Angel found himself in quite the bind.

His previous mission had been a resounding success. Among the five Shadow Realm Operatives assigned, he was the only one to complete the commission. The others had all fallen prey to the intricate traps behind the final door. The mere thought of that brilliant setup brought a triumphant smile to Angel’s lips.

This new commission, however, was a different beast entirely. While undeniably challenging, the staggering reward offered by the Luo family had piqued Angel’s interest. Having worked with them on a few occasions before, Angel had found their reputation for honouring agreements solid. But what intrigued him most was how perfectly this job seemed tailored to his skill set.

When he first took the assignment, Angel had assumed that the target—a mysterious figure known only as YC—was either a prominent figure or a high-ranking pilot the Luo family wished to recruit. Yet nothing could have prepared Angel for the outcome.

The data cube, which supposedly contained the information he sought, came up empty. There was not a single trace of YC in any database. In disbelief, Angel had copied portions of unrelated files as proof of access, just to assure the Luo family that he’d indeed breached the highly secure vault.

That discovery left him deeply unsettled. Could YC be another Shadow Realm Operative?

The thought had taken root the moment Angel realised YC’s complete absence from any known record. Shadow Realm Operatives were enigmatic entities in the virtual network. To the uninitiated, they seemed like godlike beings, unbound by the laws of cyberspace, wielding extraordinary powers.

But was it truly so?

Angel couldn’t help but smirk bitterly at the notion. The life of an Operative was far from unfettered. Their world was governed by unspoken rules—rules that were often more restrictive for those like Angel, who refused to align with any faction and upheld a strict code of neutrality.

One of those cardinal rules? Avoid accepting commissions involving other Operatives.

The power dynamics among Operatives were nebulous, their strengths determined by their chosen domains. A novice with a clever algorithm could, in theory, incapacitate a seasoned expert. Creativity was the wildcard no one could anticipate.

Angel had witnessed the aftermath of a clash between two elite Operatives. One emerged victorious, the other’s neural system irreparably damaged. That harrowing memory was a stark reminder of both their unparalleled capabilities and the brutality of their conflicts.

The final hurdle to elite Operative status—the ability to breach the most formidable defences—was a rare accomplishment. Such individuals were bound by a stricter, unspoken code of conduct. Their mutual restraint kept the virtual world from descending into chaos.

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Angel understood well the unspoken mantra: Never provoke another Operative, no matter how weak they appear.

The possibility that YC might be a formidable Operative weighed heavily on Angel. After all, being able to roam freely in a high-security training facility without official clearance was no small feat.

Now, the Luo family had returned with a follow-up request: uncover YC’s real-world identity. Anything would do—an address, a name, even the faintest clue. The reward offered was astronomical, surpassing anything Angel had ever seen.

Luo’s unwavering confidence in Angel stemmed from his flawless track record. Everything pointed towards accepting the job—the client’s trust, the absurdly high reward, and the suitability of his skills.

Yet Angel hesitated.

If YC truly were an elite Operative, the risks were staggering. Angel knew his own strengths; his expertise lay in tracking and evasion, not direct confrontation. If YC discovered his attempts, retaliation was inevitable.

This mission didn’t just skirt the edges of taboo—it shattered them entirely. An Operative’s greatest fear was exposure. Their real-world identities were their Achilles' heels. Once uncovered, they became vulnerable, their lives and freedom potentially forfeit.

Angel knew this all too well. Accepting this commission could mean making an implacable enemy of YC. Even worse, it might draw the ire of other Operatives. After all, breaching this ultimate taboo risked the solidarity of their clandestine community.

The promised reward, however, gnawed at Angel’s resolve. It dangled before him like a siren’s call, a fortune that could secure a decade of comfort. His tools, especially his beloved “Wisp,” had never failed him before. There was a seventy percent chance he could operate undetected.

Angel massaged his temples, grappling with the choice. Rejecting the offer felt wasteful, but accepting it might lead to a death sentence. The thought of wealth was tantalising, yet he couldn’t ignore the dread pooling in his gut.

Finally, Angel devised a compromise. He would observe YC in person before committing to a decision.

Following the Luo family’s lead, Angel arrived at the Mech Training Facility under the guise of a tourist. It wasn’t long before he spotted his target. YC had just concluded a match, manoeuvring his Mech fluidly through the bustling crowd.

At first glance, YC seemed utterly unremarkable.

But then, Angel’s sharp gaze caught a detail that made his heart race. A small group brushed past YC. Their demeanour, their aura—it was unmistakable.

Shadow Realm Operatives.

The realisation struck like lightning. These were his peers, and they exuded an unmistakable air of danger.

Angel quickly pieced it together. The Luo family had likely hedged their bets, hiring multiple Operatives for the same task.

His heart pounded as he activated “Ripple,” his signature reconnaissance tool. The world sharpened into vivid clarity, every subtle movement and hidden action revealed.

The Operatives’ precision was breathtaking. Their timing, coordination, and stealth were nothing short of masterful. Angel couldn’t help but admire their expertise, even as his unease deepened.

Then, it happened.

What unfolded next froze Angel’s blood in his veins. The moment burned itself into his memory, destined to haunt him forever.

YC didn’t just respond—he obliterated their assault. The Operatives, for all their skill, were effortlessly dismantled. YC’s retaliation was so swift, so overwhelming, that Angel could scarcely process it.

Angel’s instincts screamed one undeniable truth: YC was no ordinary Operative. YC was a predator among predators, a force that transcended anything Angel had ever encountered.