Moving deeper into the sewer, Tide Cultists occasionally crossed paths ahead. But Shea walked along the pipes, cloaked in invisibility—discovery was nearly impossible.

Still, it was staggering how many Tide Cultists had infiltrated Vag City. What were the guards even doing?

*Where did they take Nina?*

Vag City’s sewers twisted like a labyrinth. Searching blindly would waste precious time. If she didn’t find Nina before the Missionary arrived…

She’d be truly doomed.

“The sacrificial array is being prepared. We must hurry.”

Two cultists rushed past below, boots splashing through murky water.

*Sacrificial array?*

A lead. Shea decided to gamble.

Disguised as a Tide Cultist, she rounded a corner where two others entered a room. *Answers might be inside.*

Inside, several cultists bustled around ritual preparations. Spotting Shea—who looked idle—they barked orders:

“You. Fetch the offering.”

“My apologies,” Shea replied in a gravelly, middle-aged man’s voice—a mimicry skill honed during heists. She could imitate elders, mature women, little girls, boys, even animals. “I’ve just been transferred from outside. No partner, unfamiliar with the layout… I got lost.”

“New recruits report to the baptism chamber first. What are you doing here?” The cultist waved another forward. “Take him to baptism. And bring back the offering.”

“Follow me.”

The escort led silently through dripping tunnels until they reached a makeshift cellblock.

“The offering’s here. When we circle back—”

A white Light Blade pierced his skull before he finished.

“Thanks for the escort, buddy.”

Shea retracted the blade. The cultist’s body slumped; she caught it and dragged it into shadow.

*Showtime.*

She scanned the cells. Most prisoners stared blankly, hollow-eyed—brainwashed husks.

Before she could search further, two patrols approached. Alone here, even invisible, she’d raise suspicion at this range.

No choice.

“Spirit Form…”

She phased through the wall just as the cultists drew near, reappearing inside a cell. She turned her back, swapping disguises.

“Was someone in this cell before?”

“Must be a new offering.”

The cultists murmured but didn’t investigate. Who’d willingly lock themselves in?

Once they left, Shea phased back into the corridor.

“Handy… but mana-draining.” She panted slightly.

Ducking patrols with Spirit Form, she finally spotted students in Magic Academy uniforms. Four of them.

They lay unconscious on the floor, the air thick with sedative incense—unbrainwashed, merely drugged.

Shea sliced the lock open and shook them awake.

“Hey. Wake up.”

“Mmph…” Nina rubbed her eyes, then gasped. “Rico?!”

“Shh! Quiet. I’m getting you out.”

Nina clamped a hand over her own mouth, helping rouse the others. Their shock was palpable.

*Rescued not by city guards… but by the thief who haunted their mansions.*

Rico’s reputation among Vag City nobles wasn’t exactly sterling.

“All awake? Follow me.”

“Why save us?” a noble girl whispered. In her mind, Rico cared only for coin. *What treasure could this hellhole hold?*

“I’m no executioner. Can’t I save lives?” Rico grinned.

*Truth is, I wouldn’t risk this shithole if Nina wasn’t here.*

Five figures crept forward. Patrols swarmed the area—escape wouldn’t be easy.

But Rico knew a stairwell leading straight to the surface nearby. Only problem: cultists guarded it heavily. Other exits were too distant.

“Slow… slow…” Nina trembled, flinching at every drip of water. Yet under Rico’s steady guidance, they reached the barricaded exit swiftly.

The students paled at the armed guards.

“L-Lico,” one stammered, “what now?”

“Wait here.” Rico slipped into a dead-end alcove. To others, it was a trap. To her? Child’s play.

Phasing through stone, she turned invisible and planted timed explosives on locks of cells holding unbrainwashed civilians.

*Your survival’s up to you now. But you’ll draw their fire.*

Back with the students, she pressed the detonator.

***BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!***

Explosions ripped through the tunnels. Chaos erupted.

“What’s happening?!”

“The offerings’ cells are blown open!”

“Don’t let them escape! All patrols, converge!”

The barricade emptied in seconds. Only three guards remained.

“Now’s our chance.”

The students stared, awestruck. *So cool…*