Hello everyone, I am your host Jessica. Welcome to the live scene of the heist Grey Hat announced. Will he defend his legendary title tonight and successfully steal the Tears of Sorrow
Let us interview the owner of the exhibition hall, Mr. Gray.
The main doors were locked tight. Reporters raised a microphone toward the middle aged man with hair covering half his neck.
Gray said sternly, As for this thief calling himself Grey Hat, all I want to say is this. If you were sneaking around stealing random little things, fine. But you should never have chosen to steal from me.
Our Under the Sky Hall has prepared everything. We will face this arrogant petty thief tonight.
His tone left no room for doubt.
These words set the online chat ablaze. Some thought he was bragging. If he could really catch Grey Hat, the man would not have become a legend.
But after hearing Mr. Gray's explanation, opinions shifted.
This security setup was so intense that even a level 40 class holder might fail to escape. And a level 40 expert already stood with one foot in the ranks of true elites. Such people would never casually commit theft.
The entire hall had been emptied except for the item mentioned in Grey Hat's letter.
Two floors in total, every door fitted with an ear piercing alarm. All outer windows were locked and replaced with special reinforced glass that even a Mechanist could not break.
Anyone crossing the threshold would be detected instantly.
The ground floor was guarded by a professional security squad. Their captain was a martial artist above level 40 and all team members were at least level 30, armed with professional grade weapons.
They divided the floor into sectors. No one could leave their assigned zone. Anyone approaching without warning would be attacked immediately.
Every ten steps a trap was set. Sleep gas, high power electric grids, thermal cannons, everything imaginable.
Emergency exits were sealed, and five helicopters hovered above the site.
The only way to the second floor was the escalator at the center of the main hall.
Mr. Gray did not say it, but everyone understood it would be heavily guarded.
The second floor was simpler.
Several sword geniuses from the Stormveil family personally protected the gemstone, staying beside it without moving a single inch.
The reporter asked, Mr. Gray, since you already knew Grey Hat was coming, why not move the gemstone beforehand Would that not be safer
She was voicing the audience's doubts.
Some suspected the real gemstone had already been swapped out.
Even if Grey Hat broke through all defenses, he might only see a replica.
Catching the implication, Gray scoffed.
I guarantee on my honor that the gemstone displayed is true. If Grey Hat really has the ability to steal it, he can keep it for all I care.
Of course, that is impossible.
Plenty of people had tried swapping items before, yet Grey Hat always learned of the switch ahead of time.
Moving it would only increase the risk of sabotage.
Once Gray read the notice letter, he decided to face the legend head on.
His fearlessness won unanimous praise online. Many viewers began placing bets on who would win tonight.
Inside the second floor.
This level held only one large hall connected to the first floor's main hall by a wide corridor. The ceiling was open between the floors, separated only by an oval railing.
Three young adults in their twenties stood beside the railing, looking down at the guards on the first floor.
Oscar Stormveil was the eldest at twenty five, a level 45 swordsman.
In the martial exam, level 5 was considered passing and level 10 meant you could choose any martial university in the country.
None of these three ever took the exam. It meant nothing to them.
They had all surpassed level 15 by age eighteen.
Kurt chuckled.
Is this necessary Such a huge setup just to catch a thief
He was another clan talent, recently graduated, a level 39 swordsman.
Oscar said gravely, Grey Hat has terrified collectors everywhere. If we do not catch him, the Stormveil Clan's reputation will suffer.
The youngest, Eva, stretched lazily, showing off her graceful figure.
Whatever. Lets finish this quickly. After we catch Grey Hat I have a face mask waiting at home.
She was twenty, studying at a top academy in the capital, a level 37 swordsman with the highest talent of the three.
Kurt asked, What was the old man thinking I understand that every generation has to undergo a trial. But in my father's generation they went to the abyss or challenged foreign sects. Why are we stuck here catching a thief
The Stormveil family had stood undefeated for centuries, not because of money or words.
Every descendant between age eighteen and twenty five had to complete a trial assigned personally by the current patriarch.
Tasks often involved bloodshed. Some went to battlefields, others hunted down enemies.
Yet for them the task was catching a thief.
Even if they succeeded, the clan would laugh at them.
Oscar said calmly, Do not underestimate him. If we fail, it is the family's face we lose.
Eva filed her nails, bored.
How could we fail He is just a thief. We are Stormveil swordsmen, not those useless guards below.
In truth, Oscar also doubted Grey Hat could defeat all three of them combined.
But before they departed, his father had warned him that every mission assigned by the patriarch was carefully handcrafted.
Kurt added, To be fair, these rich collectors might be greedy, but they are not stupid. Grey Hat has robbed them repeatedly. Maybe he has some unusual trick.
Oscar nodded.
Better safe than sorry.
Eva rolled her eyes at the two men rambling.
Hesitation brings defeat. Did the old man not teach you that
Even if he breaks through the guards below, dodges all traps, and even beats us... Eva said with a playful smile.
He still cannot take the gemstone.
Because Lyria is here.
Oscar sighed.
Idiot. Lyria is here as a last line of safety. She is not part of our assessment. If she steps in, it means we fail and we must take a second exam within five years.
Eva's smile froze.
Why is Lyria's task different from ours She is younger than me.
If that girl joined in, the three of them could lie down and let her handle everything.
Kurt suddenly asked, Speaking of her, do you know what her assignment is I have never heard her mention it.
The other two paused. They were curious too.
Rumors said Lyria looked troubled ever since receiving her mission.
What kind of task could worry her Could it be something like assassinating a Blood Moon officer alone
Thump.
A tapping sound echoed from the end of the corridor. The cane striking the floor instantly silenced all three.
They turned and bowed their heads.
Moonlight spilled over the girl's shoulders as she approached slowly. Her steps carried a silent pressure.
Great. You two talked too much and now she is here to reprimand us. Oscar cursed inwardly.
But after a moment, the tapping grew distant.
She walked right past them.
The three finally lifted their heads, relieved beyond measure.