The
Shifter’s eyes narrowed. "That so?"
Lucas
nodded casually. "Mm. But it’s cute that you thought otherwise."
The
Shifter exhaled sharply, expression cooling. "You really think you can hold onto it? You might’ve carved out a nice little empire in the lower levels, Bai, but Level One isn’t so forgiving."
Lucas
grinned, all sharp amusement. "Neither am I."
The
Shifter leaned back, studying him. "So this is what you came here for? To show your teeth?"
Lucas
chuckled. "No. I came here to remind you that I have teeth."
The
Shifter’s grin was gone.
Ava
watched as he leaned back, eyes flicking over Lucas like he was seeing him for the first time.
Because Lucas Bai
wasn’t supposed to be a problem.
He wasn’t supposed to be a player.
Yet here he was,
smiling like he already owned the board.
The Shifter
exhaled, slow and measured. "You’re making enemies, Bai."
Lucas
tilted his head. "So are you."
The
room went still.
Ava
felt it immediately. The way Lucas’s words weren’t just a statement—they were a fact.
And the Shifter?
He knew it.
"Interesting theory,"
the Shifter muttered.
"Care to elaborate?"
Lucas
chuckled, stepping forward again—casual, unbothered, like they weren’t in a room full of people who could tear into him in seconds.
"
Tell me something,
"
Lucas murmured. "Who’s really in charge here?"
The
Shifter’s fingers twitched.
Lucas
grinned, golden eyes gleaming. "Because from where I’m standing? It sure as hell isn’t you."
Ava
caught the flicker of something dangerous in the Shifter’s gaze.
But
he didn’t lash out.
Which meant
Lucas had hit a nerve.
The Shifter
exhaled sharply. "You talk big, Bai. But this isn’t your world anymore."
Lucas
chuckled. "That’s the problem with people like you."
He leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a whisper.
"
You think I ever left.
"
Ava
watched as the Shifter’s jaw tightened, his composure finally cracking.
Because
Lucas Bai wasn’t just here to negotiate.
He was here to remind them that they weren’t the only ones pulling the strings.
Lucas
didn’t break eye contact. Didn’t blink.
The
Shifter was still, jaw tight, calculating.
And Lucas?
He smiled.
"
I’ll tell you what your best move is.
"
The
room stayed quiet.
Ava
watched as Lucas slowly reached into his pocket, pulling out a small computer chip—
Old. Unassuming. But valuable.
Lucas
held it between two fingers, tilting his head. "You cooperate with me."
The Shifter
snorted. "And why the hell would I do that?"
Lucas
smirked. "Because it’s the only option that keeps you breathing."
Ava
felt the air shift.
The Shifter’s
gaze flicked down to the chip. His nostrils flared slightly.
"
What is that?
"
Lucas
tossed it lightly onto the table between them.
It landed
with a soft clink.
Lucas
stepped back, hands in his pockets, still grinning. "A favor."
The
Shifter narrowed his eyes but picked it up. Turned it over. Studied it.
And then—
his pupils shrank.
Ava
caught it immediately. That recognition. That sharp, involuntary inhale.
The Shifter
knew exactly what he was holding.
Lucas
chuckled, watching the realization settle. "I see we understand each other."
The Shifter’s
fingers tightened around the chip. His throat bobbed once.
He
exhaled slowly. "What do you want?"
Lucas
grinned. "Now we’re talking."
Ava
stayed silent, but her pulse was steady.
Because whatever was on that chip?
It had just changed the game.
The
Shifter’s fingers curled tightly around the chip. His breathing was steady—but Ava saw it.
The tension in his jaw.
The way his entire body had gone still.
Lucas Bai
had him.
And
he knew it.
Lucas
tilted his head, golden eyes gleaming. "Now, let’s talk terms."
The Shifter
exhaled slowly, still staring at the chip. "Where did you get this?"
Lucas
chuckled. "That’s the wrong question."
The
Shifter’s eyes flicked up, sharp, wary. "And what’s the right question?"
Lucas
smiled, all teeth. "What happens if you don’t listen?"
Ava
felt the air tighten.
Because
this wasn’t just a deal.
This was
a leash.
He had just realized who was holding it.
A long pause.
Then—
finally—
"
What do you want?
"
Lucas
grinned. "Cooperation."
The Shifter’s
nostrils flared. "You want me to work for you?"
Lucas
sighed dramatically. "Work with me."
The Shifter
gritted his teeth. "And if I say no?"
Lucas
smirked, stepping back. "Then I walk out of here."
A beat of silence.
"
And?
"
Lucas
tilted his head. "And you find out how many other people are willing to pay for what’s on that chip."
Ava
watched as the Shifter went completely still.
Because
there it was.
The truth.
The choice.
Lucas Bai
wasn’t just offering a deal.
He was offering survival.
The Shifter
closed his eyes for a brief moment. Then—he exhaled sharply. "Fine."
Lucas
grinned, clapping his hands together. "See? That wasn’t so hard."
The
Shifter still held the chip, fingers tightening like he was gripping a loaded weapon.
Tension
crackled in the air—too thick, too unstable.
Lucas
had won the conversation.
But not everyone in the room
was ready to accept that.
Ava
felt it before it happened.
The subtle weight shift.
The way one of the guards by the door tensed, hand drifting toward his side.
Her system
pinged instantly.
[THREAT DETECTED]
[HOSTILE INTENT: 92%]
[RECOMMENDED ACTION: MOVE]
Ava
moved.
The guard
lunged forward—hand going for a concealed weapon—
But Ava was
faster.
She
pivoted, slammed her elbow into his wrist—forcing the gun free—then twisted sharply, driving his weight off balance.
The gun
clattered to the floor.
Ava
shoved him back, heart hammering. "Seriously?"
Then—
chaos.
Another
Shifter moved. Not for her.
For Lucas.
Lucas
barely sighed before shifting his weight—ducking under the first swing, catching the second attack with a brutal twist of the wrist.
Something
snapped.
The Shifter
yelped, staggering back, clutching his hand.
Lucas
tilted his head, golden eyes flashing. "Are we really doing this?"
Two more guards
moved in.
Ava
cursed, stepping up beside him, hands already tightening into fists.
The Shifter with the chip
exhaled sharply. "Enough!"
Everything
froze.
The guards
hesitated.
The Shifter
stood, shoulders squared, gaze cold.
"
I said enough.
"
Lucas
smirked, but his posture didn’t relax.
Ava
exhaled sharply, feeling the adrenaline start to settle.
The Shifter
tossed the chip in the air once—catching it easily. "You got what you wanted, Bai."
Lucas
chuckled. "I usually do."
The Shifter’s
jaw tightened. "Then take your girl and get out."
Lucas
grinned, flashing a wink at Ava. "See, Beauty? Told you this would be fun."
Ava
rolled her eyes. "Next time, I pick the meeting spot."
Lucas
laughed, stepping toward the exit. "Deal."
Ava
followed, pulse still steady, still alert.
Because this wasn’t over.
Lucas Bai
had won the round.
The
moment they stepped outside, Lucas sighed.
Ava
glanced at him, narrowing her eyes. "What?"
Lucas
tilted his head slightly, like he was listening to something only he could hear. Then, without breaking stride—
"We’re about to be ambushed."
Ava
stiffened. "How do you know?"
Lucas
grinned, golden eyes gleaming. "Because if I were them, I wouldn’t let us walk away this easy."
Ava’s
stomach tightened. "And you’re just telling me now?"
Lucas
shrugged. "I didn’t want to ruin the moment."
Ava
swore under her breath, scanning their surroundings.
They were
moving through a side sector now, the dim alleys between Level One’s polished buildings.
Shadows
stretched long against the walls. Too many blind spots. Too many exits blocked by silent figures waiting just out of sight.
Her
system pulsed.
[THREAT DETECTED]
[AMBUSH FORMATION: 3 SIDES]
[ESCAPE ROUTES: LIMITED]
Ava
exhaled sharply. "Numbers?"
Lucas
grinned wider. "Eight. Maybe more. They think that’s enough."
Ava
rolled her shoulders. "Is it?"
Lucas
laughed, hands still tucked lazily in his pockets. "Not even close."
Then—
he turned down the alley anyway.
Ava
sighed. "Unbelievable."
Because
Lucas Bai wasn’t avoiding the fight.
He was walking straight into it.
A figure
dropped from above, knife flashing—
Lucas
moved first.
A blur of motion—
too fast, too precise.
His
hand shot up, catching the attacker mid-air, fingers locking around their throat.
A sickening
crack.
The
body went limp before it even hit the ground.
Ava
stiffened. "Bai—"
But Lucas
was already moving.
The alley
exploded into chaos.
Figures
rushed from the shadows—knives, clubs, weapons stripped straight from Level One’s black market.
Useless.
Lucas
ducked under a swing, drove his elbow into one attacker’s ribs—bone crunched—before smoothly disarming another.
The
stolen pistol barely had time to be raised before Lucas crushed the entire trigger assembly in his bare hand.
Metal
groaned, folding under his fingers like paper.
Ava’s
Blueprint System pulsed frantically.
[SCAN IN PROGRESS...]
[WARNING: POWER OUTPUT SPIKING]
[COMBAT EFFICIENCY: 99%]
[WEAPON DESTRUCTION RATE: 100%]
Ava
gritted her teeth. "Bai, you’re breaking your own damn gear!"
Lucas
snapped another knife in half between his fingers. "And?"
Ava
swore, dodging a swing from behind.
Lucas
didn’t even look as he caught the attacker by the wrist, twisted—
And ripped their arm from its socket.
The
scream barely lasted a second before Lucas crushed their windpipe.
The remaining
attackers hesitated.
Lucas
exhaled, rolling his shoulders, stepping over the bodies without a second glance.
Golden
eyes gleaming. Dangerous.
"
That all?
"
Ava
sighed, stepping over a corpse. "You really can’t take anything slow, can you?"
Lucas
grinned. "Not when they make it this easy."
The last
remaining attacker dropped his weapon and ran.
Lucas
let him.
Ava
arched a brow. "Feeling merciful?"
Lucas
chuckled. "No. I just want him to spread the message."
Ava
exhaled sharply. "That you’re insane?"
Lucas
smirked, stepping out of the alley, golden eyes gleaming. "That I’m inevitable."