The entire vehicle jolted violently as one of the tires was blown apart.
"Damn it!" Rice cursed through gritted teeth. "A heavy-caliber sniper rifle—clearly, they're not underestimating us."
"Get down! Keep your heads low—don't expose yourselves!"
A second shot rang out. This time, it shredded the second tire on the same side. The patrol car tilted, listing precariously.
Everyone inside reeled from the impact but managed to steady themselves. Old White pressed against the window, scanning the rooftops above.
Rayeye muttered coolly, "So? Still doubting there's a sniper?"
"You jinxed us. What now?"
Tension choked the air inside the car.
Across the street, the two armored vehicles rumbled forward, slowly encroaching upon the now-crippled patrol car. Their mounted autocannons locked firmly onto their target.
Behind them, two more armored patrol trucks started to move, forming a complete blockade. Their convoy was now boxed in.
Lin, still inside, lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply with a calm that bordered on defiance. "So, do we go out in a blaze, or surrender and be done with it?"
Rice furrowed his brows. "If we fight, we'll be slaughtered. They've got firepower and snipers. We won't stand a chance."
"But if we don't fight," Old White replied grimly, "we're doomed the moment they take us in."
Lin scoffed. "Then it seems surrender is our only choice..."
As he spoke, soldiers began leaping from the armored vehicles with mechanical precision—fully armed enforcers of the Alliance, quickly surrounding the patrol car.
A familiar figure pushed his way through the ranks. It was Charles, smug and swaggering, a half-chewed cigar clenched between his teeth. His standard-issue military uniform bore no insignia, yet he exuded the confidence of absolute authority. Stopping beside the driver's seat, he knocked on the window with a smirk.
"Open up. Out of the car."
Lin chuckled softly, shaking his head—his expression fearless, almost amused.
Charles didn't argue. He crouched slightly, drew back his stone-encased fist, and drove it straight into the driver's door with thunderous force.
CLANG—! The door caved inward like paper. Lin, agile as ever, narrowly dodged the blow. Had he hesitated for even a moment, Charles's punch would have broken him.
As Charles withdrew his arm, stone fragments flaked from his fist.
"I won't ask again. Out. Now."
Still seated, Lin sneered, "We're not coming out. Try again."
Charles chuckled and took a rifle from a nearby soldier. He cocked it, aimed at Lin, and said coldly, "One more word, and I'll shoot."
"You have no right," Lin replied slyly. "You're not authorized to execute an Awakened without due process."
He grinned like a fox in a tailored black suit, having found Charles's weak spot.
But Charles only laughed, chewing on his cigar as he pulled the trigger.
Bang! But instead of a bullet, a thin, wiry net exploded from the muzzle and wrapped tightly around Lin. He winced—the sudden pressure igniting a sense of dread in his chest.
Old White darted forward, trying to pull Lin free.
Bang! Another net fired, ensnaring Old White just as swiftly.
Charles grinned. "I can't kill you—but I can let you feel this."
He pressed a button on the rifle.
Crackling electricity surged through the wires. Lin and Old White convulsed violently, collapsing to the ground.
Lin, always poised and polished, now cursed loudly, writhing in agony.
Rice, Storm, Rayeye, and Alice watched in stunned silence. No one dared move.
Charles's voice boomed. "Last warning. Hands on your heads. Out. Now. I don't have time for games."
One by one, Rice, Storm, Rayeye, and timid little Alice climbed down from the car, hands clasped behind their heads.
Soldiers dragged Lin and Old White from the vehicle, stripped them of weapons, and cuffed them tightly.
Charles let out a triumphant laugh. "Didn't expect to find you lot. No Xiao Feng, but six Awakened in one net? One... two... three... six! Director Henry's going to love this. Bring them all in!"
One by one, the six captives were shoved into the back of an armored truck. Armed guards stood watch, rifles aimed and unwavering—they knew better than to underestimate these prisoners.
Inside the cramped vehicle, Lin and Old White huddled in a corner, still numb from the electric shock. Lin gave a bitter laugh. "All this... just to find Xiao Feng... and now there's six of us behind bars."
Old White growled, "No one forced you to tag along."
"Enough," Rice cut in sharply. "The last thing we need is your bickering. Shut up—both of you."
Alice's timid voice broke the silence. "Uncle Rice... do you think your mercenary group will come save us?"
Rice shook his head. "They're not fools. This place is crawling with guards. And the Awakened Bureau's here. Rescuing us? That's suicide."
Alice's voice softened. "I believe Brother Xiao Feng will come. Don't you?"
"I believe he would try," Rice admitted. "But how would he even know we've been captured?"
Alice's lips curved into a gentle smile. "He already knows."
Everyone—Old White, Lin, Storm, Rayeye, and Rice—turned to her in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
Alice glanced up at the roof of the vehicle.
Curious, the others followed her gaze.
THUMP—! A sudden impact shook the roof.
Soldiers reacted instantly, aiming their rifles upward.
At that exact moment, the passenger door was yanked open. A slender, wiry figure appeared—a teenage boy. With one swift motion, he grabbed the soldier in the seat and flung him into the street.