As chaos unfolded at the top of the skyscraper, Zane and Ellen had already begun their own operation on the other side...
The roar of helicopter rotors echoed through the night. Watching the rope ladder descend from above, Zane rested one hand on his waist and calculated the timing.
"If all goes well, they should've already handled everything inside and are either heading toward the special area on the top floor or have already reached it. That's where the most important item is."
He glanced toward the distant skyscraper. The facility stood on the edge of the district—remote and deserted.
This was one of the research institutes jointly established by the White Star Institute and Titan Technology. Though not the largest, it held considerable importance. In fact, the leading figures of the previous Lamia Hollow incident had come from here.
Their infiltration with Hare's House and Victoria Housekeeping had only been possible thanks to the intel Zane obtained earlier, exploiting a gap in the defenses when staffing was weak.
Otherwise, making too much noise would have drawn overwhelming security forces—and any slip could have spiraled into disaster.
"Commander, enemy reinforcements are incoming."
"But... the situation is unusual. Only two sheriff squads are coming from the south. The rest are rebels."
A woman's voice came from beside him. Zane glanced at the covert operative at his side and raised an eyebrow.
Rebels?
In that case, no need to devise a distraction...
They'd just intercept them head-on.
"Ellen, it's time."
At his words, Ellen turned, her eyes meeting his. She gave a short nod, hefted her Shark Scissors onto her shoulder, and strode over.
"By the way, don't Shark Thiren people get cavities from eating so much candy?"
Zane asked with mild curiosity as the helicopter's downdraft stirred his hair. He remembered sharks weren't exactly known for healthy teeth.
"We've got a tough fight ahead. Of course I need to keep my energy up. Otherwise, what if I doze off in the middle of battle?"
Ellen pouted helplessly. Truthfully, she had never once worried about bad teeth—it just wasn't something that ever happened to her.
Glancing up at the armed helicopter nearly swallowed by the night sky, she felt a flicker of surprise.
It seemed Zane's background was far from ordinary—she hadn't seen many of these before.
"You've got a point."
Zane nodded, meeting her gaze. For a brief moment, the world seemed to fall silent.
"You're not going up?" she asked.
"Ladies—cough, sharks first."
"You... I'll just take that as a bad joke."
...
"Hm? What's with that convoy? Looks unusual..."
On the roadside, a passerby muttered as a line of nearly identical vehicles sped past.
"Don't look, don't ask. I heard that area's some kind of secret research site. Who knows what they're working on. Nothing strange about it..."
His companion tugged him away after a quick glance in the convoy's direction.
As the saying went, the less you know, the easier life gets.
Inside one of the vehicles, Sarah frowned slightly as she listened to a subordinate's report, looking a bit surprised.
"Well, I suppose it's just chance that we happened to cross paths. No matter—since we're heading there to retrieve something anyway, lending a hand won't hurt."
She waved dismissively, signaling for her subordinates to speed up. Even if allied rebels had likely already arrived ahead of them, extra caution never hurt.
Sarah sat elegantly in a crimson evening gown, her graceful figure outlined against the seat. With one hand supporting her cheek, she gazed out at the scenery rushing past the window.
An invasion at a time like this?
Whoever they were, they must have planned it carefully—and boldly.
But hadn't certain groups agreed to lie low for a while? This was hardly "lying low." Once again, chaos would be forced upon them...
Blinking slowly, Sarah pulled her thoughts back. Ultimately, it didn't concern her. Let those people deal with the fallout themselves.
All she needed to do was secure the reagents and get them out of New Eridu. Once that was done...
Her train of thought was suddenly shattered by a sharp noise right above her. The sound wasn't deafening, but so close it was impossible to miss.
Sarah's expression hardened. She braced her hands on the seat and looked up, tension gripping her body as she issued urgent orders.
There's someone on the car!
Where did they come from?!
The answer came quickly. Reports arrived that three armed helicopters and two armored vehicles were closing in. Sarah immediately ordered her forces to prepare for battle.
While she scrambled, Ellen sat calmly inside one of the helicopters above, her eyes on Zane—already crouched on the roof of Sarah's vehicle.
No wonder he hadn't bothered climbing the rope ladder. He clearly found this way easier.
But after the two of them had intercepted three convoys together earlier, Ellen was no longer surprised by his landing style.
After all, she had her own.
Shaking her head slightly, Ellen gripped her Shark Scissors, icy blue light flaring as frost coated the weapon. She crouched midair, braced her feet against the protruding sides of the blades, and launched downward.
From the ground, all anyone would see was a streak of dazzling blue light plummeting at terrifying speed.
On the roof, Zane noticed immediately. His mouth twitched, and he hurriedly dodged aside.
There she goes again—straight to overkill!
Infinite chaos value, huh?
Boom!!!
Ellen slammed down with the Shark Scissors. Ice burst outward in a wave, shards scattering like crystal dust. The chill stung Zane's cheek as he looked toward the impact point.
The vehicle had been cleaved in two, reduced to wreckage.
Zane turned his gaze to Sarah, who had narrowly escaped by leaping clear, and arched a brow.
An acquaintance.
She was nearly frozen solid just now... what a pity.
Ellen kicked the Shark Scissors back into her grip and pressed forward without pause, charging toward the stalled vehicles and the heavily armed personnel spilling out of them.