"Rian, how's it going on your end?"
In a quiet alley, Lycaon straightened his collar as he looked at the twenty or so gang members lying on the ground, groaning in pain.
"It's all handled, Mr. Lycaon," Rian said with a smile as she floated over. Behind her lay an even larger number of unconscious thugs.
After scanning the area to confirm no one else could get up, Lycaon walked out of the alley and headed to a container truck parked nearby. With a single motion, he broke the lock on the container door.
"Miss Helen's missing goods are indeed here. Rian, please take inventory."
As the doors creaked open, stacks of cargo filled the container. Rian let out a relieved sigh — this was the batch of goods that had vanished from Helen's company.
Lycaon had been pursuing the stolen shipment for two days. When he intercepted word that a gang was looking for a buyer, he immediately posed as one, spreading rumors that he was willing to pay a high price.
The gang, wary but greedy, agreed to meet. They first sent two underlings to lead Lycaon and Rian through several winding streets, checking carefully to make sure no one was following. Only then did they take them to meet their boss.
The gang leader was cautious too. Seeing that Lycaon and Rian carried no cash, he told them to leave — no deals without money in hand.
But Lycaon and Rian hadn't come to bargain. The moment the leader turned his back, they made their move, subduing the entire group in less than a minute.
Now, with the goods secured, the mission was nearly complete.
"Everything matches up except for a few minor losses," Rian said after checking through the manifest. "Still, it's within acceptable limits."
Lycaon nodded. "Good enough. I'll contact Miss Helen, then we'll go pick up Miss Bailu."
"Understood, Mr. Lycaon."
Lycaon took out his phone — but before he could call Helen, her name appeared on the screen.
He answered, and Helen's anxious voice came through immediately.
"Lycaon!"
"What's wrong, Miss Helen?"
"My sister… she's missing!"
"What?" Lycaon froze. He recalled seeing Niya on the street yesterday, and a bad feeling crept up his spine. Could it be that she'd been involved in something else that day — something dangerous?
"Please calm down, Miss Helen. First, contact the Public Security Bureau."
"I already did. They pulled the surveillance footage, but…"
"But what?"
"She was taken into a Hollow."
Lycaon fell silent. After a moment, he asked Helen for the Hollow's coordinates and details, assuring her he would handle it personally. When the call ended, he quietly dialed another number — Wise's.
…
"Argh! Why do I keep losing?!"
"Dear lady, you must understand — I am the undisputed king of 'Golden Finger'! Number two wouldn't dare call himself number one!"
"Billy wins again! Next round — Anby versus Bailu!"
The video store was unusually lively.
Billy and Bailu were seated on the sofa, locked in an intense gaming battle. Watching Bailu get completely dominated, Belle and Wise exchanged helpless looks, while Nicole smirked beside them.
Originally, the three members of the Cunning Hares had come to pick up Iess for a commission. But when Nicole spotted a young girl she'd never seen before — Bailu — happily playing with 18, she got curious. After learning that Bailu was connected to Jiang Ge, Nicole had immediately postponed the job and invited Bailu to join their gaming session.
Her reasoning was simple: if Jiang Ge heard they'd helped take care of Bailu, he'd remember the favor. Working with Jiang Ge paid far more than any commission, and with none of the risk.
However—
"Nicole, I should remind you," Belle whispered, "you can't let Bailu keep losing. Billy can hold back, but Anby's too competitive. If Bailu starts feeling bad, she won't enjoy herself."
"Anby, it's just a game — no need to go all out," Nicole said, moving over to her side.
Anby nodded, understanding the hint. She began pressing buttons aimlessly, pretending to fumble. But her acting was far too obvious — Bailu caught on immediately.
"Hmph! I'm not playing anymore!" Bailu tossed her controller aside, pouting. "You're all bullying me!"
"Now, now, don't be angry, my little Bailu~" Nicole quickly tried to comfort her, while Belle and Wise could only sigh.
Just then, Wise's phone rang. The caller ID showed Lycaon.
"Hello, Lycaon," Wise answered. "Are you here to pick up Bailu?"
"Yes, but there's another matter I need help with," Lycaon replied.
"What kind of matter?"
"Please help rescue Miss Niya from the Hollow. She's Miss Helen's sister — and a close friend of Mr. Jiang Ge. According to reports, the Hollow's near 6th Street. I'm asking for your assistance."
"I'm sorry, but we can't accept that," Wise replied cautiously. "I just run a small video store. If someone's missing in a Hollow, it's Public Security's job. Also… why do you think I can help?"
Something in Lycaon's tone made Wise uneasy. Picking up Bailu was one thing — but asking for help with a Hollow rescue?
Lycaon's next words confirmed his suspicions.
"Because you are Phaethon."
"…How do you know that?"
"Mr. Jiang Ge told me," Lycaon answered calmly. "He said there's a brother and sister running a video store on 6th Street — the legendary proxies, Phaethon. He told me to seek you out if necessary."
"I see…" Wise exhaled slowly. "If Jiang Ge was willing to share that, you must be someone he trusts. Send me the location. We'll handle it."
He hung up and turned toward Nicole, who was still trying to cheer up Bailu.
"Nicole," he called out, "we've got a commission — a rescue mission. It's related to Jiang Ge. Are you in?"
"What? Of course we are!" Nicole replied instantly, her eyes lighting up.
"Then let's move."
Belle was already at the computer, activating the HDD. "Anby, Billy — you two, come on!"
Nicole picked up Iess and gestured for the others to follow. As the team prepared, Wise walked over to Ling, calibrating the equipment.
"Oh, and Bailu," Wise said suddenly, turning to where she had been sitting, "please wait here for a while. I'll put on a movie for you—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Bailu was gone.
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A/n: While I am a new translator, I have a Patreon! While it may be a bit empty right now both this and the other book on my page has advanced chapters posted on patreon.
patreon.com/deadlygoober