Double-Blind: A Modern LITRPG

Chapter 153

I doubled back multiple times on the way to the hideout, alternated moving through both low and high population areas.

No sign of a tail. But Id been wrong before.

Emulation hadnt pinged once during the conversation with Gray-hair. He probably didnt use a skill on me directly, but that didnt mean someone hadnt. Someone nearby, in one of the cars behind us. After returning to the hideout, I stripped off my armor and combed through it for a tracker, specifically focusing on the armors back, underarms, and legs. I checked the list to make sure Gray-hair hadnt made subtle physical contact at any point. He hadnt. Subsequently, I dumped the documents on a nearby table and tore open the manila envelope, searching for anything that resembled a tracker.

Nothing.

Still not satisfied, I changed into civilian clothes and sat down on a bench across from the hideout, Allfathers mask tuned to provide maximum coverage.

I was looking for drive-bys. Anyone who slowed down a bit too much in proximity of the hideout. Problem was, this was a congested area. Cars slowed down all the time. Some man in a pickup rear-ended a Miata and got out, screaming at the driver, who cowered in her seat.

Annoyed, I used to convince him she had a gun on her lap. The screaming driver paled and immediately got back in his car, pickup chugging exhaust as it sped around the Miata and through a nearby stop sign, narrowly swerving around oncoming traffic.

Considering the task he gave you, wouldnt it make more sense if the SuitTalia started

Call him Gray, for simplicity. I said. It was overly terse, even for me.

If Gray didnt bother tracking you until you accomplished the task? Talia said.

Azures bright and cheery voice chimed in, grating. Wolf-girls got a point. He knows where youll be. Not necessarily when youll be there, but its a lot easier to keep tabs on a house than a person

What the fuck happened with the mind-reading? I interjected. Can you do it or not?

I I mean the surface has a lot of interference. Azure babbled. He sounded genuinely intimidated by the question. Im sorry. I tried.

Trying didnt help me.

But I had enough self-awareness to know when I was displacing anger, and managed to avoid directing that thought at the lithid at the last moment. It wasnt his fault. Not to mention with the way he revered me, itd be disturbingly easy to use him as a punching bag, due to the high bond and the fact neither Talia nor I liked him much.

I needed to be especially careful to avoid that.

Even though Azure had put me through hell, all of my summons had a rocky start. Talia wanted to kill me for the death of her pups. Audrey had every intention to eat me alive.

Azure had done what he was effectively programed to do. Touch a nerve. More stomped than touched, but whatever. Punching down on him for acting according to his nature would be nothing more than bullying.

I rubbed my brow, suddenly tired.

Its okay. I appreciate the honesty. Id much rather know you dont have something than think you do and be wrong.

Eventually, I gave up and returned to the hideout. I let all three summons out and sat squarely on the couch, lost in thought.

Azure invited Audrey onto his lap, and when the plant accepted, started feeding her meat from the cooler and petting the Flowerfangs head. Out of the corner of my eye, Talia sniffed at the pink dog bed. She looked over at me and the lithid suspiciously. When neither of us paid her any mind, she rotated in a circle and laid down.

There was a new quest in my notification screen.

Quest: Blood and Intrigue

Primary Objective Kill the target.

Secondary Objective Avoid drawing attention, being tailed, and accomplishing the Primary Objective in any manner that might blow back on the quest giver.

Threat Level: (???)

EXP GAIN (???)

Time Limit: One Week.

Reward: Possible recruitment into ??? Guild

Why even bother filling in the quest name? I complained aloud. Just put three fucking question marks in every field and call it a day.

Big meat bad. Audrey scowled, and started to say something else before Azure shoved more ground hamburger in her mouth.

On one hand, I was relieved that the quest wasnt part of a chain. On the other, it was entirely possible that it was a chain.

Such a simple mind. I heard Azure whisper. So much potential for fun.

Hey. Talia barked, fur on the back of her neck standing straight up.

Fun? I asked dangerously.

The lithid wilted. I mean, you told me not to read you or the dogs minds. You didnt say anything about this one.

Fair enough. Hed gotten both my and Talias hackles up, but pointed out an oversight in the process.

I leaned my face on my hand, staring at the new summon. Do not mind-read any of my summons, friends, or family except for Ellison. Do not attempt to harm any of my summons, friends, or family. Do not manipulate them. Do not feed on them.

Azure deflated. What if theyre already suffering, and I just take a nibble?

I spoke slowly. Do not, nibble, on my summons, friends, or family.

But why? Thats so wasteful. The lithid sounded genuinely distraught.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Do you know what a conflict of interest is?

Yes. Azure sighed heavily.

Then you get it. I dont give two shits about our opposition, but I want to avoid putting you in a position where youre incentivized if the people around me are hurting.

So youre looking out for me? Azure asked brightly, bumping his shoulder into mine.

Obviously, youre my highest priority. I rolled my eyes. Now scoot over? Its a big couch. The lithid did as I asked with no complaint, seeming in oddly high spirits after our talk. After a few minutes, I understood why. There was a bright light as Azure changed forms into a flowerfang, with red coloring instead of Audreys purple.

I opened my mouth, then hesitated. Audrey seemed delighted with the development. She interwove a vine with Azures, and they gallivanted around the room as a pair, doing an excellent impression of the grouped up flowerflangs from the second floor.

Azure? This should have gone without saying, but

Azure popped back into his human form, sulking. I promise not to imitate you or your summons, friends, or family. Audrey looked equally disappointed.

I considered the implications, if there was anything I was missing. The rest, yes. Unless I tell you otherwise. But I turned my attention to Audrey. You know Azure isnt a real Flowerfang, right?

Audrey tilted her head, deep in thought. Yes. Yet, its nice. To see another.

Maybe Audrey was lonely. I sighed, hoping I didnt regret this decision. You can imitate Audrey.

Azure let out a whoop and shifted to flowerfang form.

Azure is welcome to a wolf form as well. Talia said. I twisted in my seat to look at her, shocked. What? If we ever go scouting together, it will be more helpful to have two mobile sets of eyes.

That was shockingly pragmatic, considering what Azure had done to Talia. Fine. But no social use of Talias form. Dont use her form to talk to anyone besides us.

Thank you! Azure sounded delighted, but his interpretation of a flowerfangs smile looked downright sinister.

Is there a reason you didnt use him to follow Gray? Talia asked. Azure could have easily slipped into his shadow.

Grays high up. And if my read is correct, hes mired in some sort of power struggle. Hell be taking additional precautions. I glanced at Azure, spinning his newly minted vines in something that resembled a dance. And even with the bond, Im not certain how much we can trust him yet.

So hes probationary.

For the moment.

Do you intend to carry out Grays assignment? Talia asked aloud. Azure parted from Audrey, wandering over to hear the answer.

I began to leaf through the dossier. Im not going to kill someone just because some asshole snaps his fingers.

But itd be so satisfying if you did. Azure commented.

I put the documents down, studying Talia. Theres more than one way to skin a cat. Due diligence is the name of the game here. As tempting as it is to take Buzzcut out, its entirely possible that might be the worst option. Especially if Gray is planning to tie up loose ends after we do the dirty work for him.

Talia pointed her nose away, with an oddly displeased expression. Then what do we do?

I returned to the first page of the dossier.

Buzzcuts real name was Cameron Reed. He was thirty-four. Graduate with honors with a major in economics. But the minor was more interesting.

Criminal Justice

That combination screamed one of two things. Forward-thinking criminal, or law enforcement.

Research. I answered.