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"Vander sure raised two extraordinary fighters." A horde of thugs, enhanced by shimmer, was held back by two girls. Even if Jinx relied on her weapon for an advantage, Vi fought barehanded like a true powerhouse. "I admit, you're really strong," Sevika barely managed to intercept Vi's punch, her metallic arm trembling slightly under the impact.
"Unfortunately, you've picked the wrong opponent!" A steam-driven sound was followed by a special shimmer-enhancer injecting into the arteries of her arm, quickly spreading throughout her body. Sevika's eyes flickered with an eerie pink, and she couldn't help but curl her lips into a grin.
"Sevika! You traitor!" Vi unleashed a full-strength punch, yet it was easily blocked by the enhanced mechanical arm.
"It wasn't us who betrayed Vander; it was Vander who betrayed us!" Sevika retorted, pulling Vi's arm with such force that she hurled Vi away effortlessly. "He got what he deserved!"
"Aaagh!" Vi, who regarded him as a father figure, was thoroughly enraged by such an insult. She got up from the ground and charged straight at Sevika, her fists clenched, attempting to pit flesh against iron.
"Your move is too predictable." Sevika scoffed, swinging upwards as Vi leaped high. Suddenly, Vi changed her move, switching her punch to a grasp. She seized Sevika's metal arm, used it as leverage, and kicked her in the chest. Taking advantage of Sevika's loss of balance, Vi twisted her arm and locked her down with a precise hold.
"You lost!"
"Is that so?" Vi didn't expect that Sevika's mechanical arm, unlike a human arm, wouldn't be immobilized after a joint lock. "Such strength..." Even using both hands, Vi couldn't overpower Sevika's single arm. Realizing this, Vi decisively let go and struck her neck with her elbow, attempting to knock her out. However, with the shimmer, Sevika's entire bodily system, including her nerves, had been enhanced. The current Sevika resembled a machine, devoid of any weaknesses.
"This isn't looking good..." Justin was in a tougher spot, battling enemies on all sides while trying to protect Isaac, who had no combat ability. In a moment of distraction, Justin was tackled and held tightly by a thug. Their strength was intimidatingly immense, making it impossible for him to break free. As a machete was about to slash down on him, Justin raised his arm to block. He was about to turn into a disabled man...
"Justin!" The sudden shout made the immobilized Justin shiver. Seeing him in peril, Jinx anxiously turned her weapon, firing rapidly in his direction. "Whoa, stop!" Justin hunched down, ducking as a stream of bullets whizzed above his head. Fortunately, Jinx had steady aim; otherwise, losing an arm would've been the least of his worries. Specks of blood splattered onto Justin's neck, burning hotter than usual. Despite being injected with shimmer, they were still human beings—people who could die.
"Justin!" Jinx rushed over, tightly embracing him. The scene just now had truly frightened her. Yet now was no time for relief. Though many henchmen had been eliminated, they were also running out of steam. Vi couldn't handle Sevika alone, let alone in a group fight.
"Jinx," Justin called her name, making a selfish decision. "Hmm?" The girl looked up, only to be surprised as Justin leaned down and gently kissed her lips. In that moment, Jinx's mind went completely blank. It turned out to be that lip balm, mint-flavored. Justin actually had the luxury to savor the taste. The girl's lips were truly remarkable, soft and cool, akin to perfectly melted ice cream.
Taking advantage of Jinx's lingering shock, Justin admonished, "Once you leave, don't cause any trouble, don't go crazy. Just wait for me to come back." After saying this, Justin decisively knocked Jinx unconscious. "Ekko! Stop fighting, come over here! Use your board and take Jinx somewhere safe!"
"But…" Ekko took Jinx but seemed hesitant. "If you're a man, quit being wishy-washy. Worst-case scenario, we can still surrender." Justin gave him a kick. Ekko powered his hoverboard, soaring into the sky and leaving behind only one sentence: "Hold on! I'll bring help back with me!"
"Listen to me!" Caitlyn slammed her hand hard on the table. She had rushed all the way from the undercity to the police station and had been trying to explain the situation to her colleagues, her voice already hoarse, yet the enforcers remained indifferent.
"Calm down, Miss Caitlyn." A colleague poured her a glass of water and pointed behind her. "Before dealing with the undercity's matters, you might want to think about your mother…" Caitlyn turned around, and, lo and behold, there stood her mother, Councilor Kiramman. Her face was filled with annoyance as she spoke, "I heard you've returned… As an enforcer, you deserted your post for so long. Where is your sense of duty? As a daughter of the Kiramman family, where is your composure?"
"Mom, listen to me! The undercity…" Caitlyn began, but Councilor Kiramman interrupted, "That's none of your concern anymore. You've been dismissed from the force! Now come home with me and stop bringing disgrace to the Kiramman family." Caitlyn wanted to speak further, but her mother directly pulled her away. The force of her grip made it clear just how angry she was.
Caitlyn found herself in a luxurious private car, the oppressive atmosphere during the ride keeping her silent. Only when they reached home and were seated in the living room, with tea served for the mistress and herself, did her mother finally speak, "Explain yourself, Caitlyn. I believe you wouldn't cause trouble without a reason."
Caitlyn finally exhaled in relief, thankful for having a mother who cared. She hurried through her explanation of recent events, briefly mentioning her association with Vi, but focusing on Silco's crimes and the ongoing battle. "They're in danger right now! If possible…"
"How long did it take you to run over here?" her mother asked coolly. "Well…" Caitlyn hesitated. "Even if I ordered the enforcers to assist as a councilor, how much time would that take? It's too late."
"But…" Caitlyn began again, only for her mother to cut her off. "I already know about this," she said. "Stay home and reflect quietly for the coming days. I'll have someone investigate Silco and the shimmer through channels outside the police."
Caitlyn held her teacup, biting her lip, wanting to speak but hesitant. "You seem to have more to say," her mother elegantly took a sip of her tea, speaking lightly, "Is it about wanting to tell me more about that girl named Vi?"