The four masked men took hostages inside the café.
"Everyone, hands behind your necks and down on your knees!" one of them ordered.
Behind the table, Leo whispered, "We're trapped here and we don't have any weapons."
Adrian thought to himself, so that's the Crystal Gang…
Finn peeked through the window and his face went pale. "L-Leo… we're done for real. SARS Division 5 is outside."
SARS… Adrian thought.
Outside, Captain Mathew of SARS Division 5 Unit 1 stepped out of the car, speaking on the phone.
"We've arrived at the café, Chief. So we can kill them, right? The Crystal Gang members… and the Shadows?"
The Chief's cold voice came from the other side. "Someone gave us secret intel about shadows —names, faces, their location. They're all inside that café. Kill everyone."
Mathew grinned. "Good. My men are ready with machine guns."
Inside, Leo muttered, "They don't know our faces for sure, but either way… the further we are from SARS, the better."
Rian said, "Should we call the base?"
Leo replied, "We could, but it would take too long for them to get here."
Finn was already dialing.
Adrian asked Freya, "SARS can't do anything, right? These masked guys have hostages."
Freya shook her head. "You're wrong. SARS's first priority is eliminating the Syndicate. Even if some hostages die, it doesn't matter to them."
Adrian froze. "What…?"
Finn whispered, "They're not shooting anymore."
Leo muttered, "They're saving their bullets. Waiting for us to come out."
Finn's face drained of color. "Leo… SARS is approaching the door."
Leo exhaled. "All right. We'll risk it.
Listen carefully—as soon as SARS comes in and starts firing, we'll run out the back and escape through the rear door."
Rian frowned. "High risk of being hit by bullets."
Leo nodded. "That's why three will go first—Adrian, Freya, and Ripley."
Ripley glared. "Why with these two?"
"Because you'll protect them," Leo answered firmly.
"Tch, no choice then," Ripley muttered.
Leo pulled out a master key from his pocket. "Take this. Works on most cars. Grab one and escape."
Ripley snatched the key.
Outside, Mathew signaled his men.
SARS stormed the café and opened fire instantly.
"Move!" Leo shouted.
Adrian, Freya, and Ripley bolted toward the back. Bullets ripped through tables, blood sprayed across the floor, and screams filled the air.
Ripley forced open a random car, Freya jumped inside, but Adrian hesitated, frozen by the screams echoing behind him.
They're killing innocent people…
Adrian's fists clenched, veins bulging on his forehead. Unforgivable… it's unforgivable.
"Hey, idiot, get in already!" Ripley snapped.
Adrian dove inside. Ripley started the engine and sped away, while Adrian stared down at his trembling fists.
Inside the car Freya asked, "Where are we going?"
Ripley, gripping the steering wheel, said, "For now... just getting far from here."
Freya glanced at her nervously. "Would they be safe? I mean, how can they get out of that café?"
Ripley's eyes stayed forward. "Don't ask me. One thing I know is that I can't die now." She tightened her grip on the wheel.
Freya looked at Adrian, his face lowered. "Adrian... are you all right? I know it's too much for you, but you have to get used to it."
Ripley muttered, "He's just scared, nothing else."
Adrian's voice was low. "How can they..."
Freya leaned in. "What did you say?"
Adrian raised his head, face tense. "How can they just kill innocent people... to get us, they murdered everyone else."
Ripley snapped, "You feel sympathy? You feel bad for them? Then why don't you do something? You can't. So give priority to your own life."
Freya smiled faintly. "I think Ripley's right. We should escape for now." She tapped Adrian's head lightly.
Adrian gave a small smile. "…Thanks."
Ripley scoffed. "Hmph. Idiot."
Suddenly a car rammed them from behind. Ripley wrestled the wheel, speeding up.
Adrian and Freya turned — a SARS vehicle closing in.
Adrian gasped, "SARS...? How did they get behind us?"
Freya froze. "It's not just SARS... inside is the 5th Division Vice Chief—James Greyson himself."
Adrian's eyes widened. "Greyson…?"
Ripley muttered, "They don't know our faces, so why is he chasing us?"
Behind them, James held the wheel with one hand, phone in the other.
"Chief, I'm chasing Adrian and Shadow members. My decision? Yeah, I've made it."
He hung up, slid the phone into his pocket, then drew his pistol.
His thoughts sharpened. "Time to break your car—and you all." He fired at their left wheel.
Adrian shouted, "He's shooting at the wheel!"
Ripley growled, "Hey, you—protect Freya at all cost."
Freya turned. "What do you mean?"
Ripley's eyes narrowed. "I'll take the car close to a tiny street and slow down. You two get out and run. I'll keep going straight."
Freya shook her head. "No way, you're coming with us."
Ripley cut her off. "If I go, he'll follow all of us. This way, he has to choose."
Adrian clenched his fists. "But if he ignores you and runs after us?"
Ripley smirked. "Then it's better. You'll reach the main road, and I'll pick you up later. He'll be left without a car."
Adrian muttered, "Great plan… but if he keeps chasing you?"
Ripley snapped, "Stop nagging and just go!"
She swerved into a narrow street, slowing the car.
James narrowed his eyes. "What are you trying to—?" He fired again as he figured.
Adrian grabbed Freya's hand, dragging her out. Together they sprinted down the alley.
"Don't worry! I'll protect Freya at all cost!" Adrian shouted as they ran.
The moment they left, Ripley gunned the car straight ahead.
James caught it instantly. "So that's it. Adrian ran off with a woman, and the driver's Ripley? Well then..." He followed her instead.
Ripley smirked at her mirror. "So, you're smart." She swerved sharply, narrowly missing a truck. James did the same.
Ripley cursed inside. "Damn… he's good at driving too."
Another shot cracked—the left wheel blew. The car lurched, balance lost.
"Shit… the wheel's done," she muttered.
Ahead, a massive crowd gathered at a political rally. On stage, a politician shouted, "When I take power, I will end the terror of the Ruling Syndicate with my own hands!" The crowd roared in cheers.
Ripley smirked. "Perfect cover." As the car reached the edge of the crowd, she slammed the brakes, jumped out, and vanished into the mass of people.
James stopped, scanning. "She disappeared into the crowd…?"
Ripley pushed through the stampede, slipping into a narrow backstreet. She exhaled. "Safe… at least for now."
A gunshot cracked. Pain exploded in her left leg. She dropped to one knee, blood pouring from the wound. She turned back—James stood there, pistol aimed steady.
Ripley gritted her teeth. "Bullet grazed, but still bleeding..." she thought. Out loud, she smirked, "You came early, huh?"
James's eyes glinted cold. "I don't come late for a lady." He smirked, gun never wavering.