Check out my new Fanfiction! Space Marine in New Eridu

***

Sol made a call to Zhu Yuan, briefly explaining the current situation.

After that, the three of them simply stood in the alley waiting, without bothering to go elsewhere.

For one, the ice sculpture still hadn't been dealt with; and for another, it would be difficult to explain why Jane was walking around in handcuffs.

Besides, the freezing cold radiating from the ice sculpture made passersby instinctively avoid the alley altogether, so there was little chance of unwanted attention.

Upon receiving Sol's message, Zhu Yuan drove toward them with Qingyi beside her—pushing the car right to the speed limit.

She had no choice. Sol had Jane in his custody!

Jane was a senior undercover operative for the New Eridu Public Security—within the entire Criminal Investigation Special Response Team, Zhu Yuan was the only one aware of Jane's real identity.

And now, somehow, Jane had fallen into Sol's hands and was being restrained by him.

Just thinking about Sol's terrifying combat ability made Zhu Yuan's heart skip a beat.

"Zhu Yuan, you look far too anxious," Qingyi said lazily from the passenger seat, half-squinting in amusement. "Young people should learn composure. No need to panic. If he called you personally, then that 'Jane' of yours can't be in too much trouble."

If Sol hadn't called, then by his methods, Jane might already have disappeared without a trace. No message. No survivor.

But since he did make the call, that meant everything was fine.

"Senior Qingyi, how can I not be anxious?" Zhu Yuan wiped the sweat from her forehead, exhaling helplessly. "You're right, but even a minor scuffle could turn into a huge problem."

"That external consultant is a key partner of Public Security—he's helped us solve countless major cases."

"If something happens to him while he's with Sol Mercer, I truly wouldn't know what to do."

Both were important to her—Sol, the ever-helpful 'model citizen' and close friend; and Jane, the bureau's invaluable operative.

If either of them got hurt, it would be a nightmare.

After all, Sol's strength was beyond belief. Even a small "misunderstanding" could end with Jane unable to handle it.

Please, let them both be fine, she prayed silently.

"Well, when you put it that way, you have a point," Qingyi mused, nodding thoughtfully before chuckling. "Still, I didn't expect my first meeting with my colleague would happen under such circumstances."

From her experience, it was obvious Jane was fine. Zhu Yuan was still young—competent, yes, but far from seasoned compared to an old Public Security veteran like herself.

Still, Qingyi was genuinely curious. A battle-hardened undercover agent with a track record like Jane's was rare indeed.

She was looking forward to meeting this 'legendary operative'—to see how she compared to Qingyi's own younger days.

"Senior Qingyi, this isn't the time for jokes," Zhu Yuan sighed. "If I didn't really need help, I wouldn't have asked you to come."

It was only because Qingyi was a Thiren—an experienced one at that, with years of service in Public Security—that Zhu Yuan trusted her completely.

This situation had unfolded far too suddenly; she needed another steady hand. Between Qingyi's reliability and her wealth of experience, Zhu Yuan had decided to break protocol and reveal Jane's identity.

"Relax. I'm here now—everything will be fine." Qingyi waved a hand dismissively, looking calm. "An undercover's cover blown, a huge power gap between her and the suspect. But since they already know each other, this misunderstanding will clear up easily."

"..." Zhu Yuan pressed her lips together, exasperated. "You really didn't have to phrase it that smoothly right now."

…

At Lumina Square, in a narrow alleyway.

Sol and Anby stood near Jane, listening with curiosity as she shared stories from her time undercover. Having just watched a movie about undercover agents, they were naturally fascinated to meet a real one in the flesh.

Jane didn't mind chatting about her past operations—most of them were long over anyway, and with a bit of editing, it wasn't exactly classified information.

Still, wearing an obviously unofficial pair of handcuffs was making her more than a little uncomfortable.

Jane looked at Sol with a resigned expression. "You can keep listening, but can you at least take off these handcuffs? Didn't you just call Zhu Yuan and confirm who I am?"

"No." Sol's tone was firm. "Until Zhu Yuan arrives, you'll keep those handcuffs on. For all I know, you could still be an imposter."

"With your abilities," Jane said helplessly, "even without these cuffs, there's no way I could escape you."

Not far from her, the ice sculpture glistened—a perfect, chilling reminder that the man before her didn't need handcuffs to restrain anyone.

"You're not wrong," Sol nodded approvingly. "But I still can't take them off."

"Why not?" Jane asked, genuinely bewildered.

Sol studied her with amusement before smiling. "It's about atmosphere. In movies, when they capture a criminal, they always slap on the cuffs—or even tie them up."

"..."

Jane could feel a headache coming on.

Atmosphere? That was no sense of ceremony—that was his twisted hobby!

Anby, however, nodded in agreement. "He's right. It's common sense for a suspect to be handcuffed."

Watching Jane wearing only the cuffs, though, she found it a bit… lacking.

"It's a shame," Anby sighed regretfully. "We didn't bring any rope today."

Sol gave her a surprised look, hesitating for a moment. "Actually… I did bring some."

He really had. The rope came from the same 'set' as the cuffs. The kit even included a whip and some candles…

He couldn't deny it—it was tempting. If he tied Jane up completely, it would certainly be… satisfying.

"Huh?"

Anby and Jane both turned to him, stunned.

Anby couldn't believe it. It was one thing for Sol to have handcuffs on him—but rope too? Did that mean he was always prepared to subdue criminals wherever he went?

Jane's thoughts, however, were far more complicated. Those cuffs clearly weren't standard issue, and that rope certainly wasn't either.

So… had she just interrupted whatever Sol had originally planned today—and now she was paying the price for it?

But that wasn't the most important issue.

What was important was that, already cuffed with a suspicious-looking pair of restraints, she absolutely did not want to be tied up with a suspicious-looking rope as well.

Just imagining the scenario made her skin crawl.

Weird rope, weird bindings, weird vibes...

Even for someone as seasoned as her, that level of humiliation was unbearable.

And if Zhu Yuan arrived to find her tied up and cuffed? Zhu Yuan would probably go berserk. Even for an agent with nerves of steel, that kind of social death was not something she ever wanted to experience.

Jane crouched down, her cuffed hands clasped behind her head as she sighed softly. "No need for the rope. I'll tell you whatever stories you want to hear."

It was the first time in her life she'd ever felt so completely conflicted.

Sol Mercer truly was a dangerous man.

Anby gave her a reassuring look. "Don't worry, Sol's probably just joking."

Though it did feel incomplete without a rope, she didn't intend to go overboard with someone who was, in all likelihood, an ally.

Besides, Sol was a good person. He must be joking.

Sol nodded earnestly. "Yes, I was only joking."

Even though he'd already retrieved the slender rope from his system's inventory, he really was—probably—just joking.

Jane, you believe me, right?

"..."

Jane's eyes twitched as she stared at the delicate rope now dangling in Sol's hand.