Three days passed quickly.
Silas soon received an urgent mission personally issued by Archer.
Before leaving, Silas carefully erased every trace of his presence inside the room.
No items left behind.
No clues.
Only after confirming everything did he step out of the residential area.
Following his memory, he headed deeper into the third level of the base.
With his current rank as a Platoon Leader, no one stopped or questioned him along the way.
Only at the entrance to the fourth level ,did he take out the badge given by Archer.
Access granted.
Silas stood before the office door.
Knock. Knock.
"Sir, Black Sky requests an audience."
"Enter."
A firm voice came from inside.
Only then did Silas push the door open and step in.
....
The Gathering
Inside the room everyone had already arrived.
The twin brothers.
Rose.
And the young man who had guided him before.
Silas recognized him instantly.
This person was clearly one of Archer's trusted subordinates And ranked above the four of them.
Archer stood at the center.
His gaze swept across everyone.
"I won't waste words."
"This mission is personally assigned by me."
"Top secret."
"No one else knows."
His voice was calm but carried weight.
"You four will form a team."
"The mission begins in one month."
"In that time—"
"You will train together."
"Coordinate."
"Adapt."
He placed a hand on the young man's shoulder.
"He will lead you."
"Lucian."
Silas's eyes flickered slightly.
He said nothing.
Rose looked interested.
The twins expressionless on the surface But the younger one clearly dissatisfied.
Only barely holding back.
Archer noticed everything.
Every expression.
Every subtle movement But he didn't interfere.
'If Lucian can't control them… Then he isn't worth cultivating.'
"In the next month, I will invest resources into all of you."
" So Don't disappoint me."
He waved his hand.
"Lucian, take them to collect equipment."
.....
The Corridor
The five of them left the room.
No one spoke at first.
Each lost in their own thoughts.
Despite that everyone had maintained perfect respect in front of Archer.
Only after walking some distance did someone finally speak.
"Lord Lucian…"
Rose's soft voice broke the silence.
"What exactly is this mission?"
Her tone was gentle.
Almost teasing.
But no one here was foolish.
No one reacted.
Lucian glanced at all four of them.
His expression calm.
"I just learned about it myself."
He paused.
"Less talk."
"Less questions."
"Do your job."
.....
Conflict
That answer immediately irritated the twins.
They had just been promoted.
Confidence rising.
Ego growing.
The younger twin stepped forward.
"Hey."
"Stop acting mysterious."
"Just tell us the mission."
His tone turned cold.
"Don't think just because Archer supports you… We'll submit."
"In the end Strength decides everything."
The older twin didn't stop him.
Not really.
Silas walked behind them silently.
He had no intention of getting involved But he understood clearly.
Status.
That was all.
Compared to last time Lucian's attitude had changed.
Because now Silas and the others were no longer insignificant.
'They're all the same…'
Silas thought calmly.
"A smiling tiger."
That was the label he gave Lucian.
.....
Warning
Lucian suddenly stopped walking.
He turned around.
Still smiling.
"This mission… Was carefully planned by Lord Archer."
"Do you know how much effort that required?"
His voice softened but the atmosphere changed.
"So I suggest…"
"Don't do anything stupid."
A pause.
"Otherwise I will kill you myself."
Silence.
Cold.
Heavy.
Even with a smile his killing intent was unmistakable.
Rose reacted instantly.
"Of course, Lord Lucian~"
"I'll follow your lead."
Silas simply nodded.
"I'll obey orders."
Only the twins remained unhappy.
"Hmph."
"We won't delay the mission But—"
The younger one sneered.
"Are you strong enough to lead us?"
.....
Strength
The air froze.
Lucian's smile faded slightly.
Then he laughed.
"Heh…"
"You're right."
"In the end Strength decides everything."
He reached into his pocket and took out a Poké Ball.
Click.
"Gengaaaar…"
A low, eerie cry echoed.
The temperature dropped instantly.
A massive purple fat figure rose from the ground floating silently in the air.
Scarlet eyes.
A twisted grin.
Gengar.
The moment it appeared everyone felt it.
Pressure.
Silas's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Elite level…"
Not just any Elite.
This Gengar was experienced.
At least Level 50+
Possibly even near peak Elite.
(≈ Level 57–59)
Far beyond ordinary Elite Pokémon.
.....
Suppression
Lucian's voice turned cold.
"If anyone drags the team down…"
"I'll make sure you understand"
"What suffering really means."
No smile this time.
Only warning.
The twins fell silent.
Even they understood this wasn't someone they could challenge easily.
Silas exchanged a brief glance with Rose.
Both reached the same conclusion.
This manwas dangerous.
Extremely dangerous.
One Gengar alone could suppress their entire team And in Team Rocket that meant everything.
Strength.
Absolute strength.
<><><><><><>
(End of chapter)