Three Days Later
October 17, 2069
Chongqing
The gala was hosted at a sprawling, monolithic estate perched on a hillside overlooking the neon-choked metropolis. High above, a swarm of surveillance drones hummed, capturing the arrival of the elite from every conceivable angle.
Feng and Rose had shed their tactical gear, disguised in immaculate, high-end formal attire tailored specifically for the event. A phalanx of black-suited security guards escorted them into the grand ballroom. The interior was a sickening display of opulence, floors of polished gold engraved with emerald-green dragon motifs, while heavy crystal chandeliers spun slowly overhead like gilded carousels. Long dining tables were draped in rich crimson silk trimmed with gold.
As they blended into the sea of high-society guests, Eve's voice crackled directly inside Rose's audio cortex, a stark warning of the hidden dangers.
"Rose, what's the status inside?"
"The situation is nominal. Threats within the ballroom are calculated at 1.22%. Safe probability is 98.78%. What is your status?"
"I'm monitoring from the rooftop. I detected some anomalous movement in the perimeter shrubbery. I'm going to investigate. You and Feng play nice with 'Father'. Over and out."
"Stay safe, Eve," Feng interjected over the comms, her voice laced with genuine concern.
"Alright, Rose," Feng whispered, turning to him as they neared the crowd. "I think we need to split up here. If anything goes sideways, we move to Plan B."
Rose offered a subtle nod and melted effortlessly into the crowd of socialites. He navigated the room with clinical grace until his shoulder brushed against the back of a towering, seven-foot-tall figure.
"My apologies," Rose said automatically.
The giant turned. His physique was remarkably slender, almost feminine, clad in a tailored suit of shimmering diamond-scaled green and black. Curled locks of long hair cascaded down to his nape, where a polished, silver-white orb was surgically integrated into the base of his skull like an organic pearl.
The towering man turned, holding a glass of fine wine. He possessed the porcelain, refined features of a Caucasian male, yet his face held an exquisite, almost matriarchal beauty reminiscent of old-world royalty. Standing beside him, Rose barely reached his waist.
The gorgeous giant looked down, offering Rose a warm, patronizing smile.
"Well, hello there, little maiden," he purred, his speech carrying a distinct, rolling Slavic accent.
"Is mother's little darling lost? You're far too precious to be wandering around this den of wolves alone." His voice was strangely elegant, carrying the precise mannerisms of a high-born matriarch.
"Have you put anything in that belly yet? There is an absolute feast laid out."
"Thank you, but I am not hungry, sir," Rose replied, bowing his head slightly as his processor tried to categorize the man's profile.
"Oh, don't be shy, sweetheart," the giant chuckled softly. "We live in an age of absolute liberation. All my siblings went on to become prestigious doctors or famous actors, but look at that gorgeous, slender face of yours. You could walk the Paris fashion runways next year without putting in any effort at all, I assure you."
"I do not think that I possess the necessary parameters for such endeavors."
"Is that so? Then let me ask you something..." The giant figure leaned down, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Do you believe in God, Do you believe in miracles?"
Their eyes locked. Neither of them blinked. Deep within the giant's gaze, Rose's sensors detected a chilling, enigmatic depth that defied baseline human profiling. The man waited for an answer, his beautiful smile unwavering.
But before Rose could formulate a response, a portly man clad in a magnificent, gold-embroidered dragon suit carved his way through the crowd, radiating supreme authority.
Xu Wen had arrived. "Popov! Hahaha! It has been far too long, my friend!" he greeted, wrapping his thick arms around the towering giant in a tight embrace.
"Aiya, aiya! My bones, darling! You're going to break my spine! Oh my~" the tall man gasped dramatically.
The moment Rose saw Xu Wen, his programming dictated he immediately drop to one knee.
"Whoa, whoa! Stand up, Rose. None of that formal nonsense here, please, haha," Xu Wen said, waving a hand in mild, performative embarrassment for the benefit of the onlookers. "Have you met my associate, Rose? This is Fenya Popov, founder of the Eyes After You foundation. Fenya, this is my precious daughter, my creation, Rose."
"A true pleasure, Rose," Fenya Popov purred, reaching out to gently stroke a lock of Rose's neon-green hair. "He is quite the exquisite specimen, Mr. Xu. I guarantee Xavier would absolutely adore him."
"Heh, indeed," Xu Wen smiled proudly before patting Rose's shoulder. "Rose, I must speak with my old friend in private. Go on, run along and enjoy the gardens."
Rose bowed his head in submission and slipped away from the gilded hall.