It was morning, and there was already plenty of action.

  A concrete room, with boxing ring in the middle, with a 6 foot beefed up man was up against Vaska, nothing but shorts on with bandages protecting their knuckles.

  Sharing blows, letting sweat and blood coat the mat, as they showed their best in hand-to-hand combat.

  However, Vaska kept confident with a wide smile, as when the man dropped his guard for just one punch, he head-butted at him, and in the stun, gave a powerful hook, knocking him out with couple teeth loosened.

  Vaska spat out some excess blood in his mouth, as he happily took relaxed stance, as it was clear he won the fight as the unconcious man was dragged off the map.

  However, his grin quickly faded as he saw a man in full suit, on phone and eyes hidden behind shades come in.

  "Alright, everyone. We will have a break, drag the loser to the medbay to be out of my sight." as he calmly walked towards the edge, as he let the rest relax as well.

  "Frankie, what are the news?" Vaska asked, as the manager finished up the call as he arrived by the edge.

  "Seems a old friend has been calling to get in contact with you. I made sure he should call back after today's work." He stated firm and clear, to which Vaska got curious on.

  "An old friend? Now that's interesting... A brother or business?" Vaska questioned further, enjoying the teasing game.

  "A brother. And one I feel you would be glad to talk to." Frankie explained, his expression not moving even a inch.

  "oh? hmm..." Vaska started to think, as he observed his fighters outside of the ring, before he clicked on the answer. "Is it The Dragon?"

  "Clever as ever, sir." Frankie said, to which Vaska couldn't help but give a dumb cheerful grin.

  "Haven't talked to that old coot in so long..." but as his happily enjoyed his memories, something quickly clicked in his mind. "But weird for him to call. Must be something important then." Vaska noted.

  "...anyways, work would be soon anyways. Aside from the usual routines, anything new from commander?"

  "Aside from the usual requests for livestock, nothing more." Frankie confirmed. "Hour until work." he said, before starting to head out.

  "An hour... you know what, celebrations for family should fit." Vaska muttered, as slowly wandered to the center of the arena, taking out a pistol from backpocket of his shorts, and shooting the ceiling, alerting the fighters.

  "Break's over." He declared, as grin returned on his face, and while pointing with his gun, going through pickings on who to pick, before landing on one. "Get up here. Better make this last fight worth at least five minutes."

  Frankie slowly took steps around the facility, taking note of any people he came across.

  As he was about to turn a corner, he could notice some barrels being moved. "Remember, keep them clean. Impurities will cost you." He commented, as he walked by, as the people nodded in agreement.

  Before long, he finally arrived at stairs, and surfaced to the ground level.

  A small village in Siberian landscape, men and women, human or monster, working on emptying and filling vehicles, as young ran around in their own games.

  "Yo Frank. How did Boss take the message" came a call-out from a nearby cottage house's porch.

  "Excited, as expected. Are your men ready for the hunt, Otto?" He proceeded to ask, as his eyes landed on a redneck if you have ever seen one. cap, sleeveless jacket on top of button up shirt and cargo pants, with cleaned up leather boots to make a stand.

  "They are always ready. Never know when something strikes." Otto happily declared, as he chewed on tobacco. "Yet your men are slouching as ever till the last moment."

  Frank scoffed at his remark. "They slouch as much as they can. you should know freedom comes in different forms, yankie."

  Otto gave a hearty laugh, as he took steps down. "Right you are, buddy... speaking of, is Haley still off on her business trip?"

  "Should be arriving tomorrow. The outpost needed a lot of repairing, so it is surprising it hasn't taken longer."

  "Well, that's a nymph for ya." Otto exclaimed, as he took in the surroundings. "Anyways, keep the good work up, and this week you might get to try my moonshine."

  "Is that meant to be a reward or a punishment." Frank replied, as with a pat on his shoulder, Otto walked off with a laugh, as Frank didn't give much of a reaction.

  He checked on his people working, he started to put on some more pace into them, for it was yet another day for their work

  As match comes to an end, Vaska wasn't overly amused. "Three minutes is fine, but come one, learn your deflects." He muttered, as he leaned on the roping, as he checked the time on the wall clock.

  "Our apologies on his part, boss." some of the strongmen noted, as they dragged the knocked out man off the mat, practiced to be common.

  Vaska gave a light chuckle to their apology, as he could sense much more under it. "Oh, don't worry. I'd hate to lose good men, especially on day like this. So whoever can walk, get washed, clothed and get rest of the people slacking off on their feet. Today we will be going into town!"

  The entire village was starting to busy up, as minutes passed by, trucks getting emptied, other trucks getting filled, and making sure families enter the safety bunks just in case, as it is tradition by now.

  As last ten minutes were ticking, checklists were made sure to be in order, as Vaska got in his suit and having shot of vodka for luck, his presence outside his bunker called the fleet to start moving.

  Truck after another, starting to slowly kick up dust after them as they drove out of the humble village, as Vaska watched with wide grin while approaching the humvee where Otto and Frank were waiting inside for him.

  "Cheerful as ever, Boss. Looking like you'd be going for a date with Commander." Otto said in teasing from shotgun seat, upon him entering the car.

  "Oh, shut your oaf mouth. We all know you dated your cousin." Vaska replied in return, as Otto gave a laugh in return "And i'd do it again."

  As Frank made sure the trucks got on the road, eventually he started to drive the humvee onto the convoy, as they were off out of home.

  Driving down dirt roads, in a ecological wasteland, where only moss and bushes would dare grow.

  Trip was long and tedious, but eventually, they could see the town in horizon.

  As coming to perimeter, the comms by the radio buzzed on, as Frank took the line.

  "Charlie, Romeo, Unaone, Bissotwo, Stop." He said clear and firm before returning to focusing on the road.

  After a while, the radio buzzed back on, now with a clear voice behind it. "Understood. Welcome home, Vaska."

  With it, the convoy kept on going without fear, as before long, they finally got their wheels on asphalt, as people were looking as they drove in, and from the rooftops, the militia gave light greetings towards the friends that were on top of or hanging onto sides of the trucks.

  "Man, this is what a celebrity life should feel like." Vaska commented cheekily, as he kept his gaze out of the window, watching the passing civilians.

  "It is same, aside from the national threat our strength brings, sir." Frank replied, as they arrived at their destination, he drove to the front with couple other smaller pickups and humvees stopped in front of an large business center, as trucks went other side of the building.

  Armed men entered the street, keeping guard while also keeping populus away as Frank and Otto got out, taking in the activity.

  "It never gets any easier. Beast or man, their hunger never sustained." Otto mumbled, clearly displeased by the crowds.

  "You don't need to tell me." Frank replied, as he went around the car, to get on the walkway. "At least you get to shoot the ones that annoy you."

  With firm stances, and Frank taking position, he opened the door for Vaska, as he got out in full glory for everyone, with smirk and charms to keep him standing out.

  Vaska calmly walked by, as people were either happy to see him, or absolutely disgusted, and either way, he enjoyed the attention.

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

  Entering the lobby, he alongside Frank and Otto got met by couple businessmen, desk-workers, and to Vaska's delight, a pre-teen girl, with flowing black hair that shined in blue-ish tone.

  "Took you long enough." She said, while Vaska picked her up.

  "My apologies on that, Maggie. Some traffic was on the way, he commented, as he gave a hug before putting her back onto the ground.

  "I didn't mean it that way. I meant code blue." which quickly got the trio's attention, and dropped Vaska's grin.

  "Ah, I see." as he turned to check on the two, who nodded, knowing what to do.

  "I presume his office?" to which Maggie gave a nod.

  With hurry in their steps, they hurried to elevators, with Frank taking other, instead going into basement, while Vaska, Otto and Maggie got into other and quickly put the elevator to go to thirteenth floor.

  "How long has it been?" Otto asked, as he took out a small pistol from the pocket and started to load it, pulling out pieces and vials from his pocket.

  "About an hour ago." She admitted, seemingly calm in the moment.

  "Fuck." Vaska noted in annoyance at the problem. "Are any other here, or just you?"

  "Richard has been here since morning. I asked him to keep an eye out until you arrive." Maggie informed, as slowly and eventually, the elevator arrived.

  Doors opened, and with light jog under their feet, they arrived at double doors that being banged at, and only one keeping them shut was a bulky were-bear.

  "About time you arrive. Are the shots ready?" The bear growled, as he was sweating from the trouble he has been bearing.

  "Just give me a moment." Otto commented, before finally finishing the compound and making sure the needle shot was put into the pistol, as he handed it to Vaska.

  "Alright, get set." Vaska commanded, as Otto picked up Maggie and took many steps away just in case, and as bear made sure to get a firm grip, Vaska aimed carefully, readying his nerves and control.

  "Three." the bear counted down. "two." The stress was heavy. "one." but Vaska knew he had it.

  As Richard quickly dived out of the way of the doors to the side, bursting through them was a feral ghoul, skinny and old looking body, eye-patch on left eye and heavy coated uniform, growling in hunger, and before it could get a leap towards the closest target in his sight, that being Vaska, he fired the pistol.

  About to bounce, the needle struck the ghoul onto it's shoulder, and with powerful concoction of tranquilizer being injected into the body by the complex mechanism in the needle, he collapsed onto the ground, panting and growling.

  "Alright Commander, that's enough of your trouble making for today." Richard muttered, as he went up to the ghoul and placed handcuffs onto his hands and feet.

  "So, what is the reason? Last patch should have been good enough." Vaska asked, to which Richard gave stern look. "Have you not seen this coming? What a waste of a right-hand man you are."

  "What did you call me, big guy?" Vaska snarled back at him, as Richard picked up the Commander. "You heard me."

  "Stop fighting!" outcried Maggie, clearly not happy with the infight. "It isn't Vaska's problem. We can talk better when he is better."

  As Vaska and Richard gave glares against each other, they let the issue rest for now, as they entered the ruined office, and tried to fix up the place while waiting for Frank.

  Frank quickly arrived at the basement where trucks were parked, and while the men were confused what was going on, he was quick to act. "Quick, where is the monsters?"

  Some of the men pointed to a truck, to which Frank hurried.

  Opening the back, he could note they were healthy still at least, legs, tails and hands tied up, bags on their head and fully conscious.

  He quickly picked one of the closer ones, and dragged them out, before closing the door on the rest.

  As the tied up monster tried to wiggle free, but Frank was quick to put a stop, as the men realized what was going on, and had brought him a syringe, which he quickly implanted and injected into the subject's neck.

  They quickly went limp, leaving only issue of carrying them, which Frank quickly picked two men to do, as he lead them to the elevator, that brought them to the scene.

  Four of the people trying to set the office to look respectable, even with broken furniture and decor, while the feral ghoul was slowly waking up from the tranq.

  Frank called the carrying men away, as Vaska and Richard were quick to pick up on the monster, and lead them to the ghoul.

  They carefully positioned themself, as Vaska kept the captive in place, and Richard carefully moved ghoul's head onto the shoulder, leading it to take a huge bite.

  Some blood could be seen coming out, but there was no chewing, as it could be seen as the captive's body slowly withered, becoming wrinklier and darker, before finally being fully drained, and the ghoul's appearance slowly became more youthful and human, and as mouth detached, he was left panting and with look of horror, before realizing the situation.

  "Sorry... for this." He muttered, as Vaska moved the dead captive to the side, as Richard slowly removed the cuffs.

  "You don't need to apologize. I am sorry not realizing to come sooner." Vaska said quickly, but Commander raised his hand to silence his apologies, as he got onto his feet.

  "Anyways, it is good to see you again. I heard about your failure this month." He noted, as he went to his desk to have a seat, to which Maggie happily joined by sitting on the desk

  "Unexpected events came to happen." Vaska noted, as he took seat by the central desk, to which Otto and Frank joined by his side, and Richard slowly walked around to sit opposite side of him.

  "Firstly, the top dog in that region was playing too risky and got many businesses caught in Elmspring." Frank spoke up, as he picked up a tablet on the table, and with it lowered an white projection screen, where he put couple news articles about the businesses being busted by monster tamers at end of april to start of may.

  "Then as boss took control of the situation, second problem came into our light. Edith has hired a new hand. A young guy by name of Hiroshi Yasuda." Otto spoke up, as Frank put his picture up. "We first detected his activity on 5th, when one of the active night-time businesses noted a missing moth monster that came to be Olivia Petit. An acceptable loss by a man who got a death he deserved for such a failure, however, the case caused some strife with Julia, one of our top thugs and zombie in nature, so when she tried to speak against Vaska's judgement, she was put for punishment at the time."

  "However, things started to get suspicious, as next activity was detected on 11th, when a freak accident with delivery truck caused to crash and lose a good trade for horse variants." Frank made clear, bringing up another article. "And it didn't help, that Edith declared him to be most important part of the operation to get rogue horses into secure spot to be calmed, implying there was more to it than just wrong place at a wrong time."

  "So I stepped in." Vaska spoke up. "No matter how minor, new competition should be stomped out, especially if he has my precious lapdog, so seeing the fool wasn't able to get control in the region, I enacted a plan. With new set of trains announced to be released and having heard Hiroshi was planning to go out for drinks on friday night, I made a test scenario with the topdog's worthless life."

  "I followed him and waited when him and his friend wasn't in right mind, and kidnapped him. Then I started with a test on his spirit, I show him an example of some torture, and to my surprise he has a strong one at that, so I left him in the cage with Julia. This also helped to proof if she was truelly regretful of her actions, or intending to betray us. Lastly of course, I tried to make a trade for his life, for Nata's. His confidence was spot on, not being afraid to be killed."

  "And when plan for the train started, he knew exactly what to do, and seeing how it was made, Julia clearly didn't come up with some of the stuff. And when that pesky toppdog was about to be put up as a example, he dared to challenge my power by risking Nata's life, so I ended his." Vaska finished explaining the situation and his reasoning fast and concise.

  "In the meantime, at breeding-hold, one of the subjects tried to escape, causing major injuries and destruction on the site. Haley got dispatched there to deal with the problem, and fix up the site in post-haste, and finishing up today evening." Frank explained, to get last case of trouble from the list of them.

  Commander thought through his words, before giving a nod. "That's understandable. Then we should pin this Hiroshi person as notable... You got me curious on him as well."

  "Let's got lose sight on what's most important to talk about now." Richard spoke up, to move away from the past subjects.

  "I know North america isn't able to assist much, but surely Vaska should know better than let you go feral."

  "I KNOW AS WELL AS YOU I DO MY BEST!" Vaska quickly shouted up, clearly not happy at his mocking.

  "You say that just so you can keep face, you incubus!"

  "Calm down, both of you." Commander spoke up clear. "It is understandable not to notice. It's due to mana supply. It has been lessening faster than ever, especially with humans co-mingling with monsters past thirty years, and racist per-notions at the lowest."

  "So the supply isn't good enough, you say." Richard tried to confirm, to which Commander titled his head lightly. "Yes and no. If more monsters disappear each month, our cover will be blown easier, so problem isn't quality, but quantity, and we cannot risk more."

  "Then what? There isn't better supplies for mana." Richard noted, clearly not happy on the news at all, as Vaska and Otto were deep in thinking.

  "There is." Frank spoke up confidently, taking Richard and Vaska by surprise. "Oh, let's hear it then." Commanded noted in curiosity.

  "We have been tracking tamers' trades and supplies, including any organization blessed by Sophia's funding, and our sights arrived on Elmspring's Dungeon Museum." He noted, as he started to bring up hand-taken pictures.

  "There is something important that you might recognize." He noted, as finally, he brought up a picture, having the blue mana crystals from the core, which took Commander and Maggie by heavy surprise.

  "So... there is still flesh?" Commander spoke, almost stuttering on his words.

  "Yes, but your lingo is old. The museum curators called it mana crystals, fitting for the appearance. And they only hold small amount of it."

  "Well, this is news to even me." Vaska noted. "You sure you aren't trying to betray me?"

  "No sir, just trying to get a raise, that's all." Frank noted, to which Vaska laughed with a wide grin. "You cheeky fuck."

  "Anyways, my men have been trying to find supply of them, but seems the group of people that own this are very specific, most notably being either rich, powerful or influential. I haven't been able to procure some in this timespan, but coming month, I should be getting steady supply."

  As he finished explaining, he sat back down, and as Commander considered it, while whispering with Maggie, before finally standing up and giving a wide smile. "That is the best news I have heard in a long time. I hope you followed on his words, Richard."

  Richard stood up, proud and nodding clearly. "Yes, Commander. I will get my men on it right away."

  "And Vaska, keep up the good work. Supplies are at the usual spot?" Commander asked to make sure, to which he nodded, to which he finished with. "If that's all, you are free to go."

  Drive to home village was relaxing as ever.

  "So, you really think these magical rocks will keep Commander safe?" Otto asked.

  "They shou-" Frank tried to reply, but Vaska cut him off. "They will."

  "Hm? You know of this stuff, boss? You looked surprised to hear about it, tho."

  "Because I thought all of it had disappeared." Vaska muttered, deep in thought. "But the fact it does exist, and Edith's group being ahead of us is concerning to me."

  As ride fell back to silence, Frank kept eye on the time, before noticing how late it has gotten.

  "Sir, it appears the time for call with Dragon is coming soon."

  "Give me the phone then. He can complain if he wants about the car noises." Vaska replied, as with it, Frank handed him the phone.

  With couple checks on it being right number, call went through.

  "Well, if it isn't ol' dragon."

  "Stop calling me that, I have changed my named."

  "I know, but you know I like to tease, and I want thank for the katana you gave me as a gift. Pretty damn sharp."

  "That's good to hear."

  "So, what's the problem?"

  "Your pests are the problem. One of my men got a wired call caught between a troublesome kitsune and certain vampire."

  "Wait... Sophia? Why-"

  "Vacation season is soon. Seems they are considering a holiday in here."

  "Weird, I wonder why... Maybe it's because of him..."

  "Who?"

  "Hiroshi Yasuda."

  "..."

  "You know him?"

  "Too damn well. He has plenty that he has to pay for."

  "Good luck dealing with him, then."

  "Yet these pests of yours. Aren't you going to do anything?"

  "You can handle them however you want."

  "I wasn't asking."

  "Neither was I, good luck."

  Closing the call, Vaska was left to contemplate for a moment.

  "Frank, could you set up couple observers in with Dragon. Next month, we will be seeing what our tamers are made of."