"Here we are at the Metropolitan Art Museum. The front and back entrances are heavily guarded, with patrols encircling the perimeter. Our only breakthrough point is the museum's right-side drainage system, so we'll have to climb up to the roof from there," Zhang Fan said, laying out the museum's floor plan to Rui Tears once again, detailing the strategy for their covert operation.
"But big brother, it's so high. I fear I might not be able to make it," Rui Tears expressed her doubt. Despite the museum being only two stories tall, the total height exceeded ten meters.
"Don't worry, I'll go up first and then pull you up to the roof," Zhang Fan assured her confidently. Having undergone several extreme rock climbing sessions under Lei's guidance, a mere ten-meter climb was hardly a challenge for him.
With only forty minutes remaining, Zhang Fan and Rui Tears had to quicken their pace. Utilizing the cover of night, they silently reached the predetermined spot. Finding the right position to start the ascent, Zhang Fan decisively charged up, gripping the wall's contours firmly and began his steady climb upwards.
The former Zhang Fan could never have imagined himself engaging in such extreme activities. In less than a minute, he had reached the rooftop, lowering a rope for Rui Tears. She attached the hook to her belt, and with Zhang Fan pulling from above and her own efforts, they soon found themselves in front of the museum's ventilation duct.
"So, this is the spot, Rui Tears. Can you sever the wire with your ability?" Zhang Fan asked, looking up at the duct's location.
"I'll give it a try," Rui Tears responded. Generally, a level_1 power user like her had very limited strength, barely enough to bend a spoon. But now, she was tasked with using her wind power to cut the wire on the other end of the ventilation fan – a challenging feat indeed.
A tiny whirlwind continuously brushed against the wire's surface. It was a tough task, as evident by the beads of sweat dripping from Rui Tears' forehead. But at this point, success hinged on her. If she couldn't manage it, Zhang Fan would have no choice but to opt for a direct confrontation.
As time ticked away, the wire's outer layer finally began to fray, and by the time it was 10:40 PM, only twenty minutes remained until the scheduled time stated in the notification letter.
"Break, now!" Exasperated and red-faced from the effort, Rui Tears let out a low growl, and the wire snapped in response, causing the fan at the ventilation duct to slowly retreat.
"Well done, Rui Tears, you've worked hard," Zhang Fan praised. Her success meant they were halfway through their mission. He then proceeded to dismantle the fan, melting the wire mesh with a small welder, removing the surrounding frame, and finally the fan itself. Checking the time, the minute hand pointed to nine – they had just fifteen minutes left.
"Rui Tears, go down first and wait for me by the motorcycle. It's too dangerous for you to stay up here," Zhang Fan insisted, prioritizing her safety.
"Can't I help further?" Rui Tears offered, but her exhausted steps betrayed her fatigue, evoking Zhang Fan's deep concern.
"Hurry down, I'll be fine," he reassured, patting her head and helping her back down the rope. Only after she had safely descended did Zhang Fan turn to enter the ventilation duct, making his way to the museum's second-floor ceiling.
With only twelve minutes left and "The Rhine" located in the second-floor gallery, time was of the essence, and Zhang Fan had to act swiftly.
The duct was pitch-dark, raising the question of whether to use a flashlight for illumination. That was out of the question – any light would easily alert the people below, considering every room's ceiling had a ventilation duct. He was underprepared for this, a mistake Lei and the others would never have made.
However, the situation wasn't hopeless. Spending 50 game points on a night vision device was trivial for Zhang Fan. Equipped with it, he quickly navigated to the gallery's ceiling. Peering down, he was taken aback by the sight – more than ten guards and police officers were stationed below, with bright lights illuminating the area, making stealth near impossible.
With only five minutes to 11 PM, Zhang Fan resorted to extraordinary measures. He spent 300 points on a 4A1 rifle, added 40 points for a silencer and thermal scope, and then purchased two smoke grenades for 20 points and a controlled charge for 10 points, totaling 370 game points spent. Along with the night vision goggles, he was left with 1080 points.
He wasn't arming himself for a massacre, but to ensure the smooth execution of his plan.
The B gallery was less than thirty meters from the A gallery, where the museum's main electrical panel was located. He first placed the controlled charge above the B gallery, where its limited explosion would cause no casualties or fire, as it was unguarded.
With just one minute left, Zhang Fan, armed with the 4A1, aimed at the charge above the B gallery. As the clock struck the final second, he fired, detonating the charge and causing a loud explosion that alerted all the museum guards.
"What's happening?" The explosion caused a commotion among the guards. Jun Fu was the first to respond, leading a team to investigate. In the meantime, Zhang Fan released the smoke grenades, filling the entire gallery with smoke.
"Can't see anything! Protect 'The Rhine'!" The guards and police shouted, but the thick smoke obscured their vision. Only Zhang Fan, with his thermal scope, had a clear view of everything.
"Done!" Zhang Fan smiled slightly. Seizing the moment of chaos, he dropped from the ceiling, stole the painting "The Rhine," and then quickly headed to the A gallery to disable the museum's entire electrical system.