The grand, sturdy structure of Begepe Pier vanished into thin air, leaving behind only an eerie, suffocating silence. Thousands of eyes remained frozen, witnesses to a phenomenon that defied all logic and reason.
Zigh let out a ragged breath. "Gone... just like that."
He approached Nox, who was gripping the guardrail until his knuckles turned white.
"Champ..."
Nox spun around, leaning his back against the cold metal railing. "Colonel... are you satisfied now?"
"I..."
Zigh's phone interrupted him. He answered it instinctively.
"Sir! The—the Begepe Pier! It's gone!"
Zigh took a deep breath, grounding himself. "Lex, compose yourself."
"Yes... My apologies, Sir."
"What's the situation at the entrance?"
"It's conducive, mostly. But the crowd... they're in shock."
"I see. Are there any casualties?"
"We haven't conducted a thorough sweep, but based on the evacuation process and CCTV footage, it seems clear."
"Understood. Any injuries?"
"Mostly minor scrapes and bruises, Sir."
"Alert the medical team immediately. I'm on my way."
"Understood, Sir."
Zigh hung up, turning to Nox. "It seems you've received some good news, Colonel?"
"Champ, come with me. We need to see Lexin and Devin. And don't forget to bring Outer along."
Nox clicked his tongue. "You know it can hear everything we say. Is dragging it around really necessary?"
"Champ, if we don't invite Outer... you know how its keeper reacts, don't you? It's better to act with humility and grace than to invite unnecessary strife."
"Keeper? Right... he loves to provoke people."
"Just bring Outer! You're the only one who can manage It."
"Fine, fine. I'll bring It."
Nox glanced at Outer, who flashed a wide, cryptic grin. "You're coming with us, Outer."
"But Lian said the transaction with Zigh is already complete."
"Huh!? Complete?"
Zigh's eyes widened. "Champ! What did he say?"
"Outer claims your deal with Lian is finished."
Zigh clenched his fists. "How could it be?"
"Orleander has been dismantled," Outer interjected with a soft, mocking laugh.
"Colonel," Nox relayed, "the entity says Orleander is gone."
"Dismantled!? Since when does neutralizing bombs and subduing Asley and his cohorts count as dismantling!?"
"Why are you snapping at me? The troublemaker is right there!" Nox pointed at where Outer stood.
Zigh ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry... my bad."
Nox simply turned away, keeping his composure.
Outer smiled. "Oh, Champ, Lian says the proof is in Asley's home—specifically in his desk drawer. And the remaining bomb components from the hotel are on the Virgo floor."
Nox stiffened, locking eyes with Outer. "Are you playing games with us?"
"That's entirely up to you, Champ."
"Nox! What did he say?"
"Haaah... Outer says the evidence is in Asley's drawer and on the Virgo floor of the hotel."
Zigh exhaled deeply. "Outer... tell Lian not to leave yet."
"Hmm... but Lian is ready to head out."
"Nox, what now?"
"Lian wants to leave immediately."
Zigh massaged his temples, practicing restraint. "Nox—"
"Zigh! Just tell him how to charge the battery. You can talk to Lian directly!"
Outer clapped his hands. "The Champ is so clever."
"Quiet!"
"Outer, tell Lian he just needs to place the phone into the box provided in the packaging. And make sure that box is plugged into a power source."
A heavy silence fell over them.
Nox folded his arms. What a pain…
Soon, the wail of sirens pierced the air.
Zigh looked at Nox. "Champ, what's the verdict?"
Nox glanced at the dark figure. "Outer?"
Outer chuckled. "It's been set up. Lian is asking how to switch it on."
"Colonel, What's next after that?"
"Just tap on the camera," added Zigh.
Outer whispered, "All set, Champ."
"It's done, Colonel."
"Lian, please, I ask for your patience to join me and Nox for a moment."
"Fine," Outer replied for him.
"Lian agreed, Colonel."
"Good. Tell him we're heading to the Begepe Pier entrance."
Nox sighed, and the three of them began their trek toward the gates. The area, once silent, was now a chaotic blend of human voices and emergency sirens.
Meanwhile, near the entrance, the atmosphere was thick with anxiety.
"It's really gone!"
"I can't hear a thing."
"My head is spinning..."
Lexin approached Devin, who had finished his inspection.
"Dev, what do you think?" Lexin whispered.
"About what?"
"The Boss said our bonus would be tripled."
"That's good. We must remain grateful for what is earned."
"And you know, it seems like someone the Boss—"
Devin nudged Lexin. "Maintain your focus. Do not dwell on assumptions; it leads to vanity."
"You... that hurts, you know."
"Let it be. It's for your own discipline."
A medic approached them. "Sir, we're moving the moderate injury cases first."
"How is their condition?" Devin asked, reviewing the list.
"Mostly sprains and head contusions. The minor cases are just cuts and scrapes from the evacuation panic."
Devin recorded the details.
Lexin sighed, offering a polite, "Thank you."
As the medic left, Devin spotted Zigh and Nox approaching.
"The Boss is here," Devin noted.
"Where?"
"Three o'clock."
"Oh... Who is the man beside him?"
"Just ask him directly later."
"You're annoying."
Zigh halted before them. "Current status?"
Devin nodded respectfully. "No fatalities, Sir. The medical team is handling those with moderate injuries."
"Good."
Lexin studied Nox.
"Do you have a problem?" Nox asked.
Lexin startled. "Ah... no, I—"
"This is Nox Eosvile," Zigh introduced.
Lexin fell silent. Why are my words always interrupted—Wait, Eosvile...
Zigh's two subordinates widened their eyes in shock.
"I—I am Devin, and beside me is Lexin. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Lexin bowed slightly.
"A pleasure," Nox replied.
Outer whispered in Nox's ear, "Champ, Lian's phone is powered on."
Nox tapped Zigh's shoulder. "Call him."
"Yes." Zigh pulled out his phone, dialing Lian.
"Lian?"
"Yes."
Devin and Lexin glanced at each other, observing their boss.
"Explain yourself now, Li—"
"Let me tell you an interesting fact about Orleander."
"What?"
"That photo printer is truly remarkable."
"Asley?"
"Who else?"
"Lian, get to the point."
"Don't you want the truth?"
"That—"
"Just listen, Zigh."
Zigh sighed, wiping his forehead.
"Asley is obsessed with a girl named Leyra Estogazt."
"So?"
"He used Orleander merely to appear as a hero in her eyes."
Zigh gripped his phone. "What do you mean?"
"Remember the sniper?"
"Of course."
Lian chuckled. "Where was the sniper when the incident happened?"
"That's impossible..."
"Indeed. You were deceived. The photo printer placed him there intentionally."
"Lian, don't tell me he..."
"Unfortunately, he failed."
Zigh bit his lip, striving to remain rational. "Lian... talk about Orleander."
"Right. Asley had a falling out with the others because they brought up the fact that you, Zigh, were pursuing Leyra."
Zigh's face flushed. "What did you say!?"
His shout startled his subordinates and Nox.
"Oh... apparently, Sturm provoked Asley, claiming you were encroaching on his relationship with Leyra."
Zigh cursed under his breath. Damn it…
"What else, Lian?"
"Patience. Sturm was the supplier, Lour the fence, and Elfinder the distributor. Do you know what Asley's role was?"
"The lubricant?"
"Colonel Z—"
"Lian? Lian!"
The screen went black. Zigh sighed. "Damn."
"Sir, need a phone?" Devin offered.
Zigh ran his fingers through his hair. "Yeah... Do you have his number?"
Lexin smiled. "Devin does. We play online games together."
Devin clicked his tongue. He has no filter.
Nox raised an eyebrow. "Lian plays with you?"
Lexin tilted his head. "Yes, why?"
Outer whispered to Nox, "Jealous?"
Nox looked away. "Nothing."
Zigh took the phone, dialing again. "Lian, continue."
"Lian?"
"Man... you are so careless."
Veins pulsed on Zigh's forehead. "Lian, just continue."
"Everyone had a role, each holding a card against the other. The photo printer is possessed by Outer, you know."
"I do."
"Asley is skilled at manipulating data—goods, population, everything. He always had a backup plan. If the sniper failed, he already had a scapegoat."
"Elfinder," Zigh realized.
"Precisely. The man is a master of deception. Sturm sourced from Icempe, Lour hoarded in Aerpe. He even intended to frame me, Ron, and Nox for the bombing."
Zigh's jaw tightened. "Because of that ID card?"
"You're finally catching on."
"Where in the hotel is the bomb?"
"Virgo 01 hallway, if I recall."
Zigh's green eyes grew cold. "Where does Asley keep his cards?"
"In his private study, underground. It's filled with photos of Ley—"
Zigh hung up.
Lian smiled. He is so easily provoked...
Zigh returned Devin's phone.
He stared at Lexin and Devin. "If any reporters ask, say it's still under investigation. Please, you and Lexin, guard this place."
"Yes, sir," they both said in unison.
"Champ, we're going back to the hotel."
Nox nodded. "Let's go."
Zigh turned around and left Lexin and Devin behind. Nox caught up with Zigh until they were walking side by side, with Outer following closely behind them.
Lexin stared at Zigh for a long time until his boss's figure finally disappeared from view.
"Dev, what do you think of Lian?"
"Why are you asking that?"
"Well, it seems like the boss always loses control over him."
"Have you forgotten what happened at the boss's house when the TV was turned on?"
Lexin rubbed the back of his neck.
"It's better if we stay focused here, Lex."
Lexin immediately wrapped his arm around Devin's shoulder.
Devin clicked his tongue. "You're heavy."
"Let it be."
The two of them immediately began carrying out the task they were given.
As the chaos at the pier continued, the office of Leyra remained unnervingly still. Ron and Rhax sat opposite each other, refusing to make eye contact.
"Ron," Leyra broke the silence. "Do you know that black entity?"
Ron shifted his gaze toward Leyra. "Yes, and yet... no."
Rhax scoffed, but Ron ignored him, focusing solely on Leyra.
"And what does that yes mean?"
Ron clenched his fists, his voice low. "It would be better if you did not know, Lady Leyra."
"Hah, just an excuse," Rhax spat.
Ron sighed. "Lady Leyra, I advise you not to investigate Outer."
Leyra touched her chin. Outer... truly unusual.
Rhax grunted. "Stop talking in circles like a spinning top."
Ron turned, his blue eyes deepening. "Do you have a problem, Rhax Brown?"
"Who knows."
"Rhax, just spar with Ron."
Both men were stunned.
"You've been after something from Ron," Leyra noted.
"Lady Leyra, I—"
"I have no interest in sparring with those who lack the wisdom to read the situation. My apologies."
Rhax stood up. "What is that supposed to mean, Eosvile?"
Ron offered a thin smile. "Even Nox is better than you, Rhax Brown."
To be continued…