"Enough, Python, shut it," the woman with a rose tattoo on her face snapped impatiently. "Be more refined, will you? Stop talking about your ass all the time."

Red, with no intention of coddling Python's ego, added bluntly, "The chairs in this meeting room are standard size. If you don't like it, feel free to squat on the floor."

Python, as the man was apparently known, slumped into his chair, grumbling. "Thornrose, I get no help from you, and now I'm told to shut up... This chair really is too small, it barely fits my—"

"If you mention your ass one more time, I'm going to cut it off," Thornrose interjected sharply.

Python's head retracted like a turtle's, and he wisely chose to remain silent.

Thornrose assessed Argentum and Cyrus before turning to Red. "Maybe you should introduce the new faces."

"Argentum, you're familiar with," Red said. "The other one doesn't need her old code name mentioned. She's got a new one now—call her Madame Riches."

Thornrose's brows furrowed at the name. She stared thoughtfully at Cyrus before a realization hit her, and she broke into a knowing smile. "So it's you. Always hiding behind masks, making it quite a challenge to recognize you."

Cyrus met Thornrose's gaze with a frosty look, offering no response.

Python, growing antsy for the meeting to start, pulled out a cigar, lit it up, and took a leisurely puff, releasing a smoke ring that dissipated into the air.

Argentum, with a flick of his wrist, sent a splash of water to extinguish the cigar.

Python's eyes widened in anger, but as if recalling something, he glanced at Thornrose and restrained himself, sitting quietly.

At that moment, the door to the meeting room opened again, admitting two individuals—not men, but boys.

They were clearly young, identical in appearance—twins. Their steps were in perfect sync, their strides identical, and even the way they pulled out chairs and sat down was coordinated.

They were silent, not greeting anyone or making eye contact after entering, as if immersed in their own world.

The last to enter was a man dressed like a waiter. He swaggered in, meticulously adjusting his sleeves and bow tie before taking his seat. "The bar's business is booming tonight; I was almost reluctant to leave my post."

"Let's not bring up your bartending hobby during serious discussions," Red said. "Alright, all four core teams are here. Some of you are meeting for the first time, so let's go through the usual introductions."

The waiter-dressed man went first: "Code name 'Mixologist,' Red's partner."

"Code name 'Thornrose,' my partner's the bald guy over there," Thornrose said.

Python declared, "I'm 'Python,' not bald, so make sure not to get it wrong, folks!"

The identical twins raised their heads in unison.

The one on the right said, "I'm 'Amber.'"

"I'm 'Obsidian,'" the one on the left followed immediately.

Lastly, it was the turn for Cyrus's team.

Argentum stated, "Code name 'Argentum.'"

"Madame Riches," Cyrus said simply.

Mixologist looked at Argentum thoughtfully and suggested, "You might consider changing your code name to 'Pretty Boy.' It would certainly elevate your compatibility with your partner Madame Riches."

Argentum didn't initially grasp the joke.

Python got it, though, and he laughed uproariously, slapping the table. Once Argentum realized Mixologist wasn't exactly paying him a compliment, he retorted firmly, "I respectfully decline. I'm quite fond of my code name and see no need for change."

Thornrose, clearly annoyed by Python's laughter, turned to Red. "Is it too late to switch partners now? He's too noisy."

"No way, you've been together for a year; it would be a waste to change now," Red said, casually blowing on his polished nails. "When we have a new recruit who needs training, I'll assign one to you."

"Fine," Thornrose said, albeit reluctantly.

"Let's end the pleasantries and idle chatter here," Red said, his expression becoming serious. "We're starting the mission briefing."

He tapped the table, and a small circular aperture opened, revealing a holographic projector.

The light shifted, and a large map materialized clearly. On the blue representing the ocean, a flashing red dot captured everyone's attention. A label "Kraken" was attached to the dot, with a red dashed line indicating the vessel's course.

"This freighter began its journey from Antarctica, with stops at Whale City and Layton City. After a month-long voyage, it will enter the waters of Blackwater City on August 11th, where it is scheduled to offload its cargo," Red said, his flamboyant face now unusually solemn. "The shipping company publicly claims the freighter is transporting clean energy combustible ice, but we all know that's merely a facade."

"We must isolate the danger at all costs, preventing them from unloading in Blackwater City," Red continued. "Intelligence from our informant on the Kraken indicates that the Enforcement Department's coastal security team is likely to take over the ship's security before it reaches Blackwater City. Blowing up the freighter under the Enforcement Department's heavy guard is not feasible, so our best approach is at the port. Destroying Blackwater City's port will prevent the Kraken from docking, forcing it to divert to another port city."

"The port is too vast; we need to divide our efforts," Thornrose added. "Only Docks Two and Five can accommodate a vessel the size of the Kraken; the others are for smaller ships. But even if we only target those two docks, we'll require a substantial amount of explosives."

"Don't worry about the munitions; the boss will handle that," Red assured. "Today is July 30th. Over the next five days, your task is to gather structural data on the port and send it back to headquarters. They will calculate the positions of the load-bearing columns. Then we'll place explosives on those columns to execute precision demolition."

Mixologist pondered, "It sounds straightforward, like there are only two steps... But the port is under the control of gangs and the Enforcement Department, and they're still engaged in a tug-of-war."

"The mission is highly dangerous," Amber suddenly spoke up. "But we are all awakened beings."

"The gangs at the port are inconsequential as long as the Enforcement Department doesn't deploy their awakened beings, we have a chance to complete the mission," Obsidian said. "Unfortunately, that's unlikely. Their awakened beings aren't just for show."

"No matter, we have Madame Riches," Red said, smiling at Cyrus. "She will pass on the Enforcement Department's movements to you, and you will follow her instructions."

"She's an undercover agent? Madame Riches was planted by the organization?" Python twisted his neck.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"Don't pry into things you shouldn't, and don't you ever learn?" Thornrose scolded.

Mixologist chuckled, "No wonder she wears a mask..."

"Masks are a personal preference for Madame Riches and Argentum," Red said smoothly. "I never said Madame Riches was an undercover agent, nor did I specify the source of the intel. Don't guess what you shouldn't, or you might bring trouble upon yourself."

Madame Riches' identity, whether the intel was firsthand or secondhand, whether she was a middleman or the direct source of intel, and how to track and report movements—these were not concerns for the organization's members.

Red had Cyrus wear a mask and use a voice changer not because the people in the meeting room couldn't be trusted, but because if they were captured during a mission, they could unintentionally leak sensitive information. Hence the necessity for secrecy.

As a high-end player, Cyrus had the highest level of confidentiality for her identity. There was no need for others to be as cautious as she was. Tonight's meeting was essentially a "face-to-face" for unfamiliar members.

Everyone in the meeting room looked at Cyrus.

"Madame Riches will act as the deputy commander for this operation. If something happens to me and I can't contact you, you will follow her arrangements. She's a professional when it comes to planning and decision-making," Red declared.

Cyrus thought to herself, you sure trust me a lot, giving me so much responsibility.

She was just an outsider who didn't know any intel, surviving solely on acting skills and the limited information at hand.

With the situation as it was, Cyrus had no choice but to act as if she had everything under control. "Besides reporting to Red, you all must report to me as well, so I can make informed decisions."

"Understood, deputy commander," Thornrose smiled at Cyrus.

The others also voiced their agreement, indicating they would follow Cyrus's orders.

Cyrus relaxed a bit. So far, her act had been very convincing, and no one suspected she wasn't the original person.

Having boldly issued the order for others to report to her, and with no objections from Red or defiance from the others, it seemed she could be even more assertive. As the deputy commander, giving instructions to the execution teams was perfectly normal.

Cyrus could use the reports from each execution team to supplement her own intel, deepen her understanding of Mechanism Dawn, and investigate the Kraken.

"Next, we'll form groups," Red announced. "Mixologist and I, along with Amber and Obsidian's team, will be responsible for collecting data and installing explosives at Dock Two, while Madame Riches and Argentum's team, along with Thornrose and Python's team, will handle Dock Five."

"If any team encounters trouble, the others must provide support promptly. This may be the most dangerous mission we've undertaken, so be extra cautious. Report anything unusual immediately, and share any intel you acquire."

Argentum raised his hand: "This is Plan A, but we also have Plan B. If Plan A is successful, we can blow up the port by August 7th, leaving us three days. If things don't go smoothly, we'll use those three days to implement Plan B... for which we must be prepared to make sacrifices."

"I'm always ready to make the ultimate sacrifice," Argentum said.

"Don't talk about sacrifice so casually, the organization still needs you," Red looked around the room. "Everyone here is an indispensable talent for the organization, possessing powerful supernatural abilities and brilliant minds. You are the core of the organization. Surviving is the only way to create more value for the organization and complete our great mission—these principles you must keep in mind."

Red placed his hand over his heart, his face unexpectedly showing a look of piety: "Everything for the Dawn."

The others echoed in a low voice: "Everything for the Dawn."

Cyrus joined in, reciting "Everything for the Dawn" with the group.

However, she felt goosebumps rising on her skin.

What was this, some sort of cult sales pitch? Mechanism Dawn's brainwashing was too powerful; everyone was so fiercely loyal, eager to dedicate their lives to the organization, sending chills down her spine.

If she ever had the power, she would definitely leave Mechanism Dawn. Let whoever wanted to stay, stay; she certainly would not.

...

The meeting lasted over an hour, with Red presenting the current intel and analyzing various details of the mission. Cyrus listened intently, squeezing out a couple of brief, sensible comments that seemed smart but were safe to make, maintaining her cool, intelligent persona.

At the end of the meeting, Cyrus was sweating bullets.

The other teams gradually left the meeting room, and Argentum waited outside at Red's request because he had something to discuss with Cyrus alone.

"This reader was made by the boss and handed over to me yesterday," Red pushed the sleek black reader across to her. "Find a way into the Enforcement Department's AI Adam's core database, plug this reader into the computer, and the virus manufactured by the organization will infiltrate Adam's database, becoming our window to the Enforcement Department's intel."

"Alright," Cyrus accepted the reader calmly. "Completing this task might take some time; I don't currently have access to the database."

"Understood, the primary objective remains the Kraken," Red said. "Don't be rash within the Enforcement Department; you're on a long-term undercover mission."

"You don't need to remind me, Red," Cyrus was already adept at managing her outward character. "I know what to do."

Red smirked: "You really should work on that temper of yours. Alright, you can go now; seeing you is becoming an eyesore."

Cyrus stood up and pushed open the door of the meeting room. Argentum, who had been dozing off against the wall, was startled awake by the noise. He shook his head to clear it and said, "Heading home?"

They left the bar's basement level and returned to the noisy dance floor.

Argentum, seeing a waiter carrying trays of snacks and fruit, nonchalantly helped himself to two plates, muttering, "It's our turf; we don't have to pay for food."

"Has everyone else left?" Cyrus surveyed the bar's dance floor.

"They're gone, left early. The Mixologist is the person in charge here and also the owner; he's still around, serving plates," Argentum explained.

Cyrus made her way through the crowd and came out from the back of the bar.

As soon as she stepped outside, she couldn't help but take a deep breath. The air in the bar was too polluted, a mix of smoke, alcohol, perfume, and sweat made it hard to breathe.

Argentum also took a deep breath, relieved: "I was nearly suffocated by the smell in there."

"Really? You seemed to be enjoying yourself with your mouth full," Cyrus glanced at him.

They set off for home.

The rain had lessened considerably, now a gentle drizzle. The tiny raindrops were comfortable on the face, unlike the fierce downpour that made one want to seek shelter.

Argentum led the way, and Cyrus called out to him: "Wait, let's change our route home, it's too easy to be tracked."

"Alright... whatever you say," Argentum complied.

He took a turn, leading them down a new path.

"This route will take about forty-five minutes, compared to thirty for the old one," Argentum mentioned.

"Time and distance don't matter," Cyrus stated. "We can't afford any slip-ups."

Argentum reached a small building and, using his water control ability, leaped to the rooftop. Without any leverage points, Cyrus couldn't make the climb, so Argentum flung a whip of water around her waist and pulled her up.

The soft, shapeless water in Argentum's hand took on new properties, the water whip becoming as resilient as a real one, allowing for easy exertion of force.

Cyrus followed closely behind Argentum, exploring this brand-new route. She also consciously surveyed the surroundings, avoiding windows and areas illuminated by lights as she moved stealthily through the night.

Her body was agile and nimble, capable of pulling herself up with one hand and landing softly from several meters high. She was a hunter of the night, with the city as her hunting ground.

After leapfrogging across buildings to avoid surveillance, Argentum landed: "From now on, we walk on the ground."

Cyrus nodded, feeling immensely refreshed. Her heart pounded in her chest, and sweat covered her body, the kind of sweat that comes from a good workout.

The meeting at the Ruby Bar and the subsequent encounter with Mechanism Dawn members had her on edge. Now, her mood had stabilized, and her thoughts had returned to a state of calm.

Since Red had confidently given her the reader and tasked her with installing a virus in Adam, it meant he had no suspicions about her. As for the other members, aside from Thornrose who seemed somewhat familiar with her, everyone else treated her indifferently, and she was essentially a stranger to them.

In the coming days, the members would be busy with their tasks, and Cyrus wouldn't see Red, greatly reducing the risk of exposure.

Cyrus gradually felt at ease and slowed her pace, strolling through the streets and alleys.

A walk on a quiet night was quite serene.

As she walked, her heart suddenly leaped, and an ominous premonition seized her without warning.

In that moment, Cyrus's heartbeat skyrocketed, her heart rate even higher than during her run. Her inherent talent for danger avoidance was suddenly triggered, her instincts screaming at her—danger was imminent!

In the blink of an eye, Cyrus's body heeded the warning from her instincts and crouched in a defensive maneuver.

But at the same time, from a blind spot in her vision, a bullet spun out of a silenced rifle barrel!

How could human speed possibly match that of a bullet? Before Cyrus could complete her evasive action, the bullet struck her forehead!

"Clang!"

The bullet hit Cyrus, and the spider mask on her face shattered on one side. A clear metallic clang resonated as her modified alloy skull blocked the bullet.

The force of the bullet knocked Cyrus's head back, and she took a step backward. Her head buzzed, blood flowed from her forehead, and a deformed bullet was lodged in her alloy skull.

Argentum reacted instantly, erecting a large water screen that intercepted several other incoming bullets. The bullets, stopped by the soft and elastic water screen, clinked as they fell to the ground.

Cyrus pried the deformed bullet from the center of her forehead, revealing the silver alloy skull underneath, gleaming metallically.

"Which little bastard..." Cyrus seethed with rage.

It was so close, just a hair's breadth away! If the bullet had not hit her head but her heart, she would have been a fresh corpse by now.

"Someone wants you dead!" Argentum warned.

"I know," Cyrus wiped the blood off her face, her teeth gritted as she looked in the direction from which the bullet had come, her slight concussion causing double vision.

Someone wanted her dead!

Who wanted to kill her?