Since it was early morning the pub wasn't exactly filled to the brim with people inside. So there was plenty of space for them to gather seats, and for the Altered hunters to discuss matters amongst each other. They were in a large semicircle booth, where a few were sat up against the back in the semi circle and others sat in chairs around the table. They were sat at the back where others couldn't hear them, but constantly, Ozacas, Cooper, and Joy were turning their heads to see if anyone could hear them. "Don't worry, no one inside is part of them if that's what you're wondering," Edvard said. "Trust me, I would know." "Right," Cooper said holding the bandaged part of his arm. "But if you were with us not too long ago, then I'm not too sure you would be saying the same thing." "Go then," Donald said. "Tell us. I'm guessing it's going to explain why you guys were a little late as well?" Joy nodded her eyes staring off into the distance. Donald had met Joy quite a few times, she was always a confident woman and quite cocky at times, it was the first time she was shunned into silence like this. "After the order we pulled back all operations," Cooper said. "I made the decision for all of the groups to fall back as you know. "I even ordered them to stay in hiding as long as possible. It seems to have worked, as there were no new sightings of Lupus, and several of the groups reported that they were safe. "So we decided to meet up. You sent Ozacas to come join us, and we had gathered this morning in the city centre. "We had traveled down the high street and met up at one of the large busy cafes. We followed all the rules all of the protocols, coming from different areas while not standing out as well. "And, the worst part of it all, none of us had our Altered equipment either…and that might have been the reason for the outcome." Edvard could hear it, the change in pace in Cooper's heart, he wasn't exactly going to deliver good news. "I was there when it happened, it was an attack in broad daylight," Ozacas answered. "We didn't have our equipment so we couldn't tell it was them. One of them had launched themselves across the table and had transformed, then started to slash right at his neck. "There was no chance of saving him. There was no chance of saving anyone." "There were so many of them. We couldn't tell who was an Altered and who wasn't," Joy added. "And no one could fight. In the end, Cooper made the order for everyone to run, and to just try and survive." There was silence among everyone there, it was a sign of respect for those that they had lost. "Cooper. I suspect the reason why you were late is not because of the attack then, but it was because you continued with procedure after?" The old man nodded. "We tried to get in contact with every emergency meeting point," Cooper then pulled out a digital tablet and started to scroll through it. "I will now go through a list of hunters that are no longer responding, missing, or confirmed to have died." Cooper went on to list the names, and to all of them each one was a large sting in the heart. It was painful for them to bear. Even though the word missing was used and there was hope, by this time if there was no response they were presumed dead. Edvard knew they had a way to track down the hunters after they had been seen, he, and the rest of the Altered just never assumed they would have acted during the day. "Innu, and Blake," Cooper said. When both of those names were heard, it was Ozacas that turned his head, away from the others so they couldn't see the expression he was making on his face. 'Them two talented ones as well?' Edvard thought. 'Roman was with them, I thought he might have been able to do something right? I'm surprised at this complete outcome, but I guess it is possible.' "So basically, if you conclude," Joy said. "Right now in Ruin city, the only ones that we can confirm are alive, are those right in front of us." It was quite clear, that the Lupus gang had done more damage than they thought. The situation was always going to be tough, but for it to be this hard. With only so few members it was hard for them to keep on fighting. The small victories they had at the start felt like nothing. It was also hard for them to see the bigger picture since they were only attacking one Altered gang. Still their allies had been hurt and they wanted to do something. "I guess, the order is for everyone is to stay put. If they are going to attack us during the day, we also need to be ready," Edvard answered. "Get your equipment, and hide it, in a guitar bag, whatever, and have something on you at all times that you can use. "I want everyone here to survive, but not to engage in no matter what you see. No matter what we have to survive the day." "The day?" Joy asked. "Is something happening then?" Edvard nodded. "There are more that will be joining us. Saiber, Trixie, and Pluto are the three five-star hunters involved. But there is also Blackjack and Kim." "Blackjack," Cooper said. "That's a name I haven't heard in a while, and that's quite the five-star hunters that will be joining." "It's no wonder considering how hard this has all been," Donald added. "They will be bringing fifty talented hunters with them. We will join up with them, and then we will go from there…trust in the Altered hunters." *** For updates for MWS and future works, please follow me on my social media below. Instagram: Jksmanga *Patreon: jksmanga When news of MVS, MWS or any other series comes out, you will be able to see it there first, and you can reach out to me. If I'm not too busy, I tend to reply.