At that exact moment, in the southern sector of the Capital...
Having received the direct order from Bruno, Eric slammed his phone shut. A massive, victorious grin broke across his face as he turned to his men, who had quietly deployed throughout the perimeter of the grand facility.
"Drop the canisters!" Eric roared.
A series of loud, synchronized explosions shattered the night air. Instantly, thick plumes of vibrant, crimson smoke erupted from the windows of the massive building. The heavy red mist expanded rapidly, rolling across the stone streets and engulfing the structure until every architectural detail vanished from sight.
A massive crowd of civilians quickly gathered, gasping and pointing in amazement. The crimson fog completely blanketed the area, illuminated by the streetlamps like a strange, mesmerizing display of fireworks. The children in the crowd cheered and laughed, entirely captivated by the beautiful, surreal sight.
But as the heavy crimson fog slowly began to dissipate... the truth became starkly clear to the entire city. The Grand Southern Commercial District now belonged entirely to the Red Mist Gang.
But when exactly did the takeover happen?
No one truly knew. It was simply the gang’s terrifying pattern: they would quietly seize a building, and the official announcement would follow later in an unconventional, dramatic fashion, just as it did tonight. Once the gang claimed a property, the building would eventually return to its normal operations, fully staffed by its original employees. Yet, on paper, its absolute ownership and every asset within it now belonged to one man—the Boss of the gang, Bruno.
Meanwhile, in the northern sector of the Capital, inside the gang's headquarters...
Clarity stared intently at the Boss, a cold sweat breaking out on his neck. "Could it really be...?" he whispered to himself.
Suddenly, the heavy wooden door was flung open with immense force. Jake burst into the room, his face radiant with pure, unadulterated joy. "We took back the Commercial District!" he shouted.
To the members of the gang, every corporation and prominent facility in the Capital inherently belonged to the Boss. Thus, whenever they seized a new territory, they referred to it as "taking it back"—restoring a stolen right to its rightful owner.
Deafening cheers and triumphant shouts instantly echoed down the corridors. Excited gang members began to crowd around the doorway, eager to pour into the room to celebrate their crushing victory and congratulate their leader. Clarity, however, moved swiftly, pushing back the surging crowd and firmly locking the door against them.
In the chaos, Eve had completely forgotten to put her sunglasses and face mask back on. When she noticed Jake staring intently at her, a wave of panic hit her, and she quickly threw her sunglasses over her eyes. Jake, however, simply shrugged and dismissed it; wrapped in the heavy Cipher cloak, he couldn't easily decipher her identity anyway.
Jake rushed to Bruno's bedside, his voice booming with enthusiasm. "When did this happen, Boss?! I had absolutely no prior knowledge of this operation!"
The Boss smiled, but a sharp grimace of pain quickly crossed his features. He let out a low groan, whispering, "I forgot I'm wounded..." He took a shallow breath before continuing in a strained, yet thrilled voice. "This wasn't supposed to happen tonight. Everything was prepared, yes, but I preferred to delay the strike. Once Eric found out about the ambush and what happened to me, he told me he would exact revenge on my behalf. I am just as surprised as the rest of you."
Jake’s excitement withered into irritation. He let out a soft sigh, muttering, "Eric really is overextending himself, isn't he?"
A faint smirk played on Clarity’s lips. He stepped closer to Jake, whispering playfully, "Are you feeling a bit jealous, then?"
"Absolutely not," Jake snapped back, his tone strict and unyielding. "I’m the one who will take back the Northern Commercial District. Just you wait and see."
Bruno watched Jake from the bed, his sharp eyes narrowing. "I admire your enthusiasm, Jake. However, I will be the one leading the campaign to reclaim the north."
"Why?" Jake asked, shifting on his feet. "Aren't we going to take it covertly, the way we usually do?"
"Do you intend to expose our entire strategy to everyone in this room?" Bruno countered coldly.
Jake glanced around at Eve and the two medics, a look of realization dawning on his face. "Ah... you're right."
Bruno then raised a pale finger, pointing directly at Clarity. "The medics aren't the issue—he is. This brat standing right there is a liability. For all we know, he might be a spy."
Clarity’s eyes widened in sheer shock, his voice cracking as he took a defensive step forward. "Do I seriously look like a spy to you?!"
"Well," Bruno murmured, his gaze cutting through him like glass, "you certainly seemed to be on very intimate terms with Aaron."
"Yes... I know him," Clarity admitted, trying to maintain his composure. "But I am not cooperating with him in any capacity."
"Then how on earth did he find out my exact location?" Bruno demanded, his eyes locking onto Clarity with terrifying sharpness.
Jake immediately stepped between them, his voice urgent. "That was a failure on my part, Boss! Aaron must have been eavesdropping on a conversation between Clarity and me when we mentioned your presence in the building."
Bruno leaned back against his pillows, his expression unreadable. "Fine. But when you deserted our ranks and ran away... what exactly were you doing? Answer me, and provide proof."
Jake opened his mouth to defend his friend again. "He was truly just trying to live a quiet life, Boss. He was working at an institution—"
"Are you Clarity?" Bruno interrupted sharply, throwing a cold glare at Jake. "Why are you answering on his behalf?"
Clarity stepped around Jake, placing himself directly in front of the Boss. "Aren't you exhausted, Boss? I will explain everything to you later."
Bruno caught sight of Eve, who was subtly nodding her head in agreement from the shadows. Reality pulled at his memory—he had briefly forgotten she was even in the room. Suppressing his irritation, he gestured toward the door, commanding Clarity and Jake to leave the room quietly.
Meanwhile, at the Governor’s Palace, which stood proudly at the dead center of the Capital...
Konar had recently returned, and the radiant, overwhelming satisfaction on his face was impossible for anyone to miss. He sat comfortably in a grand chair within the palace's sprawling outdoor gardens. The surrounding view was breathtaking; despite the dead of night, the entire courtyard was beautifully illuminated by vibrant, twinkling lights.
He lifted a porcelain cup from the table, taking a slow sip of his coffee before whispering to the night air, "Exquisite. Truly beautiful."
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His wife, Myra, quietly approached his side. Though she was well into her forties, her beauty remained absolutely striking. She wore a long, elegant red dress, her long black hair tied back in a simple, effortless knot, and her emerald-green eyes gleamed in the ambient light. She looked like a living painting. It was clear where Aaron and Eve inherited their striking features. Beyond her beauty, Myra was widely celebrated across the nation as a symbol of strength and resilience, having served on the front lines of the past war as a military doctor.
She took a seat near Konar, her tone dripping with quiet curiosity. "You look exceptionally pleased with yourself."
Konar smiled, placing his coffee cup back onto the saucer. "Is it that obvious, Myra? I suppose I haven't been paying attention to my own demeanor. By the way, where is our son, Aaron?"
"Our son?" Myra echoed, a cynical smile touching her lips. "Do you finally remember that we have a son?"
"When have I ever forgotten?"
Myra tilted her head, her green eyes narrowing. "I fully expected to find you in the kitchen, smashing every plate in sight out of blind fury. Yet, here you are, calmly asking about Aaron."
"And why on earth would I do that?" Konar frowned.
"Bruno..." Myra delivered the name like a quiet strike. "He just seized a brand new facility. Haven't you heard the news?"
Konar violently bolted upright from his chair, his calm facade shattering instantly. "What?!" he roared.
"You haven't heard?" Myra said, her smile growing distinctly wicked. "The emergency calls have been flooding into your father's office. And remarkably, your father didn't seem displeased at all. It is only a matter of time before he officially recognizes Bruno’s victory."
Konar turned on his heel and stormed out of the gardens, his blood boiling with absolute rage. His face flushed a deep, suffocating crimson, the veins along his neck bursting to the surface.
Watching his retreating figure, Myra’s wicked smile widened as she whispered, "Choke on your own wrath."
Back at the gang's headquarters...
Once Clarity and Jake had vacated the premises, Eve quietly took a seat on the sofa near Bruno’s bedside. She gave a sharp nod to the two medics, gesturing for them to leave the room. They obeyed without a word, quietly shutting the door behind them.
Eve pulled off her sunglasses, her voice rising in defensive frustration. "Was it truly necessary to interrogate Clarity like that, especially right now?!"
"Don't you think his entire situation is incredibly suspicious?" Bruno countered, his voice raspy. "And how did you allow him to see you? Were you the one who told him about me... and about Yohan?"
"Uncle... is your curiosity genuinely killing you to this extent?" Eve sighed heavily. "Listen to me. That boy works for me at the medical institute. The circumstances of his encounter with me, and with Aaron, were entirely coincidental. None of us were plotting anything. After he left the gang, he fell into an incredibly difficult situation, so I hired him. He is a wonderful person, and he is entirely worthy of our trust."
"So, he flees from me... only to run straight to you," Bruno muttered.
"As you can see, he only discovered our true relationship today," Eve continued firmly. "He had no idea I was connected to you or your operations. Yet, despite the shock, he stood by my side and supported me tonight. So stop blaming him."
"And his knowledge regarding Yohan?" Bruno pressed, his eyes narrowing. "Was that a mere coincidence as well?"
"Well... I happened to mention it to him," Eve admitted, her voice softening. She took a deep, shuddering breath before looking directly into Bruno’s eyes. "Uncle... when I saw him for the very first time, and every single time since... I think... I think he resembles Yohan immensely."
Hearing those words, a violent shock traveled through Bruno's exhausted frame. He immediately tried to sit up, groaning as Eve rushed forward to help support his back. His eyes burned with sudden, manic intensity. "You... you noticed it too?"
"Of course I noticed," Eve whispered, her voice tight with emotion. "It isn't just his physical appearance. His demeanor, his gestures, the very way he speaks... it is as if Yohan himself is standing before me. It was like that when I first found him on the side of the road. He was desperately ill, so I brought him to the hospital. But I discovered later that he is the son of one of my patients at the institute. His mother was in critical condition, though she is doing much better now. He works for me solely to afford her medical treatments."
"And he is sick as well," Bruno murmured, his energy draining as he slowly leaned back into the pillows. "Are you aware of his condition?"
"Yes," Eve said sadly. "But he stubbornly refuses to seek treatment for himself. He wants his mother to be completely cured first."
Bruno stared blankly at the ceiling, a phantom smile touching his pale lips. "He truly is exactly like Yohan..."
A painful, nostalgic smile crossed Eve’s face. "When Yohan refused to let anyone treat his own wound until you were treated first... I still remember that. He was such a stubborn, mischievous child."
Bruno let out a long, heavy sigh. "Eve, it isn't safe for you to remain here any longer. It is best if you leave now... take Clarity with you, and ensure your departure is completely covert."
When Eve stepped out into the dimly lit corridor, she found Clarity leaning against the concrete wall, waiting for her. He immediately straightened up, whispering anxiously, "Did you explain my situation to him?"
"Yes, I did," Eve reassured him. "He has stopped suspecting you."
Clarity let out a massive, ragged sigh of relief. "Thank heavens..." he muttered, rubbing his temples. "I honestly felt like he was going to execute me right then and there. I was trying everything I could just to keep from shaking. Those eyes... those questions dripping with pure malice. Seriously, how did it look like I was in league with Aaron? Does the Boss see things that don't even exist?"
Eve tilted her head, a soft smile appearing on her face. "You didn't actually look scared at all. You were quite brave, honestly... It was a completely new side of you, and I rather liked it."
"Was I really that impressive?" Clarity smirked, puffing out his chest. "I’m always brave, you know. I just choose not to flaunt it."
"Alright, Mr. Brave," Eve laughed softly, shaking her head. "Let’s get back to the institute while the corridors are still relatively empty."
She began to walk away with long, hurried strides, but stopped when she realized the sound of his footsteps had vanished. When she turned around, she saw Clarity leaning heavily against the concrete wall, his hand gripping his abdomen tightly.
Her breath hitched, and she rushed back to his side. "Are the pains back?!"
As she reached him, Clarity slowly slid down the wall, collapsing into a sitting position on the floor. His face was twisted in agony, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. "I... I didn't take my medication today," he wheezed, clenching his jaw. "Just... let’s just wait here for a moment."
Eve sat down on the cold floor beside him, her tone laced with deep, furious worry. "Will you please stop this absolute madness and start taking care of yourself?! Once your mother is completely out of surgery and recovers, you need to be standing by her side in perfect health!"
A heavy, suffocating silence fell over the corridor for a few long seconds.
Finally, Clarity grunted, forcing himself back onto his feet. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, trying to offer a reassuring smile. "I’m fine now. Let’s go."
Eve glared at him, crossing her arms. "You are ignoring me again!"
Back at the Governor’s Palace...
Konar kicked the heavy doors open, storming into the grand office of his father, Governor Thomas. The elderly Governor was seated calmly at the center of his massive mahogany desk, focusing intently on a stack of state documents.
Konar slammed both hands hard onto the desk, screaming at the top of his lungs, "Are you genuinely satisfied with what is happening out there?! Another massive facility has fallen directly into his grasp, and you are sitting there doing absolutely nothing!"
"And why aren't you doing anything, Konar?" Thomas countered. His voice was incredibly deep, delivered with a terrifying, freezing calm that didn't even look up from the paperwork.
"You are the one who granted me authority over the Capital Guard!" Konar roared, his chest heaving. "And you are the exact person who strictly forbade me from deploying them against Bruno!"
Governor Thomas slowly stood up from his leather chair. He walked with heavy, deliberate steps around the desk until he stood directly in front of his furious son. "Did Bruno utilize an official army to seize that commercial district? No. He merely sent his followers to celebrate with a few harmless fireworks. Why on earth, then, do you expect me to allow you to deploy the nation's military? An army that I have spent my entire life preparing, drafting, and training strictly to protect the sovereignty of this country! Why should I involve them in your pathetic, personal vendetta? I have told you repeatedly: compete against Bruno fairly. He is my son just as much as you are. Yet, despite that, I am still technically standing by your side in this rivalry... Go and reclaim what he stole from you using your own intellect."
Konar could do nothing but glare at his father with venomous, silent fury.
Governor Thomas suddenly slammed his fist against the wall, his deep voice exploding into a roar that shook the room. "If you ever show me that pathetic, defeated face again, or if you ever force me to listen to that disgusting, whining voice... I will change my mind instantly! I am warning you one last time: Bruno is my flesh and blood as well. Do not push me to the point where I choose to align myself entirely with him!"
"Align yourself with him?!" Konar spat back, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Have you completely forgotten what he did to you?! He is nothing but a wretched traitor, exactly like his mother! Weren't you the one who brutally exiled him from this palace?! What on earth has changed now?!"
"I despise cowardice," Thomas whispered, his eyes narrowing into cold slits as he stared down his son. "And I admire true courage, even when it comes from my bitterest enemy. That is who I am. So I suggest you fix your flawed character immediately. Consider this your final warning... Konar."