Inheritance of Shadows [Hugo Vlad x Fem!OC]

Chapter 15: The Arising Conflict

Inside, the place had been quietly transformed. Folding tables had been set up under steel rafters, maps and schematics already laid out. A few crates served as makeshift seating, and dim industrial lights buzzed overhead.

Yurina handed her a warm drink. "Here. Lycaon said you'd need this."

"Where is he?"

"He stepped out to coordinate with the others—probably double-checking routes." Yurina leaned back on a crate. "He's been moving non-stop since last night. Like... actual butler-level efficiency. It's freaky."

Yukari glanced around. The warehouse wasn't luxurious by any means, but it was secure. Hidden. A good staging ground.

She took a sip from the drink, exhaled, and finally allowed herself to sit.

Not long after, the others arrived—Lycaon, followed by Rina, Ellen, and Corin. Their presence shifted the atmosphere instantly, a quiet focus settling over the room as Lycaon rolled up his sleeves and unfurled the map on the table once more.

"Now that everyone's here," he said, "let's run through this once more."

The six of them gathered around the table. The same map rough blueprint of the target building—rooms, corridors, and possible access points—but no further labels or intel on what each space contained.

Yukari's gaze was fixed on the layout, eyebrow raised up. "Still no idea what the rooms actually are?"

"Nothing's changed," Rina replied. "We've got the structure. Halls, walls, entrances. But no designations."

Lycaon folded his arms, eyes narrowing slightly. "We're going in blind, it seems. No labels, no signage—just raw layout. We'll have to identify rooms as we go. We couldn't find anything more."

"Doesn't change the plan," Yukari murmured. "We move in, sweep, and search every room until we find him."

"Unless I go find the security room first then guide you like that!" Yurina chimed in.

"You'd have to do that regardless, I don't assume some rooms are locked with padlocks." Yukari said, smiling.

Yurina scratched her head. "R-Right, of course."

"Anyway," Lycaon said, drawing their attention, "we should get our equipment ready. Yurina was kind enough to provide us with these earpieces."

He held one up between his fingers.

"They're reinforced to avoid detection—her tech's built with signal masking and interference resistance. We'll be able to communicate securely without alerting any nearby transmissions."

Yurina blushes, feeling giddy about Lycaon speaking about her.

"Then we're set." Yukari said.

A quiet hum settled over the group as everyone instinctively began checking their gear. Knives unsheathed and re-holstered. Comms tested. Gloves tightened.

Ellen plopped down onto one of the crates, stretching her arms behind her head. "So, what's the over-under on how many people we run into inside?"

"More than we'd like," Lycaon replied evenly.

Corin fidgeted with the strap on her belt, casting a hesitant glance at Yukari. "D-Do we... have a signal for retreat? I mean, if something g-goes wrong..."

Yukari looked at her. "We don't plan on retreating. But if something does go sideways, stick to your teams and regroup at the main exit point here." She pointed to a section of the map near the southern corridor. "We go in together. We leave together."