Why Did You Make Me Save Them?

Who was that?

Though his head was still buzzing, Lei Song was certain that the newcomer was definitely not one of them!

How could the team they had brought along this time possibly have equipment that good?

Tang Shuang had similar doubts. Things were clearly about to end—so where had this Cheng Yaojin come from halfway through?

But judging by the mech alone, she had no way of identifying the other party's origins.

Still, she had no mind to dwell on it. She pulled out another gun and shouted, "Back off! Are you trying to obstruct the Inspection Bureau in the execution of its duties?"

"I said, let him go."

The Armored Man remained unmoved, pointing the tip of his blade at her. "I'm your opponent."

"...Then I'll arrest you too!"

Tang Shuang did not waste words. She stepped back, gripped both guns in both hands, and fired indiscriminately at them.

Every bullet was highly concentrated explosive forged through her ability!

The director was in a foul mood right now. One came, one died; two came, both died!

Yet faced with such a fierce barrage, the Armored Man merely stood where he was and casually swung his blade.

The blade touched every bullet perfectly, yet the expected chain of explosions never came.

Instead, the instant they touched the blade, the bullets bizarrely contracted inward before vanishing entirely.

"How is that possible?"

Tang Shuang was startled by the sight, but before she could react, the Armored Man had already arrived in front of her.

To be fair, he was incredibly fast.

The instant he flashed over, the director was completely exposed. He had a thousand ways to kill her.

But the Armored Man did not do so, nor did the warblade in his hand fall.

He merely extended his left hand and pressed down hard.

The next moment, Tang Shuang felt as though a thousand-pound boulder had been placed on her back, and she crashed to her knees.

The force was so immense that cracks spread across the ground.

"..."

Blood seeped uncontrollably from Tang Shuang's gums, and even breathing became difficult.

Yet she still forced out a roar. "...What are you all standing around for? Support me!"

Only then did the other Inspection Bureau members snap out of it and converge from all directions.

But before they could get close, the Armored Man raised a hand and instantly sent every one of them flying!

The Inspection Bureau's elite force had been completely wiped out by him alone!

"You..."

Lei Song was equally shocked at the sight. "Who exactly are you..."

"Stop talking and get out of here!"

The Armored Man urged in a muffled voice, casually tossing out a syringe that pierced directly into Lei Song's vein.

As the drug entered his body, Lei Song jolted and immediately regained his senses.

A powerful stimulant produced by Yashibos and Prism, its effects far surpassed Ereks, and it did not carry the latter's addictive properties.

"...I'll remember your life-saving favor, sir!"

Having recovered somewhat, Lei Song knew this was no place to linger. After a brief word of thanks, he staggered to his feet and fled.

His life had been saved.

It was just a pity that he had failed to obtain what he wanted... He could not exactly say that, much less ask his savior for help, could he?

Damn it!

But perhaps fortune rose after hitting rock bottom. Just as Lei Song chose to give up, a Spark member covered in blood staggered toward him.

In his hand, he tightly clutched a metal box the size of a Rubik's Cube.

"Boss Lei, got it... got it..."

"Really?!"

Lei Song was overjoyed. He had never expected the third team to succeed under such circumstances!

"Yeah, but there weren't twenty units. We risked our lives and only got... this one."

The member's expression twisted in pain. "And I was the only one who survived. The others, they, they all..."

Not only them—even the remaining members had all fallen in the firefight just now, including the fourth team's support personnel.

In the end, only the two of them had survived.

It had to be said, completing the mission under the double encirclement of Serpent Coil and the Inspection Bureau was nothing short of a miracle.

But this victory seemed far too tragic.

"...Forget all that!"

Lei Song had no time to mourn or lament. He hurriedly found a vehicle that could still start. "Can you drive? Get us out of here!"

One of his arms had been blown off. No stimulant could make him fit to drive now.

The car sped away, quickly vanishing from everyone's sight.

Only after confirming that they had entered a safe area did the Armored Man release his ability and swiftly leave the scene.

"...Don't run!"

The prolonged pressure had left Tang Shuang's brain somewhat oxygen-starved, but she quickly came to her senses and forced herself to chase after him.

But it was clearly futile. Within a few streets, the Armored Man had completely shaken her off and disappeared without a trace.

"Damn it!"

First she had been humiliated, then pinned down so badly she could not rise, and finally watched the culprit escape right under her nose.

For the director, this was undoubtedly a tremendous disgrace.

"...Pass down my order. Issue an S-class warrant for the fugitives!"

At this point, she could only try to salvage the situation. She tossed her hat to the adjutant beside her. "If the combat recorder isn't damaged, find a way to identify them!"

Lei Song was not much of a problem. His appearance was already distinctive, and she had severed one of his arms. Finding him was only a matter of time.

The troublesome one was that Armored Man. His specially modified armor left no trace, and there were thousands of places in Night City and Sin City combined capable of such technology.

That bastard wore a helmet, and even his voice had been altered... She did not even know whether the other party was male or female.

The only thing she could confirm was that the other party was an Ascendant.

She had also roughly figured out the specific ability—it should be related to gravity.

However, it would not be easy to get to the bottom of things with that information alone.

Tang Shuang did not need to think to know that plenty of headaches awaited her next.

But could she choose not to investigate?

The answer was no.

Because, of all places, this riot had happened on Serpent Coil's turf, and Xu Shi had even personally called her to report it.

They seemed to have lost something too... Tang Shuang had a strong feeling that if she delayed this matter even a little, that bastard would find every possible way to cause her trouble.

And she absolutely would not allow that to happen!

So...

"When we get back, everyone's working overtime!"

Even though her current condition was somewhat...

One hour later.

The rooftop of Serpent Coil headquarters.

The passing breeze gently stirred Xu Shi's suit, carrying a hint of chill.

Before long, the sound of a doorknob turning rang out, and the Armored Man from before walked over.

"You came."

"I came."

"You shouldn't have come."

"...Didn't you tell me to come to the rooftop after completing the mission?"

The Armored Man paused, utterly confused, then removed his helmet.

It was Xia Wuyou.

Silence. A long silence.

Xu Shi pursed his lips. Clearly, she did not get the reference. This was a little awkward.

But Xia Wuyou was even more confused.

"Why... did you make me save the Spark members?"