The Becky Gang's second-in-command frowned immediately.
"...Erika."
A trace of surprise slipped into his voice. Hidden behind one of the shipping containers, Ethan heard the name. His eyes narrowed as he cautiously leaned forward just enough to look.
For the first time since the fight had begun, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.
"Devil Iris..."
Tim muttered quietly.
"Boss... that's Devil Iris' young mistress."
Erika's gaze briefly swept across the direction where Ethan and the others were hiding. Only for a single moment. Then she calmly withdrew her eyes and turned toward the Becky Gang instead.
"What exactly is going on here?"
Her voice wasn't loud. Yet it carried an authority that silenced the harbor. The Becky Gang's second-in-command chuckled.
"What is this? Did Mr. Brown send you?"
Erika slowly shook her head.
"My old man doesn't know."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Then why are you here?"
"I came on my own."
Suspicion immediately filled his expression.
"For what?"
Erika slipped both hands into the pockets of her jacket before answering in a calm, indifferent voice.
"Harbor 17 belongs to Devil Iris."
Her eyes met his without the slightest hesitation.
"Who gave the Becky Gang permission to kill people inside our territory whenever they feel like it?"
Her words caused several Becky members to exchange uneasy glances. The second-in-command gave a cold laugh.
"Weren't you the ones who tipped us off in the first place?"
Not even a single expression changed on Erika's face.
"Giving you information..."
She paused.
"...is one matter. But causing chaos inside Devil Iris territory...is another."
Her voice became even colder.
"And now... You've gone too far. That's why I'm here."
From behind the containers, Ethan watched her in complete silence. Every word she spoke, every sentence was entirely for Devil Iris' interests. Everything sounded perfectly reasonable, perfectly political and cold.
Yet...
As if completely by accident, Erika's eyes shifted ever so slightly toward Ethan's hiding place. Only for the briefest moment. She noticed the blood running down the side of his face. Her fingers tightened inside her jacket pocket almost imperceptibly.
The movement lasted less than a second. By the time anyone could notice, her expression had already returned to its usual calm. She looked back at the Becky Gang.
"Becky."
Her voice echoed across the harbor.
"You don't have permission to kill these people today."
A heavy silence followed. The Becky Gang's second-in-command stared at her coldly.
"So... You came here to take them away?"
Erika met his gaze without flinching.
"That's right."
She spoke each word slowly.
"This is Harbor 17. It belongs to Devil Iris. If blood keeps spilling here and the police get involved...the ones cleaning up the mess will be us."
She paused briefly.
"So, this ends here."
The second-in-command narrowed his eyes.
"So, you're telling us...to simply let them walk away?"
Erika's expression remained unchanged.
"You don't have to."
She answered calmly.
"But from this moment onward… The Becky Gang will officially be considered an enemy of Devil Iris."
Her eyes became noticeably colder.
"As for the consequences...you can deal with them yourselves."
The instant her words fell…
Click… Click… Click.
The five Devil Iris members standing behind Erika drew their pistols in perfect unison. The sharp metallic sound shattered the silence. Almost immediately, the Becky Gang members stiffened. Weapons were raised. Hands tightened around steel pipes and iron bars.
Several men instinctively reached beneath their jackets. The atmosphere froze. No one dared make the first move. Even the wind seemed to stop blowing. For several long seconds, Harbor 17 remained deathly silent. The Becky Gang's second-in-command slowly let out a dry laugh.
"Hah..."
He glanced around before looking back at Erika.
"So, this is how Devil Iris wants to play it."
Another short laugh escaped him.
"Fine. Today... I'll give you face."
His eyes slowly shifted toward the narrow passage where Ethan and the others were hiding.
"But remember this...The next time Eagle Wings falls into my hands..."
His smile gradually disappeared.
"I won't be showing anyone mercy."
Erika didn't answer. She simply stood there, calm and expressionless. After a brief silence, she finally turned her head slightly. Her gaze settled on the shipping containers.
"Come out."
Her voice was neither loud nor forceful. Yet it sounded more like an order than a request.
Hidden in the shadows, Ethan remained silent for a moment. Then, without another word, he stepped out from behind the container. Tim, Kyle, and Mark followed closely behind him. The four men looked completely different from when the fight had begun.
Dust covered their clothes. Blood stained their sleeves. Their breathing remained heavy after the exhausting battle.
For the briefest moment, Erika's eyes paused on Ethan. The cut along his cheek, the blood at the corner of his lips and the torn sleeve exposing bruises already beginning to darken. Her gaze lingered for less than a heartbeat.
Then...
She calmly looked away again. As though she hadn't noticed anything at all.
"Get in to your car."
Her tone remained flat. Ethan frowned slightly.
"...Why?"
Erika didn't even bother turning around.
"You're asking too many questions. I don't have time."
Her indifferent attitude made it seem as though speaking another sentence would simply waste her time. Ethan's expression turned colder.
"I don't need your help."
Those words caused Erika's footsteps to stop. For a brief moment, no one spoke. She slowly turned halfway around until she was facing him and her eyes met his, cold and unreadable.
"Don't misunderstand."
Her voice remained perfectly steady.
"I didn't come here to save you."
She continued without the slightest hesitation.
"If you die inside Devil Iris territory...we'll be the ones cleaning up the mess. That's the only reason I'm taking you out of here."
Every word sounded distant and emotionless. As though Ethan's life meant absolutely nothing to her. Tim quietly raised one eyebrow. Kyle glanced sideways at Ethan before the corner of his mouth curled into a faint grin. Mark remained silent, carefully observing the strange exchange between the two. They had heard every word.
But somehow...
None of them completely believed her. Ethan stared at Erika for several seconds. Neither of them looked away.
Finally, he let out a slow breath.
"...Let's go."
He lifted one hand toward Tim and the others.
"Get in the car."
Without another word, Erika turned around once more and began walking toward the sedan. Her posture remained elegant and calm.
From beginning to end, her face never betrayed a single emotion. The fist she had unconsciously clenched upon seeing Ethan's injuries...