[center][h1]Akamagaseki[/h1][/center]
[center][h2]Start of the Journey[/h2][/center]

[center][sub][@PaulHaynek][@Restalaan][@Dark Cloud][@Hammerman][/sub][/center]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/88dciJb.png?1[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/0zvnz6I.png[/img][/center]


[center][url=https://youtu.be/26MUv9nh-9A]🐉[/url][/center]

The light of the morning sun illuminated the grassland leading to the Otomo Settlement, the dew dripping gently from the leafy blades. The village streets began to bustle with the commonfolk setting up their wares and preparing for the day's work. Shizuka could be seen conversing with Kyouka-sama - the woman who requested his assistance - near the port, he immediately took notice of her dire expression and tone of voice. He himself listened intently to the situation, already thinking of different ways to best approach the mission. She eventually paused as she took notice of the other members of the taskforce arriving on the scene. Shizuka too, turned his attention toward the party he’d apparently be leading. 

The first to arrive appeared to be two monster…boys? That was a first for even Shizuka, he’d never encountered a male monster before and heard that they were usually thought to be nonexistent. Both were horned, demons or goblins perhaps? The other three who followed were the traditional mamono: a young bunny girl, a Jurogumo, and a peculiar pearl-skinned girl. If her appearance was anything to go by, he’d guess that she was a Jiangshi. He’d hear some wild stories about those… Kyouka-sama introduced herself and him to the party, and the young goblin was the first to give his greeting.

[color=0054a6]“Greetings everyone. As Kyouka-sama stated, my name is Kannazuki Shizuka. I’m a native to these lands, though I’ve never personally stepped foot on the lands we’re about to traverse for this mission. That being said, thanks to the intelligence network at Kyouka-sama’s disposal, we’ve gained solid information on the Varjan fleet heading toward Saikoten. For those of you who don’t know, Saikoten is the capital of the Shizuyama region and where the royal family resides. The implications of the situation has everyone on edge to say the least, our role is to discover what’s really going on behind the scenes so an appropriate means of action can be quickly developed. Also, as stated earlier, the people of Shizuyama haven’t had contact with mamono for millenia, many have never even seen one before. Please bear this in mind as we make our way while within their borders.”
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He looks over the party thus far, noticing a few more seem to be making their way over. He pauses for a moment before continuing. 

[color=0054a6]“With all that being said, I’ll be taking the lead on this operation. My hope is that we can work as an effective team and accomplish all objectives as optimally as possible. It is also to my understanding that a few more teammates should be joining us soon. After they do, we’ll depart immediately. Until then, feel free to ask me or Kyouka-sama any questions you have. Understood?”[/color]

Shizuka also took notice of the young bunny girl who introduced herself as Lunetea. He wasn’t oblivious to the fact that all of the men at the port were leering at her posterior, thanks to the wind that kept lifting her skirt a rather concerning number of times. The bit of magic that he sensed with it told him that it was probably intentional. Shizuka could only lightly chuckle and shake his head.

[hr]

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[center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbfOVMI-pKw]🌀[/url][/center]

Those at the port would take notice of the pair of mamono siblings exiting the boat. One was a frightening looking Jorōgumo who wore an expression of confidence and perhaps a bit of sadism. The other was a young woman with skin devoid of almost all pigmentation and deep red eyes. She has a rather eerie aura about her, despite her gentle disposition and beautiful looks. Her beauty and the fashionable cheongsam she wore attracted the attention of many an onlooker, and even got a few whistles. Though, many were offput by her older, more terrifying looking sister. Although, she mainly hoped that some of that attention would go to her. Sigh, perhaps the day would come where she would happen upon a man who didn’t have arachnophobia. The two had such a dichotomy that one would never suspect that the two were actually related in any way, let alone sisters.

The Hangai sisters arrived without much trouble during their boat ride here. One of the things that caught their attention the most were the two monster boys that apparently would be accompanying them on their excursion. [color=7bcdc8]“Hey sister?”[/color] Said Hinami. [color=7bcdc8]“I thought that only girls could become monster girls. Were you fibbing to me back then, you big meanie?”[/color] She said to her sister with a cute pout on her face. 

[color=9e0b0f]“No little Hinami, I assure you I wasn’t lying.”[/color] Atsuha waived off her sister’s whining with a hand and a groan. [color=9e0b0f]“I’m honestly just as surprised as you are.”[/color] Her annoyance was soon replaced with intrigue.

Before she could investigate further, her attention was brought to Kyouka-sama and a human man who was introduced as Kannazuki Shizuka. Apparently he would be leading all the team members on this operation. Atsuha looked Shizuka down for a moment, then smiled. 

[color=9e0b0f]“Konnichiwa, my name is Hangai Atsuha, this is my sister Hangai Hinami. Together we run a paranormal investigation agency of sorts. While this may be a bit out of our scope, the aforementioned entanglements brewing were enough to sway us. That, along with the handsome payment that Kyouka-sama promised~”[/color] 

She looked at Shizuka again, with a bit of intent in her eyes. [color=9e0b0f]“We usually work alone, but I suppose being led around by you wouldn’t be too bad of a thing~”[/color] Atsuha thought she did well for herself given that she has to interface with customers on a daily basis, but even she has trouble hiding her more monstrous side.

[color=7bcdc8]“Ohayo, Kannazuki-san and Kyouka-sama, it’s a pleasure to meet and be working with you!”[/color] Hinami respectfully bowed with her hands clasped. 

The sisters turned their attention to the bunny girl, apparently named Lunetea. As she bowed, her skirt completely uplifted, allowing the whole world to see her buttock along with the black panties she had on. Atsuha herself immediately saw through her antics, being of the same nature at the end of the day. 

[color=9e0b0f]“Excuse me, you said that your name is Lunetea, correct? Don’t think I don’t see what you're doing. I mean, don’t misunderstand, I am by no means defaming your actions. If you got it, flaunt it, and you’ve [i]certainly got it[/i] sweetie~”[/color] She walked closer to the rabbit girl as she spoke. [color=9e0b0f]“But, if I may say, your method may attract little more than middle-aged gawkers and closet pervs. If you want a more direct interaction with the opposite sex, might I suggest a more aggressive approach?”[/color] 

[color=7bcdc8]“Ohayo, Lunatea-chan! I think you’ve got a nice butt too! Maybe Atsuha can enchant the dress I’m wearing to do that same thing too! But, I think with the dress I’m wearing it’d just end up looking weird…”[/color] 

In the background, Shizuka did his best to ignore the strange conversation taking place. He simply remained on standby for the other team members or for more directives from Kyouka-sama.