Another Wave Comes Crashing In

Darkmask, here for the Chief's present? I placed it on the side.

Tangtang Certs represent our Chief's appreciation and trust. I haven't even managed to earn one yet.

Alright. Handover complete. Gotta run. I have biz —

Would've sneaked one for myself if the Chief didn't beat people up for that...

Then you better take proper care of them. The Chief won't forgive anyone who loses her special cert.

Yeah. The Chief won't forgive you if you lose her special cert.

Ah... Well... You know ... just doing some errands. I really gotta run.

Hey, can I ask you something? See anyone who's super suspicious?

Huh —? Again? What's so auspicious?

Huh? No! It's suspicious! Saw anyone sneaking around?

Come now, young miss. A pretty girl like you shouldn't be snooping around.

I said! I'm looking for PEOPLE who are SNEAKING around!

Ah! Sneaking around. Oh yes, I did. You're the only sneaky one I saw today...

ME?! Sneaky?! How?!

Oh, you are very sneaky, young miss. I saw people scampering away when they saw you.

SCAMPER?! Where did they go?

There, they went that way.

(That's the big shopping road... Did he run off to meet his gang?)

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MA'AM!

Ahem. AAAHHHEM! You there ... my good man!

Huh...? Are you here to rush my final draft? I just need a few more days...! I NEED TO FIX THE GOODNESS OF FIT!

Goodness of fit? Sure. Exercise a bit more, I guess? Anyway! Did you see anyone acting all weird and sus?

Weird and sus...? Not really. But I can ask that watchguard for you.

Huh...? Where did she go?

No, no. Please don't...

Li! We got a young miss looking for someone!

What's going on?

She was here just a second ago... Now that's really weird and sus...

Hey, boss. Seen a bunch of weirdos hanging out together and behaving really sus?

And I was wondering if anyone would ask me that! Saw a group of four dragging some luggage who went past my place. I asked if they needed some food, but they ignored me.

I think they were trying to follow ... someone who's... Ah! Yes! Someone dressed in black! They were walking super fast, too! I could hardly see them clearly.

Dressed in black?!

Curses! Are they after Darkmask?

Darkmask? Yeah. There was someone with some darkness on their face.

Where did they go?

The hot pot eatery. Saw them go in.

Thanks a million, boss.

Come on in! We got plenty of seats! Dining alone or with a group?

Hoo. No, thanks! I'm good! Hooo. Did you see a person wearing some eye cover... And a group of four... They're following —

Some eye cover...?

THAT'S RIGHT!

Hmm. And is this someone dressed in black? And keeps talking about engineering and tech?

Exactly! That's the perfect description!

And right back there too!

WHAT?! Are they dunking Darkmask into the hotpot?!

Darkmask! I'm here to save you!

Aiyo… My head! Ow!

Where did this little girl come from?

What the...! Huh ... who are you?

Heard someone's looking for me. Is it you?

......

No! You're not... I'm looking... Hey, nobody's looking for you!

Is she here to wreck our store?

Just a little girl... It's okay! Get back to work! No big deal!

She's gone already? That girl's fast.

...We delivered... Let's go and return to the Stockade fort.

Stop right there, scumbag! Had fun making your Chief chase you?

What...? Da hell is this...?

A detonator...?! *Qingbo Stockade expletive"!

Gotta holler for help ... but who...

What are you doing sneaking about down there?​

W-Wha...? Why are you here...? I'm busy shopping. Got no time for you!

Oh? 'Cos we have fancy boutiques in the drainage canal? Don't treat me as stupid, little kitty! Out with it!

I ... uh... I...

Darkmask...!

Yeah! Heard that, Captain Mi? Now go and fine your silly Wulingers and don't get in my way!

Endmin, she's obviously here to... Hmph. Whatever. If you got it figured out, I'm sure you're on top of it.

Darkmask! Quick, get down here! I found a bomb!

And I'd appreciate it if you'd call me once you're done. Thanks in advance.

But thankfully you showed up today. Owe you big time, Darkmask. I'll make it up to you.

Before we forget, just tell me the truth... How did you know I was here?

Meh! I'm starting to suspect you're a different species, Darkmask. Maybe they built you with an extra brain.

That little beady turnip?! URGH! I thought I told her to keep this from you!

The Stockade finally entered a truce with Wuling. Peace isn't easy, you know, and I don't want to mess things up...

But ... this is Stockade business. I didn't want you to get involved again.

Alright, then I guess I'll ... bend the rules a bit and let you help me out!

Let's track them down, find Uncle Shang's hiding spot, and friggin destroy all their plans to attack this city.

I'll do some scouting. Wait for my news!

I'll holler you once I'm done!

You keep calling me Chief and helping me out again and again. But I gave you nothing but trouble.

I just wish I could do something for you and your Endfield right now. If I couldn't do that, at least I shouldn't be getting in your way.

What ... did you just say?

The Fam... That's right...

SO! Those stinking losers got away! They definitely scampered back to Uncle Shang.

Hooo... Almost thought I was going down with that blasted bomb.

I even thought about telling the mad woman everything! Can't just watch the bomb go off.

Alright. Tell me about the four who sneaked into Wuling. I hope those losers haven't caused any trouble yet.

Don't worry. I found their trail. Got one at Citizen Square. The other three brought something to that big shopping road.

*Qingbo Stockade expletive*! Fine. I'll grab that loner loser.

Need help with that?

We sneaked into Wuling 'cos we didn't want to attract attention. If we move as a team, that mad woman is gonna notice and she's gonna start cuffing people with her watchguards!

Mad woman doesn't get to intervene in Stockade biz! And that's final!

Sure. I'll snoop around and continue with my investigations. Holler me if you got new orders, Chief.

Hoooooo...

Thank Talos you're here, Darkmask. They'd have... Wait. Why are you here in the first place?

Hmph. I don't buy it. Let's ditch this stuffy place... We'll have a proper talk outside.

How was it? Everything going well?

Then Tangtang...? Hmph. Whatever. If she agreed to let you help, she probably knows how serious this thing is ... and how it has grown out of her petty competition.

I know I need not worry about Tangtang if you're around her, but...

...Just give me a call should the need arise. I'm always on Baker.

Chief! Some Fam reported seeing the gang with some luggage. They just entered the underground canal near the Bureau of Swordmancers.

I'm sending you the location.