Cain arrived near the meeting spot but didn't approach immediately. He observed from the shadows—a derelict factory with flickering streetlights casting a pale glow. Inside one of the warehouses, faint lights blinked sporadically, marking the location Baiden had specified.
The area was eerily silent. It was the perfect place for dirty work.
Cain's instincts screamed at him: Baiden was planning to double-cross him. There was no other explanation for choosing such a desolate place. Even with his limited experience, the setup felt unmistakably wrong.
Inside the warehouse, Baiden exhaled colorful plumes from an electronic vaporizer. He tapped his foot impatiently, muttering under his breath.
"Where is that kid? Don't tell me he's figured us out."
He wasn't alone. A group of men dressed in sleek black uniforms stood nearby, their presence radiating menace. Their leader, a middle-aged man with a scar running across his nose, watched silently. His cybernetic right eye glowed faintly blue, adding to his intimidating demeanor.
The man's voice was cold and cutting.
"Baiden, you promised results. I don't tolerate failure."
Baiden quickly forced a nervous grin.
"Don't worry, James. Let me check the tracker."
The radar displayed Cain's presence nearby, though he hadn't moved.
Baiden frowned but tried to keep his composure. "He's close. Let me give him a call."
Cain's communicator buzzed. He answered.
"Hey, I'm waiting inside. Why aren't you coming in?" Baiden asked, his tone dripping with feigned friendliness.
"I've changed the plan. If you want the box, come outside. I'm not stepping in there."
"What are you talking about? It's just me in here. You think I'm gonna hurt you or something?"
"Stop wasting my time. If you don't come out, I'm leaving."
"Fine, fine! I'll come out," Baiden snapped, his cheerful facade slipping as he ended the call. His expression hardened as he turned to James.
"That little punk is playing games. I'll distract him. You and your men take him out."
James silenced him with a cold glare.
"You don't give orders here. First, make sure the box is on him. Then we'll move."
Baiden forced a strained smile. "Got it, got it!" He hurried out the door, mumbling curses under his breath.
Then James's mans began muttering amongst themselves.
"That damn cop thinks he'll live to see tomorrow."
"Yeah, greed's blinded him completely."
James raised a hand, silencing the chatter instantly. His voice was cold and authoritative.
"The box must be secured tonight. If we fail, none of you will live to see tomorrow."
The weight of his words sent a chill through his men, their earlier bravado replaced by quiet fear.
Outside, Baiden stood under the faint glow of a streetlight, looking both anxious and irritated. His eyes darted nervously as Cain emerged from the shadows.
"There you are. What's with all the drama? Don't trust me or something?" Baiden said, feigning offense.
Cain didn't waste time.
"My new ID. Where is it?"
Baiden pulled out the ID card, holding it up.
"Right here. The data's been uploaded and approved. With this, you've got a brand-new life."
Cain's eyes narrowed.
"How do I know it's legit?"
"Seriously?" Baiden's irritation grew. "Do I look like someone who'd scam you?"
Ignoring the rhetorical question, Baiden pulled out a portable scanner—a device used by high-ranking officers to verify IDs. He scanned the card, projecting a holographic display of the results.
"See? All clear. Happy now?" Baiden said impatiently.
Cain scrutinized the data. It seemed legitimate.
Satisfied, Cain reached into his pocket and revealed the box—the one Baiden had been so desperate to obtain. The small, unassuming container bore the emblem of the Cassastras Group.
Cain had tried to open it earlier but found it impervious to brute force. It was clear the box required a specific method to unlock. He didn't know what was inside, but one thing was certain: the Cassastras Group wanted it badly.
Cassastras Group, Cain recalled from his research, was a major player in Fith City, controlling over half the entertainment industry. Their influence ran deep, far beyond what ordinary people could fathom.
Rumors painted them as ruthless manipulators, collecting compromising material on powerful individuals to blackmail them. Human trafficking, kidnapping, and murder were just a few of their alleged crimes.
And, most disturbingly, whispers suggested their true power stemmed from connections to the Gaian high rank, an untouchable force far beyond Earth's reach.
Baiden's expression changed the moment he saw the box. First came excitement, then malice.
"It's on him! Move now!" Baiden shouted, his voice carrying the weight of a trap sprung.
Cain had expected this. His heart raced as several figures moving in the darkness, This was no minor skirmish. He was caught in a massive conspiracy.
If he wanted to survive, Cain knew what had to be done.
He must kill everyone here.
Baiden was the first target. He knew too much about Cain to be allowed to live.
As Baiden began retreating, he turned to find that Cain had vanished.
"What the—? Where did he go!?" Baiden's voice cracked, panic setting in.
Suddenly, a cold, sharp object pierced his chest.
Baiden looked down, his eyes wide in shock—but there was nothing to see, only blood streaming from the wound.
And then, he felt an icy, invisible hand rummaging through his pocket, taking something away.
It finally dawned on him, the horrifying truth: Cain had the power of invisibility.
With a furious roar, Baiden unleashed a surge of red energy, blasting Cain backward and revealing his true nature. As a high-ranking officer, Baiden wasn't an ordinary man—he was an E-Tier Proficient evolver.
"That damn kid can turn invisible! Don't let him escape!" Baiden shouted, blood dripping from his wound.
James's men stepped forward, throwing a strange device into the air.
The device activated with a hiss, projecting a faint blue dome over the entire area—a zone-locking field.
Cain's stomach sank.
"An area lock? Damn it… they came prepared."
Cain, trapped within the zone-locking field and outnumbered, His invisibility had bought him time, but now the enemy was fully prepared for him.
James stepped into the light, his cybernetic eye glowing ominously.
"Your low-grade invisibility is useless against me. Hand over the box, kid, and I'll grant you a quick death."
Cain tightened his grip on his dagger. He didn't reply. His mind raced as he considered his options.
The fight of his life was about to begin.