One of them turned around to Brock before entering. He asked in a stiff voice. “Should we check him?” Brock looked at Bryan, who had still retained an indifferent air about him. Trying to find any change in his expression, he threw a fierce gaze. Despite this, the young man showed no signs of panic. After a minute, Brock finally gave up his final attempt to pressure him. He then turned back to the two guards and shook his head. The patrol guards nodded back and led Bryan into the room, closing the door behind him. The room was small, but cozy. A canvas white painted the ceiling and walls, resembling a psychiatric ward room. There was a single mattress, table, and a chair in the corners of the room. Very simplistic. As Bryan walked in, he set his case down. While he looked back, he could only catch a fleeting glimpse of the back of one of the guards. The door closed. Bryan heaved a sigh before sitting on the soft bed. Their hospitality was worlds apart from before as a member. He never knew they had beds like this. Feeling the bounce of the mattress a few times, he focused back to the task on hand. He placed the garrote wire and knife on the table next to the case. He opened the ethereal blue screen. BRYAN HAYES LV 2 90/200 EXP CODEX VIRUSX (BASIC) | INTERCEPTIONX (BASIC) Bryan had finally mastered the new skill he bought. Despite a few sleepless nights, he was proud of his progress. While he hadn't put it to the test, he was aware of its staggering potential. Using his laptop, he coded a new Interceptionx program. Bryan's only complaint was having to write a brand-new program each time. When he tried to use the same program as last time, it deleted itself. After coding it according to the book for a few minutes, he finished. The next step was to test it. How the skill actually worked was a subject of his theories. The skill mentioned that it would intercept all machines. Does that include those without any network at all? How would that work? Since Bryan was dealing with supernatural forces, his questions were irrelevant. Even so, he wanted answers to these questions. Knowing the limits of the skill would only be beneficial. Bryan pulled out a Silver Demon pistol from the bottom of the case. A single silencer attached to the pistol. Despite not loading bullets into the gun, he cocked it. In the end, Bryan didn't want to alert Brock, and for the purposes of the test, this was sufficient. He then activated the program. Making sure it was running, he turned off the safety and fired the gun. At least, he tried to. Despite pressing the trigger completely, no sound came from the gun. He pressed the button again and again without success. With the trigger pressed, he started backing away at a steady pace. When he was a certain distance away, the top part of the gun snapped back into place. Bryan estimated the distance to be about five meters. After cocking the gun again, he went back into range. In the pristine room, the young man kept pressing the trigger again and again. After a short while, the familiar sound echoed through the four walls. Bryan kept track of the time by the amount of breaths he took, confirming the time limit of the skill. Around two minutes. Could be useful if I could upgrade the skill. In all honesty, Bryan found the skill unbelievable. Although he cursed the system every day, he had to admit it was very resourceful at times. He could guarantee that no other technology like this existed in the world. A global war was a trivial matter to get their hands on this type of technology once it was completely upgraded. Bryan's thoughts led him back to the symbol on the front of the books the system had given him. He pulled out the phone Mr. Otters gave him from the case. Selecting the only contact, he waited for the recipient to pick up. After a couple of rings, a sweet voice came out of the speaker. "Is your work done, Bryan?” “No, I came to get some intel” “You need to do some work first before you can access our intel.” Sybil said in a huffing voice. “I know, just think of it as an advance.” She could only sigh when she heard his response. She complied reluctantly. “Fine, but you better explain yourself to Grandpa.” The phone rung a couple more times until an elderly voice sounded. “What do you want brat?” His voice was deep, full of calm. Bryan got straight to the point. “Are there any organizations with a symbol of a Hydra?” As soon as he finished his sentence, Mr. Otters cut in with surprise. “What?! Where did you hear about them?” “Does it matter? So is there one or not?” Bryan asked. “There is. In fact, they're a pain to every underground organization.” Mr. Otters said in a grudging tone. “What do you mean?” “You should know that the country has hidden pawns to do their dirty work. Hydra is one of these groups established by the country's leader, although no one actually knows who he is. We call him The Leader. Rumor is he lives on the highest floor in the Zenith. He's a maniac, killing everyone who opposes him. He's done everything from political corruption to murder. The amount of crimes he committed would even put the most notorious criminals to shame. He wants to get rid of the entirety of the Dark Net.” “Does he have a reason?” Hearing about the mysterious leader, Bryan voiced out the oddity that struck out to him.

“A reason? He's just a psychopathic dictator who wants all the power for himself. The only thing challenging his power is The Dark Net. There are numerous organizations working together to get rid of him.”

“Have you made any progress so far?” Bryan was curious about how far they had achieved their goal. It definitely isn't a coincidence that the symbol for the organization and the system were both Hydras. Bryan knew there had to be a connection. If the system has any relation with The Leader in any way, they needed to talk.

Only then would he have the answers to what happened to him, and what the world, if it is one, they were living in really was.

“We've seized some of his assets, but it isn't enough. He has the power of a whole country behind him. It isn't easy to take him down. What we need is something damaging enough to lure him out. Then we finish him there.” His tone exuded a sharpness Bryan had never heard before. Bryan talked to Mr. Otters a little more before hanging up.

“Get those test papers ready in a few days, Mr. Otters.”

“I see, when you're done, that is. Also, call me Henry. Just hearing you call me that pains my ears.” Bryan chuckled a little before hanging up. Just before he put the phone away. The ringer buzzed again. Checking the caller ID, he picked up the phone.

“Ms. Miller? What is it?”

“Grandpa gave you a mission for the information you asked. Complete it before you come back for the tests.” Bryan cursed the old man for being stingy, yet he kept it to himself and answered back in a calm tone.

“What is it?”

“Gather evidence of one of the government officials under The Leader. It's an infiltration mission. Let's see whether your skills on the computer are as you say they are. The briefing will be coming shortly in a couple days, be prepared.”

“Of course, Ms. Miller” Before he ended the call, he heard a deep inhale.

“Well, like grandpa, you can also call me Sybil.” She ended the call straight after. He put a weird expression before putting the phone away.

***

Sybil flopped down on her bed and lay flat on her stomach. “Why would I say something like that?” she mumbled. Sybil wore matching pajamas with cartoon camel patterns. If Bryan saw what she wore, he would think they weren't even the same person. He could never imagine a seductive woman like her wearing cute nightwear for a child. She kicked her legs back and forth, deep in thought.

'Although he's seven years younger, he doesn't seem like it. Something isn't adding up. He's too mature for his age…' After fighting back her drowsiness, she finally succumbed to it, falling into a deep sleep. The beautiful maiden huddled up on her bed, making her figure small. The blanket draped over her slender body, with only her head poking out. Her gentle breathing was steady, hugging her pillow close.

*** ***

Brock walked up the stairs with a contemplative look on his face. He remembered the first time he met the reporter. Brock couldn't pinpoint exactly where he'd seen him before, but he knew he looked familiar. He saw two guards standing in front of a door as he walked up. In unison, both of them cried out.

“Sir!” Brock tried opening his mouth, but he failed to so like every other time.

Since that night, he has been unable to speak. Even though the words were on the tip of his tongue, he was unable to speak them, which angered him. It was the only thing that made him feel helpless about his life. Although he looked big, he knew it would never fill the void the loss of his voice left. The only thing that could fill it up, in the slightest, was revenge. Brock swore he would destroy John and the Blue Wolves until there was nothing left. Yet thinking about the jovial man, his thoughts were muddled.

Whenever Gerald and Brock fought, he was always the mediator. He was like a brother to both of them. The sight of Gerald beside John made him feel betrayed. Even though he saw him again in front of the base, he couldn't be angry with him. Once again, he considered the reporter beside Gerald. He knew something wasn't right, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was. In respect for Gerald, Brock did not check him. Even so, he was having second thoughts.

The two guards gave a confused look to each other before one of them voiced out their concerns to Brock, who was standing still.

“Sir?”

Brock's distant gaze cleared up, focusing on the present. He nodded before heading into the room. The two guards shrugged their shoulders before keeping watch again. He walked in and headed over to a shelf in the corner of the room. He took out a scroll behind one of the books and laid it out on the table in the center of the room.