Story Reader / Affection / Changyu: Qilin / Story
Changyu: Qilin I
>02:46 PM. Abandoned Dock, West Coast.
Recently, vandalized and adulterated supplies have repeatedly turned up in earthbound bases, prompting a request for Babylonia's assistance.
Seeing that most squads are occupied with their respective missions, this task is assigned to Gray Raven instead.
Following a trail of clues, your team is led to an abandoned dock.
You can taste the salt in the wind, the nighttime breeze weaving between the tiny shacks and structures. The arrival of the Gray Raven squad seems to have brought a rare hint of liveliness to the place.
Your IDs?
A man in guard attire blocks your way forward.
Here.
Lucia hands him your prepared IDs. The guard takes a look at them and grunts.
Wait here.
He returns soon after with your identifications in hand.
Bossman's asking for your tokens. These won't do—word got out about the IDs recently.
Word had gotten out, obviously, for none other than Gray Raven. You do not expect to be discovered so quickly and elicit such a swift response.
Everyone here was delivered one.
Bossman said everyone was delivered one, so everyone was delivered one.
The guard puts his hand on his weapon, his eyes darting between the four of you. A fight will most definitely ensue should the Gray Ravens insist.
Better leave now. No good to anyone if we fight.
The Gray Ravens all back away and leave.
A sudden wave of onshore wind gusts through the crowded dock, lifting away the tattered hood of a passerby, revealing a pair of familiar eyes.
The man standing next to the boy hears what you call him and turns to look at the cloaked young figure.
The man standing next to the boy notices your gaze. He stops and turns to look at the cloaked young figure.
Do you know them?
He grabs the boy by the collar. The sudden jolt yanks away the boy's hood, revealing a practiced and composed smile.
Chang—
Realizing that this is not the best time for a reunion, Liv abruptly stops.
Hey, no fighting! These folks don't have their tokens. How about you?
Of course we do! Loosen up, man. I gotta show him the thing.
The man lets go of Changyu. The two of them each take out an ancient coin that seemingly originates from Kowloong.
Looks like they're all associated with Kowloong.
Perhaps they're left behind by the Nighter.
The guard is busy inspecting the ancient coins, failing to notice what you are all whispering.
Coins look right, but they're just for the two of you. What's their deal, then?
Oh well, I have no idea.
The guard and the cloaked man both look at Changyu in suspicion.
C'mon, it's hard not to run into a few familiar faces, the way we business folks get around. Doesn't mean I've stuck my nose into everyone's "family matters," y'know?
Changyu turns to your group tongue-tied and frowns in frustration.
Now, I've still got some business with my friend here. Let's talk some other time, cool?
That better be true. If I found out you were lying, I'll—
Sure, sure—you'll doublecross us with your 200 inside men and blow our train to kingdom come, am I right?
Just think about it. If someone from Akdilek was competent enough for a job like that, they wouldn't have sent me with you.
Changyu stands on his toes to match the man's height. He gives the cloaked figure a pat on the back, alongside a grin and a vial of serum.
Here, take this. Nothing more calming than a shot of this, right? Now, this is your turf—care to show me the way?
What about them?
Changyu turns to your group again with the same frustrated look.
I couldn't care less. They can take care of themselves.
A muffled thunder from behind the clouds is hinting at an upcoming storm. The Gray Ravens exchange glances with each other and, eventually, depart the abandoned dock.
There goes our lead.
Not that we can do anything right now. You heard the man with the bomb-rigged train, didn't you?
I'll look into the tokens and see if we can get ahold of them... Meanwhile, let's figure out a way to meet Changyu.
Wait—I just got a message from him.
Meet me in my secret lair.
Secret lair?
Hold on... He also attached a set of coordinates—of an underground warehouse 45km away.
You're right. Let's go.
