Mutagen

Chapter 1178 The HUB, Entering the CNC's Commercial Territory

Day 378 - 6:15 PM - Port of Gilimanuk, Gilimanuk, Melaya Subdistrict, Jembrana Regency, Bali, Indonesia

"You did that, huh?"

Mark said with a shrug as he listened to Odelina's report.

After a whole day of completing the task given to them, Odelina's group returned to Gilimanuk to provide Mark with their report. Of course, it included the fact that Odelina threw a grenade at the training grounds of the NPA base to get their attention to the document she left there.

Nonetheless, Mark understood Odelina's goal there. A document left randomly could be easily missed by anyone passing by. And if it were found, the seriousness of the contents of the document would be deemed questionable.

But if they found a document left somewhere where a crime without a culprit happened, people would take it more seriously. While Odelina was being a little bit playful with that grenade, her thoughts were in the right place.

With a nod as he erased his current thoughts, Mark turned to Odelina.

"Is it okay if you stay here tomorrow?"

Mark asked.

"Is it about the auction you are going to attend with Mei?" Odelina was already informed. "It should be fine. I can take care of the children during your absence. Huey isn't alone to manage the base, and there's barely anything going on aside from the daily work around the base."

"That's good then," Mark sighed. "It will be worrying if there are more unwanted events happening around the base, considering the amount of defenses we invested around it."

"That is true," Odelina agreed. "The illusory barrier made by the [Tikbalangs] was more than enough to stop the intruders. It is the same for the [Mechids] since most of them would encounter the animals trapped within the barrier, and they would end up fighting themselves."

"And during that fight, the presence of [Mechids] will be known by our people. By the time they pass through the barrier, the defenses are already ready to intercept."

Mark voiced out.

"Exactly."

Odelina nodded.

"It's good that the base is doing fine," Mark felt relieved. "On the other hand, Infanta isn't doing that great."

"Unfortunately, yes."

Odelina shared the sentiment.

The Infanta Settlement was the first stop of Odelina's group when they brought the news of the incoming Third Wave. The situation with food and shelter there had become more stable than before. Unfortunately, there was a recent problem there. More [Mechids], shaped like fish and other marine animals, appeared in the river.

It made Mark remember the first marine [Mechid] they encountered before. It was also there in Infanta. It was a shark-like [Mechid]. Althought it was still unknown if these [Mechids] originally had these appearance or if they adapted after arriving here on earth, there was on thing that was for sure. These [Marine Type Mechids] were a menace to the Infanta Settlement because one of their sources of food was the river. It was also their source of water. With these new [Mechids] appearing there, fishing and drawing water from the river became dangerous for everyone.

Fortunately, the situation had yet to turn very bad for the people there. They could still manage due to the help of the [Magical Races] now resideing there.

Of course, the Infanta Settlement would still need to prepare for the Third Wave.

Mark and Odelina talked a bit more before the report finished.

With the report done and the night growing deeper, everyone ate dinner and went to sleep early.

***

Day 379 - 7:21 AM - Port of Gilimanuk, Gilimanuk, Melaya Subdistrict, Jembrana Regency, Bali, Indonesia

"You girls listen to Aunt Odel while we're gone, okay?"

Mei strictly instructed her daughters.

"Okay!"

While Iola and Abbygale only nodded silently, Miracle answered loudly.

Stay tuned with empire

Unfortunately, that instruction was pretty much for Miracle alone since she was the troublemaker of the three.

It was not just the three girls. Every member of the Evernight was here to see Mark and Mei off. There was no need to give instructions to everyone as they already knew what to do during specific emergencies.

"Are you two ready? We should go."

As Mark and Mei bid goodbye to the rest of the group, Devon called out.

"We're ready."

In any case, the three of them could only wait.

As the three waited, they gathered more attention.

Some beautiful-looking girls seemed to want to use their charm to hook Mark, who did not sport good looks. However, one glare from Mei made them stop on their tracks and rethink their thoughts.

It was because not only was Mei sensitive to their aim, but there was no way they would be able to charm Mark with Mei, who was far more beautiful than them, around.

And as if that was not enough, Mei hugged Mark's left arm while glaring at those girls, asserting her dominance.

Seeing that, Devon could only shake his head, while Mark could only smile at Mei's behavior.

On the other hand, Mark was receiving some glares. After all, he managed to hook someone like Mei despite his lacking appearance.

While the strange standoff was happening in the waiting area, the darknedd in an arched doorway nearby seemed to wriggle. It waved like water as a figure emerged from it.

A beautiful woman with green hair stepped into the HUB from that doorway. And after looking a round, she walked towards the waiting area.

Sure enough, the attention of the nearby agents shifted to the green-haired woman. There was no way it would not.

After all, none of these agents had never heard of the organization's current rising star named Val'Flora.

And it sure came a surprise to everyone when Val'Flora approached Mark and Mei and vowed respectfully.

"I'm sorry for my tardiness."

Val'Flora apologized for being late.

Strange enough, her demeanor was also different this time.

"Is this your true demeanor?"

Mark could not help but ask. Although he had seen her several times, she even showed her actual appearance, it was still hard to pinpoint her true self.

"My business behavior, to be exact," Val'Flora answered. "This is how I behave within the organization's premises."

"Why are you late?"

Devon chimed in and asked.

"It's because I don't want to be an incompetent agent for my client. It made me arrive late, unfortunately."

Val'Flora replied as she took out a card and fanned it in front of Devon.

"So, that's why..."

Devon understood.

"What is that?"

Mark asked.

"It's the pass to enter the auction hall," It was Devon who answered. "It is not easy to get. No wonder she was late."

"Well then, I will take "my" client to the auction house," Val'Flora said to Devon. "You can stay here."

However, Devon snickered as he replied.

"You're late since you had just gotten the pass, right? Then, I will be the one leading Sir Mark, and you can tag along. There is no way you will be an effective agent in the auction when it is your first time entering it."

Val'Flora glared at Devon. Unfortunately, she could not retort his words.

"It's fine," Mark stood up and patted Val'Flora's shoulder. "You can do it next time."

"Haah," Val'Flora let out a sigh. "Understood."

With that exchange, the four left the waiting area under the curious eyes of the onlookers.

Why was the Indonesian Country Agent, Devon and the rising star, Val'Flora, escorting those clients?

But while most of the agents present were clueless, those who had information beforehand understood as they rushed back to their groups and offices.

As Devon and Val'Flora escorted Mark and Mei to the auction hall, a rumor quickly spread among many agents.

Val'Flora's mysterious client, the source of the pure crystals, was currently within the CNC's premises.