Lauren stared at her phone for a long time. The screen had gone dark, but her thoughts were still trapped somewhere else.A soft knock came from the door, followed by quiet footsteps entering without waiting for a response."My dear, what are you thinking about?"Her mother's gentle voice startled Lauren from her reverie. She quickly turned her head."Ah, Mom! Why didn’t you knock first?"Her mother simply smiled. "I did knock. But you didn’t answer. You seemed hypnotized by something."Lauren looked down, feeling guilty. "I’m sorry... I just… have a lot on my mind."Her mother walked over slowly and sat on the edge of the bed. "Is it about someone? A boy?"Lauren stayed silent, her fingers playing with the edge of her phone. "I don’t know, Mom…"Her mother studied her face. "Do you like someone?"Lauren was quiet for a long time. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.Her mother smiled softly. "Sometimes, love is frustrating. But it’s also beautiful."Lauren let out a short, bitter la

A figure approached in casual clothes, wearing shorts that revealed her long legs."Hansen." Her soft voice echoed.Hansen immediately stood up upon hearing it and recognized the figure."Kira? So you’re the one who sent them?" Hansen asked, tension rising.Ferdinan stayed silent—not out of fear, but in awe of Kira Lavenza’s presence."No, I came because I want to invite you to join a Research Center created by the government. There, you’ll be able to access information about who’s really trying to end your life."Kira walked slowly toward Hansen. The streetlamp cast a silhouette of her body, exuding charisma."I know you’re confused, but this is the only way," she said. "That place... can help you control the powers that are starting to awaken."Hansen looked into Kira’s eyes, then shifted his gaze to Ferdinan. "I hate this... but I also can’t keep running."Kira extended her hand. "Come with me."She led Hansen and Ferdinan out of the alley to a black car with a special license plat

The next day, the team gathered in the briefing room. Elara projected a hologram of Dr. Agnos' hideout—an underground facility hidden deep within a remote forest."Our objective is to capture Dr. Agnos alive and secure all his research data," Elara explained. "Latest intel suggests he's developing a new prototype of the Energy Chip, far more dangerous than before."Hansen crossed his arms, studying every detail. "What's the plan?""We enter through the ventilation system here," Elara said, pointing to the rear of the building. "I'll disable the security remotely while Kira secures the target. Hansen, you’ll be on guard duty—keep our escape route clear."Hansen nodded, though in his mind, he was already plotting something else. If Dr. Agnos really knows about cultivation, I need to speak with him directly.That night, the team moved out. The forest was dark and silent, illuminated only by the full moon. Hansen moved soundlessly, while Kira relied on her cloaking device."Security’s dow

Hansen shot out of the warehouse, his footsteps vanishing in a blur too fast for normal eyes to follow. The night wind whispered past his ears, carrying the distant hum of the city. But his mind focused on only one thing—headquarters was under attack, Kira was in danger.With a high leap, he landed on the roof of a nearby skyscraper. From above, he saw smoke rising from the direction of their base.No time to waste.He gathered spiritual energy into his feet and—BOOM!—launched forward like an arrow, leaping rooftop to rooftop at a speed that made windows tremble as he passed.Team HeadquartersKira crouched behind a shattered desk, sweat mixing with the blood dripping from a wound on her forehead. Across the room, Elara tried to crawl toward her, but laser fire from unknown drones pinned her down."Elara! The chip—in my head—" Kira shouted, clutching her temple, her face twisted in pain."What?!" Elara didn’t understand, but then she saw it—a faint red glint in Kira’s pupil.No...Sud

Rain still drenched the streets as Hansen, Kira, and Elara arrived at their temporary hideout—a rundown warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Kira still looked weak, but her eyes had regained their sharpness. Elara was swiftly tending to the wound on her shoulder, glancing occasionally at Hansen.Hansen stood before a shattered window, staring out while holding a holographic map from his clone. Gamma Facility. It was the last place they had to go.Suddenly, his phone vibrated."Sir, I’ve found a 1000-Year Wild Ginseng. But I’m not sure if it’s real. Where should I deliver it?" Laotaro.Hansen quickly replied with their current coordinates."Bring it here. Fast.""What’s going on?" Kira asked, noticing the shift in Hansen’s expression.Hansen shut off the phone. "We’re getting help."Elara raised an eyebrow. "Help? Who can we even trust right now?""Someone who can be trusted," Hansen replied shortly.Two Hours LaterA black van pulled up in front of the warehouse. Laotaro, a long-ha