Chapter 28: infiltrating The Union {1}
Elisa sat cross-legged in the backseat of a sleek black car, her crimson hair falling over one shoulder as she gazed out the window. The towering skyline of Aspiring City shimmered with neon brilliance, the modern metropolis constantly pulsing with life. Skyscrapers blinked with holographic ads, drones zipped between buildings, trains whirred in the distance.
"This city’s changed," she muttered, her amber eyes reflecting the glowing lights. "But that kid... he’s special, isn’t he?"
Sarah, who was calmly driving the vehicle, nodded without looking back. Her voice remained composed, yet carried a tinge of regret.
"Yes. He is... peculiar. Unpredictable. And dangerous if left alone."
She glanced at the rearview mirror.
"It’s a pity. Had he joined NightGazer, we could’ve accelerated his growth tenfold. With our resources and access to Blessing Stones, he’d be E-Rank by now."
Elisa let out a short chuckle, amused.
"But he said no. The little bastard actually rejected us."
"He’s not wrong, though," Sarah added. "He has ambition. Wants to build his own faction... even dared threaten us."
Elisa raised a brow. "I like that fire. But still, we can’t just let him vanish."
She tapped on her smartwatch and pulled up a file. A photo of Reo appeared—a lean boy with raven-black hair and glowing green eyes, caught mid-motion in a blurry frame.