On the messy, sparsely populated streets of Lungmen's Lower City, District 18, Chen Mo had already lost count of how many thugs had tried to harass or attack him.
He swept his eyes around, pulled out the intelligence packet the LGD had given him, and read through it again—carefully.
"Hah. So they're keeping a low profile. If the LGD intel division weren't this competent, anyone trying to pick a fight with the biggest gang in this district would be stepping straight into a grave."
The Cat Gang—even the most violent gangs in District 18 didn't know much about them.
But there was another name everyone recognized: the Grease Gang.
After the Bloodhand Gang had been wiped out, the Grease Gang had suddenly surged upward, sweeping aside most of the other gangs at lightning speed. They looked like they might become District 18's next Hungry Wolf Gang.
But that was an illusion.
In reality, the Grease Gang was nothing more than a puppet—propped up by the deeply hidden Cat Gang.
A lot of Cat Gang members were moving in the shadows while wearing the Grease Gang's "skin."
No wonder the LGD's intelligence unit had such a reputation. If Chen Mo had been forced to hunt District 18's gangs alone, he might genuinely have fallen into a pit.
Following the route the LGD provided, he put the documents away and drew his sword—Ashes.
The black blade flashed with a cold, piercing sheen as he walked deeper into the cramped, dim streets.
Chen Mo never treated work lightly.
Especially not now—when his opponent might be the strongest enemy he'd faced so far.
He glanced at his status panel: [EXP 33/100].
This job was going to pay.
"Let's see just how strong the mastermind really is. Hm… as long as I don't fight all the way to the end and find the EXP barely moved."
A scorching heat rose abruptly.
Behind him, several corpses sprawled in the street ignited without warning, burning down into neglected piles of ash that scattered into the air on the wind.
...
7:49 p.m.
"The biggest force in District 18 is the Grease Gang."
With a blank expression, Texas finished interrogating another gang executive and confirmed her findings—her intel was accurate.
Facing Exusiai's curious look, Texas crouched and explained to the equally unglamorous Exusiai squatting across from her:
"Twelve gangs' upper ranks—big and small. Their fear wasn't fake, and the answers to my questions were consistent."
"And this place is heavily guarded. Their members are better equipped than the street punks outside."
"This is definitely the Grease Gang's headquarters."
She lifted her eyes toward a massive warehouse in the distance—dark, hulking, and alone in the night.
"And we can't break in from the front. Their visible firepower is enough to crush every other gang in District 18."
This job had come too suddenly. Emperor had even tried contacting Istina for intel, but the response implied it would take time.
Time they didn't have.
So Texas used her own methods and obtained most of what she needed herself.
Quietly watching the warehouse, she tightened her grip on the hilt of her Originium light-sword.
"Exusiai. Stay here and keep watch. I'll be back when I'm done."
That immediately set Exusiai off. She chambered a round and glared at Texas, displeased.
"We finally get to work together for once, and you're just going to dump me here?"
"Be honest—do you think I'm dead weight?!"
Texas listened patiently until Exusiai had talked herself dry. Then, still expressionless, Texas pointed at the halo above Exusiai's head.
"Are you sure you can infiltrate?"
Exusiai froze.
A second later, she scratched the back of her head awkwardly, then sat down cross-legged in place like an obedient kid.
"I just thought you were going to say I'd slow you down… Fine, fine, I get it. Go already!"
Texas said nothing more.
After a brief, quiet look at Exusiai—who was now avoiding eye contact—Texas melted into the shadows and moved toward the warehouse.
The patrolling gang members never noticed the gray wolf sprinting under moonlight.
In a few swift movements, she was already on the roof.
With her light-sword, she sliced a narrow slit, just big enough to look inside.
The front approach was locked down like a fortress—roads secured, steel gates sealed.
But the roof had fewer guards.
Not few enough for amateurs… but too few to catch someone like Texas.
And then she saw it—her final target.
"So that's her… the Grease Gang leader."
Through the glowing slit, Texas locked onto a tall woman berating her subordinates. The silhouette, body type, and features matched every description she'd pulled from interrogation.
The leader showed zero alertness—completely confident in her defenses.
If so—
Texas wouldn't hesitate.
Down below, the Grease Gang leader still had no idea a blade was hanging over her head.
She was still screaming at her people.
"You useless trash. It's been this long and you still haven't taken District 18."
"Not just 'the higher-ups'—even those suit-wearing bastards in the Upper City are pushing us. They keep saying they've already blocked the LGD's proposals to intervene more than once…"
"Damn it—if those bastards push one more time, you worthless—"
Shhk—
Blood sprayed into the air.
The leader's sentence died mid-word as her eyes went wide. She clutched her throat, face twisted in terror, staring forward.
"Y-you… you're Texas… from Penguin Logistics…"
Her physique was strong enough that even with her throat cut—life pouring out of her—she still forced herself upright.
And that was exactly why she couldn't understand it.
Penguin Logistics had nothing to do with this.
So why were they here?
"Job complete."
Texas spoke flatly. She flicked the blood from her blade and didn't spare the collapsing leader another glance.
The entire operation had been silent—no alarms, no guards alerted.
Texas tossed the Penguin Logistics insignia onto the floor, intending for the arriving gang members to see it—an intimidation tactic, a warning by example.
She glanced at the steel-sealed doors.
Then she turned, preparing to jump back up through the opening she'd cut in the roof and reunite with Exusiai.
Wh—
Danger.
Texas's pupils shrank. In the same instant she snapped her head aside—
A razor-sharp arrow tore through her drifting hair, shearing off several strands before slamming into the concrete with brutal force.
Clap. Clap.
Applause echoed around the warehouse.
Heavy, chaotic footsteps followed.
Texas's expression hardened. Her light-sword hummed back to life as she stared into the shadows.
Figures emerged—countless women, equipped with terrifyingly high-grade gear.
They tightened the circle around her.
Their steps were steady and disciplined. Even packed into the warehouse, they didn't jostle like ordinary gangsters.
Texas's stomach sank.
And when she heard familiar gunfire erupt outside the warehouse—Exusiai's shots—her mood plunged even further.
These people…
They weren't gangsters.
A blond Feline woman stepped out from the group, keeping a safe distance from Texas. She stubbed out her cigarette and sighed.
"The Upper City people told us an LGD operative would infiltrate. Why is it Penguin Logistics instead?"
"I thought we'd hooked a big fish. What a waste of my time."
She waved a hand casually, utterly unbothered by Texas's cold, lethal stare.
"Kill her. I hate that look."
A buzzing vibration.
At that exact moment, Texas's phone lit up.
Istina, who had finally uncovered the truth behind District 18's real puppeteer, sent the message—late, but definitive.
[Texas, be advised: District 18's true dominant force is not the Grease Gang, but the Cat Gang behind them.]
[Return immediately. Their strength is not something the two of you can handle.]
[Repeat: abort the mission and return now.]
-------
My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
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