Agent-90, having been arrested by the SSCBF, is taken to their formidable headquarters—a massive, multi-tiered fortress that dominates the skyline. The building's design is an imposing blend of sleek, futuristic architecture and brutal militarism, characterised by sharp angles, fortified walls, and a towering presence that seems to cast a shadow over the entire city.
The headquarters stretches across several city blocks, its central structure a tall, angular skyscraper constructed from black steel and reinforced concrete, engineered to withstand even the most severe attacks. Surrounding this main tower is a vast perimeter of interconnected buildings, linked by an intricate network of underground tunnels and skybridges, creating a near-impenetrable complex.
The exterior of the building is clad in nanosteel and graphene-infused materials, making it resistant to explosives, artillery fire, and hacking attempts. Adaptive panels cover the structure, capable of changing colour to blend with the environment or absorbing energy from potential assaults. Large, dark glass windows dot the upper levels, their bulletproof and blast-resistant designs reflecting the polluted skies of Nin-Ran-Gi.
Equipped with state-of-the-art defence systems, the SSCBF headquarters boasts anti-aircraft turrets, drone patrols, and automated laser-guided weaponry that monitor and track any unauthorised movements within the designated perimeter. Guard towers manned by elite security personnel are positioned strategically along the outer walls, keeping a vigilant watch over the city below.
The lobby of the SSCBF is a vast, intimidating space, with towering ceilings and sleek, metallic surfaces. It exudes authority and power, with floor-to-ceiling holographic screens displaying real-time data on crime rates, surveillance feeds, and active security protocols.
At the entrance, advanced security checkpoints scan every individual, using biometric data, full-body scans, and retina recognition technology. Armed guards equipped with exo-suits and cutting-edge weaponry stand ready, their eyes constantly scanning for any potential threats.
The walls of the lobby are lined with interactive holographic displays, offering immersive visualisations of the building's layout, profiles of high-priority criminals, and live updates on ongoing operations. These touch-sensitive walls allow officers to access critical information with a simple tap, ensuring that everything they need is at their fingertips.
At the top of the SSCBF headquarters is a large rooftop helipad and a drone launch facility. From here, agents can rapidly deploy via helicopters or unmanned drones to respond to emergencies or conduct covert missions. The rooftop facility is heavily guarded, with powerful searchlights and missile defence systems capable of repelling aerial assaults from criminal factions or the notorious Sinners.
As Agent-90 enters the building, the atmosphere shifts. Officers, scientists, and staff members pause in their work, stealing glances at the infamous figure now bound in the Crimson Shackles. His presence is both a spectacle and a warning. Though he remains silent, his cold, piercing blue eyes, reflected through his spectacles, compel everyone to avert their gaze in fear. No one dares make direct eye contact, and a palpable tension fills the air.
Lan Qian, Commander Krieg, and Nightingale arrive to investigate the disturbance, quickly realising that the notorious Agent-90 has been captured. As they approach, Lan Qian's eyes narrow, and she immediately notices Chief Wen-Li stepping forward with authority. Without hesitation, Wen-Li orders the guards to escort him to the interrogation room. However, she quickly reconsiders and directs the robotic guards to handle the task, their precision and efficiency preferred in such high-risk situations. Agent-90 remains composed, offering no resistance and remaining eerily silent.
"Finally, the devil is caught," Lan Qian mutters, biting her lip in frustration.
"Look at this," says Nightingale, pointing towards a group approaching from the distance. Captain Robert, Lingaong Xuein, and their team, battered and bruised from their previous encounter with Agent-90, are barely standing.
Commander Krieg steps forward as Wen-Li calls for Dr. Abrar Faiyaz and his assistant Anne Parker to rush the injured to the medical wing for immediate treatment. "Chief, you actually caught him," Krieg remarks, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Commander Krieg," Wen-Li responds, a hint of pride in her voice, "Yes, I've captured the killer of the late Chief."
Her words send shockwaves through the room. Agent-90 smirks, casting his gaze downward for a brief moment. As he looks up, one of the officers, enraged, attempts to strike him. Without even breaking a sweat, Agent-90 dodges the blow, delivering a swift kick to the officer's face, knocking him out cold. The surrounding officers recoil in shock, stepping back as Wen-Li, with a flick of her hand, tightens the Crimson Shackles around him, causing him visible pain. Agent-90 turns to her, locking eyes and offering a grim smile, unfazed by the discomfort.
"Stop!" Krieg shouts, stepping in to defuse the situation. "Not now. He will be punished by the law."
Agent-90 glances at Krieg, his smirk widening slightly. "Law, is it? What a joke," he says, his voice laced with mockery. "The law's dead, and you killed it."
As the robotic guards escort him towards the interrogation room, Agent-90's aura continues to affect everyone in his path, including those in the Operations Control Room and the Combat Simulation and Training Facilities. His presence alone sends a ripple of unease throughout the building.
Following a tense interrogation, Agent-90 is transferred to the High-Security Cells. These cells, reinforced with energy-shielded doors and surveillance sensors, are designed to contain the most dangerous criminals. The walls are devoid of windows, and the lighting is dim, creating an oppressive atmosphere. Neural inhibitors within the cells prevent any prisoner from using technological hacks or augmentations. The outlaws and Sinners already incarcerated can feel Agent-90's chilling presence as he is led past them, bound but far from defeated.
One of the Sinner members, a young teenage girl, gathers the courage to shout, "You monster! You deserve this!" Her voice trembles as Agent-90 stops, his icy blue eyes locking onto her. The intensity of his gaze silences her, and she recoils in fear as he resumes walking. Finally, the cell door closes behind him, locking him in.
With a deep sigh, Agent-90 closes his eyes, only to be interrupted by a voice from the neighbouring cell. "So, it's really you, Agent-90?" the voice sneers, a wisp of mist escaping with every word.
He opens his eyes slowly, his tone calm and composed. "So, what have we here, Hecate-san?"
"At last, you've been caught!" she says, her voice thick with a mixture of satisfaction and sarcasm.
"Caught?" he replies, his calmness unnerving. "Not really. I'm here for a reason."
"What do you mean?" she asks, her curiosity piqued.
"I knew I would be trapped. That's exactly the plan," he says, his voice steady, devoid of doubt.
"So, you're planning an escape?" Hecate asks, suspicion evident in her tone.
"You'll see," Agent-90 replies cryptically, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he leans back, awaiting what comes next.
Meanwhile, back at the Operations Control Room, Chief Wen-Li and Commander Krieg observe Agent-90 on the surveillance screens. The atmosphere in the control room is thick with tension as operators monitor the live feed from every corner of the building. The hum of advanced computing systems fills the room, processing endless streams of data at breakneck speed, ensuring the SSCBF's operations remain seamless.
At that moment, President Song Luoyang arrived, later being informed about the dangerous agent they had captured.
"So, the devil has finally fallen into his own trap," he said, smirking. "I want to see how he feels now. Please, lead me to him."
"President, he is extremely dangerous. Let me accompany you," Wen-Li urged, stepping forward with a sense of urgency.
The President raised his hand to stop her. "Don't worry. Nothing will happen," he said, his tone filled with confidence. He gave a nod to Commander Krieg, who in turn motioned for the officers to escort him to the cells.
Meanwhile, the night at Crimson Forge, the vital industrial district, unfolded in a haunting yet mesmerising way. The district, a sprawling expanse of factories, refineries, and smelting plants, buzzed relentlessly with activity, even in the dead of night. It stood in stark contrast to the lifeless silence of other districts, its landscape bathed in the eerie glow of molten metal and the rhythmic pulse of massive machines.
Above, the night sky was smothered by thick plumes of smoke and steam billowing from colossal smokestacks. The stars were nowhere to be seen, and the moon barely managed to penetrate the veil of pollution, appearing as a faint smudge against the horizon. The air was dense, laden with soot, and carried the sharp, acrid tang of chemicals, making it difficult to breathe without protection. The oppressive atmosphere was intensified by the heat radiating from the industrial furnaces, which clung to the heavy metal structures like a suffocating blanket.
The skyline was jagged and uneven, punctuated by towering cranes and rusting frameworks of decaying structures, jutting into the sky like skeletal fingers. From all corners of the district came the faint, rhythmic pounding of hydraulic presses and the grinding of machinery, creating a hypnotic mechanical soundscape. Above, massive cargo drones criss-crossed the skies, their lights slicing through the smog as they ferried raw materials between factories and refineries.
The district was bathed in the reddish-orange glow of molten metal, flickering like flames licking at the darkened skies. This fiery light reflected off soot-streaked windows and steel surfaces, giving the entire area an almost infernal aesthetic. Sparks frequently flew from welding stations, casting brief showers of light across darkened alleyways between factories. Large conveyor belts snaked through the district, illuminated by flickering industrial bulbs, carrying raw metal, discarded scraps, and finished goods from one facility to another.
Here and there, malfunctioning neon signs flickered dimly, advertising forgotten brands or abandoned businesses. Many of these signs had been repurposed by local gangs, graffiti scrawled over them to mark their territory. Shadows lurked in the corners of the streets, where wary workers and outlaws alike took refuge.
The streets of Crimson Forge were mostly deserted, save for the occasional night shift worker or SSCBF patrol. The roads were cracked and strewn with debris—rusting metal scraps, discarded tools, and the remains of broken-down machinery. The air was thick with the stench of burning coal, oil, and industrial waste, mingling with the occasional whiff of burning rubber or plastic.
The alleyways between the factories were darker still, narrow and filled with the sound of dripping water from rusted pipes. These alleys served as hiding places for smugglers, petty criminals, and scavengers eking out a meagre existence in the industrial wasteland. Flickers of flame from makeshift fires illuminated the gloom, where outlaws and workers gathered, smoking, drinking, or exchanging contraband.
Nightingale and her team arrived at the scene of the murder. They encountered a homeless man, visibly shaken. She approached him, her voice calm yet firm. "Sir, you're the one who reported this?"
"Yes," the man replied, his voice trembling. "Come with me." He led them to a dark alley and pointed a trembling finger towards a giant teddy bear. "There. There's the body."
Panic welled up in the team as one of the officers cautiously approached the teddy bear. Slowly, he unzipped it, revealing a sight that would haunt them.
Back at the cells, President Song Luoyang stood before Agent-90, his expression laced with sarcasm. "Well, well, what do we have here? A monster who killed his victims in cold blood, finally surrendering himself." His tone was dripping with derision.
As Agent-90 stepped towards him, the President motioned for the other officers to give them privacy.
"Finally, you've been caught. You underestimated the law, and now, there's no escape," Song Luoyang declared confidently.
"Law?" Agent-90's icy gaze met the President's, his voice filled with venom. "What law? You destroyed the law. And don't think for a second I've given up. Kill me, and another Agent-90 will rise to eliminate you."
The President's confident facade faltered for a moment. "What are you talking about?" he demanded.
"There's someone behind all of this. The assassination of the late Chief and Lieutenant—someone is trying to blame me. It could be you, President, or perhaps a member of this very organisation."
Beads of sweat began to form on the President's brow as Agent-90's words sank in. In a flustered panic, he ordered the officers to ensure that Agent-90 would never leave the cell.
Calmly, Agent-90 turned his head to the CCTV camera, where the operators continued to monitor his every move. Meanwhile, Nightingale and her team arrived back at headquarters at 8:30 pm, bringing the body of the victim with them. The nurse was called to inform Dr. Abrar, and the body was taken for an autopsy. When Wen-Li asked Nightingale for details, the latter explained the circumstances surrounding the crime.
At the health faculty, Robert lay on his bed, barely able to move. Beside him, Sakim spoke weakly, "Luckily, Chief showed up when she did. If not, we would've been roasted."
"How can you be so sure, Sakim?" Robert asked, his sarcasm masking his pain.
"Captain, the way he beat us—it was like facing a killing machine. He bested us all twice. Ask Daishoji; he was there at the parking lot."
"Yes, Captain," Daishoji replied, rubbing his wounded head. "He's a living monster."
"It seems he's part of some experiment," Dr. Abrar added, studying the health monitors displaying their vitals. "Do you really think a normal human could do what he did?"
"And how can you be so sure of that?" Robert questioned.
"I can't be certain," Dr. Abrar admitted, just as an officer entered the room to inform them that the victim's body had arrived for the autopsy.
At the autopsy, Wen-Li, Nightingale, and Dr. Abrar examined the body with meticulous attention. The autopsy report revealed the victim's identity—Fuang Suying, aged 23. Wen-Li frowned as she reviewed the details.
"First Zhong Seon, now Fuang Suying..." she murmured.
"Fen Gohxian was torn to pieces by that monster locked up in the cell," Nightingale interjected. "But this case feels different."
"Let's go through the analysis," Dr. Abrar said, his tone calm but serious. "The victim was severely beaten, as indicated by the bruises covering her body. She was then strangled with a rope, causing her internal jugular vein, carotid artery, and innominate artery to be compressed, which cut off blood flow. Her body temperature dropped, affecting the thyroid muscles—both inferior and superior thyroid vessels—stopping the hormone circulation, which in turn suffocated her."
"Who could do such a thing?" Wen-Li asked, her voice laced with frustration.
Meanwhile, in the control room, Commander Krieg and other officers were monitoring Agent-90 on the screen. The time read 8:59 pm. As the clock struck 9, the surveillance feed cut out abruptly. Krieg's eyes widened with concern.
"What's going on?" he asked, tension creeping into his voice.
"Sir, it seems the signal is down. We can't reach the cameras," the operator responded, his tone anxious. Krieg quickly ordered an officer to check the prison cells, informing Wen-Li of the commotion as well.
"Chief, the signal's been cut—possibly hacked by him," the operator relayed.
"What are you waiting for?" Wen-Li snapped, her voice sharp with urgency. "Move! Move!" She directed Nightingale to take robotic guards along with highly trained officers. Nightingale nodded, mobilising her team as the blaring siren echoed throughout the facility, signalling lockdown. All doors and windows are automatically sealed. Wen-Li also gave strict orders for the prison guards to remain on high alert.
The head of the prison guards acknowledged the orders, but before he could react, Agent-90 appeared from the shadows, knocking him unconscious and dragging him into the darkness.
In the elevator, Nightingale and her team stood tense, their weapons drawn. As the lift reached its destination and the doors slid open, they cautiously stepped out. The hallway was dimly lit, with emergency lights flickering intermittently. Slowly, they advanced, weapons raised, the tension thick in the air. As they moved forward, the beam from their flashlights fell upon one of the prison guards standing ahead. His figure was eerily still.
The guard turned slowly, revealing Agent-90, who swiftly snapped the neck of the guard before their eyes.
Minutes later, Wen-Li, Krieg, Lan Qian, Robert, and other officers arrived at the scene. What they saw left them stunned—Nightingale and her team were lying on the floor, brutally beaten, alongside the prison guards. Nightingale herself lay unconscious, her head smashed with what appeared to be a heavy object.
Seeing the carnage, Wen-Li removed her black gloves, the Crimson Shackles starting to spark in her hands as she prepared to confront Agent-90. She called him out, but before she could react, he appeared behind her, gripping both her wrists tightly, preventing her from activating her shackles. The room fell silent as everyone stared, wide-eyed, in disbelief.
"I'm here, Chief," he whispered in her ear.
"You bastard!" Wen-Li growled, struggling but unable to move.
"Don't hurt the Chief!" Krieg shouted as the other officers aimed their guns at Agent-90. "We'll shoot if you don't let her go."
"Oh? If you shoot, Chief dies too," Agent-90 said coolly. "If you want to save her, come and get me." He slowly backed away, dragging Wen-Li with him. Krieg hesitated before ordering the team to withdraw their weapons.
Agent-90, stepping backwards, glanced at Wen-Li with a smirk before disappearing through the door. "Catch me if you can."
Later, in a quiet, dimly lit room, bathed only in the moonlight reflecting through the window, Agent-90 had Wen-Li pinned against the wall. Her hands were raised above her head, tightly gripped in his firm hold. She struggled, panic beginning to set in.
"GO ON, KILL ME! YOU MONSTER! DO IT!" Wen-Li shouted, her voice breaking with both anger and grief. "I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR MURDERING MY PARENTS!"
Agent-90 leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a soft whisper. "I told you, Wen-Li, the truth will come to you. You will find out who really killed your parents. There are those who blame me, but they are the ones responsible."
Wen-Li's eyes narrowed with suspicion, her chest heaving. "And why should I believe you?" she spat.
"Wen-Li, your goal and mine are the same. We share the same destiny—to make this world better. You seek your parents' killer... so do I." His voice was low but insistent.
"My parents—what do they mean to you?!" Wen-Li demanded.
"You will find out soon enough," Agent-90 replied cryptically, releasing her wrists. At that moment, Krieg and the team burst into the room, finding Wen-Li unharmed—but Agent-90 had vanished.
Back in the present, Agent-Jun looked at Agent-90 with awe. "Damn, I'm impressed you managed to confront the Chief like that," he said, staring at Agent-90 with newfound respect.
"So, can you tell us more about this Chief of the SSCBF, the one you confronted?" asked Farhan, lighting a cigarette.
Agent-90 leaned back, the smoke curling from Farhan's cigarette as he began to describe her with a hint of admiration. "She's strong, generous, kind—taller than her female colleagues, with a commanding presence. She wears a form-fitting, black jumpsuit, made from a highly durable, breathable fabric designed for extreme conditions. It's sleek and futuristic, woven with nanofibre technology to protect against ballistic threats, energy blasts, and environmental hazards. Her physique is highlighted by the suit, emphasising her toned body."
He took a pause, exhaling slowly. "Her tactical utility belt is equipped with an array of high-tech gadgets and weapons, and along her arms and legs are modular armour plates that can be activated during combat, giving her additional protection without restricting movement. The armour blends seamlessly with her suit, retracting when not needed. Her boots are combat-ready, lightweight yet durable, and equipped with integrated thrusters for enhanced speed and mobility."
Wen-Li's commanding presence left a lasting impression. "Her cropped jacket is made from smart fabric that adjusts to environmental conditions. It bears the insignia of the SSCBF on the left sleeve, a mark of her authority. Her gloves have embedded holographic interfaces, allowing her to control and communicate with the SSCBF's vast network. Her hair is always tied back in a sleek ponytail, adding to her no-nonsense appearance, while her piercing gaze makes it clear she's not just a leader but a formidable fighter."
As the smoke from Farhan's cigarette curled into the air, Jun leaned forward. "Wow, you really paint a picture, don't you?"
"So," Jun asked, his expression serious, "did you give away the location of that criminal who killed his victim so ruthlessly?"
Agent-90 remained silent, his deadly smirk the only response.
The dimly lit warehouse on the outskirts of Duskhaven was the perfect setting for a confrontation. The air was thick with tension as Chief Wen-Li and Lan Qian stood side by side, their eyes fixed on the Loan Shark, an A-rank Sinner notorious for his ruthless nature. His gang members were scattered throughout the room, armed and ready, their faces twisted with malice. At the centre of the group stood the Loan Shark himself, a towering figure, his cruel smirk etched with arrogance and his eyes gleaming with disdain.
"You've nowhere to run, Loan Shark," Chief Wen-Li declared, her voice steady, filled with authority. "It's over."
The Loan Shark chuckled, folding his arms as he took a step forward. "Over? Chief Wen-Li, it's just beginning." He turned his head slightly, addressing his gang. "Kill them."
Chaos erupted in an instant. The gang members lunged forward, weapons drawn, charging towards Wen-Li and Lan Qian. Lan Qian reacted first, her movements swift and precise. She dodged a wild swing, countering with a sharp kick to her attacker's knee, sending him crashing to the floor. Another thug swung a metal pipe towards her, but Lan Qian deftly sidestepped, delivering a bone-shattering punch to his ribs.
Meanwhile, Chief Wen-Li remained composed in the midst of the storm. Her eyes never left the Loan Shark, who watched with a faint air of amusement. As more of his thugs closed in around her, Wen-Li moved with lethal grace. In one fluid motion, she disarmed one thug, sending him flying into a stack of crates with a powerful roundhouse kick.
Yet, the numbers were overwhelming. More gang members poured into the fray, attempting to overpower them. Nightingale struggled to keep the attackers at bay, battling off multiple assailants at once.
"Enough!" Wen-Li's voice rang out, her patience at its limit. She raised her hand, and in a flash of crimson light, her ability—Crimson Shackle—unleashed. Blood-red chains erupted from the ground, twisting through the air like serpents. The chains coiled around the arms and legs of every gang member in the room, binding them in place. Panicked screams filled the warehouse as the shackles constricted, immobilising them instantly.
The Loan Shark's smirk faded as he felt the pull of the Crimson Shackles wrapping around his legs. He struggled, attempting to summon his own power, but Wen-Li was faster.