Xian walked briskly through the exit, the evening air cool against his face. After a short distance, away from the noise of the venue, he finally answered the persistent ringing of his phone.
"Hello?" he said, keeping his tone neutral.
The familiar voice of Ch'en greeted him on the other end. Her tone was sharp and professional, as usual.
"Xian, I've got a new task for you," she began without preamble.
Xian frowned, his brows knitting together. "A task? What kind of task? And what's it got to do with my current mission?"
Ch'en's voice remained steady as she explained. "It's related to the ongoing investigation into the company's informant network. According to the intelligence we've gathered, there's a specific person under suspicion. They're believed to have direct ties to some illegal activities carried out by a network connected to Ursus."
The mention of Ursus made Xian stop in his tracks. His mind instantly flashed back to the Arknights storyline, the chaos and tragedies tied to Ursus. His stomach tightened.
Ch'en continued, seemingly unaware of his internal reaction. "Your job is to observe and, if possible, capture this informant tomorrow in the late afternoon. This mission is sensitive."
Xian's grip on the phone tightened as he asked, "Why not just send the police or LGD? Isn't that their job? Why me?"
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Ch'en replied, her tone slightly more measured. "It's complicated. Sending official forces could escalate the situation unnecessarily. This informant has connections to certain parties, including some influential organizations. If we act openly, it could jeopardize alliances and stir up unwanted attention."
The words "influential organizations" made Xian's head spin. His thoughts raced. This isn't in the original storyline. Who are these people? Is this a deviation caused by me, or something else entirely?
Ch'en's next words snapped him out of his thoughts. "And we're not the only ones after this informant. Outer forces are involved too. Even Reunion has an interest in this individual."
That hit Xian like a hammer. His voice rose slightly. "Wait, wait, wait. Did you just say Reunion? Are you kidding me? If they're involved, this is way bigger than just some local operation. Why the hell are you asking me to handle it?"
For a moment, Ch'en hesitated, something uncharacteristic for her. Then, in a quieter but resolute tone, she answered, "Because you're not officially tied to us. You're from an... unknown function. Your actions won't directly implicate us or LGD if things go south."
Xian froze, the implications of her words sinking in. He pinched the bridge of his nose, frustration bubbling up. "You're saying I'm expendable. Great. That's comforting."
Before he could complain further, Ch'en quickly cut him off. "Listen, Xian, I wouldn't have given you this if I didn't think you could handle it. I have confidence in your skills. And don't worry-I've got backup plans in place for you."
Xian's lips twitched in irritation. "Yeah, sure. Backup plans. That's super reassuring."
Ch'en's tone softened slightly, but it still carried weight. "You're not just some 'normal mechanic.' You've already proven you're capable of handling more than just self-defense. I need you to trust me on this."
Xian sighed, feeling the weight of her words but still unconvinced. "Ch'en, I'm telling you, I'm just a mechanic with some combat experience. That's all."
This time, Ch'en's tone changed entirely, catching Xian off guard. Her voice softened into something gentler, almost... feminine. "I know this isn't fair to you, and I'm sorry for dragging you into it. But I really need your help with this. Just this once."
Xian blinked, completely thrown off by her sudden shift in demeanor. He stared at the phone, dumbfounded. Is she seriously trying to manipulate me with that tone?
He sighed again, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. I'll do it. But don't think that tone of yours is going to work on me, Ch'en. Nice try, though."
On the other end, he could hear the faint sound of her clicking her tongue in annoyance, which made him chuckle.
"Well, thanks for agreeing, at least," Ch'en replied, her voice returning to normal. "Good luck tomorrow. And remember, I've got your back if anything goes wrong."
"Yeah, yeah," Xian muttered, smirking.
Ch'en, with a final teasing lilt in her voice, added, "Goodbye, Xian. Don't mess this up."
Before he could retort, the line went dead.
Xian lowered the phone, letting out a long breath. His mind was already spinning with possibilities and preparations for tomorrow. Adjusting his plans, he began to think about the best way to approach the mission, all while questioning just how far off the rails this world was from the original game.
....
The next morning, Xian woke up earlier than usual. The faint glow of dawn filtered through his window, casting a soft light over his room. Stretching to shake off the lingering grogginess, he got out of bed and began his usual training routine.
As he moved through a series of exercises-push-ups, sit-ups, and light shadowboxing-his mind wandered briefly to the task Ch'en had given him. The thought of dealing with someone tied to illegal activities, let alone a situation involving Reunion and mysterious organizations, made him pause. He shook his head, pushing the thoughts away for now. "Focus," he muttered to himself, picking up the pace in his training.
After finishing his routine, Xian returned to his house. Sweat still clung to his skin, but he felt refreshed. After a quick shower and change of clothes, he prepared himself a simple breakfast. Sitting at the table, he took his time eating, letting the calmness of the morning ground him.
Once he was ready, he grabbed his gear and headed out the door. The streets were already bustling with early risers, vendors setting up stalls, and the faint hum of the city coming to life. By the time he reached the competition venue, it was just before 8 a.m., and the gates were already open.
Walking in, Xian made his way directly to the registrar. He confirmed his participation and received any necessary updates for the day. With formalities out of the way, he headed back to his assigned room.
Closing the door behind him, Xian set his bag down and began unpacking. Slinging the bag to his waist for easy access, he carefully laid out the items he planned to modify: a few small tools, a custom device he had been working on, and some spare parts. His hands moved with practiced ease, sorting through the pieces and setting up his workspace.
As he began modifying one of his gadgets, his thoughts drifted back to the previous night's conversation with Ch'en. Her words echoed in his mind, and the weight of the task ahead pressed on him. "Unknown organizations... Reunion... This is way bigger than I signed up for," he muttered under his breath.
He paused, gripping the tool in his hand tightly. Despite his initial frustration, he knew this wasn't something he could back out of. This will be my first major mission, he thought. A chance to prove myself-or at least not screw it up.
Xian let out a long sigh, placing the tool down for a moment. Staring at the half-finished modification in front of him, he spoke softly to himself, "Well, it's not like I can change things now. Might as well make the most of it."
His lips curled into a faint smirk as he picked up the tool again. Slowly but surely, enthusiasm began to seep into his actions. He reassured himself that this would serve as a valuable experience, a stepping stone to adapting to the chaotic world of Terra.
With renewed focus, Xian continued his work, tweaking and fine-tuning the devices with precision. He told himself that if he could handle this, it might even give him a sense of control in the unpredictable mess that this world seemed to be.
In the shadowed streets of Lungmen, tension crackled like static in the air. Two opposing forces clashed under the dim glow of streetlights, their combat echoing through the narrow alleys. Sparks flew as Arts intertwined with the sharp clang of blades and the staccato burst of gunfire.
Amid the chaos, one leader gritted his teeth, frustration evident as he barked orders. "You're all useless! Hold the line!" he yelled, his voice straining over the din of battle.
On the other side, their adversary smirked mockingly, their confidence almost palpable. "Hold the line? You won't even hold your ground for long!" they taunted, parrying an incoming strike with ease.
The two leaders engaged in a fierce one-on-one duel, their Arts clashing in a dazzling display of power. Bright flashes of energy lit the battlefield as flames and ice collided, the ground beneath them scorched and cracked under the intensity of their fight.
The combatants' respective teams, injured and weary, stepped back, leaving their leaders to duke it out. Yet, from the sidelines, they continued firing potshots and throwing whatever they could to assist their leaders.
Minutes passed, and both forces showed signs of fatigue. Injuries mounted, and their movements became sluggish. One of the leaders stumbled back, blood dripping from a wound on their arm, and spat out angrily, "This isn't over!"
The opposing leader, equally battered, chuckled darkly. "Oh, it'll be over soon enough-for you."
Suddenly, a signal buzzed through the communicators of one force. Their leader's smirk widened into a sinister grin as they turned to their team. "It's time," they whispered, their tone laced with anticipation.
The shift in demeanor didn't go unnoticed. The opposing force, though wary, didn't hesitate to charge forward. "Don't let them regroup! Take them down now!" their leader shouted.
But before they could advance, the ground trembled beneath their feet. A series of deafening explosions ripped through the air, shattering the fragile silence that had lingered between each clash. Bombs planted throughout the area detonated one by one, creating chaos and destruction in their wake.
The attacking team recoiled, their advance halted as the earth itself seemed to erupt around them. Smoke and debris filled the streets, obscuring their vision and throwing them into disarray.
"What the hell?!" one of them shouted, their voice barely audible over the roar of the blasts.
The retreating force didn't waste a second, slipping away through the chaos with smug expressions plastered on their faces. Their leader gave one last mocking wave before disappearing into the smoke, leaving their enemies to grapple with the aftermath.
The other leader, coughing and disoriented, slammed their fist against a wall in frustration. "Damn it! They set us up!"
Their team, battered and demoralized, hesitated to follow, wary of more traps lying in wait. The realization settled in: they'd been outplayed.
As the dust began to settle, the remnants of the battlefield bore the marks of a meticulously planned ambush. Craters dotted the ground, shattered glass littered the streets, and the faint scent of burning lingered in the air.
The frustrated leader slammed his fist against a nearby wall, the cracks in his composure reflecting the state of his team. "Mission failed," he growled into his communicator, his voice heavy with anger and exhaustion.
A low hum responded from the other side, calm yet carrying a tinge of disappointment. "As expected," the voice said nonchalantly, as if the failure had been anticipated.
The leader gritted his teeth. "You expected this? Then why send us on this doomed operation? What's the point of these objectives?"
The voice on the other end paused before answering, their tone growing colder. "Forget the objectives. You've done enough damage. Regroup and retreat immediately."
The leader's anger bubbled over, but he restrained himself, knowing there was no arguing with those giving the orders. Turning to his battered team, he barked, "We're pulling out. Regroup with the others."
His team nodded silently, their weary expressions hiding a mixture of relief and frustration. They followed him, disappearing into the alleys of Lungmen to lick their wounds and plan their next steps.
...
The bustling energy of the venue was palpable as participants and spectators moved about in anticipation of the semi-finals. Xian, clad in his usual attire and mask, navigated the halls after a successful start to his rounds. So far, everything had gone smoothly, and he was mentally preparing for the next stage of the competition.
After a brief break, Xian headed back to his room to rest and reorganize, but his path was abruptly blocked by a familiar, cheerful voice. "Hey, Mask Guy!"
It was Exusiai, her boundless energy as infectious as ever. She waved enthusiastically, quickly closing the distance between them. Xian sighed inwardly, his mask fortunately hiding the slight twitch of annoyance at being interrupted.
"Yo! That was some nice shooting back there," Exusiai said, her tone carrying a mix of genuine praise and competitive edge. "But don't think I'm gonna let you get away with it. I'm taking you down in the finals!"
Texas stood slightly behind her, arms crossed and her sharp eyes fixed warily on Xian. Her presence was quiet but imposing, a stark contrast to Exusiai's lively demeanor.
"Thanks for the compliment," Xian replied smoothly, his tone neutral. "But let's save the competition for the actual match."
Exusiai grinned, clearly unfazed. "What, scared of a little trash talk? Come on, give me something to work with!"
Xian sighed again, glancing briefly at Texas, whose gaze seemed to pierce through him. While she said nothing, her eyes conveyed a sense of suspicion that unsettled him.
"Sorry, but I don't have time for this," Xian said firmly, stepping to the side to walk past them.
"Hey, wait a second!" Exusiai exclaimed, momentarily freezing in shock at his abruptness. She quickly recovered, her expression shifting to one of playful irritation. "You're just gonna walk away? That's rude!"
Xian raised his right hand in a casual wave as he continued walking. "Settle it on the field," he said over his shoulder, his tone dismissive but not unkind.
Exusiai stomped her foot in frustration, her competitive spirit now fully ignited. "Oh, you're so going down! Just wait!" she called after him, her voice echoing in the hallway.
Texas watched the exchange silently, her wariness deepening. "There's something off about him," she muttered, her tone low enough that only Exusiai could hear.
Exusiai waved her off, her expression still annoyed. "He's just a bit... mysterious. Don't worry, I'll figure him out when I beat him!"
Texas frowned but said nothing further, following Exusiai as she stomped off in the opposite direction.
Meanwhile, Xian sighed as he entered his room, shutting the door behind him. The faint echoes of Exusiai's determined shouts still lingered in the back of his mind. "She's... relentless," he muttered, shaking his head as he returned to his preparations.