Just as Adan had said, it took two hours for the police to arrive at Luxury Underground, just as the sun was setting.

Three Special Forces trucks parked in front of the building, bringing a large number of uniformed officers. Dressed in bulletproof vests and riot gear, they quickly entered the factory to secure the perimeter.

The officers had been warned to prepare for the worst, as they were entering an area where the law had no jurisdiction.

Their nervousness was palpable; they feared the place might erupt into chaos. However, reality was different; none of the officers could foresee what was about to unfold.

As they moved through the various sectors, they found only vast, empty rooms, scattered debris, and outdated furniture.

"Sir, there’s no one here," the squad leader reported over the intercom, instructing the platoon to relax.

The factory held little of value, except for the used machinery on the seventh floor, where B-Synchro crystals and a large shipment of drugs were discovered.

The news spread quickly throughout Etheria via the floating screens.

"A major blow to the drug trade."

"Our heroes have done it again."

"The city is getting cleaner every day."

Reporters from various newscasts reported the news with enthusiasm.

The scoop not only benefited the police but also led to rumors that Adan Dray had assisted with the case. This gossip spread so widely that a reporter and cameraman managed to get a quick interview with Adan while he was on a date at a restaurant whit a beautiful girl.

All the city’s floating screens broadcasted the event.

"We’re live with Mr. Dray. Could you tell us about your involvement in the operation against the Luxury Underground Factory this afternoon?" The reporter asked. Adan smiled, as did the young woman with him.

"Yes, I want to clarify that I had nothing to do with it; it’s all the work of the city cops. They are the true heroes of Etheria." Adan responded smoothly, surprising the reporter, who even seemed embarrassed.

"I understand. In that case, I apologize, Mr. Dray, and thank you for clarifying to our audience." The reporter said apologetically before being cut off from the broadcast, which then switched to the studio anchor.

"You heard it from Adan Dray himself: the real heroes are the officers who work tirelessly to keep the city safe. Rest easy and always tune in to Echo News, where we provide only the truth." The presenter, visible on all the city’s screens, concluded.

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Back at the restaurant, as the reporters were leaving, the young model noticed Adan’s earpiece flashing with a small white light, indicating an incoming call.

"Aren’t you going to answer? Don’t worry, I’m not jealous," she said with a hint of mischief, causing Adan to force a smile. He already knew who was trying to contact him.

"Haha, it’s not what you think," he replied, slipping the earpiece into his suit coat.

"It’s a work thing, but I’ll handle it later." Adan wanted to focus on his date and set the call aside to continue enjoying the evening with the beautiful woman.

----------------------------------------

On the other end of the line, a figure shrouded in the shadows of an imposing and elegant office closed the holographic screen before them.

“So he’s going to play dumb… Not surprising after his failure,” they sighed, leaning back in their luxurious chair.

“I should have sent Dante. It’s odd that Adan didn’t meet his objective.” The silhouette rested their feet on the desk, revealing beautifully manicured toes with black-painted nails.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

“Connect me with Corwin,” they demanded in a dispirited tone.

<>

A robotic voice replied, unfolding the holographic screen. The menu quickly navigated to the contact list and initiated the call.

“What’s up, Corwin?” they spoke in a relaxed manner when the call was answered.

“Boss, this is a bad time. I’m in the middle of a fight with a B-Synchro,” a tired and agitated voice responded from the other end.

“Uhh, what level?” they asked with interest.

“It’s the Minotaur level,” Corwin replied.

“Meh.” They responded with clear disinterest.

“Then you can take the call. I need you to travel to Etheria for an interrogation. Find out everything you can about Declan Walsh.” As they spoke, a loud roar and static interrupted the call, leaving the silhouette in suspense.

“Corwin, is everything okay?” they asked, more surprised than worried.

“Ok, I’ll head there in the morning and contact headquarters for more information. I’m hanging up now.” Corwin’s voice cut off abruptly, suggesting he was in a hurry, possibly due to the complicated fight.

The holographic screen went dark, and the figure in the office gazed at the glowing ceiling, where small lights mimicked stars.

“Declan Walsh… What a mysterious man. Even with our network, we only know his name. I wonder if the prisoner Adan captured will be of any use. Damn fool—he should have waited for him at the factory. Why did he unmask himself so soon?”

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2 Hours Before the Police arrived at Luxury Underground...

"The police will be here soon! Angelo’s been arrested! Grab everything you can and get out of here!" Nova’s urgent shouts echoed through the building as he sprinted up to the eighth floor.

"All the security guards are down! Don’t be afraid! Take what you can and leave, or you’ll be captured!" He continued to communicate, the chaos escalating as he climbed the stairs.

Upon reaching his room, Nova had barely enough time to bandage his arm, grab a suitcase, and pack his belongings. He quickly left his room and descended to the next floor to alert the others.

"Nova, what the hell are you talking about?" A firm grip on his uninjured arm stopped him as he shouted down the corridors of the seventh floor. It was Memphis who had restrained him.

"Angelo’s been arrested. The police will be here soon. Grab what you can and get out. If you don’t believe me, check Angelo’s office where his men are unconscious," Nova said confidently, hoping his friend would believe him.

"Fuck, of course, I believe you," Memphis replied without hesitation, releasing Nova’s arm to run toward the other workers on the seventh floor.

“Memphis! Tell them not to touch the merchandise or the crystals! The cops probably caught Angelo for messing with them!” Nova shouted, hoping his friend would heed his warning.

If Memphis didn’t act, there was a risk that the police, TN, or Angelo’s "boss" might come looking for them to retaliate or make arrests.

Without waiting for confirmation, Nova continued running through each floor, spreading the news.

At first, few people took him seriously. However, as some workers began to commandeer clothing machines, raw materials, and finished products, others quickly followed their lead, driven by the desire to secure whatever they could for themselves.

For many, this was their only source of income, and with the factory's closure imminent, they were determined to ensure they received a fair settlement for their labor.

It wasn’t just the employees who joined in; the factory's neighbors also got involved, swarming the premises and nearly emptying it before the police could intervene.

The scene quickly descended into chaos as people grabbed anything of value, turning what was intended to be a swift closure into a frantic scramble for resources.

As a result, a small group of children managed to take very little, still searching for valuables when the police were about to arrive.

"Damn it, the grown-ups took everything!" one child exclaimed with frustration.

"It's not fair; we don’t even have anywhere to sleep," another lamented.

"It’s always survival of the fittest. Like Mr. Angelo used to say, we have to make the most of those who use us because in this city, no one helps without expecting something in return," said Jhony, a red-haired, freckled youth who seemed to lead the group.

"Let’s go, Jhony," he said, gripping the shoulder of the smaller child as they began to retreat.

Just then, footsteps echoed down the hallway, and Nova appeared with a small white bag on his back, different from the one he had used to store his things.

"You’re the only ones left, right?" Nova asked with a smile.

"This is all that’s left," he said brightly as he saw the children eyeing him suspiciously. "Don’t look so worried. It’s for you."

Nova had initially planned to keep the bag. After briefing everyone, he went back to Angelo’s office to gather some money. He saw it as payback for his hard work rather than a robbery.

Fortunately, he found cash in a broken desk drawer, along with a gold watch, some jewelry, and expensive pens. He packed them into a nearby white bag and continued helping others leave.

As he thought everyone had left and began his own retreat, he overheard the children’s conversation.

Unable to leave them behind, Nova, who had rarely helped others selflessly in his previous life, resolved to act differently this time.

He tossed the bag to the children, who opened it and smiled at the sight of the money.

Without a word, Nova walked out of the factory, smiling. In the distance, he saw the children running around happily, thanking him. Although he was left with nothing, he didn’t feel bad. For the first time in his life, he felt he was heading in the right direction.

----------------------------------------

At present - 20:30, Just after Adan's interview on the screens...

A white hoodie bobbed through the bustling crowd watching Adan's interview.

"Looks like he really is famous," thought Nova, the wearer of the hoodie. "I wonder why he would lie..." He mused as he navigated the throng, trying to avoid drawing attention.

“It was obvious; a five-star would never get involved in something so trivial,” one citizen commented, watching the screen intently. “It would be a waste of their time. I almost feel sorry for those poor devils,” another added, displaying their supposed wisdom.

“Haha, you have no idea…” Nova chuckled to himself, recalling how easily Adan had resolved everything. The speed and simplicity with which he knocked out several opponents left many questions unanswered.

He remembered the blonde’s parting words: “If you ever awaken your synchrony, take the test to become a TN agent. I think you’d make a great one.” Nova sighed, wishing he had asked more about the power to explore the world.

“I would have liked to ask him more…” Nova lamented, mumbling to himself as he prepared to pull out the map from his backpack.

Fortunately, language was never a barrier in this world; he could speak, read, and write perfectly. He followed the small map Nathaniel had given him, which marked the location where he was to wait after leaving the factory in two months.

The reunion seemed unlikely, but the X on the map indicated the only place in the city where he could descend.

Nova had never understood why Nathaniel kept mentioning going down. He had imagined the city was on top of a mountain and that the only way out was a path leading down to the flat land.

After studying the map, he folded it and continued his journey. As he walked, the buildings grew smaller until only single-story houses, reminiscent of the poorest neighborhoods in Korea, were visible. Compared to the factory’s sector, where buildings were at least five stories tall and made of concrete, this area was vastly different.

Finally, Nova reached the end of this sector and found the place marked with an X on the map—a small shack at the edge with the graffiti "FREEDOM" painted on its facade.

What caught Nova’s attention, however, was not the hut itself but what lay beyond it. He circled the hut to see what was behind and was stunned by the view.

If someone had told him, he would never have believed it. Before him was a gigantic rim offering a surreal view of a world several thousand meters below.

All this time, Nova had been living in a floating city.