The dim light of the setting sun bathed the simulated city in a golden glow, but Raven and Alina had no time to admire the scenery. The warehouse loomed ahead, its weathered exterior blending seamlessly with the surrounding buildings. The heat signatures Raven's monocle picked up earlier confirmed their suspicions—several armed guards patrolled the perimeter, while others stood idle inside.
"We need a way in without alerting the guards," Raven said, his voice low as they crouched behind a stack of crates in a nearby alley.
Alina smirked. "You're the planner. I'm just here to execute."
Raven ignored the jab, scanning the warehouse again. The monocle highlighted a weak point: a small, partially boarded-up window near the second floor. It wasn't much, but it was enough.
"There," he said, pointing to the window. "We climb to the second floor, avoid the main entrance, and work our way down. Quietly."
"Quietly," Alina repeated with a teasing tone. "Got it, boss."
The climb to the second floor wasn't easy. The old building had no convenient handholds, and the boards creaked ominously with every step. Alina moved with grace, her cultivation-enhanced strength making the climb seem effortless. Raven followed, relying on his tempered body to keep pace.
As they reached the window, Raven paused to scan the interior. The monocle identified two guards stationed in a nearby room, their heat signatures faint but unmistakable.
"We'll need to take them out," he whispered.
Alina nodded. "Leave it to me."
She slipped through the window like a shadow, her dagger already in hand. Moments later, Raven followed, landing silently on the wooden floor.
The room they entered was cluttered with crates and barrels, the air thick with the smell of dust and mold. Alina crept toward the guards, her footsteps barely audible.
One of the guards turned just in time to see her blade flash. He opened his mouth to shout, but Alina was faster, her dagger slicing cleanly across his throat. The other guard barely had time to react before she lunged, silencing him with a precise strike to the chest.
"Efficient as always," Raven muttered as he joined her.
Alina wiped her blade on the guard's shirt. "You're welcome."
The second floor was eerily quiet, save for the occasional creak of the old wooden beams. Raven's monocle guided them through the maze of rooms, each one filled with more crates and forgotten relics.
"We're getting closer," Raven said, his eyes fixed on the heat signature of the gang leader below. "He's in the center of the building, surrounded by his men."
Alina smirked. "Good. I was starting to think this was too easy."
Their progress was slow but steady, each step bringing them closer to their target. However, as they approached the stairs leading to the first floor, Raven's monocle picked up additional heat signatures entering the building.
"Reinforcements," he muttered.
Alina's grin widened. "Looks like we'll have some fun after all."
As they descended the stairs, they stumbled upon a room that wasn't on the monocle's map. The door was slightly ajar, revealing a faint blue glow emanating from within.
"Should we check it out?" Alina asked.
Raven hesitated. The mission was to eliminate the gang leader, but something about the room felt important.
"Let's take a quick look," he decided.
Inside, they found a strange artifact resting on a pedestal. The object pulsed with an otherworldly light, its surface covered in intricate runes.
"What is that?" Alina asked, her voice uncharacteristically serious.
Raven activated the monocle, but the information it provided was limited: "Unknown artifact. Potentially dangerous."
"We don't have time for this," Alina said, turning toward the door.
Raven nodded reluctantly. "Agreed. Let's finish the mission first."
As they exited the room, they heard voices echoing from the floor below. The reinforcements had arrived, and they weren't wasting any time.
"We'll need to split up," Raven said. "I'll draw their attention. You get to the leader."
Alina frowned. "Splitting up isn't exactly smart."
"Neither is getting caught," Raven shot back. "You're faster. You can handle the leader better than I can."
She hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But don't die on me."
Raven smirked. "I'll do my best."
Raven descended the stairs quickly but quietly, his eyes scanning for any sign of the reinforcements. He didn't have to wait long. A group of armed men entered the warehouse, their weapons gleaming in the dim light.
"Time to cause some chaos," he muttered.
He picked up a loose plank from the floor and hurled it across the room. The loud crash drew the men's attention, and they moved toward the sound, their weapons at the ready.
Raven used the distraction to slip behind them, his dagger at the ready. He struck swiftly, taking out two of the men before the others even realized he was there.
"Over here!" one of them shouted, raising his weapon.
Raven dodged the attack, his movements were fluid and precise. The battle was intense, but his training and enhanced body gave him the edge he needed.
While Raven kept the reinforcements occupied, Alina made her way to the center of the building. The gang leader's heat signature grew closer with each step, and her grip on her dagger tightened.
She found him in a large room surrounded by his men. He was a hulking figure, his presence commanding and menacing.
"Well, well," the leader said, his voice deep and gravelly. "Looks like we have a visitor."
Alina smirked. "I'm here to deliver a message."
The leader laughed, a low, guttural sound. "And what message would that be?"
Alina's eyes gleamed with determination. "Your time's up."