While high-ranking officials from both Liyue and New Eridu held their operational meeting...

On the other side of New Eridu, an armored transport vehicle—built like a fortress—rumbled through the city streets.

Inside the transport sat seven or eight security personnel. Each was fully armed, gripping the New Eridu Public Security's new-model weapons tightly, their attention fixed on surveying the surroundings.

At that moment, one security personnel grumbled,

"Captain Seth, who the hell planned this route? There's a shortcut we could take, but we're forced to make this huge detour..."

Seth replied earnestly,

"That's not our concern. Our mission is to transport the criminal to the designated location."

Seth originally belonged to the Janus District Branch, serving as a member of the Zhu Yuan Squad. But not long ago, headquarters suddenly singled him out, temporarily transferring him to headquarters to oversee the interrogation and custody of Perlman.

Just yesterday, he received the order to escort Perlman.

Hearing the conversation between the security personnel and Seth, Perlman protested loudly,

"I'm not a criminal until I've been tried and convicted! At most... at most I'm a suspect..."

A security personnel replied coldly,

"For what you've done, you deserve to be shot ten times over."

As he spoke, the security personnel shot Perlman a chilling glare.

Perlman startled, immediately shutting up, unwilling to argue with the security personnel. Anyway, it wouldn't be long. Someone would come to rescue him.

...

As the transport vehicle traversed the bustling district, it soon turned onto another road. If memory served correctly, the Hollow of the Third Development Zone lay ahead.

Seth seemed to sense something amiss, saying earnestly,

"Attention all, maintain alertness—"

The security officer beside him chuckled,

"Captain Seth, relax. The Third Development Zone Hollow is just up ahead. There are plenty of security personnel stationed there. Even if someone wants trouble, they wouldn't pick this spot..."

That made sense.

Should anything happen to the transport vehicle, security personnel stationed near the Third Development Zone would rush to assist immediately, leaving no opportunity for Perlman's accomplices.

That was how things should be.

Seth conceded the logic, yet he still gripped his weapon tightly, maintaining constant vigilance.

Soon, through the vehicle windows, everyone spotted the Third Development Zone Hollow ahead.

This was an active A-level Hollow, housing more than one Notoriety Ethereal. As the Hollow expanded, its reach had already spread to the roadside.

Just then, a New Eridu Public Security patrol car sped toward them from the opposite direction.

One security personnel chuckled,

"Guarding around a hollow is the best duty. Superior Officer said I'll get promoted next month—then I'll be a Captain patrolling a hollow perimeter. Way easier than this job..."

The other security personnel looked on with envy.

But as the patrol car approached, it not only didn't slow down but actually accelerated.

Seth suddenly sensed something amiss and urgently warned,

"Watch out, the patrol car ahead..."

Before Seth could finish, the patrol car abruptly swerved, ramming into the side of the convoy vehicle with tremendous force.

BOOM!

Seth felt the world spin violently as the convoy vehicle was overturned by the impact.

In the split second it took to process what had happened, Seth instinctively raised his shield. Before he could react further, a barrage of gunfire erupted—countless bullets pelted the shield...

Though the shield deflected most of the rounds, one bullet still found its mark, striking Seth squarely in the shoulder. Blood spattered instantly.

It wasn't just Seth's blood.

Far more blood belonged to the other security personnel. Without shield protection, the officers who had just moments ago been confidently securing the future now lay in pools of their own blood.

The attack had been too sudden.

Seth was completely stunned. There was no time for grief, no time for rage. The sudden appearance of these "bandits" had caught them completely off guard.

"Help! Officer, help—"

"Don't make a sound. I'm here—"

Inside the entire transport vehicle, only Seth and the diminutive Perlman remained alive.

...

However, before Seth could act, a grenade suddenly hurled through the shattered window.

Seth grabbed Perlman by the collar, then kicked open the bullet-shattered door with a fierce stomp. He leaped out, rolling to safety beside the vehicle.

The moment they emerged—BOOM!

The grenade detonated inside, igniting the transport vehicle and engulfing it in raging flames.

Through the shield's slits, Seth finally caught sight of the enemy.

Four fully armed personnel, each wielding an ether assault rifle and wearing helmets that concealed their faces...

Upon seeing the group, Perlman was overjoyed.

"Hahahaha, I knew you'd come to rescue me..."

As he spoke, Perlman broke free from Seth and actually started running toward the armed personnel.

However, the moment Perlman dashed out, Seth sensed something was wrong and swiftly used his shield to shield Perlman behind him.

Sure enough.

The next instant, the armed personnel pulled the triggers without hesitation.

A hail of bullets flew toward him, narrowly missing his face and nearly striking his head. One bullet even grazed his ear, sending him into a wail of pain.

"Damn it! You're trying to kill me too? Don't forget, I have evidence of your crimes..."

"If you die, the evidence dies with you."

A voice came from beneath the helmet of one of the gunmen.

Hearing this, Perlman was furious. Though he'd anticipated this possibility, a sliver of hope had lingered. But he hadn't expected them to be this ruthless.

"Officer Seth, protect me! They're here to kill me... Quick, run! get into the Hollow!"

Seth glanced at the Hollow not far behind them out of the corner of his eye.

He now faced two choices: either confront and defeat the heavily armed bandits head-on, or retreat with Perlman toward the Hollow.

Thinking of his comrades who had just been brutally killed, he didn't want to retreat like this. But Seth was already injured. While he could defeat these bandits, protecting Perlman's safety would be extremely difficult.

...

In the blink of an eye, before Seth could decide—

Another burst of gunfire erupted ahead. Several heavily armed bandits, caught off guard, fell to the ground, shot dead.

Immediately after, a figure slowly approached from nearby.

"Seth, you did well."

Recognizing the arrival, Seth's heart leapt with joy.

"Thank goodness, it's Chief Bringer."

Chief Bringer stood as righteous and resolute as ever.

"You're injured. Return for treatment immediately. Leave Perlman to me."