Salad sighed, "Maybe it's time. Follow me, child." Salad and his child beni left the room.

Maria asked, "Why did you tell him that, Svat? Didn't I tell you before to keep it a secret, especially when it comes to Beni?"

Svat replied, "Sorry, it just slipped out. Hehe. But isn't it better this way?"

Nara, curious, asked, "Hey, what are you guys talking about? Don't leave me hanging."

Svat explained, "In short, Beni's mother was a runaway slave of Blackheart named Maria. Salad met her, and they got married. However, when Blackheart was searching for his escaped slaves, Maria was already pregnant. Salad made a deal to protect Maria until she gave birth to Beni, ensuring Blackheart got the best price from the farmers."

Nara interrupted, "Wait a minute... Your name is Maria too. Is that a coincidence?"

Maria responded, "It's no coincidence. Beni's mother implanted a personality chip into my body and memory, making me very similar to her. This way, Beni could be raised as if by his real mother."

After a long pause, Nara asked, "Alright, but why didn't Blackheart just let Maria stay with Salad? Why are women here forbidden to exist?"

Svat replied, "Did you forget to read the history before the Great War? On this continent, they were separated to maintain the population."

Nara exclaimed, "Yes, I know that! But those are old rules. Why are they still being followed?"

Maria sighed, "For some people, rules that stick for years become culture, and then mindset. Maybe this mindset is deeply ingrained in people like Blackheart."

Svat asked, "Can you fight, robot?"

Maria answered, "Yes and no. Physically, I'm stronger than a human body. However, I'm not programmed for combat; I only know basic self-defense. So, sending robots to Blackheart's building would be ineffective."

Svat chuckled, "Heh, I have an idea."

The battle between James and Blackheart had Watery Grave on a knife's edge. Their combined power rattled the whole submerged city. It wasn't just topside chaos; down in the murky depths, pirates in diving suits clashed with harpoons, a watery brawl mirroring the surface war. Turns out, both leaders were hiding way more muscle than they let on, and Panji? He'd just lit the fuse on a powder keg.

And lurking in the shadows, another faction stirred. They moved through the city's underbelly: drained tunnels, abandoned metro lines, and the sewer system. These figures were cloaked in darkness, heavily augmented with implants, some even showing signs of mutation.

Among them were a few distinctive figures: a man in steampunk attire, complete with a black hat and dual katanas; and a woman in large goggles, a brown leather vest, and white pants—straight out of a steampunk adventure.

Their sudden appearance startled the local gangs.

"Back to the sewers, rats!" one gang member yelled, opening fire.

The man in the steampunk gear—Patrick—deflected the bullets and charged, his katanas flashing. Someone tried to flank him, but a shot rang out, and they dropped. Bianca, the woman with the goggles, lowered her smoking gun.

"HA! Sloppy moves, Patrick," Bianca called out.

"Says who? I was about to parry and finish him," Patrick retorted.

"Oh yeah? Parry this!" Bianca fired a few shots at him. Patrick deflected them, then lunged at her.

A burst of machine-gun fire ripped through the air. "Will you two cut it out?" Phonix shouted.a woman with mechanical limb with striking orange hair "Bianca, Patrick… knock it off."

"MY NAME IS PATRICK!" Patrick roared.

Phonix sighed. "Fine, Patrick. How about a little competition? Bianca, you bring me James's head. Patrick, you bring me Blackheart's. Fastest one wins. Loser cooks."

Patrick and Bianca grinned. "HA! Sounds good!"

"Just one thing," Patrick added, his voice rising again. "IT'S PATRICK! NOT RICK! AAAAAAGH!"

Meanwhile, in James' tower, Panji started killing guards and snipers in stealth and direct combat on the upper floors.

Panji wondered, "Huh? Who are they?" as he looked down at the lobby.

Bianca and others started gun blazing.

Bianca taunted, "Nyehhhehe... Eat this, pests!" She shot her rifle and, after emptying it, drew dual revolvers.

Panji muttered, "Hmmhm. The party's getting livelier... I hope Blackheart isn't under attack too."

He walked to the elevator and saw someone coming. He drew his weapon and took a grenade from a dead body. After the 'ting' and the door opened, he threw the grenade into the elevator, shouting, "A gift for you, friend," and boom.

From the radio chatter in the elevator, "Black damn it, they're using ziplines! Everyone, guard the windows! Wait, there's a rat in the lobby! We need help. Fak tamat, we're screwed!"

Panji heard the activated the radio "Huh? Tharig?! He grabbed the radio, "Tharig from Scarletmoon? Is that you, friend?"

Tharig replied, "What!? Yeah, it's me. Who are you?!"

Panji laughed, "Ahaha.. Fate... It's me, Panji. Where are you now?"

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Tharig exclaimed, "HA! You're here too? No wonder. The curse has come... Why aren't you dead yet? Hehe... Izroil misses you, hahah... Are you with those rat bastards?"

Panji answered, "No, friend. I'm defending the group in the next building... Hmhm... What are you doing here?"

Tharig replied, "Can we talk in person? There are over 100 people listening to this conversation. Meet me in the suite... Don't attack me right away, hahaha... Out!"

Panji made his way to the penthouse suite, raising his hand in the air and waving, with half his body behind the wall near the door.

Panji announced, "I'm here."

Tharig ordered, "Alright... Lower your weapons, boys. He won't attack, hehe..."

Panji asked, "Alright... What are you doing here?"

Tharig replied, "I have the same question. For God's sake, why are you here?"

Panji said, "I asked first."

Tharig pointed his weapon at Panji, saying, "Yeah, but I have more guns. What's your angle?"

Panji sighed, "Is this how you greet an old friend?"

Tharig laughed, "Ahahah.. I'm just imitating what you did to me before. Hehe..."

Panji chuckled, "Ohh, okay, okay... Still holding a grudge, huh? *sigh* So, here's the deal..."

Tharig, cigarette dangling from his lips as he reloaded his machine gun, replied, "Ohhh. I really don’t know whether to punch you or kiss you. You killed my boss, but hey, that bastard is finally dead, and now I own this building... How about I do both to be safe? Heh."

Panji smirked, "Alright. Now it’s your turn."

Tharig continued, "Nothing beats your story, friend. I met James when one of his ships docked in India. I started as a regular crew member and worked my way up to lieutenant during a deal with Sumbajhe. When James planned to attack Black, I was still on my way here."

Panji took a puff and said, "Huh. Your story’s actually pretty interesting."

Tharig laughed, "HAH! But this isn’t the time for stories. We’re in the middle of a fake war now. What can we do?"

Panji suggested, "How about I tell Black you’re surrendering?"

Tharig shot back, "FAK! After all these years, I finally become the boss. You think I’m just going to surrender? Besides, my crew is itching to avenge James' death. I can’t control them all!"

Panji sighed, "Hmhm. This is a complicated mess..."

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, several figures emerged from the sewers and rivers. People nearby ran in fear, shouting, "The rats are back! Run for your lives!"

Bianca cursed, "Damn creatures," and shot at the nearby people.

Patrick said, "Save your bullets for the two fools killing each other above, Bianca...."

Bianca urged, "Come on, Patrick! I need a warm-up!"

Patrick drew his double katana, shouting, "Time for justice!"

Just then, a crew member rushed in. "Boss! We’ve got a problem! The rats are coming! They’re already on the lower floor!"

Tharig cursed, "Fak! The timing couldn’t be worse. Most of the crew is scattered at the windows facing Black's attack. Alright, boys... Make barricades. We’ll face them here!"

Panji offered, "Need a hand, friend? I’ve got this," he said, showing off his railgun. "But for the right price, heh."

Tharig waved him off, "Forget it. I wouldn’t buy it even for 1 credit."

Panji shrugged, "Uh, alright," and took cover behind a barricade next to Tharig.

Tharig laughed, "Ahahah... I know. This isn’t about business anymore, you greedy bastard. It’s about life and death. If we don’t unite, we’re all dead, hahaah! HAHA!"

The sound of gunfire drew closer. Bianca and her men stood outside the suite door.

Bianca taunted, "Ahha haha... do you smell that? Hmhm mhmh... the scent of cowards."

The door burst open, and Tharig yelled, "Give them hell!" They started shooting furiously but quickly realized they were firing at dead crew members. Bianca and her men hid behind them.

Bianca surprised them, "Surprise? Now it's my turn, nyeheheh," and they began shooting again. Bianca hid behind pillars, moving swiftly and trying to outflank them, "I'll quickly overcome these pests."

Tharig shouted, "Fak! Focus on that damn woman!" He reloaded his machine gun.

Bianca jumped from barricade to barricade, shooting crew members at point-blank range, "Are you just going to sit and wait for me to finish you off one by one? Boring. But thanks, neheh heh."

Tharig stood up in front of Bianca as she jumped between barricades, "Eat this, rat," he shot Bianca in the air, and she fell back from the bullet.

Meanwhile, Panji attacked the rat members, "Uh. They're not dying," he drew his railgun.

Bianca screamed, "AAAARRHHH... RATS retreat," she drew a smoke grenade, and they ran away.

The crew cheered, "We did it. Let's chase and finish them off!" The other crew members started to leave the barricades and chase them out.

Tharig yelled, "Wait, you fools. Ahhh!"

Panji chuckled, "Ahah.. seems you have a problem with charisma. Some people just don't have the look of a leader, heh."

Tharig hit Panji's face with his machine gun, "Uhh, sorry..." Panji adjusted his shades.

Tharig and Panji, along with some crew members, slowly walked outside the suite and saw their crew members killed, with a letter written in blood, "Let's play hide and seek."

Tharig growled, "Arrr// I don't have time for these rats," he drew his radio, "Explain the situation out there. 'Not good, boss. They seem to be attacking again soon. They're sending a lot of decoys. We're starting to struggle to aim.' Arr!! Just shoot everything! Out!"

He pointed his machine gun at Panji, "There's a bigger problem than those rats. So, what's it going to be? Are you going to keep killing my crew?"

Panji replied, "Mhm// let me handle the rats."

Tharig laughed, "HAH! How do I know you're telling the truth?"

Panji said seriously, "This time, I'm serious," he removed his shades, "They're a common enemy. So..."

Tharig agreed, "Alright... Friend, but remember, if you betray me, I'll hunt down your entire family."

Panji nodded, "I know that. Give me a chance..."

Later, Panji saw a blood trail in the restroom.

Panji muttered, "Seems like a trap, but... alright," he followed the trail and went inside the toilet. He opened the door and saw a man sitting on the toilet without a head.

Bianca suddenly appeared behind Panji, "BOO."

Panji yelled, "What!" He started to grab her, making her shot miss. Panji then shot her in the stomach until his gun was empty.

Bianca laughed, "Ahaha .. do you think that will kill me?" Panji hit her head with an axe, but it only made a small crack, "Is that all?" She slammed her head into Panji, who fell back and rolled into the toilet stall before she could shoot him. Bianca taunted, "Ahah.. the toilet will be cleaned soon. Can you please leave, darling?" She shot until she reloaded her revolver.

Panji yelled, "Heyy.." He slid on the floor and shot Bianca with his railgun restroom The railgun unleashed its fury, a thunderclap echoing through the building. The projectile ripped through Bianca, leaving a clean, smoking hole through her torso. The force was so strong that it shattered the glass in the restroom, Bricks and plaster rained down.

Bianca seemed to say something before falling.

Panji shouted, "WHAT DID YOU SAY?! Uhh uhh.. I think I burst my eardrums..."

Panji winced, clutching his ears. "Note to self: bring earplugs next time. And maybe a dustpan."

meanwhile amid that chaos. in serene farm building, In the warehouse, Maria and Svat were present.

Maria exclaimed, "Ahh, found it," and handed Svat a helmet with goggles. Svat put it on, and a voice said, "Synchronizing activated, please stand by." Maria added, "Alright, seems like you're logged in... Your body is mine now."

Svat asked, "Are you sure about this? This is without Salad's permission."

Maria sighed, "It doesn't matter. Besides, I feel like Beni won't see me the same way after this..."

She looked down, saying, "I'm no longer needed. I want to do something before I'm discarded..."

Svat and Maria returned to Nara's room.

Svat showed off, "Look at this, Nara," performing punches and kicks, which Maria mirrored perfectly.

Nara was impressed, "Damn cool. Hehe... But wait, I guess only you will control the robot. Since I'm still in bed, I can't join," she pouted.

Svat laughed, "Hah! I have a toy for you." He summoned a small robot.

Maria explained, "Beni usually plays with robots. I often help him assemble them. We take spare parts from broken agricultural robots and create new ones."

Nara, skeptical, said, "Humpf. This robot is very small and shaped like a spider. How am I supposed to attack with this?"

Svat chuckled, "Hah! Use your imagination. It can do this," he used a remote control to make the robot jump on Nara's face.

Nara screamed, "Aaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!"

Beni entered the room, asking, "Wait, where are you taking my robots?"

Beni explained the plan, "Here's the plan. I'll use the drone to scout around, while Nara's robot tries to find my mother, and Maria, controlled by Svat, will clear the path." Everyone nodded in agreement.

The drone threw Nara's robot from the sky to the Red Dragon tower windows.

Beni instructed, "Alright, use infrared vision to find the slave rooms."

Nara, observing, said, "Hmhm. There are so many people locked in every room here. How will I know which one is your mother?"

Beni stuttered, "Eeee aaa... just look. One by one."

Meanwhile, Maria used a grappling hook to climb.

Maria told Svat, "You don't have to try to move me. I know how to climb. I just need your help when fighting. So, you don't have to do that."

Svat, standing up from the floor in Nara's room after mimicking climbing movements, asked, "Really? Why didn't you say so earlier?!"

Meanwhile, at the elevator, Patrick sighed, "Fuhhh.. this is cheating. Blackheart's building is too tall. Bianca must have already gotten James' head. Come on, hurry up," he pressed the button furiously.

The power suddenly cut out. "Damn," Patrick muttered as he forced the elevator door open and climbed out. Just then, he spotted Maria at the window, panicking and climbing faster.

An idea sparked in his mind. "Ahh, that woman gave me an idea," he thought, and quickly returned to the elevator, climbing the cable to reach the top.