Come Play a Game, the Prize Is...

The operation to kidnap Luo Zhikang was carried out in secret, swift and clean.

Let alone the Inspection Bureau, even passersby failed to notice what had happened here.

Then again, the Inspection Bureau had been run ragged lately as well.

Everything had piled up at once: Spark's two consecutive riots in Night City, the public and media's fierce criticism of the Inspection Bureau's credibility, and the two new S-rank fugitives added to the wanted list... Every single matter gave them a pounding headache.

Director Tang Shuang had it even worse—she had never been one to delegate everything. In fact, she might have been the most dutiful person in the entire Inspection Bureau.

Between her hectic official duties and the many meetings and press conferences that required her personal attendance, she simply could not get away.

And on top of that, she still had to spare some attention to keep a close eye on Serpent Coil's movements. It was exhausting.

She could not help it. Though Xu Shi had been unexpectedly lenient about the criminal's escape, she still could not put her mind at ease.

In any case, she would never give him a chance to find fault with her. Not a chance!

She also had not given up on digging into Xu Shi's dirty laundry. Over the past few days, she had gone through his files several times from cover to cover.

Unfortunately, she found nothing.

It was not that Xu Shi had no dirt on him, but his past misconduct had all been dealt with and closed long ago. They were merely minor offenses, nowhere near enough to serve as leverage.

Coupled with the conglomerate's superb public relations, Tang Shuang could not find a single flaw.

It was infuriating.

This might have been the most difficult opponent Director Tang had encountered since joining the Inspection Bureau.

He humiliated and manipulated her as he pleased, yet she could do absolutely nothing about him.

"Ugh..."

Tang Shuang set down the documents and let out a long sigh. At the same time, her eyelids had begun to droop, too heavy to keep open.

"Director Tang, are you all right?"

The Adjutant Miss beside her keenly noticed that she was not doing well. "Why don't you take a break? You'll ruin your health otherwise."

"I..."

Tang Shuang had wanted to say that she could keep going, but when the words reached her lips, she did not even have the strength to say them.

She had never undergone any physical modifications. Several days of sleepless, high-intensity work had already pushed her to her limit.

Not to mention the complications from using her ability. Honestly, the only reason she had remained conscious until now was sheer willpower.

"...Then I'll go home and rest for half a day. I'll leave the Bureau to you."

In the end, she relented and had the adjutant take her home—to a one-bedroom apartment in District 15.

It was rather amusing. Given her status, living in a place like this was somewhat beneath her.

Even the Adjutant Miss at her side had bought herself a big house in District 16 through her own efforts.

But that was enough to prove just how incorruptible this director was.

The moment she got home, she collapsed onto the bed. She was too lazy even to take off her clothes before preparing to sleep.

However.

Just as her consciousness began to blur, a strange sensation suddenly spread through her entire body.

Her whole body began to tremble involuntarily, while sweat flushed her cheeks crimson.

Damn it, it's happening again...

Though her mind was a hazy mess, Tang Shuang knew exactly what this was.

It was her Ability Complication—a sudden surge in desire.

Her earlier relentless bombardment of Lei Song had caused the hormones triggered by the complication to break past their threshold, creating a severe imbalance.

Over the past few days, her judgment and ability to think had often been affected while she worked.

Still, compared to other complications, this condition was not particularly troublesome. It could even be classified among the mildest—there was no need for inhibitors; even over-the-counter medicine could easily suppress it.

That was how Tang Shuang usually eased the symptoms.

But today was different. This clearly could not be solved by taking medicine alone.

Then there's only...

Yet at that very moment, a hazy figure appeared before the director's eyes.

A detestable man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with a wicked smile hanging on his lips—the sight of him alone made her furious.

Why... why would I think of him at a time like this?!

At that instant, Tang Shuang felt that she must have gone mad.

"Mm..."

While Director Tang was enjoying a sweet dream, Luo Zhikang, elsewhere, was awakened by a bucket of cold water.

The side effects of the sedative gave him a headache, but what he saw before him left him even more horrified.

This was clearly a prison cell!

And it was definitely not a prison established by City Hall, since he had personally participated in its construction.

Compared to that place, this one was darker, dirtier, more chaotic, and in far worse condition.

His hands and feet were locked in electronic shackles, making it exceptionally difficult for him to move.

"Who the hell are you people?!"

Luo Zhikang roared, "Why did you bring me here?!"

Smack.

"Nice to meet you, Old Mr. Luo."

The lights in the cell came on, and Xu Shi slowly emerged from the shadows. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Xu Shi."

Upon hearing that name, Luo Zhikang froze on the spot.

It was not as though he had failed to anticipate this possibility. Just moments ago, after all, he had been cracking Serpent Coil's new drone.

But he also knew perfectly well what being captured by the other side meant.

"Relax. I've long heard of your reputation, Old Mr. Luo, so I thought I'd invite you over for a chat."

Xu Shi sighed. "But honestly, finding you was no easy task."

If he had not known the plot, he never would have imagined that the man had been hiding in such a place.

"Is this how you invite someone?"

Luo Zhikang did not buy it, craning his neck as he spoke indignantly.

"That depends on who I'm inviting."

Xu Shi curled his lips and looked at him mockingly. "Besides, don't you know exactly what you've done?"

"A petty thief who tried to illegally alter research results—was I supposed to send a grand procession to invite you?"

"..."

Luo Zhikang fell silent. It was obvious that Xu Shi had already grasped every one of his movements.

And whatever defiance he could put on was utterly useless against him.

"So what do you intend to do? Send me to the Inspection Bureau to be convicted? Or kill me with private punishment?"

Still, he was a man who had weathered many storms. He quickly regained his composure and stood ramrod straight. "Don't tell me you want to recruit me. Then you'll be disappointed..."

"It's not that complicated."

Xu Shi waved a hand to cut him off. "I brought you here because I want to play a game with you."

"Hm?"

Luo Zhikang did not understand at first. Before he could react, Xu Shi placed the Sea Crane before him again.

"Unlock it. The prize is... your freedom."