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

[sub][@PaulHaynek][@WanderingDragon][/sub]

Shizuka turned to Kyōko, who quickly diffused the situation yet again. She was quite good at that it seems, although, it seemed that in the end it wasn't necessary. Wyndressa walked right past him and rubbed Kyōko's head playfully while making a jovial threat. Shizuka could only look at the scene with a perplexed look on his face, which quickly went away after she rapped his shoulder. 

[color=0054a6]"Indeed, while Kyōko-sama does have many contacts, I'll be leading this expedition. My apologies for jumping the gun Wyndressa, and to you as well Kyōko-sama."[/color]

She then made her way to obtain more suitable attire, indeed partaking in a dangerous mission in your night clothes was unconventional to say the least. He was rather disturbed by how under normal circumstances Kyōko would’ve immediately had the Demon Lord’s private army come and whisk the monster boys away for study. Shizuka thought he should thank the gods above that he wasn’t born a monster boy. The swordsman didn’t know what to be more afraid of, the tenacity that these monstrous women displayed or that apparently Kyōko could call on the Demon Lord’s resources at a moment’s notice…

[sub][@FrogRFlowR][@Noblebandit][@Dark Cloud][@Rune_Alchemist][/sub]

Shizuka's attention was quickly diverted when he sensed three more chi readings making their way to the port. The first was a young dragon girl clad in golden scales and scanty clothing. Such a thing no longer surprised Shizuka, he was dealing with mamono after all. Seemed she arrived to witness the confrontation between him and Wyn, and then she lazily sat on the grass in front of a tree after  briefly taking note of the other members. Shizuka walked over to her for a moment.

[color=0054a6]"Heh, sorry miss, but teammates aren't on the menu around here."[/color] He completely understood the innuendo she made, but just chose to play along. [color=0054a6]"Welcome to Zipangu, I presume you got the memo and are aware of the situation. Feel free to ask me any questions if not, I'll answer them to the best of my ability. I’m Shizuka, by the way."[/color] He immediately noticed the lax disposition she had about her. [color=0054a6]"Try not to fall asleep, we'll be disembarking soon."[/color]

He then noticed the youthful angel descending down with grace that befitted his race. He noticed that he sped up at the last second 

[color=0054a6][i]"Hmph, must be the young and daring type."[/i][/color] He said to himself. He made his way over to the angel next. [color=0054a6]“Greetings, denizen of the heavens, welcome to the eastern isles. Like I just got through explaining to our dragon friend here, we’re about to disembark soon to Shizuyama. Got here right on schedule; time is precious so I may have to brief you on the details later. Name’s Shizuka, I’ll be taking point on this mission.”[/color] This was the first time Shizuka met an angel before, their kind doesn’t come to these lands very often. What he knew was that they were usually very prude and dutiful, priding themselves in good service and order. They also were the sworn enemies of monsters, but he knew that some angels were in service to deities who sided with the Demon Lord. Shizuka presumed that he was with one of those deities, and couldn't imagine why he’d be here if he wasn’t. Unless…

He was taken out of his thoughts by Wym overreacting to yet another male supernatural entity entering the scene. She decided to simply make her way to the ship and wait to set sail. [color=0054a6][i]I guess she’s not changing her clothes?[/i][/color] He thought to himself. It was to his understanding that angels weren’t necessarily monsters bound by the energy of the Demon Lord, unless they got corrupted.

He decided not to worry too much about it for the time being, he had to focus on more important things. Like the third mamono he noticed. He presumed she was, at the very least. She was unlike anything he’d even seen. He…didn’t know exactly what kind of mamono she was, and couldn't figure it out the few times he’d seen her. She looked like an octopus or some sort of aquatic species, but Kyōko stated to him that she wasn’t. He only knew that she was one of her retainers that she would apparently be joining them on their quest. 

In fact, the more he thought about her, the more odd his mind felt. It felt as though his mind was being dragged into a pitch black abyss that seemingly had no end. He felt that the more he stared at the abyss, the more and more he felt his sanity slipping away - like he’d eventually lose all of it and his sense of self completely. He felt that it was time to stop thinking about what she was altogether and greet her properly. She seemed to have already introduced herself to Sam, who was still a popular subject. 

[color=0054a6]“Good Morning, uh, N'ylaatothk? Hope I’m pronouncing that right… I must remember to thank Kyōko-sama for lending to us one of her trusted retainers for this assignment. I trust you have everything in order for the mission? As soon as the rest of the members arrive, we’ll be on our way.”[/color] He took note of the ‘cake’ that she had prepared and offered to Sam. At least, it appeared to be cake. He was no stranger to the strange concoctions that monsters were known for making, and he wasn’t inclined to trust it. For a quick moment, he helped Sam to his feet and whispered something into his ear. [color=0054a6]“Hey Sam, just wanted to run this by you. I understand that your circumstances may be trivial by your standards, but please be mindful to watch yourself for the coming days. Your existence is an oddity among monsterkind the world over, and many would risk arm and leg to ‘examine’ you. I’m also even more worried since we’ll all be on the same ship. Hopefully, nothing out of hand happens, but considering the crowd we’re dealing with that may just be wishful thinking. Just take my words into consideration and tread carefully, you hear boy? I’d tell Sharsneek, but honestly he seems to enjoy the attention AND the thought of being experimented on by the ladies.”[/color]

Just as he finished speaking to the demon boy, a certain Jorōgumo began making her way over…

[hr]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/cDfjYN0.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/0u0wcUo.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NporBQG.png[/img][/center]
[center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbfOVMI-pKw]🌀[/url][/center]

[sub][@Hammerman][@Restalaan][/sub]

[color=7bcdc8]“Atsuha, I don’t like it.”[/color] Hinami whined and cutely hid behind her sister, seemingly spooked by something. [color=7bcdc8]“I don’t like that chi the angel fellow is emanating. It’s too pure and holy…”[/color] As an undead, Hinami possessed an innate aversion to holy auras and the like. As to, she felt that the angel would take issue with her presence and may even attempt to purify her. 

[color=9e0b0f]“Sister.”[/color] Atsuha said in a caring tone, caressing her hands on Hinami’s shoulders to comfort her. [color=9e0b0f]“We’re all on the same side here, remember? Besides, as if I’d let anything happen to you, only a fool would dare lay their hands on you.”[/color] 

Atsuha was surprised by the sudden arrival of the celestial, who apparently would be joining them. She also noticed the coming of the dragon girl and the strange tentacle monster. Great, more rivals… She thought. She also noticed that Lunatea and the monster who had the bearing of a maid were getting flirty with Sam. Shizuka seemed to have whispered something to Sam; her curiosity eventually won over her and she decided to step in as well.

[color=9e0b0f]“Hey Lunatea, you seem to be quite protective of little Sammy-kun. You’re also acting like you’re his big sister, telling him how to behave and conduct himself. He just wanted to be nice and carry your luggage for you, I’d say that’s gentlemanly enough. But, it seems that his good faith is wasted on such a silly girl.”[/color] She then turned to Sam. [color=9e0b0f]“If it were up to me, I’d teach him how to have a bit more fun and cut loose~”[/color] 

[color=9e0b0f]“By the way, Kannazuki-san, what were you and Sammy-kun talking about just now? Having some male bonding?”[/color] She teased. 

[color=0054a6]“No, just giving the boy a bit of life advice is all”[/color] He retorted. He gave Sam a look that said ‘You see what I mean?’

Atsuha then looked at N'ylaatothk, examining her for a bit. [color=9e0b0f]“You have the bearing of a servant, are you one of Kyōko-san’s retainers perhaps?”[/color]

Hinami, wanting to avoid the angel, made her way over to Sharsneek for a brief moment. [color=7bcdc8]“Hello Shars-san! Me and my sister always thought that monster boys weren’t real. I think you said that your dad was a mercenary and your mom was an innkeeper? Was your mom secretly a magician in disguise, or did you dad use a magic item when you were born perhaps?”[/color] She started bombarding Sharsneek with her silly questions until she noticed the cake that N'ylaatothk had made. She immediately dashed toward her, knocking past her sister in the process. Despite Atsuha’s large body, Hinami brushed past her with such force that she almost toppled her over. 

[color=7bcdc8]“Is that cake you have there?”[/color] She asked excitedly. [color=7bcdc8]“I’m actually really hungry, could I have a piece, or four?”[/color] Her mouth was practically watering, and whatever fear she was feeling had completely vanished.