Rex laid in the bed with beautiful lady peacefully sleeping on each of his side. Some time in the night Danica had, out of pure habit, crawled over him to get to her preferred side, her blonde locks serving as a makeshift cushion on his broad chest as she slept peacefully andas if on instinct, Eve had rolled over as well, seeking the pleasant warmth of a beloved person that was suddenly missing, yet already imprinted in her subconsciousness as pleasant and desirable. And while Rex was aware of these events as they unfolded, his mind always aware even if his body was resting, he had done nothing, just laying there and enjoying the warmth and softness he was enveloped in. Despite his slow approach, he was still a man and was more than a little happy with the current situation. Call it what you will. Pride. Vanity. Anything at all. Every man deep down has a desire to excel, to rise above others and to provide for and protect their family. And in a world of might and magic, he had acquired the tools to do just that.

  Rex also spent some of his brain power tracking the bastards who had set their eyes on Danica and Eve. He was well aware of their whole 'shtick' and he was more than just disgusted. This was, as far as he saw, the true definition of the big fish in a small pond. Though there was a slight twist to it all, since even as the biggest bullies around, they were also aware of the behemoth that existed close by. Their little scouts ensuring that their current targets were not part of a powerful sect, out on some mission. One might wonder how had they not noticed either Rex's abyss falcons coming and going, or the A ranker's medallion Danica wore, but that too could be relatively easily explained should one delve into the details.

  The stables, the whole in to be precise, were located on one of the edges of the town, ensuring that a minimal number of people even saw the birds. Add to that the fact that they arrived well past dusk and left with dawn, sometimes a bit earlier and the numbers suddenly shrink near exponentially. Add to that the absolutely tight lips of the staff of the inn, none too eager to earn the young masters wrath by spreading rumors and that part of the equation is solved.

  As for Danica's A rankers medallion? That too was rather easy to explain. First, the few people who had noticed it were mostly observant servants of a few establishments the girls had visited and such people tend to be smart as well, having learned to observe and keep quiet, whispering a word here or there when asked, earning some extra coin for their attentiveness. As for the knowledge of Danica's A rank? Why would they speak of it? The most likely way for them to earn some solid favours or extra money was to keep their head low and listen extra carefully, offering their meager knowledge should the opportunity arises. And if some of the local tyrants kick the iron plate that two incredible beauties were, all the better for them. There was little love lost between servants or possibly slaves and the ruling lords and their offspring within the shadows.

  Since he was done with his own research, he had left himself in the hands of his girls, allowing them to decide their plans for the day. If they wanted to explore the local dungeon, he would go along with their wish. Scour the markets in search of some interesting items? He would go along with it as well. It was their sandbox for the day and he would play along as much as his own greed allowed. There were few things he would not go along with and his girls were well aware of them.

  "So? What's the plan, if you don't mind me asking?" Rex questioned as they all sat around a table, slowly enjoying their breakfast. They had left the inn on foot allowing the falcons to rest for a while longer and were now on their way towards one of the restaurants Eve and Danica had found and considered to be among the best places in town. Sure, it was no capital of a nation or anything that grand, but due to it's location closer to the continents inner regions, there were still more than ten thousand people residing here, making it quite the town, ever approaching the size of a small city.

  "Breakfast. Obviously." grinned Danica as she and Eve led Rex ahead, each holding onto one of his hands. Danica was already well used to the act, her pace in near perfect rhythm with Rex's. Eve was slightly more awkward, not quite used to such displays of affection, though more than happy to do so, the smile on her face speaking volumes. "But you will have to wait a bit for other answers for now. It is more fun that way." Danica added.

  "Alright. Though I do have another question regarding the pests that are still tailing us." Rex said, his tone of voice lowered quite a bit. "I have been tracking everything that's been happening in this city and I have to say that the little bastards aiming for you two are quite the despicable bunch."

  "Oh? Is that jealousy I hear?" Danica teased.

  "Not quite. Possessiveness or overprotectiveness would be in my case. As for them." Rex slightly tilted his head and lifted eyebrows, the people in question already clear in Danica's and Eve's minds "They should be taken down for different reasons. As far as I have learned, the women they go for get drugged and mind broken while said bastards are having their way with the ladies, resulting in women barely better than mindless dolls."

  Rex explanation instantly erased the smirk on Danica's face, quickly replaced by cold and downright murderous gaze, almost mirrored in Eve's face as well. "How many?" Eve asked, her grip on Rex hand tightening, though she still had a long way to go to actually harm him in such a manner, even if subconsciously.

  "I doubt they keep too many girls around themselves, so it is hard to say. Would need to wait a few more hours until the working girls shifts change. I doubt they bring the broken ones out for the most busy time." Rex explained, his expression now just as serious as the girls.

  "Are you implying?"

  "Yes. I doubt they would just discard the girls they are tired off. Most likely they have been sold of to brothels and such."

  "Can you make them suffer a lot in a short period of time?" Danica asked as she was slowly oozing bloodlust.

  "Don't worry about that. I am sure I can make them beg for the sweet sweet release of death in half an hour. My apologies for this. seems I might have spoiled the mood a bit too fast. Sorry." Rex spoke, feeling slightly guilty about the way he had killed the mood. "We were supposed to celebrate Eve's addition to the family and I went and ruined the mood. Really, forgive me for that."

  "I-it's ok." Eve spoke "We believed a simple lesson would be enough for the foolish guys eying and stalking us, but with the knowledge we have now, I want them punished properly. Such bastards should not be allowed to continue with the atrocities they are commiting. Come, let's hurry up and get ready for some justice."

  "Well said Eve." Danica nodded in agreement, the two women dragging Rex ahead with elevated speed.

  "There is no point in rushing ahead." Rex pointed out. "There is nothing we can do for the girls already broken and their next targets are you two, ensuring no other girl should be in danger right now, nor have I 'seen' them visiting any sorts of prisons where some girls are locked up. An hour or two longer with not change much. Perhaps the additional time will allow us to deal with a larger number of them. So, for the time being we might as well enjoy our morning as you lovely ladies had planned."

  "Let's try at least." sighed Danica "There still should be some sort of punishment on you for ruining our mood though." adding as a small smile formed on her face. She was quite skilled at quickly changing gears, something Rex appreciated about his wolf girl quite a bit.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "I adore you." Rex said as he kissed Danica's head, still allowing himself to be dragged towards their destination.

  A short while later the trio arrived in front of a three story building, built out of a rather odd stone blocks, each one no larger average human head, though their shapes varied a lot. Some sort of cement like, though light green in color, adhesive had been used to glue said rocks together. The light green moss colour of the adhesive, along with the desert sand yellow stones created a rather peculiar sight. The building had large windows on the first floor, revealing a cozy and inviting hall with quite a few tables, though far apart from one another to ensure no one visiting party would be inconvenienced too much by the presence of others.

  Small, yet beautiful and easy to one's eyes, flower decors were placed on each table, permeating the room with light, yet pleasant to one's senses aroma, promising a well spent time and a delicious meal. As the trio approached, a young lady, around twenty five or so, dressed in a rather simple, yet elegant dress came out to greet them.

  "Welcome to Radiant cauldron. Have you reserved a table?" she politely asked, a bright smile adorning her face.

  "You could say so." replied Danica as she fished out her adventurer guilds medallion. "I was told special rules apply for A rankers."

  Noticing and recognizing Danica's medallion, the woman smiled and bowed in respect. "Yes, of course. It is indeed a policy of ours. We do have a few tables saved for precisely such occasions. Please follow me honored guests."

  "If anyone asks, pretend that we had a reservation. There is an extra reward for both you and the establishment if you play along." Rex added, momentarily flashing his own medallion as well. The girl just bowed once more as she asked them to follow her, her tone just as polite and respectful as before. Rex loved people who knew not to act haughtily when anyone could turn out to be a hidden master, just waiting for some fools to give said master a reason to go wild.

  "Of course sir. Please follow me."

  As such, the trio followed the girl towards the second floor. The attendant explained that the first floor was already booked and the second one was used for more important guests such as them as well as for reservations, if a little bit more expensive. The trio just nodded i nagreement and followed along, soon enough finding themselves in a separate room with only their table present, yet another special privilege of the second floor.

  With the trio seated, the attendant excused herself for just a moment, providing them with three sets of menus that had plenty of exotic sounding foods with short descriptions of each. Another minute later, a light knock rattled their door, followed by it's opening and entry of another woman. This one was notably more beautiful than the first attendant, though still lacking when compared with Danica or Eve, though not by too much.

  "Greetings honored guests. My name is Miu and I am the owner of this humble establishment. I hope that whatever we are asked to provide will satisfy your refined tastes."

  "Do relax a bit lady." Rex spoke calmly. "We are most likely the least eccentric group of A rankers you will have likely met, while being one of the most eccentric at the same time. But no matter what, unless you try to poison us, there is little to nothing else that could incur our wrath. Also, as I already informed the girl welcoming us, if any of your local underground barons or their men inquire, we had a reservation sent here ahead of time."

  "May I inquire as to you business with said elements?" Miu asked timidly.

  "Cleaning up trash whose greed knows no bounds. Is there perhaps an issue you need some assistance with?" Rex replied, adding a question of his own and noticing Miu hesitating, he made an educated guess as he continued. "Though I suppose it is not something a passer by could reliably solve, is that it?" noticing the slight nod of Miu, he asked further.

  "And would a few Dawning Sun's disciples regularly stationed in the town solve said issues?"

  "Honored guests are from Dawning Sun sect? My apologies for the lack of respect shown." she quickly spoke as she was in the motion to kneel, promptly stopped by Rex's blood chains.

  "Relax lady. I told you so before. And while we are not actual members of Dawning Sun, Pyra, who will happily fulfil any request of mine happens to be a direct disciple of one of the inner circle elders. Heard of the girl? Elven of origin, blonde hair. Ring a bell?"

  "You have met the disciple of Bone lord?"

  "Bone lord?"

  "Yes. The elder vampire of the Dawning Sun sect. There are legends spoken of the man, though rarely shared with outsiders, Bone lord is respected and honored around these parts. A few centuries ago he stopped a rather infamous group of bandits, terrorizing these lands. Ever since he dealt with them, no other such bandit groups have roamed our fields."

  "Don't know about the Bone lord, but Pyra did say something about her master being a vampire, yes."

  "Then if I might be so bold as to beg for the kindness offered." Miu bowed once again, explaining the issues plaguing their town and once done, she received the groups order with a confirmation that they would look into her problem. As they waited for the numerous dishes they had ordered, assuring Miu that nothing would be wasted, even inviting her to enjoy the show if she so wished, they also planned on how to solve all the issues on their lap while limiting damage to the town itself and its inhabitants, the bad guys not including of course.

  "They seem to have their fair share of problems." concluded Eve as she drank some exotic fruit juice.

  "Who doesn't?" Rex added "To be fair, I was expecting much more than Miu revealed. The presence of the lake and those floating islands should serve as a rather powerful attraction, pulling in both the good and bad. The only thing limiting the development of the underworld here is the lack of people capable to safely travel the world. I suppose the lack of obvious treasures dangled before the hopeful also should be counted as another lackluster thing."

  The trio then enjoyed their meal once the dishes started arriving, with Miu personally serving them, explaining a thing or two regarding the dishes she noticed Danica or Eve were gushing more about. It was much harder with Rex, his expressions quite controlled and difficult to read. If not for the occasional hum of appreciation, Miu might have wondered if he enjoyed even a single dish of their superior cooking. Eventually though, a knock on the door attracted their attention, with the attendant that brought Rex and the girls here entering moments later. The young woman bowed and notified them of the group asking about them, something Rex was already aware, just as he was already aware that the people of the establishment had indeed acted as requested, though only after they had been threatened quite graphically should they not spill the info that they had kept to themselves.

  "You do have quite the staff Miu." Rex commended the woman and her people skills. "Not one of them spoke until their families were threatened with quite graphic violence and even then they revealed what was requested, though I suppose that is somewhat the girls fault here." he continued as he glanced at the young worker. "Good job there." he placed a small stack of gold coins on the table. "Your the job well done. Alright my lovelies. Guess we have to speed up and finish with our meal. Your admirers are getting impatient to meet you. Might as well play along. don't you think?"

  A downright predatory and slightly savage grin appeared on Danica's face as the two women nodded, any conversations and planning that they did so far taking a backseat, allowing the trio to focus on cleaning the plates, though pleased half moans escaped the girls stuffed mouths- the food was just that good. Yet another grievance both Eve and Danica added to the list that the fools stalking them had accrued during their little operation. Another thirty minutes later, they were done, leaving Miu both shocked and impressed. The trio had indeed eaten everything that was ordered, causing the woman to wonder where had they stuffed all that food. Their frames were the same as when they entered, no overstuffed bellies or anything. Though Rex was kind enough to offer her a few words of parting as he placed another stack of money to pay for the meal. "We just are special. Don't torture yourself, searching for answers you can't hope to find. Thank you for the meal. We will no doubt visit again before we leave."

  With that said, Rex lead his group away, once again guided by the smiling attendant girl, one of her hands feeling the gold coins she had received for her service. She was already thinking of the small gifts she would buy for her fellow workers and the things she could afford she had dreamed of, the smile on her face betraying her good mood. Once the trio had left the restaurant, they headed towards the markets, Rex sensing in real time as they were slowly surrounded by more and more fools, just begging for their deaths, until eventually, in one of the side streets they chose to walk through to reach the market area quicker, they were stopped by a group who blocked their path forward, quickly followed by another to do the same for their path back. In moments, they were trapped, a couple of smirking youths walking through the group, their eyes already undressing the two beauties next to Rex.

  "It is unwise to reject a gift offered with sincerity." spoke the young man who was flanked by a couple of others, clearly his lackeys or henchmen.