A leaf sheep stares into the space far beyond the outskirts through the window of their office. It seems like it started at the window for a good while now, ever since it got the said office. Many of its subordinates were wondering why they were always looking at that window, but they typically brushed it off as the boss's oddity and since the sheep was in that position for a long time now, many got used to it... All for except the recent left-hand of the sheep, the pistol shrimp. As a new addition, they're less familiar with the sheep's antics and so, visiting their boss at an off day, they ask.
"'Ey, boss; why do you keep staring into the distance of the outskirts?"
"... Should I tell you? I heard you don't like sappy stories." The sheep remarked. While the shrimp didn't know their superior that much, the superior knew them very well.
"Well, you have been doing that for quite a while, so... I will allow it this time." It blurted and the sheep sighed. It's not often that their servants were interested in them.
"... I once had a friend. A great friend even. In fact they were the reason why I ended pursuing my career in a first place."
"So they died? Well shucks." Shrimp came to conclusion, which made the sheep very mad and they pointed their self-made leaf sword at their neck.
"Don't interrupt"
"Alright, so~~~orry"
"I met them when I got lost in the outskirts. I was about to get eaten, as back then I had no combat experience, but then they arrived and driven the monster away. It was then when I felt enamored with them. They were much stronger than me, kinder than me and braver than me. They introduced themselves and immediately offered their friendship. I quickly accepted it and we both started our survival in this dog eat dog world. My friend expressed their opinion that it shouldn't be this way, they shouldn't fear about becoming someone's food every day. They dreamed about making that thought a reality, and they said that it was the higher on the foodchain that prevented this from happening."
"And?..."
"We lived like vigilantes for quite a while, and at that time I realised that... I really loved them. I wanted to hold them in my arms, to feel them in my heart, to protect them from the world that didn't want them to be happy. But I wouldn't have suspected that they would be very irrational. Inspired by their talent for battle, I trained myself and eventually I was invited to take a position in the military. I accepted it, as it would allow me to change the system from the inside out, but they freaked out and said I betrayed them. They said that it is impossible and that it will corrupt me; and then they ran away."
"Gee, what an overreactive critter."
"I tried to get them back to me, saying that we can join together, but they adamantly refused, telling me to stop chasing them. Eventually they left the city entirely and I combed through the outskirts several times. They must have gone into exile."
"So what, do you want to go searching for them outside of city's borders? A slug like you?"
"They. Are. Wrong. I mean, look at me! I had accepted many of the lower-class citizens into my army and look at how happy they are under my wing! Hell, in my current position, I can finally fall asleep, confident that I won't become a meal of the higher-ups. This is the life Osen wanted, yet they ran away like a coward! Once I'll capture them, I'll make them see the errors of their ways. They will start appreciating me and beg me for forgiveness. They will---"
"Slow down here chief. I get it." The shrimp seats their boss down and they calm down.
"So... Will you join me?... On my search for my friend?..."
Their gaze. It's the same gaze that everyone under their mantle was terrified of. While the shrimp wasn't exactly opposed to the hunt, as they felt that their life lacks any sort of thrill; the other subordinates not so much. In fact their subordinates detest their leader due to their irrational thinking and their tendency to punish the ones who fail on their mission. While it is common for officers to punish their lackeys, the leaf sheep, due to their trigger-happy nature, tended to go way too far, as the punishments quickly devolved into ruthless beat downs, as if they're seeing someone else entirely in their failed soldiers. Shrimp was worried about calling them out on their behaviour, and they would rather decline the request; but since they would rather not face the wrath of slug, they agreed. There's a reason why they're a recent addition.
"Of course, boss... But I doubt anyone would want to help our cause. They're quite scared of the endless wastes after all." Shrimp told them a half-lie, as they don't want to endanger their comrades, be it due to much more blunt decline or during the mission.
"Thank you. Your act will not be forgotten." The sheep bows and they start preparing for their next search for their 'friend'. On their way to exit the border, the mentor and the right-hand of the sheep stops them.
"Midori, Teppei, what are you doing on a city's border?" The right hand was a Shachihoko and was the first person to give the sheep a chance. At first the sheep was a mere apprentice, but soon in Shachihoko's eyes, the slug was starting to surpass them as such they resigned into being their right hand.
"Ah, we're going on a search; we'll return once we'll find a criminal who fled from the Ryuuguu."
"May I accompany you? I know you don't want to be always looked after, but you should understand that beyond that point, the protection act will not be applicable here. I would like to make sure that the mission of whoever you are chasing will go smoothly."
"Are you not concerned about the person we're chasing? We're just looking for one person, it shouldn't bother someone like you who has better things to do." Shrimp remarked, but omitted the fact that they're just looking for an exile, not a criminal per se
"... There is a possibility we might run into more criminals who fled the capital. There are numerous cases where the criminals were never caught because they went into exile and thus presumed dead. I would like to at least have a conclusive evidence of their actual fates. And well, I am a right hand of officer Midori, so I should follow them regardless."
"Please, there is no need, but thanks. I promise this mission will not go to vain."
"You guys are strange, both of you." Shrimp scoffed, yet still followed their boss and their right hand. After all, they seeked thrill in their life.
This trip, unbeknownst to those three, will end up giving what they wanted. The confirmation that the sheep's friend is alive. The discovery of several criminals that fled the surface. And the thrill that they seeked...
However only one person will return alive in this accursed search. With others being absolutely gutted and mauled by the island's curse