Okumura Syndicate

Chapter 96: Damage unfixable

It was the day after the disaster at the auction. A lot had changed in a short period of time. Fleur was taking initiative and leading an assignment, in which Craaq openly asked to be her right hand man. Demitris is taking the role of capo, leading the squad based on Rou's list of priority. However, for Aster, it's like it was back to the start, he was questioning authority of the higher ranked members and Rou, the first man that trusted him, hd been abducted.

In fear of corruption being involved, he was yet to decide to join the assault alongside Fleur and Craaq and was waiting in the soldiers cafeteria for a thought to come to him. Demitris approached him at the table, "So, they decided to temporarily promote you, huh?". Demitris seemed a lot more depressed than when Aster last saw him, "I wish I could join the assault, but suddenly they gave me this job, if anyone should be saving Rou, it's me!", he mumbled.

"I know how you feel, it's like the corruption's only become worse since the auction...", Aster remarked. "As your capo, I instruct you to go with them!", declared Demitris. Aster was confused at first but eventually made up his mind, "I'm not used to you being in this position, it feels unnatural, and I can tell you feel uncomfortable. I'll do it, I'll save Rou!", he announced.

"I trust you, Aster, and when you do see him, please let Rou know that what I did was an accident, I'm sure he'll understand.", Demitris proclaimed. "I better catch up with them then!", Aster enthused, rushing out of the cafeteria. "I hope they haven't already left.", he thought as he ran. In the hallway he encounters a soldier from Fleur's squad, who pointed him in the right direction. Eventually, Aster found himself in Catoria's office, where Fleur and Craaq were also situated.

"What's this? A lecture fest?", Aster questioned jokingly. "We're just here to get the situation assessed.", Craaq informed. "With the threat of Lin or Kiara finding us on our route, we can't use transportation. We have to trek the forty miles to the Renegard mansion on foot.", added Fleur. "Sit down Aster.", mumbled a fed up Catoria. "We weren't expecting a third person on this assignment, I'll have to take it into account in the paperwork.", she grumbled.

"So you do care about our safety for once.", commented Aster. "Didn't we always?", Catoria questions the boy, confused on why he was saying this. "The syndicate higher ups only care about us when the money is at stake, and look at that, one of your highest earners has gone missing!", Aster shouted. Catoria sighed again, "It's what we have to do, and if you don't like it, we can easily get rid of you. After all, you're expendable, we're not.".

"I'm expendable? Really? It's always been like this. You higher ups have been against me because I'm not from this world. If you have to do this, then I have to do my part to keep myself living. Right?", he enquired. Aster continued, "I know, why don't you get off your ass and promote me if I do a good job. You can't? Well doesn't Edward need an underboss, why not promote Fleur as well?", he suggested daringly. Fleur felt embarrassed on his behalf, while Craaq just watched in awe at his audacity. But Catoria didn't seem to like his response.

"How rude, you really have no respect for your superiors, but your plea intrigues me. However, Rou must be returned alive. If that is not the case, you will be executed...", responded Catoria. "It's a deal, I'll do anything to stop my friends from suffering.", Aster exclaimed. "I appreciate your vigor, I wish I could speak up like you do.", Craaq reflected. "I hope this mission gives you confidence, Craaq.", Aster reassures him.

"I just know they'll be a lot of hardship...", commented Fleur. "I know it'll all be worth it when we save Rou and get promoted. Fleur, I guarantee that the combined strength of the three of us is enough to get him out of there. In my encounters with the Renegard syndicate, their defenses are weak. We can do this!", encouraged Aster. "Head to the entrance, we have no time to lose.", instructed Fleur.

The trio were about to head on a mission that they could've never planned in advance. Little did they know, it was going to change them more than they could imagine, even the mansion won't be the same when they return, with promises of promotion and glory. Aster, Fleur and Craaq headed into the unknown, and henceforth into another journey.

(New opening, feel free to listen to the song, it will be around until around chapter 120.)