A Dark Fantasy Spy

---

A giant monster over 200 meters long lay atop the ruins of a small city, crushing buildings beneath it.

“What on earth is that? How can a worm be that big?”

“I have no idea.”

The charred monster resembled a worm that crawled out from summer asphalt. The difference is that worms aren’t big enough to flatten multiple buildings and they don’t feast on humans.

[In the city of Halar, adjacent to the Republic of Tispon, a giant monster has been exterminated. This creature, which destroyed villages and nomadic camps while roaming through the No Man’s Land underground, is recorded to be a staggering size of over 200 meters…]

“Wow, that’s unbelievable…”

As soon as Jake arrived at the office, he cursed while watching the news. Its size could easily qualify it as the largest monster in the world.

“It’s crispy on the outside. Wonder if it’s moist on the inside?”

“You’re talking nonsense again.”

“Just kidding…”

I slapped Jake on the back of his head. The blonde, tanned punk scratched his head while his colleagues consoled him.

“Come on, Jake.”

“…Thanks a lot, Pippin. Really.”

The subordinate employees gathered around the table, unable to tear their eyes away from the TV. A dazed Peacekeeping Force Executive was shown being interviewed by a journalist against the backdrop of an old tactical vehicle.

Behind him, public servants were huddled together, peering at the monster, while the Magic Imaging Equipment focused on a magician standing awkwardly between uniforms and suits.

The magician, with gleaming blue eyes, poked the dead monster with a pipe of unknown origin, only to stumble over the fallen flesh.

As Peacekeeping Force soldiers gathered around the rolling magician, I couldn’t help but turn off the TV.

“Ugh… there he goes again.”

With a tired expression, I tossed the remote down.

“Someone contact the unit over there. Tell them to send Camila Rookie here as soon as they secure her. Leaving her alone is just asking for trouble…”

“Yes, sir.”

I sat at the table, leaving Jake tapping the receiver behind me.

“Let’s get to work.”

—

Episode 17 – The Blood-Drinking Tree

Unlike the atmosphere of last week, where it felt like a massive expedition force would soon cross the sea to bring peace, the armies of the great powers remained unmoveable.

There was no unlimited support as the media had speculated, and the real number of soldiers that actually arrived in Mauritania was less than a hundred.

Local governments couldn’t hide their disappointment, and residents blamed the international community. They wondered where the large expeditionary force that had given them hope would go.

However, no one openly hurled accusations at the support forces, which reflected a sense of goodwill for those who had come to help them, regardless of size. It also showed that there were still people who had not given up hope.

Blessed are those who believe, as they say.

That hope was soon rewarded.

—

[With sharp fangs and six arms, the infamous ‘Numerus’, known for its face on the back of its head, has finally met its end! Stricken by raging flames, Numerus tried to leap into the river but could not escape the ensuing explosions. What’s surprising is that there was only one person who hunted this monster.]

[In the refugee camp located in Dabarshi, Saint Lucia is healing patients. This camp houses around 70,000 refugees fleeing the civil war and has been plagued by epidemics until recently. The Saint, accompanied by Clerics of the Cult and doctors, has treated over 1,500 patients in the past four days—]

[Above the No Man’s Land, a yellow powder is showering down from a carpet flying across the sky. This scene shows potions being sprayed from the Magic Tower. According to Ms. Francesca, who is in charge of development, this powder is harmless to humans and was developed to combat the monsters in No Man’s Land—]

[The Union’s Peacekeeping Force has destroyed a Wendigo habitat. Consequently, the residents of three countries on the Mauritania continent, who had lived in fear for the past eight years, have finally been liberated from their nightmares.]

The Union for International Peace passed Resolution 3774. This is the product of the agreement reached by various governments to resolve the crisis in the Mauritania continent, and its effects have begun to show.

“Wow… they really dealt a huge blow this time.”

I watched the breaking news on TV with my arms crossed.

“How could a habitat as large as that still be around? It’s amazing to think it was still alive.”

Camila responded.

“It was a habitat that the military couldn’t touch.”

She approached, wiping her face dry with a towel. Having returned from the victory with her body covered in soot, Camila transformed back from black to white in just one hour.

I alternated my gaze between the pseudo-black person on TV and the towel-wielding white person. Camila, who had burned the natural cave where the monster nested, was munching on candy she pulled from her combat rations.

“Are those candies going down okay?”

“My throat’s dry. Oh, by the way!”

While munching on the candy, Camila leaned over the desk, getting all animated.

“I looked in the bathroom earlier and a ton of black stuff came out of my nose! I can’t possibly be getting lung cancer, can I?”

“From where I’d stand, I’d say you should worry about diabetes before lung cancer. What are you doing inhaling smoke all the time?”

“Well, there might be smoke when you’re fighting.”

“Now you’re down to where you have to eat smoke just because you don’t have anything else to munch on…”

“Shut up.”

As soon as the resolution was passed, the team flew to the Mauritania continent as if they had been waiting for it.

Borders, refugee camps, No Man’s Land.

The three spread out far and wide, swiftly addressing incidents at the scene as if they were a blink-and-you-miss-it operation. It was both rapid and precise.

Problems that even local governments had difficulty addressing, as well as the international community, disappeared in no time—barely two weeks had passed.

“Hmm. Quite good, very smooth.”

Things were progressing without a hitch, especially socially.

The typical issues plaguing Mauritania were civil war, monsters, epidemics, and disasters. The civil war was a product of a complex political situation, making it a challenging issue. However, the other three were issues we could certainly handle.

Camila, Lucia, and Francesca dealt with urgent matters as soon as they arrived at the scene—monsters attacking the border, cholera spreading in the refugee camp, and swarms threatening transportation networks in the No Man’s Land.

Even though they were scattered without even a greeting, it was okay. Handling monsters, healing patients, and rebuilding collapsed infrastructure were the specialty of the three.

“Everyone seems to be doing so well that the rhythm from the north is still intact. The government parties even sent their thanks.”

“Really?”

“Yep. Lucia and Francesca received theirs too. Of course, you did too, Camila.”

“Wow!”

Camila’s eyes sparkled as she held the thank-you note sent by the government.

I opened my mouth to address the curious Camila who was examining the thank-you note closely.

“Oh, and the two of them are coming here now.”

“Now?”

“Since the urgent fire has been put out, it’s about time we huddle together. We have stories to share.”

I stood up, clearing away the candy wrappers Camila had left behind. Camila, who shook off the water with a towel, soon used her magic to dry off the rest.

With her dripping hair swaying back and forth, she suddenly stood up. With a face full of excitement, she began to pull my hand.

“Let’s hurry and meet them! Quick!”

“Whoa, slow down a bit. You’re going to pull my wrist off.”

—

The Peacekeeping Force flag fluttered at the base. The military facility built in the desolate desert exuded a fortress-like atmosphere.

The sound of combat boots crunching on the sand was mixed with the exhaust of military trucks. We waited as the vehicles passed, and then dashed out onto the road toward the checkpoint.

The entrance of the base was blocked by barricades and concrete blocks. Soldiers at the inspection point were searching passing vehicles. We reached the stringent inspection point, where we were greeted by familiar faces.

“Lucia! Francesca!”

The women with brilliant blonde hair and purple locks turned their heads.

At the sound of their names, they smiled and responded warmly.

“Camila! Long time no see!”

“We finally meet again!”

Lucia smiled at Camila and nodded. Meanwhile, Francesca crossed her arms and turned her gaze away.

“I see Colonel is here as well.”

“Yeah, it’s my job after all. You all went through a lot to get here.”

“Not that much of a struggle.”

Having reunited with old friends after a long time, Camila could hardly contain her excitement. People passing by occasionally glanced over at the jumping magician.

After greeting Camila, Francesca walked over next to me. Lucia also smiled kindly as she nodded.

“It feels like it’s been ages since we all gathered in one place. Is it around six months now?”

“About that. The last time we met was after the Canonization Ceremony. Everyone safe and sound?”

“Very well, thank you. I suppose the Saint has also had no major issues in the past few months.”

“Yes.”

Lucia nodded with a pleasant smile.

It was a smile so uplifting it made anyone watching smile as well. Unable to contain her curiosity, Camila blurted out.

“Did something good happen?”

“Oh.”

As if realizing something with her words, Lucia let out a small gasp and nodded.

“It must be because I get to see all of you again after half a year.”

“Ah-ha!”

At her words, Lucia’s eyes flicked in our direction. Glancing around, the Saint waved her hand softly as if to keep it discreet, and I responded by waving back.

After Lucia finished her shy greeting, she turned her gaze toward Camila again. Meanwhile, Francesca hummed a low tune, crossing her arms.

“You two seem to be awfully close. Is there something special between you?”

“It’s just excitement from seeing each other again.”

“Hmm…”

Francesca’s posture shifted subtly, signaling she was listening critically to the response. Though her mouth kept smiling, I sensed her eyes had turned cold—a thought flickered in my mind that this might not end well.

While sweating profusely at Francesca’s subtle behavior, I felt the puzzled gaze of Camila, who had been talking with Lucia.

“Frederick. Did something happen with Francesca?”

“No, um, it’s not that…”

“It’s nothing, Camila.”

Francesca turned away and walked toward Camila, making it clear that she wouldn’t listen to any explanations. Perhaps there was no need for an explanation anyway.

……

As I stood there looking glum, Lucia approached me.

With a worried expression, she inquired if anything was wrong.

“…Nothing at all.”

The gathered group at the entrance of the base exchanged warm conversations, covering everything from recent news to events that had occurred on the field. The subjects were wide-ranging and diverse.

After looking around at the procession of vehicles entering the Peacekeeping Force base, I checked the time. Realizing that quite a bit of time had passed, I quickly climbed the building stairs and spoke up.

“Everyone, please come inside now.”

“What for?”

“What for, you ask?”

I tapped my watch on my wrist.

“You should start doing your work soon.”