Angel carefully maneuvered past a series of seemingly chaotic traps and roaming proximity-triggered mines.

Hmph, so much for the esteemed Guild of Mech Operators, Angel thought with a hint of smugness. Here I am, slipping right into their base, undetected.

The importance of quantum processors within modern mechs had grown significantly, making them the most critical component of any unit. While the Guild prided itself on its mech operators, it also employed experts in associated fields, including a fair number of shadow operators like Angel himself.

Despite his confidence, Angel kept his wits about him. This place bristled with danger; one wrong step could spell disaster. Should he alert the Guild’s own shadow operators, escape would become nearly impossible. Yet the lucrative reward for this mission—enough to support his lifestyle for years—made the risk worthwhile.

Besides, others had taken the same contract, including several capable shadow operators. Angel’s pride demanded he outdo them all.

He stopped before an exquisite door emanating a mesmerizing, multicolored glow. Its beauty was almost hypnotic, like an invitation to paradise. Angel steadied himself, his instincts honed from years in the field whispering caution.

The more beautiful something appears, the deadlier it’s likely to be.

Crouching low, he pressed his palm to the ground and closed his eyes. Subtle ripples emanated from him, spreading outward in all directions.

This was Ripple, one of Angel’s signature techniques. Each shadow operator had their own unique skills, and Ripple had earned Angel his reputation. The technique allowed him to map his surroundings in detail without triggering any traps. Even against skilled operators, Ripple was nearly undetectable, which made it perfect for delicate infiltration missions.

Few knew that Angel’s famed trap-disabling skills were a carefully crafted illusion—Ripple was his true edge.

The other half of his reputation came from Cling, his second unique ability. Once deployed, Cling latched onto a target like an unshakable parasite. While it caused no direct harm, its unmatched stealth and reliability in tracking prey made Angel a formidable foe in the shadow operator community.

Angel’s focus deepened as he interpreted the feedback from Ripple. One, two... eight layers of locks? he counted silently, his brow furrowing.

This is odd. Something feels off.

Though confident in his abilities, Angel knew better than to rush. He reviewed the situation meticulously. His path here had been fraught with complex traps—none of which he could have bypassed without Ripple. The Guild’s shadow operators were formidable, yet the defenses seemed to grow weaker closer to the core.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Eight locks might deter ordinary operators, but anyone reaching this point wouldn’t be stopped by them alone. There must be something else.

Closing his eyes, Angel extended Ripple again, pushing its limits. His mind raced as he pieced together the puzzle.

After thirty minutes of careful analysis, the truth hit him like a bolt. Clever. The eight locks aren’t separate—they’re interwoven into a ninth, hidden lock.

If he had approached the locks using standard methods, he would have triggered an alarm or worse. Angel couldn’t help but admire the design. A masterpiece. Almost got me, too.

With the mystery unraveled, Angel prepared to proceed. But just as he moved, a faint green glimmer caught his eye. He froze.

What was that?

The door’s prismatic glow continued unabated, its brilliance making it impossible to pinpoint the source of the green flash. He scrutinized the scene for minutes, his gaze unwavering.

Was it an illusion?

Then, an unsettling thought struck him. Why is the door glowing in the first place? Is it hiding something?

The more he considered it, the more sense it made. He extended Ripple one last time, and after a painstaking search, he found it: a thread-thin green line concealed within the kaleidoscopic light.

For a trap to evade Ripple’s detection was remarkable. Angel’s admiration for the Guild grew. But now that he had discovered it, he knew how to disarm it.

Angel’s lips curled into a faint smile as he turned his attention back to the door. A beautiful facade, but you can’t fool me.

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

Across the Farr Quadrant, Geben was pacing in a lavishly decorated room.

“Mr. Qiu,” he snapped. “You said you had news for me?”

The elderly steward, Mr. Qiu, bowed respectfully. “Indeed, young master. Progress has been made on the matter you instructed me to investigate.”

Geben’s face lit up. “Excellent! Tell me, where is he? What’s his real name? He’s finally trapped, isn’t he?”

Mr. Qiu hesitated, his demeanour uncharacteristically reserved.

“Spit it out!” Geben barked. “Don’t tell me he’s someone important?”

“Not exactly, young master,” Mr. Qiu said, wiping the sweat forming on his brow. “But there is… an anomaly.”

“An anomaly?”

The steward swallowed hard, his voice trembling. “We breached the security of the training base’s data hub and scanned every entry. Yet we found no trace of anyone matching the identity YC—not even a close match.”

Geben’s expression darkened. “Impossible. I saw it myself. Clear as day!”

Mr. Qiu quickly placated him. “Your judgment is flawless, young master. Of course, I believe you. However, it’s strange… No one can access the virtual network without proper identification. It’s a fundamental rule.”

The room grew silent as Geben processed this revelation. “Then how did he manage it?”

“That’s precisely what concerns me,” Mr. Qiu continued cautiously. “This YC may not be an ordinary individual. He could be... a shadow operator.”

Geben’s eyes lit up. “A shadow operator, you say? Of course! Only one of them could pull off such a stunt.”

“Precisely,” Mr. Qiu affirmed. “To learn more, I enlisted the help of some shadow operators loyal to the family. They’re working to uncover his secrets as we speak.”

“Good,” Geben said, his lips curling into a sinister smile. “Once we have his identity, he’ll regret ever crossing me.”