The Sala Tree Zone Module was a residential area for the affluent, characterized by its many scattered estates and woodlands. The environment was beautiful, free from any industrial factories, and featured two large shopping malls along with various uniquely styled parks.
Accessing the zone module required authorization from community users, meaning that unrelated individuals would be intercepted by security personnel at the perimeter.
The captors had chosen this location precisely because of its excellent security. It was challenging for any outside forces to approach or gather information. If not for the expertise of the “Three Pointers Workshop,” which employed a skilled hacker, leveraging the city’s network to pinpoint the captors’ general location would have been impossible.
The perimeter of the zone module was surrounded by tall, translucent, light-blue barriers. Standard hover vehicles couldn’t pass through them, and any attempt to breach the barriers would immediately trigger an alarm system.
“Are we certain they’re inside?” Inside a large truck, several well-equipped members of the Raincoat Agency were discussing their next move.
“Absolutely. I tracked their movements through a massive information database,” replied a gaunt-faced man. A port was implanted in his neck, connected to a nearby network terminal.
Transcendents of the Spirit Particle Sequence had tremendous advantages in data processing and information handling. This made them top-tier hackers in the modern age. With the assistance of network terminal devices, they could connect their neural systems to electronic networks, enabling rapid information processing, mechanical control, and even simple AI command execution to assist in combat.
“Breaking into a high-end neighborhood like this isn’t impossible, but the area is protected by the renowned ‘White-Blue House.’ They’re a major corporation in Southern 1st District with ample personnel and cutting-edge technology. If we provoke them, our agency’s operations will face severe repercussions later on.”
While transcendent abilities, combined with AI and magical devices, made certain illicit activities feasible, areas with high order and security were usually under the protection of formidable security firms. These firms might not prevent sudden incidents effectively but were highly capable of tracking down perpetrators and exacting punishment afterward to deter future offenses.
White-Blue House’s stationed personnel in the Sala Tree Zone were limited, but any disturbances would prompt their headquarters to dispatch reinforcements swiftly. For this reason, the Raincoat Agency operatives refrained from making rash moves.
“Let’s wait a little longer.” The leader, a man seated on the sofa, removed his sunglasses and leaned back, closing his eyes for a nap.
The others were surprised by his sudden relaxation but also reassured. If their leader was this composed, it meant he had contingencies in place. If he were genuinely at a loss, his behavior would have been quite different.
Familiar with his methods, the group set their worries aside and continued monitoring the zone’s perimeter.
Just when they thought they’d be waiting much longer, a hover car suddenly entered the Sala Tree Zone, triggering the alarm system.
“What’s going on?” The group stared at the screen in astonishment. The leader, who had been resting moments ago, moved to the display with keen interest.
“That’s it. He’s the one. Let him draw the security’s attention while we infiltrate during the chaos. The operation begins now,” the leader declared.
“Yes, sir!”
The large truck, which had been stationary for some time, roared back to life, moving quickly toward the Sala Tree Zone.
Shortly after, the fully armed Raincoat Agency members disembarked. They were equipped with bulletproof vests, tactical goggles, helmets, electromagnetic pistols, restricted-class light sabers, and simple “Rain-2” exoskeleton suits.
These exoskeletons didn’t provide full-body coverage but were attached to the thighs and arms. With their assistance, the operatives glided through the Sala Tree Zone as if on rollerblades. Within ten seconds, they activated optical camouflage to render themselves nearly invisible.
Data streams appeared on their tactical goggles as AI systems in the rear coordinated their actions, assigning routes to each operative.
[Time: 14:34:19, Southern 1st District, Verdant Veil Area]
[Location: Sala Tree Zone Module, High-Security Environment]
[Objective: Capture “Black Dog” Grid. Prevent his acquisition by rival factions. If necessary, terminate.]
[Note: Avoid harming bystanders to minimize complications and ease cleanup efforts.]
“Mission begins now!”
“Yes, sir!”
Through their tactical goggles, a gray-tinted world unfolded. Bright markers and arrows identified paths, analyzing the identities of nearby individuals and directing the team’s movements.
Despite the Sala Tree Zone’s vastness, there were few pedestrians. Most visible figures were service personnel. The wealthy residents were either at home or traveling in hover cars, rarely appearing on foot in public spaces.
After entering the zone module, the members of the agency quickly dispersed, forming a loose net to systematically scan locations. Each carried a scanning device capable of detecting traces left by their target, such as scent or DNA molecules.
“A2 sector shows no traces.”
“A5 sector shows no traces.”
“A6 sector shows no traces.”
“A3 sector shows no traces.”
“A11 sector shows no traces.”
…
“Begin scanning sector B.”
“B1 sector shows no traces.”
“Continue scanning sector B.”
…
“B7 sector came under monitored targeting, triggering an alarm system. Our operation may be exposed.”
“Ignore it. Keep moving and accelerate!”
“Understood.”
…
“Begin scanning sector C.”
“C3 sector shows no traces.”
“C1 sector shows no traces.”
“C8 sector shows faint traces. C8 sector shows faint traces!”
“Three members move toward sector C8. The rest continue scanning.”
…
“Additional traces found in sector C8. AI analysis estimates a 68% probability that the target is located here.”
“1st and 2nd Squad , move to sector C8 and begin action. 3rd Squad, intercept external interference. 4th Squad, remain on standby.”
“Understood.”
With a loud crash, a beautifully designed manor’s window shattered. Agency members leaped inside and began their search.
The manor was unoccupied. Neither servants nor owners were present, only some autonomous units.
When the agency members invaded, the autonomous units triggered alarms but were swiftly destroyed and rendered inoperative. The search then commenced.
Some members carried scanning devices to search each floor, while two hackers accessed the central control system of the house, attempting to seize control. Another group planted small “devices” around the perimeter to clean up evidence after the operation.
While they moved efficiently and tensely, on another front, Valk was facing considerable trouble.
The hovercar he was riding was intercepted by four blue-and-white small flying craft. Their front ends extended charged electromagnetic guns, aimed directly at his vehicle, triggering incessant alarms inside the car.
[You have been targeted by an unknown tracking beam and are about to come under attack. Imminent attack.]
Unable to force a breakthrough, Valke exited the car, intending to explain. However, a large electrified net suddenly unfolded, aiming to capture him.
He couldn’t surrender without resistance. Moving with sudden speed, he dodged the net and pulled out his ID card, hoping to use his affiliation with Edess Academy to resolve the issue.
Unfortunately, this time, his opponents gave him no opportunity. An electromagnetic gun flashed brightly, firing a projectile almost instantaneously. It struck Valk, burning through his coat.
Luckily, the armor he had donned beforehand absorbed the impact. Realizing that reasoning was futile, Valk no longer hesitated. He leaped forward with lightning speed, grabbed onto one of the low-hovering craft, and tore through its outer shell. Using the momentum, he jumped to another craft and repeated the process, destroying three of the four in quick succession.
These civilian-grade craft had limited defenses—adequate against standard laser or handgun bullets but utterly ineffective against a human powerhouse like Valk.
The silver-white metal frames bent and twisted under his assault, exposing their fragile electronic components. With a single punch, the circuit boards were wrecked, and the craft plummeted to the ground.
Watching the lone surviving craft ascend and issue an alarm, Valke knew he had caused a major incident. However, since he was already here, he decided he wouldn’t leave empty-handed.
As long as he avoided killing anyone, he figured he would always have an escape route. He wasn’t overly concerned about breaching the module’s rules—he’d studied the Federation’s laws extensively during this time.
Guided by his intel, Valk moved toward the center of the Sala Tree Zone. Although he didn’t know Grid’s exact location, he wasn’t clueless. Whoever provided him with the intel would likely be acting simultaneously. By observing where alarms and personnel converged in the next few minutes, he would know where to go.
He understood that he was being used as bait and a scapegoat, but he didn’t care. If it meant rescuing his friend, a little risk was worth it.
After dealing with an autonomous unit that rushed him along the way, Valk tossed aside the smoking remains of the broken machine and pressed on.
The previously tranquil Sala Tree Zone began to resound with alarms. Meanwhile, tens of kilometers away, the White-Blue House headquarters received an urgent distress call.
Fully armed personnel quickly boarded white armored hover vehicles stationed at their headquarters. Engines roared as they lifted off, accelerating rapidly toward the Sala Tree Zone.