pantheons, the Chinese gods had hundreds of deities to worship.

As common as it was, only lower deities loved to make mortals fall for them, while the higher gods were much more content with the beings in their realm when it came to procreation. Majority value their own kind and would never pick on ordinary weed when they were already surrounded by blooming flowers.

Because despite being one of the most populous countries in the world, the China Branch has the least number of members compared to the other Mythos Branch.

No wonder the children of the celestial and terrestrial gods are treasured despite only having second-tier parents. At least the organization was sure that they could have more firepower. One could never go wrong when they could have elemental abilities like Zhu Mu Yang.

Then there were the third-tier gods who were much better at desk work but there could be an entirely different case. Liu Hui was one. He was the son of the medicine god and he used his knowledge of poison and was now considered one of the top fighters in their branch.

And just like the first-tier gods, the fourth-tier gods were also a gene gamble.

Their children could either be too useless or too powerful — nothing in between.

Unfortunately, as much as she hated to admit it, Guo Feng was the latter.

Chen Li Sha caught a glimpse of his earring. Not only that, Guo Feng was favored by the Monkey King who gave him a weapon similar to the Heavenly Staff.

Before their eyes could meet, she turned to Zhu Mu Yang who was still talking to Mr. Atlanta. The stiff man from earlier appeared more at ease as they conversed. Everyone else who knew the four of them would agree that except for Zhu Mu Yang, none of them would survive with their nonexistent social skills.

Agon took out a small metal box under the center table. He set it aside and pushed the folder he showed earlier.

Zhu Mu Yang opened it and handed them a copy each. It was an investigation report coupled with an analysis sample.

It took several minutes for them to read. By the time she finished, Chen Li Sha's mouth could already reach the floor with how it hung open from the discovery.

"Is this true?" Her head snapped to Agon.

"We still need more evidence and this is where you come from." He opened the box with a few specimen tubes inside.

The pungent smell of the black blood permeated the room.

"You see, each Desatres is unique. Their birth is due to the place and grievance of nature. But for some reason, the same monsters kept reappearing and the sample brought back shows exactly the same from the previous records we had."

"Is it reincarnation?" Zhu Mu Yang asked.

"It can be possible," Guo Feng agreed. "It could also be where their essence can stay and be able to procreate after some time."

"But that only applies to Levianis who are mythical creatures," she intersected.

"We live in magic, anything is possible, pig head."

Chen Li Sha crossed her arms on her chest. "Uhuh, let logic fly from your brain then."

"Guys."

The two of them shut up from Zhu Mu Yang's tone. On the other side, Liu Hui's stupor disappeared as he studied the bottles.

"Are you sure about your findings?" The curiosity from his question just proved how all the children of Yao Shen were pure geeks in the medical field no matter how they tried to deny it.

"It is still being contemplated by my team but as I've said, we need more evidence that those that were already killed are back alive. Just like the monster that you killed last night."

"Really? You managed to get the sample so fast," Liu Hui said, a little impressed.

"Of course. This is the main headquarters and we have the best facilities. In any case, we need your cooperation to hasten the progress. The Hinirang had assigned you to chase monsters and we need you to bring back more samples. Your tasks coincide and we need to form a conclusion to prevent anything worse. The sooner we can solidify this truth, the better."

Liu Hui nodded. That, he had to agree. But once proven, he must bid goodbye to his idle life for it would be a mission they could not avoid.

Glancing back at that folder, the sentence printed in black and white had an ominous foreboding: These are not just man-made monsters anymore, this is the will of heaven.

U n S c e n e s

Zhu Mu Yang, Guo Feng, Chen Li Sha: *proud older brother/sister tears*

Liu Hui: What? Stop looking at me like that!

Note:
No translation or pronunciation in this chapter and is there? Lemme know if you see one you need to know ;)

See you next week.

Or not xD