The Creatures that We Are

“Alright.” Songstress smiled at Quiet Book and Lying Wood. “Make yourselves at home and please watch the shop for me for a while.”

“Okay.”

“No problem.”

Songstress went up to the mezzanine with War Tiger. War Tiger plopped himself down on a sofa and took out a jammer against eavesdropping from his pocket, turning it on to fill the space with special white noise.

“Songstress, the organization is going to move.” War Tiger got right to the point.

“Move?” Songstress was surprised. “Is the underground sixth floor not good enough?”

“It’s nice. Actually, the base Electric Mouse built for us with all his money is the most comfortable and safest base in the history of the Twelve Zodiac Signs.”

“Then why…”

“However,” War Tiger cut her off with a smile, “It’s only safe for facing Crimson Tides, not a civil war.”

“A cunning rabbit should have three burrows, so I’ve had White Rabbit prepare for our moving.” War Tiger glanced at her. “You should prepare to close down shop any time, too…”

“No,” Songstress didn’t even think before blurting out. “I’m not closing down the shop.”

The shop was filled with the memories she shared with Ghost Horse. She would never leave it.

She had long decided that if everyone was going to die due to the coming doom, she would sit on the sofa on this floor and listen to Ghost Horse’s favorite jazz music with the company of coffee, embracing the last moment of her life.

“Ah.” War Tiger wasn’t surprised by Songstress’ answer. She looked gentle and meek, but she was stubborn when it came to her principles and bottom lines.

“Won’t you reconsider, Songstress?” War Tiger tried again.

“I’ve made up my mind, Uncle Tiger,” Songstress said.

“Alright, then stay here for now.” War Tiger clapped his thighs and stood up. “Once the new base is more or less ready, I’ll take you there to have a look. Perhaps you’ll change your mind then.”

Songstress smiled noncommittally.

“Bye then.” War Tiger waved at her and went downstairs.

…

Headquarters of the Ocean River Union, a week later.

Silver hair put up, Liu Qingying was dressed professionally in a white shirt, a fitted skirt, and a brown coat, with brown sunglasses. She sauntered across the office hall on heels with a pochette handbag in her left hand and two cups of hot coffee in her right hand.

Ever since she joined the Ocean River Union, she had become a beautiful sight in the base. The number of men and women falling head over heels for her were numerous.

She quickly crossed the hall and reached the intelligence department, which was comprised of a large monitoring room with large LCD screens for walls on three sides, divided into countless smaller window-like screens. Each was monitoring a different location in real-time, mainly the important crossroads, airports, train stations, harbors, and car stops in Li City.

Liao Liao was a hacker, and she could easily access most security systems and surveillance networks.

At the moment, the intelligence department’s main focus was to look for the Nine Scions’ hideouts and traces left by the Godbearer Cult, as well as keep an eye on the movements of the Twelve Zodiac Signs. If they spotted anything, Liao Liao would report to the Elders. Then the Union would send members to investigate on site according to the situation.

With that said, Liao Liao spent most of her time loafing about.

She knew that members of the Nine Scions were always in disguise when they went out, courtesy of Nainai’s Shapeshifter, and it was nigh impossible to find them with surveillance cameras alone.

Sitting on a comfortable swivel chair, Liao Liao rested her legs on the console while playing HOK.

For some reason, she wasn’t doing well today. She was on a losing streak.

Speaking of the game, Liao Liao had an online friend named “GOAT as Xiao Qiao”. They hadn’t appeared for a while.

They invited Liao Liao to join matches often, and their skills were as flawless as their temper was cantankerous. It was a common occurrence for them to curse out their opponents and their ancestors. With their voice modulated, though, Liao Liao couldn’t tell their gender.

Click. Liu Qingying gingerly opened the door with her shoulder. “Coffee’s here.”

“You’ve finally arrived, Sister Liu!” Liao Liao shot to her feet while the crystal regenerated. Taking the coffee from Liu Qingying, she leaned in to take a whiff. “Hm, smells nice!”

Members of the Ocean River Union almost never left the base now. They ate at the canteen in the base and made coffee and drinks on their own.

“Why does the coffee you make always smell better than what Ting Ting makes?” Liao Liao cackled. “Tell me! Do you have a secret formula?”

“Perhaps it’s the love I put into it.” Liu Qingying sat down with a smile and crossed her long legs in a leisurely manner. “Find anything today?”

“What can I possibly find?” Liao Liao complained. “I’m going to go blind if this keeps on.”

She took a sip of her coffee and daydreamed, “The weather is so nice. I’d love to get some sun…”

“I’m back!” Someone opened the door.

A cute girl with brown hair and a round face came in with several bags of food and desserts, eyes crinkling in a smile. “See what I’ve got!”

“You’re finally back, Ting Ting!” Liao Liao’s eyes lit up. She hurriedly went up to her.

Giggling, Ting Ting proudly placed the food on the table. “Rise and shine, Uncle Cicada! Time for afternoon tea.”

Cold Cicada, who had been napping on a foldable chair in the corner, rose and stretched his arms. He came up to his colleagues with a thermos.

The four sat around the table and started eating.

Sister Ling had been a member of the intelligence department, too, but comprehending Frost gave her a great boost in power, and she was reassigned to Team Colorless.

Liu Qingying filled her spot in the intelligence department after joining the Union.

Liao Liao missed the food outside so much that she “spotted” traces on purpose every week and sent Ting Ting to investigate. After finishing the work, Ting Ting would buy some tasty food on her way back.

Her Talent was Air Man, serial number 184, Guard-type.

Basically, she could become as unnoticeable as air. Even if she brushed shoulders with an enemy, they wouldn’t realize it until much later.

It came with a caveat that she couldn’t speak, make large movements, or attack while using Air Man.

Anyhow, it made her a perfect candidate for investigating outside.

“Oh!” Liao Liao took a bite of a donut and crowed, “The donuts from this shop are to die for! You should have some, Sister Liu.”

Liu Qingying drank coffee with a smile. “I’ll pass.”

“Sister Liu has to stay fit.” Ting Ting rubbed at her belly. “You think everyone’s like us and has embraced being fat?”

“Is that the price for being beautiful?” Liao Liao took another bite of her donut. “It is a weight I cannot bear—or the lack thereof.”

“Haha, same for me.” Ting Ting chewed on a duck's neck. “I’ve surrendered to delicious food. I’ll live shortly and fatly.”

“You’re not fat at all, Ting Ting. I think you’re just right.” A man’s voice suddenly came from behind them.

The four paused, their smiles immediately sliding off their faces.

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