"So, what you really mean," Jane said, eyeing Sol suspiciously, "isn't that you think going straight at the Black Panther organization is too unrefined—you just think there's not enough profit in it, don't you?"

Her tone was oddly pointed.

It was obvious to her: Sol could have easily finished the job with his power and claimed the reward. Yet he insisted on hatching a whole new undercover plan. Who in their right mind complains when the money comes too easily?

This was their first face-to-face meeting—everything else she knew of him came from paper files—but she already felt she could see straight through his true motives.

Hearing her words, Sol frowned slightly, his expression turning solemn.

"My heart and my deeds are as clear as polished glass. All that I think, all that I do, is for justice! My plan will make an outstanding contribution to the safety of New Eridu. How can you so malign my righteous intent?"

…Damn.

This little rat really understood people far too well—dangerously perceptive.

Such insight is a threat. If left unchecked, she'll be a real problem.

No, he thought. I'll need to find a way to make her drop her guard.

Jane blinked, startled by the conviction in his tone. His words were so steady, his demeanor so earnest, that for a moment she felt guilty.

"It seems I've misjudged you," she said, lowering her head slightly. "I took a gentleman for a scoundrel."

Whatever else could be said about him, Sol was, at least outwardly, trying to contribute to New Eridu's order. And his righteous, unflinching composure—by her trained eye—didn't betray a hint of deception.

There really was a certain knightly spirit about him.

"Fine then," Sol said magnanimously, nodding. "I'll forgive you this time."

He paused, then thought to himself, Even though she didn't offer any fanservice as an apology.

"Now then, let's move on and discuss the details of the plan."

Zhu Yuan frowned, nearly dizzy from how fast the plan had grown in scope.

"Yes, we should," said Qingyi, tossing down her chopsticks, her expression turning serious. "This isn't some petty operation."

Even in her long, century-old career, she'd rarely seen something of this scale. Her slightly overloaded logic core felt… almost excited.

And so, after an hour of intense discussion, the plan's framework was fleshed out. It was crazy—but it was also disturbingly feasible.

…

That afternoon, the team split up and began their roles.

Jane slipped back into her persona as a gray-suited mob matriarch, infiltrating the Black Panther organization to prepare for Sol's arrival.

Zhu Yuan and Qingyi returned to the Public Security Bureau, setting up the official "pursuit operation" that would provide cover for the sting.

Meanwhile—

Sol donned a black leather trench coat and dark sunglasses, looking every bit the classic Yan Shuangying-style underworld boss. If someone didn't pull down his pants, not even his closest companion, Nicole, would recognize him.

Anby, on the other hand, traded her green combat outfit for a sleek black suit provided by Sol. The result was sharp, cold, and intimidating—she could have passed for a top-ranking mafia enforcer.

Still, she shifted uncomfortably, tugging at her sleeves. "Do I really have to dress like this?"

"Of course," Sol said, brushing a hand over her silver hair with an appreciative grin. "We're big names, remember? Without disguises, half those arms dealers would probably wet themselves on sight."

His gaze lingered, and he added softly, "You look incredible, by the way."

Anby blinked, then replied matter-of-factly, "You look… good too."

That black trench coat would've looked old-fashioned on anyone else—but on Sol, it exuded confidence and authority, like a born leader of the underworld.

Could she really look good in this outfit? The thought sparked a quiet flutter in her chest. Somehow, the upcoming undercover mission felt a lot more exciting.

"Alright," Sol said, smiling. "Let's review the plan. You are…?"

Anby clenched her fist. "A super enforcer. Top-class bodyguard. Kills without blinking!"

"Excellent." Sol nodded. "And I am?"

Anby recited, "A minor underworld boss in possession of a superweapon—formerly employed by Vision Corporation. After its collapse, you stole their core tech and now plan to dominate New Eridu's black market."

"And our current situation?"

Anby continued smoothly, "Being hunted by the Public Security Bureau, we've accidentally strayed into Black Panther territory. Forced to use a superweapon once to drive them back, we've since spread word that we're open to business."

"Perfect. All correct." Sol checked his watch and said, "Then let's get into position. Once Zhu Yuan and the others arrive, the show begins."

They hailed a car and drove toward Sixteenth Street—the Black Panther organization's headquarters.

…

Sixteenth Street lay on the edge of the C-97 Hollow ruins, the perfect hideout for an arms syndicate. The proximity to several stable Hollow rifts meant that, in case of danger, the entire group could vanish instantly into another dimension. Many large organizations used the same trick—it worked too well not to.

Jane, fully back in character, had already returned to the base to set up the inside support.

But first, she had to deal with her own problem: the Black Panther boss, Chekkat von Neumann—a man in his forties with both ambition and paranoia in abundance.

"Jane Doe!" Chekkat's glare was sharp enough to cut glass. "Explain to me why the damn Public Security dogs knew the location of your deal! Where are Leena and the others?!"

Click!

A massive golden revolver leveled at her forehead. One wrong word and her head would burst like a watermelon.

Jane had only joined the organization recently, but her capabilities had quickly elevated her to the inner circle. That made Chekkat wary—he trusted her talent but feared her position.

And after the recent string of failures, his suspicion had only deepened.

Jane looked at the barrel aimed between her eyes and showed just the right flicker of fear.

"How should I know where Leena and the others are? I wasn't even working the same sector!"

"But she hated you! You were just waiting for a chance to get back at her!" Chekkat barked, voice hard as steel. "You're a mole for Public Security—you've been leaking our operations!"

His thumb spun the cylinder of the revolver. The brass casings gleamed in the dim light, mirroring the fury in his eyes.

He studied her face, looking for the slightest twitch of deceit. In the arms trade, if you didn't learn to read people, you didn't live long.

"Boss, you've got me wrong." Jane's blue eyes widened with what looked like wounded loyalty. "I didn't even know what Leena's mission was! How could I have sold her out? Besides, so many branches have been hit lately—I only found out about some of them after the fact."

She sighed, lowering her gaze just slightly. "When everything's kept in the dark, how can we know what's going on? If you start doubting your own people, won't that chill everyone's hearts?"

Chekkat's expression flickered.

Fear. Injustice. Anger. The indignation of the falsely accused—all perfectly woven together on her face.

After a long silence, he finally holstered the revolver and broke into a laugh.

"Hahaha! Jane, I misjudged you! Don't hold it against me. With all the trouble we've been having, I had to be sure. There's a rat in our ranks, but once we find it, I'll see you're properly rewarded."

He had to admit, his suspicion was mostly procedural. If Jane had been a mole, this base would already be in ruins.

Besides, his structure was compartmentalized—no branch knew another's details. Even as a core member, Jane had limited access.

Jane put on a relieved smile, though she hesitated before saying, "Boss, there's something I've been meaning to ask… but I don't know if I should."

"Oh?" Chekkat raised a brow. "Go ahead. You're one of the few I actually trust."

Jane tilted her head, feigning uncertainty. "This rat—we keep saying it's someone from Public Security. But they've hit several of our businesses at once, and the strikes were too coordinated. Are we sure it's not… someone inside?"

"Silence!" Chekkat's tone turned sharp. He waved her away. "Don't talk like that. We're all brothers and sisters here."

Still, the thought stuck in his mind.

If it was Public Security, the damage should've been far worse by now. And yet, only certain branches had been targeted—those known best to his long-term veterans.

Could it really be… the old guard?

He shook his head. Those old-timers had already lined their pockets full. What sense would betrayal make now?

Unless… they'd set their sights on his chair.

Chekkat's eyes narrowed. Paranoia took root again, impossible to suppress.

Jane quietly left his office.

In truth, aside from a few small incidents, most of the leaks had been her doing.

No matter how decentralized the organization, there were always threads to pull. Chekkat was careful, but she was one of the few who could see patterns in chaos.

She looked out past the compound walls.

By now, Sol and Anby should be arriving.

Her own name wasn't cleared yet—but with Sol's impending entrance, she'd soon have the perfect wind to cover her tracks.