After the fight, Cassian gained some experience, but he didn't level up. However, he did receive full recovery as a reward for defeating Cain.
When he arrived home, his phone was placed on the table. He walked over to check it.
As he turned it on, a notification popped up from Roy:
"I'm sorry, Cassian, but we need you here. There's an emergency."
After reading the message, Cassian rushed to change his clothes and quickly left the house.
---
At the Guardian Department office, Roy leaned on his hands, visibly stressed.
"Sir, I'm here," Cassian said.
"Come in," Roy replied.
Cassian entered the room and asked, "Won't you tell me what's happening?"
"Thirty minutes ago, we received a report about the Stray Wolf Gang," Roy explained.
"A report? What is it?" Cassian asked.
"They caused a disturbance. They attacked a public school, kidnapped a child, and even killed some of the police who tried to stop them. This is a rescue mission—your goal is to save the mayor's daughter."
Roy paused, then added, "To be honest, the reason I want you for this mission is because of your ability. In past when there's a situations like this, we either lost people or had them badly injured."
"Don't worry, sir. I'll do my best," Cassian assured. "Just give me all the information you have on the gang."
---
Cassian rode his motorcycle, dressed in a black coat bearing a white reindeer and crescent moon symbol on the back—the emblem of the Guardians. The same symbol was also on his motorcycle.
(Note: In Philippine mythology, the white reindeer, or "Lampong," is known as the guardian of the forest and protector of the weak.)
He arrived at an abandoned area, a place destroyed by monsters when they first appeared on the Earth's surface.
Cassian looked around, staying alert for any incoming attacks. He then summoned his clones.
[Skill Activated: Cloning]
Summon Special Clone: Cain
-50 Energy
"Cain, you have more energy than me. Summon the rest of our clones," Cassian said teasingly.
Annoyed, Cain still did as instructed.
[Skill Activated: Cloning]
Summoned 37 clones
Clones available: 0
The clones surrounded Cassian and Cain. Cassian had asked Cain to summon them because Cain had greater energy reserves, and Cassian didn't want to waste his own.
"Alright, spread out and search the area," Cassian ordered. "Stay hidden. If you find the enemy, alert everyone. We must be cautious—they might harm the hostage."
He turned to Cain. "You're coming with me."
They searched house by house, building by building—until they heard an explosion and gunfire.
[3 clones have died]
"We have to help them," Cassian said.
"Huh? Are you an idiot?" Cain mocked. "Let's leave the clones here. It's better to find their leader and finish this stupid mission."
Cassian was caught off guard. "Oh… okay. You're right."
They chose to avoid the battle and stay hidden while trying to locate the leader of the Stray Wolf Gang.
Eventually, they reached the rooftop of one of the buildings. Looking over the battlefield, Cain smirked. "I see… That's where they came from."
He pointed to the largest abandoned building, about a kilometer away. Both rushed toward it, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, avoiding being spotted.
Meanwhile, Cassian's clones were battling thousands of Stray Wolf Gang members. Even with fatal injuries, the clones fought on, unfazed by pain.
"Wait, these guys look familiar," said a gang member named Eugene.
"What do you mean? Do you know them?" another asked.
"Yes., We fought one of them before. A month ago, the boss sent us to a factory to help some assassins to dispose someone," Eugene replied.
"Then go back and report it to the boss," the other stated.
Eugene ran off to deliver the news.
---
Somewhere in the building, a young girl was tied up.
"I wonder how long your father will take to pay us," Marcel, the leader of the Stray Wolf Gang, laughed.
"Someone's coming," said Rocky, the gang's vice leader.
"Oh? So instead of paying up, they sent someone to fight," Marcel grinned.
They were on the top floor when suddenly, glass shattered. Cassian and Cain entered the room, now facing a group of gang members. On the opposite side of the room stood Marcel, Rocky, and the hostage.
"Hey! Since you two came here so confidently, why don't you show us something exciting?" Marcel shouted.
"Cain," Cassian said angrily.
"Don't order me around," Cain snapped back. He stepped forward, extended his right arm toward the enemies, and shouted, "IGNITE!"
A massive blaze erupted from his hand, engulfing the room in flames—but leaving Cain and Cassian untouched.
"What are you doing, Cain?!" Cassian shouted. "You might hurt the hostage!"
"The hostage? Don't worry. They won't let her die—she's their money," Cain replied with a wicked smile.
The gang members fell, scorched by the fire. But Rocky quickly created a protective barrier of stone around himself, Marcel, and the hostage.
When the flames subsided, Rocky dropped his barrier and stepped forward.
"I'll take the fire boy. You handle the one in the back," Marcel said.
Rocky obeyed. As he rushed toward Cassian, his body began transforming. Rocks emerged and encased his form, turning him into a towering golem-like creature.
Marcel also transformed—into a fearsome werewolf. He growled at Cain before charging him.
The battle had begun.