Chapter 145: Walking In
Outside near Fifth Street, three shadowy figures moved with calculated precision, their black masks shrouding their features in anonymity. Their movements were purposeful, their strides steady but inconspicuous as if they had rehearsed this scenario a hundred times before.
They weren’t just opportunists; they were seasoned. They had scoped the area, walking up and down Fifth Street at irregular intervals, occasionally doubling back or lingering in side alleys, ensuring no one was watching. Every movement was deliberate, their eyes darting from shadow to shadow, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
When the time felt right, they veered off the main street, scaling a tall wrought-iron gate with practiced ease. The gate creaked faintly, but the sound was swallowed by the wind, which hissed through the nearby trees like a whispered warning. They landed on the other side without a sound, crouching low in the dense foliage that bordered their target. Their black clothes blended seamlessly with the shadows, making them nearly invisible.
The three figures huddled together under the cover of the bushes, their whispers barely audible over the rustling of leaves.
“This is it,” murmured the shortest of the trio, his voice rough and urgent. “We’ve waited long enough. The place is quiet. No one’s paying attention.”
The tallest among them, a burly figure with a barbaric presence, held up a gloved hand to silence him. “Patience. Rushing gets you caught. The estate’s still. We wait until it’s dead silent.” His voice was low and gravelly, tinged with authority, his words a command, not a suggestion.
The third figure, a lean and wiry woman with a calculating gaze visible even through the slits of her mask, shifted slightly, her fingers brushing against the hilt of a short blade concealed beneath her cloak. “If we wait too long, we’ll miss the window,” she muttered, her tone clipped and impatient.
The big man, the self-proclaimed leader of the group, turned his masked face toward her. Even with his expression hidden, the weight of his glare was palpable. “We move when I say so,” he growled, his voice a threat in itself.
Minutes passed like hours, the trio sitting in tense silence, their breaths shallow, their senses on high alert. The bushes around them swayed gently in the night breeze, their rustling blending seamlessly with the eerie quiet of the area. They were seasoned enough to know how to stay hidden, their experience allowing them to sense when the time was right.
Finally, the leader straightened slightly, his bulk shifting in the shadows. “Now,” he hissed.
They emerged from their hiding spot, slinking through the garden like phantoms. The trio moved with synchronized efficiency, their eyes scanning the windows for signs of movement.
The shortest of the three, a wiry man with a jittery demeanor, muttered excitedly, “I still can’t believe they’re paying us so much for this job.” His voice trembled with a mixture of greed and anticipation.
He glanced at the hulking figure beside him. “Big Boss, this could be our big break. Expand our crew, settle down in Reinhart, maybe even take over some of the turf here.”
The man referred to as Big Boss was an imposing figure, his barbaric presence undeniable. His thick, muscular frame loomed over the others, exuding an air of brutal authority. He nodded, his voice a low growl. “Yeah, this is a chance, but we’ve got to be careful. The people who hired us made it clear—there are magical artifacts in play here. That makes things... tricky.”
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The woman in the group, lean and agile, frowned. “What do they need that badge for, anyway?” Her eyes darted around, ever wary.
Big Boss shrugged, his tone indifferent. “No clue. But they’re dead serious about it. As long as we take out the owner and grab that badge, whatever else we find in the villa is ours.”
They moved through the garden, their boots crunching softly against the gravel paths. Despite their mission, they couldn’t help but admire the lush surroundings, the perfectly manicured hedges, and vibrant flowers. But their admiration quickly turned to disdain.
“Rich bastard,” the short man sneered. “Bet he’s never had to deal with real hardship. Just living off his parents’ money.”
Big Boss chuckled darkly. “Yeah, this guy’s new blood. Just moved into Fifth Street. He probably hasn’t even figured out how to secure his place properly yet. We’ll show him what real adversity looks like.”
The woman snorted. “Think he’s got skilled guards?”
“Probably hired some muscle,” Big Boss admitted. “But nothing we can’t handle. I have two artifacts, after all. Not worried about any wannabe heroes.”
The trio reached the backdoor of the villa. With a quick glance around, Big Boss tested the handle. It turned easily, the door swinging open with a quiet creak.
“Pathetic,” he muttered, stepping inside. His lackeys followed, smirking at the apparent lack of security. “This is going to be easier than I thought.”
They crept further into the villa, unaware of the storm they were about to unleash.
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Standing outside the Starry Villa, Lena surveyed the aftermath of the chaos. The tremors had subsided, leaving behind a tense silence. People had retreated to their homes, some aided by enforcement officers, but the air was still thick with unease. Lena remained vigilant, her eyes scanning the quiet streets and her ears finely tuned to the smallest sound.
A strange noise from the horizon caught her attention. Deep, resonant booms echoed from the northern sky, sending vibrations through the cool night air. There was an unnatural quality to the sound, almost otherworldly.
For a brief moment, a strange green light illuminated the distant sky, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. The light flickered and pulsed before fading into the darkness, leaving Lena with a gnawing sense of foreboding. First the earthquakes, now this?
She sighed, her thoughts drifting to Abel. When would he return? His presence brought a sense of security, but without him, she felt the weight of her responsibilities pressing heavily on her shoulders as she entered the villa.
As she moved through the villa, she noted its condition—mostly intact but with cracks spidering across the walls and a few displaced ornaments. It was a testament to the villa's sturdy construction, yet it reminded her of the fragility of their situation.
Suddenly, a faint sound caught her attention. A slight shuffle, the creak of a floorboard. Lena froze, her senses sharpening. The air seemed to thicken as she strained to hear more, her heart pounding in her chest. Someone—or something—was inside.
On the other side of the villa, the intruders stilled as well. The trio of masked figures who had infiltrated the estate sensed they were not alone. Their light-footed steps halted, and they exchanged cautious glances. The atmosphere grew taut, the suspense palpable as both parties waited in tense silence.
Lena’s hand instinctively moved toward her concealed gloves, her fingers brushing against the familiar fabric. The artifact pulsed faintly beneath her touch, ready to unleash its power. She didn’t move, didn’t breathe too loudly, her entire body attuned to the villa’s subtle noises.
The intruders whispered among themselves, their earlier confidence now tinged with hesitation. They had underestimated the defenses of this place, and now they found themselves locked in a silent standoff with an unseen adversary.
Time stretched, each second heavy with anticipation. Both sides stood poised, waiting for the other to make the first move, the suspense crackling like static electricity in the air.
Lena’s eyes narrowed. Whoever was inside wouldn’t leave unscathed.