Loki frowned. The redheaded goddess' features marred with stress and deep frustration.
A sentiment shared by her own familia.
Nine Hells, Riveria Ljos Alf. The once prim and proper elf now looked disheveled with deep eyebags from lack of sleep.
Elgarm, Gareth Landrock, is currently face down and drooling on the table from overwork.
Finally, Braver, Finn Deimne. Captain of the Loki Familia and he ain't looking so good. The pallum himself is covered in injuries yet to heal with a broken arm. Just seeing her Captain like this makes Loki seeth in anger to the ones responsible.
Unfortunately, she can't find them.
The reason of her Captain's state is because of the ongoing crisis in Orario.
A rampant spread of magic tools.
The attacks started small and simple. Adventurers getting ambushed in the dungeon by other adventurers with magic tools, leaving no trace of the crime and heinous deed. The victims themselves are either left with injuries or left for dead.
A despicable act and punishable crime in Orario.
That's when the blame and names are thrown. Soma familia being called out in particular to which the God himself denied.
'Whatever his children does in the dungeon, it doesn't concern him' by his words.
Revenge came not too soon afterwards.
Soma familia was attacked not soon after with various hooded individuals using magic tools. The attack was launched on their headquarters, injuring and killing some of their members.
An all out guerilla war soon followed in Orario.
Various unknown individuals launched attacks on both parties, ensuring both familias animosity towards another. Of course both Gods denied the allegations of the attacks but it was already obvious.
No one just wants to admit it and no hard evidence can confirm it.
Not soon afterwards, attacks on other familias began. On the red light district, Ishtar's brothels are attacked, forcing the Amazons in the area to rally and put the district under martial law on their goddess' orders.
Loki and Freya Familia is not even safe to said attacks. Both familias have been attacked in their own headquarters in various degrees of success. Either it failed or succeed.
Of course they tried to catch the perprators but they all vanished in the night. A magic tool in play being suspected.
Due to this rampant attacks with magic tools, Hephaestus Familia is now under monitor and suspect to this incident. Loki hated the suspicion falling to her friend but it was possible.
Welf Crozzo in particular being the number one suspect. Coming from a bloodline capable creating magic swords with destructive capabilities, the elves are already calling for his blood. Orario haven't been hit with such weapon yet but they aren't gonna let it happen.
Currently, both Freya and Loki Familia are working together with the guild to police and uncover this incident to put a stop to it.
Right now, Loki's executives are now in a meeting after a huge attack on the Daedalus district where Finn got injured.
"Anything you can find with these magic tools yet, Riveria?" Loki asked to the sole elf in the room.
"Unfortunately, nothing." Riveria said weakly due to lack of sleep. Right now, she's fighting the urge to just collapse like Gareth but she is an elf. She has an image to protect even if it's in front of her goddess.
Both her and Lifiya, her apprentice, were hard at work in studying the magic tools recovered from the crime scenes. The magic tools themselves are frustrating yet fascinating.
They work like regular magic tools but the power each one holds are unique and powerful. It can even be said it can rival regular magic swords which are a league of its own. The magic tools themselves are more like trinkets like rings, gloves and compasses. Like any other magic tools, they all break once it's depleted of magic, leading to recovery to some for study.
But it seems last night's attack, this provider of magic tools have expanded their arsenal.
"But yesterday on the recovered magic tools, we discovered weapons."
"Weapons?!" Loki looked alarmed.
"Yes. From swords to shields, staffs and daggers. Whoever providing them is currently expanding the field of equipment they're providing." Riveria grimly confirmed Loki's fears.
"Not to mention, they're getting bolder." Finn interjected.
"They're attacking around clock this week. Gareth already had the entire Familia on high alert and I have put rotations in place but with the frequency of the attacks, we are being exhausted." Finn bitterly said.
He can already see there enemy's strategy since day one. A battle of attrition where they hold all the cards.
"...Any captured individuals." Finn shook his head in response to Loki's inquiry.
Another frustrating thing about the attacks is how elusive the attackers are. Even if they're attacks are unsuccessful or at best intercepted, the individuals themselves would just vanish before or after combat.
Even the knocked out or dead bodies of the attackers would go missing immediately.
It's swarm tactics and an endurance run. At this rate, Loki Familia will crash out first due to exhaustion before Freya Familia follows suit. It's not like both Familias are slacking or in the back foot but the lack of progress for weeks is taking a toll on both Familias and to Orario itself.
A curfew is even implemented by the Guild itself this month, something that never happened before as it is open for 24/7.
This incident is slowly becoming a disaster as Evilus itself.
Speaking of said organization, suspects and theories began to arise. These attacks maybe a prelude of Evilus' return after their destruction years ago. If so, then the Loki Familia will be in a rather bumpy ride.
"Continue your investigations, Riveria. But after a day of rest. You needed it." Loki said to the elf with a sigh before turning towards the knocked out dwarf and injured pallum.
"Let Gareth take the day off for now and assign someone else on your post Finn. You need to recover first." Finn wanted to retort back and argue but after seeing his Goddess exhausted state, it's better to listen for now.
"In the next few days, Ganesha's holding a banquet and meeting to address this attacks. For now, we hold the line." Loki said, dismissing everyone to rest for the day.
But as soon as she finished talking, a huge plume of smoke rose not far away from Babel Tower.
"Ooooh now what?!!" Loki screamed in frustration, pulling her hair in the process.
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"Oh, I might fucked up the story a little bit." I muttered, taking a bite at the tasty, delicious, and savory jagamarukun.
Anime food is the best.
The free action packed show is just a bonus!
It's Ais versus hood gangs!
So let's see how my items would fare against a prodigy like her.