2024-10-30 15:02:22The bass-heavy music pounded through the nightclub, vibrating the walls as Thenma slouched over the bar, an empty glass in his hand. His mind was a blur, lost in the haze of alcohol. Neon lights danced over the glossy liquor bottles behind the bar, but none of it mattered. He tilted his head and motioned to the bartender with two fingers.
"Another one," Thenma mumbled, slurring slightly. The bartender raised an eyebrow but silently refilled his glass. Thenma swirled the amber liquid, watching it slosh against the sides. “Cheers,” he muttered under his breath before downing the shot in one go. Despite the burn in his throat, nothing could numb the weight pressing down on him. His attempt to arresting Penelope had failed spectacularly. No matter how carefully he’d planned, it hadn’t been enough. Evan Clauster’s family influence was everywhere, even among those who were supposed to uphold the law. Thenma clenched his jaw, the taste of bile rising in his throat. Detective Miles, the most trusted officer in the city—“the honest one”—had bent the knee like everyone else. He slammed his glass down harder than he intended, causing the bartender to glance in his direction. “All of them,” Thenma whispered bitterly, “beholden to that family. Even the ones you thought couldn’t be bought.” The bartender gave him a wary glance but kept polishing a glass, avoiding confrontation. Thenma chuckled dryly to himself, the sound almost lost beneath the thumping music. Luxury surrounded him now. Expensive suits, private access, VIP treatment—none of it mattered. Not with Adeline still unconscious, her life trapped in a cruel, endless limbo. No amount of wealth could change that. The power he’d amassed through the system felt... meaningless. Thenma leaned heavily against the bar, resting his forehead on his arm. He stared at his empty glass, eyes heavy with exhaustion and frustration. “Ha… The money I got from you.” He gave a hollow laugh, speaking aloud to no one the bartender could see. “But your very existence is just a byproduct of my suffering.” He exhaled sharply, then whispered, “Is my desire for revenge that great, Reve?” His voice cracked slightly as he rolled the glass in his hand. The system responded immediately, the familiar synthetic voice resonating in his mind. [It’s not just the greatness of your desire—it’s how perfectly you align with me. You and I are the same. Your resolve, your rage, your purpose... Only you could wield me without breaking.] Thenma chuckled, half amused, half defeated. “Hah… You sound like a lover.” [Lover?] “Forget it.” The bartender, wiping down the counter nearby, glanced at him with a puzzled look. Who the hell is this guy talking to? To the bartender’s eyes, it looked like Thenma was mumbling to himself, deep in conversation with empty air. Thenma leaned back against the bar, feeling the alcohol warm his blood, though it did nothing to soften the ache in his chest. Just as he was about to slip deeper into the fog of intoxication, a hand clapped heavily on his back. "I've been looking for you all day, but here you are, enjoying some expensive alcohol," Collin said, sliding onto the barstool next to him. Thenma turned slowly, his vision slightly unfocused. “Collin...” he mumbled, blinking hard to make sure it was really him. “What are you doing here?” His voice was sluggish, dull, the weight of disappointment dragging every word down. The bartender offered Collin a drink, but he shook his head. “I’m not here to drink,” he said plainly, waving the man off before focusing back on Thenma. There was a brief pause, the tension between them thick. Collin finally broke it. “I heard… about Penelope’s arrest.” Thenma let out a low, bitter laugh, the sound more like a scoff. “Oh, you heard about it.” He ran a hand over his face, as if wiping away some invisible frustration. “I thought you’d be just like the rest of them—acting like that night’s arrest never even happened.” Collin’s expression tightened. “Thenma, I really regret what happened. Are you... are you going to quit?” Thenma raised his glass, staring into the amber liquid like it held answers. He swirled it lazily before setting it down without drinking. “Quit...? No.” He shook his head slowly, a tired grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “It’s too early for that.” He exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. “But I need time. Time to find another way… because the way I believed in?” Thenma chuckled darkly, the sound filled with a mix of disbelief and frustration. “It’s locked down by the Clauster family.” Thenma’s expression hardened, the bitterness returning to his voice. “Detective Miles... The one everyone called the most honest cop in the city. Even he’s in their pocket.” He clenched his fists, the frustration seeping through his every word. “If even he’s controlled, what hope is there for the rest of them? The institutions are rotten. Corrupt to the core. The law? Two levels beneath life and money.” Collin frowned deeply, concern flickering in his eyes. He shifted uncomfortably, his mind racing with possibilities. “I wonder... what did they say to threaten Miles?” “What about your family, Collin?” Thenma asked, voice low but steady. “Isn’t your family also among the famous businessmen in this city?” Collin furrowed his brow, leaning back slightly. “What do you mean?” “Does the Clauster elite control your family too?” Thenma’s words were pointed, suspicion laced beneath the surface. Collin paused, considering the question carefully. “I can say,” he began slowly, “that my family doesn’t have any connection with the Clauster elite... but crossing paths with them? That would be a risky move.” Thenma let out a heavy sigh, one filled with frustration and disappointment. He looked down at the bar, fingers tracing the rim of his glass. “You’d better not see me again.” Collin blinked, stunned. “What do you mean, Thenma?” Thenma leaned closer, his voice low and filled with an almost sad certainty. “One day, you’ll follow your family’s orders. You’ll bow to the Clauster elite, just like everyone else. And when that day comes... it’ll hurt. It’ll hurt worse than anything.” He paused, exhaling through his nose. “Besides, my revenge is too dangerous. If you stay close to me, they’ll come for you. They always go after those closest to me. Just like they did with Adeline.” Collin’s expression shifted to one of concern, his lips pressed into a thin line. “Hey, man,” he said softly, placing a hand on Thenma’s shoulder. “I’m not that kind of person. If I decide to help you, I will. I haven’t been your friend for just a year—we’ve been through this together since high school.” Thenma stared at him for a long moment, the alcohol dulling his emotions but not his instincts. He wanted to believe Collin, but experience had taught him otherwise. Friends, family, allies—everyone eventually bent to the same power. And the Clausters were not the kind of enemy to overlook someone like Collin. *** The early morning light filtered through the glass walls of Thenma’s apartment, casting a warm glow across the room. His head throbbed painfully as he groaned, pressing his fingers against his temples. Blinking the sleep away, he slowly sat up on the large sofa, realizing where he was. A blanket draped over him slid off his shoulders as he shifted, and on the coffee table in front of him were water, aspirin, and a note from Collin: "Take these when you wake up. You’ll need them. I’ll check in later." Thenma gave a small, humorless snort. "Collin..." he muttered. His friend had stayed with him through the night, making sure he got home safely and leaving just enough behind to ease the morning hangover. He picked up the glass of water and downed the aspirin, rubbing the side of his head as the pain ebbed just slightly. Leaning back into the sofa, he gazed at the sunlight climbing higher in the sky, painting the city beyond his windows in gold. It was a beautiful sight. But it didn’t feel beautiful. It felt empty—like everything in his life lately. He closed his eyes and tried to shut out the spiral of thoughts that came rushing in. Was this revenge the right thing to do? The thought gnawed at him, sinking its claws deeper the longer he sat in silence. His first attempt—the failed arrest of Penelope—had cost him dearly. Adeline was in a coma because of it. She had been caught in the crossfire of his desire for vengeance. He opened his eyes, glancing down at the spot where he sat. Memories from that night hit him like a crashing wave—the night he found Adeline here, lying lifeless on the same sofa, her body emptied by the tranquilizer pills she had taken. The room had been silent then, too silent, as he knelt beside her in helpless rage. The anger stirred inside him once more, simmering beneath the surface. His fists clenched as the bitter fire reignited in his chest. Yes, Penelope might have slipped through his grasp, but Evan Clauster—he was still out there. And this started with him. Evan and Penelope had toyed with his life as if it were a game, shattering everything he held dear. They had planted the seeds of his suffering, and their hands were stained with everything that followed. His jaw tightened, and his lips curled into a grim snarl as the familiar weight of his hatred settled over him like a second skin. “This is the right thing to do,” he whispered to himself, the words cold and resolute. He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. “I will destroy you, Evan Clauster.” His voice was steady, filled with a quiet but unyielding determination. “I will definitely do it.” Thenma still lost in thought, when the soft beep of the system echoed in his mind. A glowing notification hovered before his eyes: [Big Quest: Destroy Julian Corbin] [Objective: Expose Julian Corbin's criminal activities and bring him to ruin] [Reward: Access to Tier-3 Abilities (Includes: Advanced Surveillance Hacking & Identity Manipulation)] [Terms:] [Target must be rendered powerless—public disgrace or incarceration.] [Any direct attempt at his life will forfeit the reward.] [Time Limit: 14 days] [Use discretion—unnecessary attention will affect future quests] Thenma smirked, feeling the familiar adrenaline rush as his sense of purpose rekindled. "Alright," he muttered under his breath, standing up. He straightened his clothes and checked his appearance in the glass reflection. The emptiness lingering earlier was gone, replaced with cold determination. He grabbed his car keys and left the apartment, his mind laser-focused on the plan. As he settled into the driver’s seat, the engine hummed to life. "Reve," he said, gripping the steering wheel, "I need to check again about everything on Julian Corbin. Weaknesses. Leverage. Any dirt we can use." [Weaknesses Identified: High debt with criminal syndicates. Reckless lifestyle causing strained family relations. Desperation to prove himself to the Corbin family.] Thenma's lips curled. "Desperate and reckless. That’s exactly what I need." [Additional Information: Frequent visits to an underground casino in Midtown. Current location: District 7, near Crowne Park. Photos attached.] Several images flickered to life on his dashboard display. Julian’s face was unmistakable, caught mid-conversation with someone in a leather jacket—Tobias Greaves, a known dealer with connections to the city’s drug network. "Gotcha," Thenma whispered, eyes gleaming. "Reve, do we have proof that ties Julian to anything incriminating?" Another photo appeared: Julian exchanging a small package with Tobias behind a bar in District 7. The timestamp and location were clear, and the background signage matched Crowne Park’s local shops. The system beeped again. [Evidence secured. Timestamped photos verified. Surveillance confirms ongoing criminal activity.] Thenma's fingers tapped impatiently against the steering wheel as the system processed more data. His eyes stayed locked on the holographic display. [Searching for subject: Tobias Greaves…] [Match found. Tobias Greaves: Member of the Nightfangs gang. Status: High-level operative. The gang is notorious for drug trafficking, extortion, and organized crime. Caution: Hostile and unpredictable. Suspected conflict with Julian Corbin over outstanding debts.] Thenma leaned back in his seat, an amused smirk curling on his lips. "A reckless party boy entangled with the Nightfangs? Now that’s interesting." The system beeped again. [Warning: The Nightfangs have encrypted their operations. Accessing deeper information through digital means will be restricted.] A new notification appeared in bold: [Direct involvement required. Infiltration or contact necessary to obtain critical details] Thenma’s grin widened. "So, we’ve hit a wall, huh, Reve?" He drummed his fingers, excitement building in his chest. "Guess I’ll have to get my hands dirty." [Proceed with caution, Revenger. The risks involved are considerable.] But Thenma’s determination only grew sharper. His eyes flickered with a dangerous glint, the thought of his enemies finally meeting their downfall fueling his every move. "No big deal," he said with a low chuckle, as if the danger ahead was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Revenge wasn’t just a desire—it was a necessity. The Clausters, Julian, all of them would fall. And if stepping into the lion’s den was the price, Thenma was more than willing to pay it. He turned the wheel sharply, his car heading toward District 7. The Nightfangs' hideouts weren’t exactly hard to find—and he was ready to get what the system couldn't.
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THE GREATEST REVENGER SYSTEM Sneaking Into The Nightfangs Territory
The streets of District 7 buzzed with uneasy energy as Thenma parked his car under the shadow of a flickering streetlamp. The air smelled of rust and oil, mingled with the faint bitterness of smoke. Ahead, the underground casino loomed like a beast of shadows and neon, its muted glow spilling across cracked pavement. [New Objective: Infiltrate the Nightfangs' network] Reve’s voice chimed in his mind, cold and steady as always. “Got it,” Thenma muttered, tugging the hood of his jacket lower over his face. His hands brushed against the small earpiece tucked securely in place. “Start scanning for entry points. We don’t have time for games.” [Analyzing... Front access secured by biometric authentication. Alternative entry detected: Side ventilation shaft. Probability of success: 78%. Risk level: Moderate.] Thenma grimaced. “That doesn’t sound promising.” [Risk mitigation advised. Disguise effectiveness may provide higher success rates.] “Fine,” he muttered, pulling a small fa
THE GREATEST REVENGER SYSTEM Physical Conditioning Program
Thenma gritted his teeth as the blood from his wound seeped through his jacket. His pulse was a steady thrum in his ears, but it wasn’t the rush of adrenaline anymore—it was the toll of too many close calls. His arm, bleeding freely now, burned with every movement as he swerved the motorbike through the dim, chaotic streets of District 7. "Reve, what's my status?" he muttered through clenched teeth, weaving past a group of pedestrian traffickers who shot him suspicious glances. [Pursuers: Three vehicles detected. Optimal escape route: Overpass 6B. Risk level: High.] Thenma’s grip tightened on the throttle. He didn’t need to hear it. He knew the Nightfangs wouldn’t give up. The sound of roaring engines behind him was enough to know they were still in pursuit. There was no turning back now. He floored the accelerator, the engine roaring in protest, but the adrenaline dulling the pain in his side. The overpass was approaching—a narrow stretch, perfect for a risky maneuver. But the
THE GREATEST REVENGER SYSTEM The Shipment Clue
Two days had passed since Thenma started the Physical Conditioning Program. His body had pushed past every limit—each set of push-ups, each sprint, each hold until his muscles burned. He was too focused on one thing: getting stronger. The pain was temporary. The end goal was what mattered. [Physical Conditioning Program] Objective: Complete exercises to improve strength, endurance, and agility. Exercise Focus: Push-ups, Sprints, Endurance Training. Current Status: Injured. Reduced efficiency. Exercise Results: Strength: +3 Endurance: +4 Agility: +2 But something wasn’t right. His left arm—the one still recovering from injury—was throbbing with sharp, painful jolts. His legs felt like lead, and his breath came in ragged bursts. Sweat soaked his clothes, dripping to the floor. [Warning: Current physical state is critical. Health at 35%. Continuing strenuous exercise could result in permanent injury.] "Just a little more," Thenma grunted, as he dropped to the floor f
THE GREATEST REVENGER SYSTEM The Detective's Daughter
Thenma stepping into the hidden room, he thought the figure already leave after the secret door closed. He chose to walked into the secret room after following the figure's way. The first thing that greeted him was a sea of pristine white boxes stacked neatly against the walls. He didn’t need to open one to know what they contained. The faint chemical odor and meticulous arrangement gave it away instantly. His eyes fell on the emblem stamped on the topmost crate: a jagged, fang-like symbol. In the bottom corner of the same crate, small numbers caught his attention. "2808…" he murmured, frowning in thought. It clicked quickly. "Today’s the 26th. The shipment’s in two days." A flicker of satisfaction crossed his face, but the moment was short-lived. He turned his attention back to searching for any additional clues about the ship or its route. Before he could get far, the sound of heavy, hurried footsteps echoed through the room, heading toward the exit. Thenma’s instincts fl
THE GREATEST REVENGER SYSTEM Following Katarina Whittaker
The sky was clear, and the gentle hum of student chatter filled the air around Blackridge University. Hidden under the shade of a tall oak tree, Thenma sat in his car, his sharp eyes fixed on the school gate. His cold, calculated stare betrayed no emotion as he waited. “Reve,” he murmured. “Any sign of her yet?” [Scanning… Target detected: Katarina Whittaker. Exiting campus grounds.] Thenma’s lips twitched into a smirk as his gaze landed on the familiar figure stepping out of the gate. Katarina walked arm-in-arm with a group of friends, her laughter blending seamlessly with theirs. She looked carefree, happy, just another ordinary girl among the crowd. But Thenma knew better. “There she is,” he muttered. His voice was low, almost a growl, as he observed her. Moments later, a tall, broad-shouldered guy approached her, his brunette hair catching the sunlight. He reached out, grabbing Katarina’s arm gently at first. The gesture seemed harmless, but Thenma didn’t miss the flick
THE GREATEST REVENGER SYSTEM To Win The Truthful One's Trust
The atmosphere in the VVIP room was suffocating, the tension thick enough to strangle. Thenma stood motionless, swallowing hard as the reality of his situation set in. Every fiber of his being screamed for him to leave, but he remained rooted, staring at Katarina. His system flashed a bright red warning across his vision: [Disguise attempt failed—do you want to give up?] Thenma’s jaw clenched as another prompt appeared. [Options: 1. Give up and save yourself. 2. Save the detective’s daughter with high risk.] He let out a shaky breath, his gaze flicking to Katarina. Her eyes met his, wide and glimmering with a silent plea. Thenma’s chest tightened. She reminded him of someone. Someone he’d sworn never to think of again. “Whatever,” he muttered, his voice cutting through the heavy silence like a blade. “I’m here to take her anyway.” The man who had been hovering close sneered. “Excuse me?” Thenma tilted his head, his piercing blue eyes locking onto Katarina as he pointed
THE GREATEST REVENGER SYSTEM Using Her
The car rolled to a stop in front of a modest two-story house. Katarina sat silently next to Thenma, her hands fiddling with the strap of her bag. Thenma turned off the engine and unlocked the doors, leaning back against his seat. Katarina hesitated, gripping the door handle, but instead of stepping out, she closed the door and turned back. “I forgot to say... thank you for saving me,” Katarina said, her voice soft, carrying a mix of sincerity and awkwardness. Thenma shrugged nonchalantly, barely sparing her a glance. “Don’t mention it. That’s my part to help my partner.” Katarina blinked in confusion while Thenma straightened his words. “My partner in the mission.” “I want to know,” Katarina began cautiously, “what your real goal is. You seem eager to have my father on your side. But you must know, he doesn’t stand on the wrong side of things. That’s why he refused to help your case.” Thenma let out a bitter scoff, his lips curling into a wry smile. “Your father said that?”
THE GREATEST REVENGER SYSTEM Unnoticed Danger
Simon groaned as his eyes fluttered open, the dimly lit room coming into focus. He realized he was tied to a chair, his wrists bound tightly. Panic surged through him as he instinctively struggled against the restraints, but his efforts were futile. Terrified, Simon froze when he heard the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps. Thenma appeared from the shadows, his presence ominous and commanding. “Glad you woke up quickly,” Thenma said, his voice calm but chilling. Simon swallowed hard, trying to mask his fear with a facade of bravado. “What’s your problem with me? What do you want?” he demanded, though his voice wavered. Thenma’s expression darkened, his patience thin. “I’m sure you haven’t forgotten me yet. I’m here to make sure you can’t threaten Katarina anymore.” Simon’s eyes darted nervously. “What…? I have nothing to do with her anymore!” he insisted, his voice rising in a mix of fear and defiance. Thenma’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Are you sure? Because she
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The Best One
The weight of Litch’s words hung heavily in the air, oppressive and suffocating. Thenma stood there, his thoughts swirling like a storm inside his mind, threatening to drown him. He could feel the tension in his muscles, the urge to lash out and take action, but he knew better than to let his emotions dictate his next move. In moments like these, impulsivity was a luxury he couldn’t afford. Litch was too dangerous, too calculating, and it was clear now more than ever that there was much more at play than Thenma had first imagined.As the man in front of him continued to speak, his voice a mix of arrogance and contempt, Thenma’s thoughts began to drift back to the one thing he hadn’t been able to shake. The nagging feeling that something—no, someone—was missing from the story. He’d been so caught up in the pursuit of the truth, so driven by the need to uncover the machinations behind Verona Lounge and the women who had been subjected to these cruel experiments, that he had failed to se
Verona Lounge Deepest Secret
Verona Lounge had always been a place of mystery and allure, its velvet-draped walls and dim, intimate lighting drawing in both the city’s elite and those seeking something darker. The low hum of chatter mixed with the soft jazz music played in the background, giving the lounge an air of seductive secrecy. For most, it was just a night out—a drink, a dance, a few hours of escape from the world. For Thenma, however, the air was thick with something far more sinister. Something that could unravel everything he thought he knew.He sat at a corner booth, the smooth surface of the table cool under his fingertips, his eyes scanning the room. His thoughts were fragmented, like shards of glass piercing through the fog of his mind. He had come here for answers, though he hadn’t quite realized it when he entered. But now, as the minutes ticked by, and the murmur of conversations swirled around him, he began to connect the dots in ways he hadn’t before.There was something off about the women he
Suffocating Struggle
The silence that followed the voice’s chilling words was suffocating. Thenma’s pulse quickened, his senses sharpening as the darkness seemed to press in around them. The photograph in his hand trembled ever so slightly, his eyes still locked on the blurry figure. The uncertainty of the moment gnawed at him — the feeling that something monumental was about to unfold, something he was not prepared for. The words “Not who you think” echoed in his mind, and he couldn’t shake the sense that this was just the beginning of something far more dangerous than he could have anticipated.Collin stood frozen, still by the door, his eyes darting around the room as if trying to find the source of the voice. But there was nothing. No one in sight. The air seemed to vibrate with a strange energy, thick with the weight of impending danger.“Who was that?” Collin asked, his voice low and tense. He took a step forward, closing the distance between himself and Thenma, his hand resting near the gun holster
Total Chaos
The drive to Anony was a blur, the city lights outside the car window nothing more than streaks of yellow and red as Collin sped through the streets. Thenma sat in the passenger seat, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his mind racing. Every second that ticked by brought them closer to a destination that seemed more like a trap than a safe haven. He had a nagging feeling that something far more insidious than what they had already faced was waiting for them in Anony, but what? And why was it that every time they made progress, a new door opened, revealing more danger, more secrets?“Hold on,” Collin muttered under his breath as they hit a sharp turn, tires screeching as the car leaned into the curve. “You still sure about this?”“Yeah,” Thenma replied, his voice steady, though his gut churned with unease. “We have to know what happened at the Highlife apartment. It’s all connected.”Collin didn’t respond. The tension between them hung in the air, thick and oppressive. They had been thr
Play The Fire
The shot echoed, a singular sound that seemed to stretch through the air, freezing everything in its wake. Thenma’s heart skipped a beat as the world seemed to slow, the darkness of the night thickening around them. Time itself held its breath.Edward Montgomery’s expression remained unchanged. He stood there, too still for comfort, his hands resting casually in his pockets. But his eyes — they were cold, calculating, predatory. He knew exactly what was happening, and in some sick way, he was enjoying it. The corners of his mouth curled into that same thin smile, one that had become far too familiar.Thenma’s instincts were razor-sharp, his mind already calculating his next move. But the hesitation lingered. The shot had come from somewhere — from a direction he hadn’t expected. It had been too quick, too precise, and too clean.“Who—?” Thenma began, his voice tight, but the words died in his throat as he scanned the scene. His eyes darted to Collin, who stood just a few steps behind,
No Time To Die
The city peeled away behind them in a blur of dying neon and fractured asphalt. Thenma gripped the passenger side door as Collin wrestled the battered sedan through a sharp turn, tires screeching in protest. Reve’s map flickered across Thenma’s phone, the signal weakening with every heartbeat, a desperate thread of hope unraveling into static."You sure this is right?" Collin asked without glancing away from the road, his jaw set with grim focus.Thenma didn’t answer immediately. His eyes scanned the data, piecing together the broken coordinates, the erratic timestamps. Every instinct he had screamed that they were cutting it dangerously close — that Joey was slipping further beyond reach with each mile they lost."I’m sure enough," he said finally, voice clipped.Collin exhaled through his teeth, muttering under his breath. "God help us."The industrial district sprawled before them like a graveyard. Hollowed factories and abandoned shipping yards sprawled in every direction, shadows
Not Afraid
Atop the Highlife Tower, where the city lights dulled into a distant, worthless smear against the smoked glass, Edward Montgomery stood at the head of a polished mahogany table, his reflection warped and twisted across its surface. The conference room was silent but for the faint hum of machinery hidden in the walls — state-of-the-art security, bulletproof windows, a fortress disguised as opulence.The men seated around him were not businessmen. Not truly. They wore suits, yes, and silk ties, and watches that cost more than a middle-class salary, but beneath the fabric, they were wolves. Predators with polished smiles and bloodstained hands.Edward let the silence stretch, savoring the discomfort it bred.Fear was a useful seasoning. It made men pliable.Finally, he spoke, voice calm, measured — almost amused."Joey Douglas..." He drew out the name as if tasting it, savoring the bitterness. "A minor inconvenience, but one that required addressing."A murmur rippled through the room, n
Mercy
The safehouse walls, once solid and reassuring in their industrial bleakness, now seemed paper-thin as the wail of sirens grew louder, sharper, splitting the night air into shreds of dread.Each second ticked like a hammer inside Thenma's skull.Collin ripped the flash drive from the terminal and tossed it toward Thenma, who caught it with instinctive precision. Without a word, he shoved it into the inner pocket of his jacket, pressing it close to his chest like a talisman — or a timebomb."They must've been tracing the second Joey uploaded these files," Collin said, breathless, wiping his hands on his jeans as he paced back toward the main door. "Goddamn amateurs. They set the alarms off the moment they opened the drive.""Doesn't matter now," Thenma snapped. His eyes darted to the high, grimy windows above. "We need to move."[Reve: Hostiles estimated within 90 meters. Multiple vehicles. Two, possibly three squads.]The system’s emotionless voice cut through the chaos, threading int
Love and Faith Guides You
The minutes dragged like leaden weights in the frozen dark, each second hammering against Thenma’s nerves.The silence around them felt unnatural — too still, too hollow — as if the East Yard itself had been emptied of life, leaving only the scent of rust and death behind.Beside him, Joey Douglas slipped further into unconsciousness. His breaths were shallow now, rattling like broken glass in his chest. Blood darkened the torn fabric at his ribs, stark against the pale glint of streetlight slicing through the gaps between containers.[Reve: Immediate stabilization required. Risk of organ failure at 73%.]"Hold on," Thenma muttered under his breath, wiping a slick of cold sweat from his brow. His mind raced.Collin was fast, but even he couldn’t perform miracles if they were pinned down before extraction.They needed to move — or disappear.The blinking fragment of Lily's image burned in the corner of his vision.It wasn’t just random.It was a message.Or a warning.Thenma gritted hi
