"How's the prep going?"

In the dim room, a uniformed middle-aged man spoke without turning as he heard movement behind him.

The youth who slipped in scanned the shadows cautiously, then shut the door tight and sat across from him.

"Don’t worry, boss. Everything’s set." As he spoke, his fingers rubbed hard against his face.

Riiip!

A crisp tear echoed as he ripped off a thin, translucent face mask.

The revealed face was worlds apart from before.

"Huff… Now we just wait for their people to arrive. My crew can move then. This damn mask—I’m finally free of it."

The middle-aged man across snorted softly but kept his head down.

"Boss, you’ve no idea how awful this thing is. But how’d those guys even get such uncanny gear?" He waved the mask, voice thick with confusion.

The boss glanced up. "None of our business. What—planning to keep it after the job?"

Caught out, the youth just grinned slyly.

"Heh. It’s hell to wear, but with this, our jobs get way easier. Tsk… Boss, why not ask them for extras? They don’t seem to lack supplies."

"If you want to die, I won’t stop you." The boss snorted again, eyes flickering with unease. "Those people? Not to be trifled with."

Seeing his boss’s expression, the youth grew even more puzzled.

They feared nothing—only a handful could make the boss look like this.

He probed carefully, "Boss… who exactly are they?"

"People who can end us."

The youth: "..."

"Ask nothing unnecessary. When their men arrive, follow the plan. Now—mask on. Get out."

The man dismissed him ruthlessly.

Puzzled but seeing no answers coming, the youth sighed, re-donned the mask, and left.

After he vanished, the boss’s face twisted with complex emotions.

Where the youth had sat, a robed figure in black now loomed—unnoticed until now.

"I thought you’d tell him."

A hoarse, genderless voice seeped from the hood, chilling the air.

"Heh." The middle-aged man sneered, eyes closing. "Honestly? If you hadn’t taken my wife and kid hostage, I’d never join this insane scheme."

"Crazy?" The robed figure’s tone sharpened, then softened as it shook its head. "This is just the start. True madness? Far worse."

It rose from the seat. Gray light flared beneath the shadowed hood.

"But rest easy. Once it’s done, we’ll keep our promises. Your family returns unharmed."

The middle-aged man: "..."

"Of course—provided any of you survive."

The words hung as the figure vanished mid-breath.

Silent, the man sat frozen. Cold sweat dripped down his cheeks, pooling on the table.

The figure was gone—but unseen eyes still watched from the dark.

They were pawns. Expendable. He knew his place.

...

"Oh! It’s you!"

In the bustling restaurant, Yuri looked up from her meal at the sudden voice.

Beside her and Maria’s table, a girl stood beaming.

Yuri tilted her head slightly, blinking in confusion.

"Hmm? Forgotten already? We met yesterday! Oh—I live in the room next to yours."

She plopped into the adjacent seat, gaze fixed on Yuri with keen interest.

"I see. I’m Yuri." Yuri’s eyebrow lifted faintly at the girl’s boldness.

She remembered her—just hadn’t realized she was a neighbor.

"Hi! I’m—"

Before she finished, an elegant plate clinked before her, cutting her off.

"Please don’t wander off next time." The butler named Useless sighed, eyeing his young master’s innocent look.

He’d seated her—yet she’d vanished in a blink.

"Eep, not on purpose!" The girl stuck out her tongue playfully, turning back to Yuri. "I’m Bai Ling. Nice to meet you!"

"Mm."

Yuri nodded politely but stayed quiet—they were strangers.

Honestly, Bai Ling’s black-clad butler intrigued her far more.

As if sensing her stare, Useless lifted his head while serving Bai Ling.

His pitch-black eyes flashed with an eerie glint.

Yuri paused, eyebrow arching. A warning?

Yes—pure vigilance and caution in that fleeting look.

Had he sensed her true identity?

Bai Ling chattered on, but Yuri’s mind drifted.

From this butler, she’d sensed something rare—a trace of danger.

Interesting.

Randomly meeting someone extraordinary… This airship truly wasn’t what it seemed.

In fact, beyond this butler, Yuri sensed at least ten hidden experts scattered through the tiny restaurant.

Their positions seemed chaotic—yet coiled around a central point, ready to snap.

"By the way, Yuri—what brings you to Central Capital? My home’s there! I’ll disembark midway, but next time… wanna hang out?" Bai Ling’s eyes sparkled.

Yuri smiled faintly, shaking her head. "Sorry. I won’t stay long in Central Capital. But if I have time, I’ll visit."

"Promise! I’ll take you to the Zangqing Pavilion—"

Pfft!

Useless, sipping tea nearby, nearly choked.

Under Yuri and Bai Ling’s stares, his lips twitched.

"...Apologies."

He couldn’t help it—Bai Ling’s words had been shockingly bold.

The Zangqing Pavilion—Central Capital’s most infamous pleasure house.