“We have limited System support which should be rather obvious due to its reduced processing capacity and it being occupied with Jin’s dungeon raid.” Kraft briefed them as he popped the half fox masks from his personal storage ring and threw it on the table.
“The System had already uploaded the schematics of the prison blueprint into…erm, the system. Anyway, it will help us track each other’s movement so that we won’t be stuck in there for too long. Although I don’t have any doubt that we all can handle ourselves-“
“Are you kidding me?!” Pei shouted as she reviewed the schematics with a quick glance.
“I understand the meaning of maximum security but having over 100 basement levels isn’t cutting it to be a ‘just a quick heist’.” Pei pointed out, and Kraft chuckled.
“To be exact, 109 levels of basement.” Evon tried to be factually accurate.
“Shut it, Oven.” Pei continued the insult from Kiyu’s remarks, and Evon was already showing his teeth out.
“Huh.” Itori, who was usually quiet, suddenly spoke out. “I can see where this is going even without Kraft opening his mouth.”
“Same here.” Ixa nodded her head as she believed she had the same conclusion as her younger sister.
“Bash through to the lowest levels!” Ixel concluded with a grin and his sisters snickered.
“For once, your tendency towards simplicity is not too off the mark,” Kraft confirmed and clapped his hands once. Suddenly, they heard someone walking down the stairs with the sound of heavy chains. Everyone with the exception of Kraft bowed their heads towards the newcomer’s direction. Even Pei who never liked protocols was sincerely bowing her head.
“Lift up your heads. I am not the same Rex as before. Neither should you all be bowing your heads to me.” The ‘oldest’ member of this special skulk stated in a solemn manner. Everyone was shocked at how calm Rex was compared to the last time they had seen him and how they personally witnessed the System chaining him up after going haywire. The heavy metal chains were still evident on his legs, but it never hinders Rex’s movement at all. As the rest sat down, Kraft subsequently stood up and offered the chair for him to sit.
“Big Brother,” Kraft said in a genuinely courteous voice.
“Thank you, Kraft,” Rex replied as he unzipped the very same battle leather jacket the rest were wearing. That patch emblem of a Panda with a Fox made everyone recall all the bitter memories they went through to get where they were right now.
“I dare not say that it was worth all those sacrifices our comrades had made…but I am still glad he is a part of us again.” Pei thought to herself as she adjusted her seat properly at the table.
Meanwhile, Kraft assisted Rex and released the leg chains as he placed the jacket at the back of his chair. It still had the new leather smell. After all, it was a recent gift from Kraft for him to wear it after his long imprisonment. The others did not care for this technicality and were simply delighted and honoured that Rex still treated this skulk as his family by donning it.
Kraft walked to the other side of the table and sat on the other end as he phoned for someone. “Chef! Yes, it’s Kraft. Everyone is here. Do you mind serving some food for us right now? Thanks. Sure, sure no problem. We have a bit of catching up to do so you do not have to worry. Besides, Jin’s raid is not going to end in a day’s time or two. What difference will fifteen minutes or so make?”
When he ended the phone call, everyone except for Rex was looking at Kraft with wide puppy (well, fox in this context) eyes as they knew who he was talking to. For all that he was, Kraft blushed a little and mumbled that it was for Rex’s temporary return to this world.
“Why are you all looking at Kraft that way?” Rex asked, and everyone decided not to say a single word to allow the surprise to speak for itself.
“Nevermind that… say your scent is quite familiar. Did you use my shampoo!?” Kiyu asked, and Kraft burst into chuckles.
“My bad, my bad, I wanted him to enjoy a good shower before our reunion. Your bathroom was my first choice, given it is the best equipped one among the rest of us within my room.” Kraft revealed, and Kiyu pouted.
Unlike the other bellators who only had a spacious room to themselves, Kraft’s room was more than special. He had requested the System to stretch his place until he had a total of ten rooms to house the foxes. Most did not notice as those who entered into Kraft’s room would immediately find themselves in a room filled with black void before reaching the door to the corridor that led to anyone of the foxes’ place.
“If it was not for Rex, I would have personally killed you over and over again until the System gave me enough points to buy that scented shampoo again!” Kiyu threatened the Original Bellator uncharacteristically. It was a strange sight, given their usually harmonious relationship, which only served to prove how seriously she took this breach of privacy.
“To be honest, I was shocked that a shower room… looked so different from our time. I only chose the soap that was closest to me. I had no idea it was soap until Kraft told me they now made soap in liquid form.”
“Ah! I see. In that case, I don’t mind. When we come back from the heist, I can introduce you to a combination of shampoo and conditioner so you can retain your sparkling golden hair for all eternity.” Kiyu said happily.
Kraft rolled his eyes upon hearing her change of tone. Kiyu had been ready to grind his corpse, yet Rex was so easily forgiven.
“Are you implying that Big Brother Rex is going to get bald?” Pei gave a sarcastic reply, and it cracked the slightly tense atmosphere when Rex was the first to laugh, leading the others to join in.
“Oh Pei, you are as sarcastic as I recall. I am glad some things don’t seem to have changed.” Rex said.
Evon was the only one that still felt a bit tense and felt he had to point out the obvious.
“Are you going to be okay, Big Brother Rex? Or will you be-ouch! Why did you both hit my feet at the same time?” Evon shouted, and the rest were already giving death stares of varying levels, especially Pei who had just managed to break the tense situation.
“Hahahah! Don’t worry, Evon. I assure you I have managed to contain my anger… to a certain extent.” Rex admitted as he casually picked up the notes on the table.
“When Kraft had come to me for my help to infiltrate that Abyss Web, it had taken out a considerable amount of energy from me. And… I don’t know… perhaps it was seeing Little Kraft again after all that time kind of simmered me down further. Maybe it was hearing him call me Big Brother again. I can’t quite point to what exactly the reason was. I just know that the System has finally started viewing me as a cautionary hostile and one which can be used in more productive ways than a mere rabid fox.” The former member of the original Panda Clan explained.
“Fortunately, I already know a place where I can vent my frustrations without hurting anyone that I cherish,” Rex said as he pointed at the blueprint and the foxes smiled with much relief… And delight.
