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As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape of Trin, the Demon Rats finally found themselves at the brink of the inner quarters wall. The relentless days of systematic eradication had left them weary, their bodies aching from the constant search for the remaining humans that had once inhabited the area.

It was a gruelling task, and fatigue had begun to seep into their very essence. With their fur matted and spirits low, they decided it was time to pause, to regroup, and to call for assistance from their comrades— the demons who lounged comfortably far from the fray. The Orc Leaders, ever watchful over the ongoing operations, received the Demon Rats' heartfelt plea for respite.

Recognising the toll the ceaseless battle had taken on them, they convened an urgent meeting among the other leaders. As they gathered, a palpable air of seriousness hung over the assembly; the fight for Trin had been too straightforward, almost too easy, considering the considerable efforts put forth by the Demon Rats. It was a puzzling situation that warranted discussion among the ranks. In a decisive moment, the leaders acknowledged the accomplishments of the Demon Rats.

Instead of substituting them or sending them back into the fight with little support, they came up with an alternative to reward their hard work. The Orc Leaders granted the Demon Rats the privilege to call in long-range artillery barrages—three times, to be exact. It was a boon that would help clear any stragglers and ensure a sweeping finale to their laborious campaign. This decision was not made lightly. The Orc Leaders understood that the Demon Rats had pushed themselves beyond the limits of what was expected, clearing the outer quarters of Trin with remarkable efficiency.

They had worked in a way that was both strategic and bold, a feat comparable to a human juggling multiple part-time jobs and somehow managing to excel at each one. The Demon Rats had shown incredible determination and teamwork, employing their sheer numbers to navigate through the chaos and restore order, albeit through their methods.

As news of the artillery support spread, a renewed sense of vigour coursed through the ranks of the Demon Rats. They understood that their hard work had not gone unnoticed; it had earned them respect and the resources they needed to finish the job. The promise of powerful blasts raining down on the remnants of resistance invigorated their spirits. With a fresh surge of energy, they prepared for the final push, knowing that they had the backing of their leaders.

In the meantime in a shadow of the crumbling ruins, the Orc Leaders convened, a heavy air of anticipation hanging over them. The battle had begun in earnest, yet what they had experienced was merely the tip of a colossal iceberg—an inkling of the chaos that lay ahead.

With the recent use of formidable artillery, the Orcs felt a newly kindled sense of power coursing through their ranks as they thought they had to work hard to get things done. Moreover, the System's benevolence had resurrected the fallen Demon Rats, returning them to their leaders with renewed strength, ready to plunge back into the fray.

While this unexpected reinforcement breathed life into their war efforts, explicit orders had to be given from the top to breach the Inner Quarters since throwing numbers would be a waste of time and resources. So while the Orcs were discussing what to do with the System or Jin if they did not give the order to strike, they found themselves confronting a complex tapestry of human alliances and internal strife.

Among the chaos emerged a young human general, rising from the depths of the sewers with a fervour that caught even the most seasoned warriors by surprise. This new player had rallied a band of men ready to engage the Demon Rats, igniting hope in a desperate situation.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The Demon Rat leaders watched closely, their eyes alight with the prospect of a different path into the Inner Quarters while engaging with the young human general and his loyal retainers. Instantly overwhelmed by the insurmountable force of the Demon Rats, their loyalty turned to cowardice, realising that they could not win and ran back into the tunnel. Yet, the Orc Leaders turned down the Demon Rats' eager suggestion to exploit this sudden weakness in the human ranks.

"Continue with the operation's cleaning process," they commanded, their voices a mix of authority and frustration. The decision sparked an uproar among the Demon Rat Leaders, who were already feeling the weight of their mission as they toiled on the ground. Refusing to sit idly by, a faction of bold Demon Rats hatched a daring plan. They dispatched a select group of their most skilled fighters to infiltrate the sewers, hoping to gather intelligence and perhaps even seize an opportunity amidst the turmoil.

While their comrades executed the cleaning operation, these scouts moved stealthily through the dark underbelly of the city, eager to discover the fate of the young human general and his ill-fated squad. As they navigated the labyrinthine tunnels, they stumbled upon the remnants of the skirmish: a scene marked by chaos and death.

To their astonishment, the young general and his men lay defeated, their ambitions snuffed out like a flickering candle. The Demon Rats watched in disbelief as they realized that, rather than being the fearsome warriors they had believed, the humans had been woefully unprepared for combat in the tunnels.

Equipped with their five-dimensional mobility gear, the Demon Rats were not merely adept at navigation; they were hunters, poised to exploit every weakness. The contrast between the two forces became glaringly apparent. What had begun as a hopeful venture for the humans ended in tragedy, serving as a stark reminder of the brutal reality of battle. As the remaining Demon Rats reported back to their leaders, a new strategy began to form. Rather than adhering strictly to the Orc Leaders' orders, they envisioned a coordinated attack that would capitalise on the humans' vulnerabilities.

In a dim, dank corner of the tunnels, the Demon Rats found a peculiar sense of gratitude in the chaos that surrounded them. While the humans believed they were engaging in a fierce battle for survival, the Demon Rats secretly revelled in the distraction it provided from their tiresome duty of cleaning the outer quarters.

It was an ironic twist that made their mundane tasks feel less burdensome.

As the heads of their adversaries rolled away, the Rat Scouts set their sights on fulfilling the secret orders from their leaders: to scour the labyrinthine depths of the sewers for a way into the Inner Quarters. The air was thick with the stench of decay and neglect, and it quickly became apparent to the scouts just how poorly maintained the sewers had fallen into disrepair.

The remnants of prior skirmishes littered the ground—bones and remnants of the ill-fated human intruders who had dared to venture into this underbelly. Their trail of sound, blood and panic acted as a guide, steering the scouts deeper into the darkness, closer to their objective. With each passing moment, their excitement grew. They could almost taste the potential rewards that awaited them in the Inner Quarters.

Navigating the treacherous passageways, the scouts' keen senses picked up on something unusual—an unexpected presence guarding the entrance they sought. To their astonishment, a Noble Lady stood vigilant at the threshold. Her attire, adorned with rich fabrics and noble insignia, sent a clear message of authority and power. Initially, the scouts mistook her for another human, just another obstacle in their quest.

But as one of the more astute scouts inhaled deeply, he noticed an inexplicable scent intertwined with the oppressive odours of the sewer: the faint essence of the System. "Stop," he urged, his voice low and urgent.

"She has the faint scent of the System. The sewers and her perfume are obscuring it." His companion hesitated, glancing at the lady with a mix of confusion and fear. "But why does she look like she wants to kill us?" he whispered, his voice tinged with trepidation. To their surprise, the noble lady chuckled softly, a sound that echoed hauntingly within the confines of the sewer.

"You're wise to be cautious, little scouts," she said, her tone both mocking and affectionate. "But you have nothing to fear from me. I'm merely here to ensure that no one disturbs the balance we have established down here." The scouts exchanged bewildered glances.

A noblewoman guarding the entrance to the Inner Quarters? It was an unexpected twist in their already convoluted mission. Intrigued yet wary, they probed deeper into her intentions. "What do you mean by balance?" one of the scouts ventured, curiosity creeping into his voice.

"The conflict above has consequences below, vice versa" she explained, her expression shifting from amusement to seriousness. "I am a Star Fox, under Lord Kraft," she proclaimed, her voice echoing through the damp walls of the sewer. The tension was thick as the noble lady, a Star Fox serving under Lord Kraft, unveiled her intentions to a group of wary Demon Rat Scouts. The Demon Rats, accustomed to the whispers of treachery and betrayal, felt a surprising surge of trust.

They knew the significance of her words; this was not merely a chance encounter but a pivotal moment that could align their fates with a powerful figure in the shadows of the city. The Star Fox continued, "This hidden route has not been discovered by any of the humans in the inner quarters. If you wish to use this route to mount an attack, by all means. Just make sure to tell your fellow companions not to assault me. I will not hold back if provoked." Her warning reverberated through the minds of the scouts.

They understood the stakes involved; crossing a creature of her calibre could spell disaster. One scout, his bristled fur brimming with curiosity, ventured to question. "But aren't you serving Master Jin?" His voice trailed off, halted by a swift gesture from his comrade. They had learned the importance of discretion, and the presence of the Star Fox demanded respect.

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"Don't," the second scout advised. "Even though she is part of Master Jin's minions, she truly serves Lord Kraft. We've heard the stories—he's the joker card in this game. Our mission here is already a deviation of orders; we must tread carefully and not expose our disloyalty." The Star Fox's keen eyes sparkled with amusement.

"That Demon Rat is clever. Do you wish to join forces with Lord Kraft?" she inquired, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. The scout hesitated, weighing his words carefully. "I have to decline that. I don't want Lord Kraft to dissect me for fun, especially since I'm not one of his handpicked minions."

"Well spoken," the Star Fox replied, her tone light yet filled with respect. With a graceful movement, she approached them, her presence commanding as the Demon Rat scout instinctively knelt before her. "Here is a gift for you, should you need my help. But remember, you can only use this summoning stone to call for me for this operation and within this city. The favour ceases once you step beyond these confines." Gratitude flickered in the scout's eyes as he accepted the stone, its surface shimmering with potential.

"That is more than enough as appreciative support from the Foxes, we do not dare to ask for more." he said, bowing his head in acknowledgment of the powerful ally standing before him. The rest of the scouts followed as well as to not offend someone who might potentially have the temper to kill on sight just because they were not happy.

With a flick of her wrist, the Star Fox summoned her magic, opening the sewer lid with effortless grace. As the light from the outside world spilled into the dark tunnels, she stepped out, leaving the Demon Rats to contemplate their newfound alliance as well as the information provided to them.