Amidst the bustling, luxurious atmosphere of the banquet hall, Shin stood with arms crossed behind Xie Xingchen, his eyes constantly scanning the shadows to observe the surroundings. He leaned slightly toward Kento, whispering in a low voice:
— "I wonder when the party will officially start? Did the other group manage to infiltrate the place successfully?"
Keeping his eyes fixed straight ahead without a change in expression, Kento softly replied:
— "That's hard to say for sure, Brother Shin.
Security here is much tighter than we thought."
Xie Xingchen took a sip of fruit juice from his glass, a subtle smirk forming as he whispered in a voice only the three of them could hear:
— "I bet they're already infiltrating deep inside right about now!"
Just as Xingchen predicted, in a hallway deep within the logistics sector of the banquet center, Seijuro, Kwon Tae-Joon, and Ling Mo were making their move. All three had disguised themselves as banquet waiters using uniforms and access passes secretly smuggled out beforehand by Akai Kiriko.
After splitting up to gather intelligence, Seijuro and Tae-Joon quickly regrouped at a deserted hallway corner.
Seijuro lowered his voice, reporting in a whisper:
— "Right now I've only uncovered one detail: turning left down this hallway leads to where they're holding living species captured for the upcoming auction. I've already passed this information along to Ling Mo."
Tae-Joon folded his arms, adding thoughtfully:
— "I also scouted out that tonight's auction items are divided into two distinct sectors: one for priceless antiques and magical artifacts, and the other for living species!"
Seijuro scanned the surroundings before turning to ask:
— "Do you know where Ling Mo is right now?"
Tae-Joon shook his head:
— "I haven't run into him again yet. Could he have found a new lead?"
At the same time, along the hallway leading toward the storage vault.
Ling Mo moved with fluid agility, deftly avoiding numerous security cameras and the watchful gazes of patrolling guards. Reaching the end of the corridor, he spotted two burly guards keeping strict watch before a heavy steel door.
Without a moment's hesitation or doubt, Ling Mo casually pushed a food service cart straight toward them.
The guard on the left immediately raised a hand, barking loudly:
— "Hey kid, stop right there! This isn't where you belong!"
The second guard folded his arms and jerked his chin:
— "Scram in another direction, now!"
Ling Mo remained in absolute silence:
— "..."
Before the two guards could even register anything amiss, a shadowy blur swept past at terrifying speed!
SLASH! SLASH!
In a split second, the two guards collapsed onto the floor like heavy sandbags without even making a sound or raising an alarm.
Checking his surroundings quickly to ensure no one had noticed, Ling Mo swiftly unhooked the keyring from the guard's belt, inserted the key, and pushed the door open.
However, the sight inside froze Ling Mo in his tracks. This spacious vault contained only expensive artifacts, relics, and weapons set for the auction—there were no living species or captives held here whatsoever!
Realizing his group had taken a wrong turn, Ling Mo narrowed his eyes in calculation: if anyone passed by and found the guards missing, the entire sector would immediately go on red alert. He had to fall back immediately before being exposed.
Swift as lightning, Ling Mo dragged the bodies of the two guards inside, propping them against the wall to look as though they had dozed off, then locked the door. Mission complete, he rapidly retreated from the scene.
Returning to the main hall, on the 2nd-floor VIP balcony.
Qin Wuhuang stood comfortably leaning against the railing, casually enjoying a glass of delicious fruit juice. A subtle smile touched his lips as he saw a familiar figure approach.
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— "You finally showed up, Shen Hansen!"
Shen Hansen walked up to stand beside Wuhuang, gazing down at the bustling crowd below before speaking nonchalantly:
— "I just got here. Looks like tonight's party is quite packed and lively, huh?"
Qin Wuhuang let out a soft laugh:
— "Of course, a guy like Lu Xie loves flashy events like this!"
Shen Hansen took a sip of wine, his eyes flashing with sharpness:
— "He still has that reckless, arrogant attitude. Acting so recklessly, sooner or later someone's going to come settle the score with him!"
Qin Wuhuang turned to him with curiosity:
— "In this Central District, who would be foolish enough to challenge him?"
Shen Hansen curled his lips into a meaningful smile:
— "Not necessarily... I think right here, right now, things are about to get very interesting!"
At another VIP seating area on the 2nd floor, Freya turned to look at her best friend Chae-won sitting beside her with a surprised expression:
— "Why is your face so red? It's like someone's got you all flustered and preoccupied!"
Chae-won instantly raised both hands to cover her burning cheeks, shyly protesting:
— "You... you wouldn't understand!"
Freya burst out laughing, speechless:
— "What is there that I wouldn't understand? I know you better than anyone in this world! Is it that guy down in the main hall who caught your attention again?"
Chae-won tilted her head slightly, her voice laced with playful spoiled sweetness:
— "Does it always have to be a prince saving a princess anyway? What if... what if it's love at first sight?"
Hearing that, Freya could only shake her head, rendered utterly speechless by her friend's sudden romantic daydreaming:
— "Aha... Whatever you say! Look at what a state you're getting into! Even though you're childish and unpredictable, if anyone dares try to hurt you, I'll wipe them out instantly!"
Chae-won raised her chin and pouted teasingly back:
— "Hmph! Look at you, being so fierce you'll end up single forever!"
Freya's expression darkened as she reminded her:
— "Remember, we aren't here just to sit around drinking tea! I'm wondering what kind of scheme Lu Xie is going to pull next!"
Chae-won casually waved her hand:
— "Forget about him!"
In the corner of the hall where Shin's trio stood.
Shin turned to Xingchen and Kento:
— "Why hasn't the party started yet? I'm going to hit the restroom real quick, be right back!"
Xingchen nodded with a reminder:
— "Make sure to come back soon, Shin!"
Shin paced toward the hallway leading to the luxury restrooms. Up on the 2nd floor, Chae-won spotted Shin leaving and immediately stood up to follow. Beside her, Freya could only sigh and shake her head, knowing her friend's temperament too well to even bother asking.
Venturing deep into the secluded hallway reserved for private VIP suites, Shin suddenly paused. He spotted a tall, extremely suspicious man scanning his surroundings before sneaking into room VIP 666.
Curiosity piqued, Shin pressed his body against the wall and slowly crept closer. The door to room VIP 666 was left ajar. Just as Shin was about to peer through the crack, a sultry yet sinister voice sounded right behind him:
— "It seems the guards outside accidentally let a cockroach slip through, huh?"
Shin startled violently, spinning around instantly.
Standing before him was Siren Sinclair—a powerful operative of the Order of the Four Extremes. She stood with arms crossed, wearing a dangerous smile as if she had just caught a suspect red-handed.
Siren stepped closer, lowering her voice:
— "What are you doing here... little cockroach?"
Shin stammered, his brain working overtime to concoct an excuse:
— "Ah... I was just..."
RIGHT AT THAT MOMENT!
— "Oh! My sweet honey! What are you doing here? I've been looking all over for you!"
A sweet, flirtatious voice chimed in. Out of nowhere, Chae-won appeared, swiftly pressing her soft body against Shin. She cleverly gave him a lightning-fast wink.
Instantly catching her drift, Shin gave a light cough and replied:
— "Ah... I was just looking for my girlfriend, nothing serious!"
Chae-won turned to Siren, her eyes flashing with a slight chill:
— "Is there a problem, Siren?"
Siren narrowed her eyes at the two, asking half-skeptically:
— "You two... are really lovers?"
The moment Siren finished her question, Chae-won didn't hesitate for a single second! She wrapped her slender hands around the back of Shin's collar, pulled his face down, and pressed her lips firmly against his!
A deep, passionate kiss was delivered right in front of Siren!
BOOM!
In that split second, Shin's brain suffered complete "CPU overload"! His entire body froze like stone, eyes wide in utter shock. Shin felt the kiss deepen, the tip of her tongue trembling softly as he tasted a rich, intoxicating flavor of wine blended with seductive fruity sweetness. He almost forgot how to react to this bold attack. All of Shin's senses seemed awakened; he let the sweetness conquer the moment, his heart pounding wildly against his chest as he actively returned the kiss, locking two souls together in a fierce, passionate rhythm.
After a few sweet seconds, Chae-won slowly parted her lips, turning to look at Siren with challenging eyes:
— "Do you really have to suspect my darling?"
Seeing the passionate display, Siren could only give a forced smile:
— "Haha... How could I dare doubt Lady Chae-won!"
Seeing Siren drop her suspicion, Chae-won naturally linked arms tightly with Shin, speaking sweetly:
— "Let's go, honey!"
Still in a dazed state, Shin nodded repeatedly:
— "Ah... ah! Sure!"
Once safely out of Siren's line of sight, Chae-won immediately let go of Shin's arm, giggling softly:
— "Hey Shin! We meet again, destiny really has a way, doesn't it?"
Shin scratched his head nervously, his face beet red like a ripe tomato:
— "Haha... It really is destiny! I saw you up on the 2nd floor, but I didn't expect you to save my skin right here. Thank you, Chae-won!"
Chae-won waved her hand, offering a gorgeous smile:
— "It's nothing! I was just passing by anyway!"
Shin stammered, awkwardly asking:
— "So... so about just now... that kiss..."
Chae-won cut in, smiling meaningfully:
— "Just consider it a gift from me!"
Shin's eyes widened, awkwardly scratching his neck:
— "Huh?! Is... is that really okay...?"
Chae-won tilted her head, giving Shin a playful look:
— "What? Do you want another one?"
Shin jumped, waving his hands frantically:
— "Ah, no no! That's not what I meant! It's just... I feel a bit embarrassed, that's all!"
Chae-won smiled radiantly:
— "It's fine! I wanted to anyway! Well, see you back in the main hall when the party starts!"
Saying so, Chae-won leisurely strolled off down another path, vanishing around the corner.
Shin stood rooted to the spot for a long moment, slowly raising a few fingers to touch his lips softly, asking himself in a daze:
— "Could I... be dreaming?"
He took a deep breath to compose himself, then quickened his pace back to the area where Xingchen and Kento were waiting.
Returning to the area near room VIP 666 after Shin and Chae-won had left.
The room door slowly creaked open as a tall, dangerous figure stepped outside. The man asked in a low voice:
— "What happened, Siren? Is something wrong?"
Siren smirked coldly, her eyes gleaming with killing intent:
— "Nothing! Just suspecting there are a few cockroaches at this event that need cleaning up!"
The man nodded:
— "Then let me call the remaining two officers over to handle it!"
On the 2nd floor, Chae-won leisurely returned to her seat. Freya glanced at her friend, raising an eyebrow teasingly:
— "What's this? You were only gone for a moment and your face is flushed all the way to the back of your neck? Did someone steal something from you?"
Chae-won sat down, flipping her hair to hide her smile:
— "It's nothing! Just took a short walk!"
Right at that moment, the entire set of luxurious chandeliers on the main hall ceiling suddenly went dark. Only sudden bursts of spotlights remained, beaming straight down at the central main stage.
Lu Xie, dressed in splendid attire, slowly stepped onto the stage. Throwing his arms wide open, his arrogant voice boomed through the sound system:
— "I AM DELIGHTED THAT EVERYONE HAS GATHERED IN FULL ATTENDANCE TODAY! WHAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN EAGERLY AWAITING IS ABOUT TO BEGIN! CLOSE ALL THE CURTAINS!"
THUD! THUD! THUD!
A series of massive black velvet curtains dropped simultaneously from the ceiling, concealing all entrances and glass windows of the main hall, transforming the space into an area completely isolated from the outside world.
The dramatic tension rose to its absolute peak!
Down in the hall, Shin, Kento, and Xie Xingchen instantly heightened their focus to maximum alert.
On the 2nd floor, Qin Wuhuang and Shen Hansen thrust their hands into their pockets, staring intently down at the stage. Chae-won and Freya slowly raised their wine glasses to their lips. In the VIP corner, Ryuzaki Renji and Vincenzo Russo simultaneously focused their cold gazes on the man standing on stage.
Lu Xie flashed a maniacal grin, roaring in wild excitement:
— "I HEREBY ANNOUNCE THAT THE MOST ANTICIPATED EVENT OFFICIALLY BEGINS... THE AUCTIONNNNN!"
(To be continued)