Centaurea started the car and embarked on her journey to the "execution ground."
"..."
Looking out the car window at the pedestrians passing by, Gregor doubted whether he could reach Block Zero before dark.
"Sir, could you drive a little faster?"
"Yes!"
Centaurea felt tears welling up inside. Should she hurry and make her move in a deserted place?
That's way too thoughtful, you jerk!
The girl quickened her pace and was now able to overtake the pedestrians taking a walk.
Seeing the sweat on the driver's forehead, Gregor swallowed the words he wanted to use to speed up.
With a flash of light, Ifrit reappeared, clinging to the back of the seat in front of her and looking around.
"Boss, are we not there yet?"
Seeing the young girl who looked exactly like the one in the intelligence report, Centaurea's last bit of hope vanished.
Target 1: The strange man wearing a TV on his head, who seems to have discovered his identity.
Target association: Sarkaz young girl.
Self-status: Leading high-risk targets to remote areas.
Centaurea felt her nerves were stretched to the limit; if this continued, she would lose control and crash the car without the other party even lifting a finger.
Something needs to be done to distract me...
"You... you're going to Block Zero, is there something you need?"
"Looking for someone."
"I see..."
Centaurea remained expressionless, but inwardly she was delighted.
Didn't the other party notice?
"Huh? What's this?"
Centaurea looked up in response and saw Ifrit pull an arrow from under the stool.
What are you doing, you brat!?
Centaurea stepped on the gas, the vehicle accelerated, and Ifrit instinctively let go of her hand and held onto the front seat.
"Ahem! We're about to accelerate, please fasten your seatbelts."
Without checking their reactions, Centaurea floored the accelerator.
The taxi's engine emitted a deep roar far exceeding its apparent size, and the entire vehicle suddenly lurched forward.
The strong push-back sensation pressed Gregor and Ifrit firmly into their seats.
"Wow! Boss! That's fast!"
After a brief moment of shock, Ifrit became excited, while Gregor silently gripped the handrail above the car door.
At the same time, the atmosphere inside another taxi was completely different.
"Hey! Can you drive a little faster?!"
The tourist patted the back of the driver's seat, looking impatient.
"Even if you charge by the hour, this is outrageous! You've been moving along this commercial street for almost an hour!"
The driver in the front seat was a scruffy-bearded middle-aged man named Vulpo, who rested one hand on the steering wheel, looking rather lazy.
"Sigh, that's just how my old buddy is, it can't go fast."
"Performance? I think you're doing that on purpose..."
The tourists' complaints stopped abruptly.
The next second, a bolt of lightning, accompanied by a deep roar, grazed past their car.
The astonishing speed generated airflow that even caused the car to sway slightly.
The two cars stopped side by side at the next red light.
"What... what is that?!"
The tourists were dumbfounded, and the driver's lazy expression vanished instantly.
He slowly sat up straight, his eyes fixed on the Kuranta girl in the driver's seat next to him, whose expression he couldn't discern.
He lit the cigarette he'd been holding in his mouth for ages, and white smoke slowly rose into the carriage.
"This guest..."
The driver's voice became low and serious.
"Please sit tight."
"What? What happened?"
The tourist was at a loss and instinctively grabbed the seatbelt.
The man didn't answer immediately, his eyes fixed intently on the traffic light ahead, his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel.
"Someone's there," he slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.
"They've issued a challenge to us."
"Challenge?! Just because she overtook you?!"
"No." The middle-aged man shook his head, his tone filled with the certainty of an expert.
"It's speed. It's that 'don't get in my way' aura. It's the kind of presence only a true 'streetwalker' can detect... She's very strong!"
The red light ahead started flashing, beginning the countdown.
"Buzz--!"
The low rumble of the engine resonated within the enclosed cabin, making one's blood boil.
The moment the green light turned on, the two cars shot off simultaneously.
Two shadows instantly tore through the relatively smooth traffic flow on the commercial street, drawing two dazzling and dangerous arcs of light among the pedestrians on both sides.
"Aaaaaah--!"
Tourists screamed in terror from the back seat, while the driver laughed maniacally as the old taxi weaved through traffic, closely following the taillights of the car from Centaurea ahead.
"Hahaha! Come on! Let me see your limit!"
At this moment, Centaurea had no time to appreciate the "romance of speed"; every single one of her brain cells was screaming:
Hurry! Hurry! They have to get them there before they're discovered!
Her extreme will to survive pushed her driving skills to their limits, and the two of them drove through the bustling streets as if they were on a racetrack.
However, the driver's enthusiasm ultimately succumbed to the city's management rules.
"Two taxis ahead! Pull over immediately! Repeat, pull over immediately!"
The man's fervent expression froze instantly, and he slammed his fist on the steering wheel in frustration.
"Tsk!"
Roadblocks had been erected ahead, and the driver sighed and slowed down.
Boom--!
The driver suddenly looked up, watching the taxi ahead crash through the roadblock and escape, his lips trembling.
"I lost..." the driver sighed.
"She's the real race car driver."
"[Kazimierz's profanity!] Are you out of your mind!?"
The tourists cursed angrily as the driver got out of the car to accept punishment from the mounted police.
"Tell me the truth! Who was that guy you were racing? What's your relationship with him? Do you know how dangerous this is in the city?!"
The middle-aged man wiped his face, looked in the direction the car had left, and a look of admiration appeared in his eyes.
"I don't know him, but I know..."
He said firmly:
"Her car... was very fast!"
"The tire's blown out..."
"Driving that fast, it's no wonder it exploded."
The three men stood in front of the car, looking at each other in disbelief. The taxi had finally burned out after reaching Block Zero, and it exploded as soon as it entered the four-wheel drive area.
Centaurea breathed a sigh of relief and pretended to be relaxed.
"Now that it's delivered, you can go ahead and get busy. I'll stay here and fix the car."
"Etc."
Hinterlea Centaurea was about to leave, froze, slowly turned around, and saw a gold brick being offered to her.
"Car repair costs."
"Thank you."
Centaurea took it with both hands and looked at Greg with a question in her eyes.
Is there anything else you need?
"There is one more thing."
Centaurea slapped herself again, but Gregor didn't stop.
"I'd like to ask you to guide me. Don't worry, there will be payment."
"Ah, this..."
Just as Centaurea was about to refuse, she caught a glimpse of Ifrit peeking into the car out of the corner of her eye.
"Absolutely no problem!!!"
The loud voice startled Ifrit, Centaurea strode inside.
"Then I'll lead the way, please follow!"
"Um, your car..."
"It's alright!"
"But..."
"It's-no-it!"
"..."
The two followed, and Greg sighed inwardly.
The previous driver did the same thing; is Kazimierz's security situation unexpectedly good?
This idea was quickly shattered.
Several people. "..."
Armorless Union Assassin: "..."
I am a low-ranking member of the Armorless Union, insignificant compared to big shots like Platinum and Lazurite.
Today, I received the legendary order to become the Supreme Master of the Darksteel Sect.
We will target the Black Knight in Block Zero!
I must be crazy, that's the Black Knight!
But I was also a little excited.
What if the assassination is successful, what if it's me...
Does that mean I can get a glimpse of the Platinum level?
Rumor has it that the current Platinum are considering retirement, but Platinum seems to be more focused on the newcomer recruited from the competitive knights. (Centaurea)
But as long as I can complete the task, I will definitely be valued more than her.
But...
Looking at the familiar face in front of me, I instinctively wanted to call out her name.
She suddenly rushed over.
What is she trying to do?
A sharp pain shot through my abdomen, and I couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
You... you'd even betray your colleagues for a promotion?
I approve of you!
Damn it! Why are my colleagues here?! I didn't receive any notification!
Centaurea stood before the fallen Armorless Union Assassin, slightly out of breath.
That was close; thankfully, Armorless Union was wearing a mask so his expression couldn't be seen.
The other person almost called out their name...
"That..."
Ifrit looked at the black-robed man lying on the ground and said cautiously.
Do you have a grudge against me?
Centaurea froze, then turned around and calmly explained.
"Phew... This kind of attire probably belongs to the legendary Assassin of the Armorless Union. They kill without hesitation; once one person spots a target, a swarm of Assassin will rush to their aid."
Centaurea patted her flat chest, her face showing concern.
"Rumor has it they've been gathering at Sector Zero to snipe Infected leaving the underground; we never expected to run into them."
"That was so close! If he had given us that signal, we would have been in real danger."
"..." x2
Looking at the Armorless Union on the ground, the two were somewhat puzzled.
Is it dangerous?
Sensing their doubts, Hinraitya quickly changed the subject loudly and continued leading the way.
"Since you've come to Sector Zero to look for someone, your target must be underground, right?"
Centaurea confidently turned and led the way.
"After all, everyone here lives in the upper floors."
"Hmm... maybe?"
Gregor hesitated, even though the mace was indeed found here.
But he couldn't guarantee the other party would stay there; rather, he was just trying his luck this time.
Ignoring the hesitation in their words, Centaurea continued to lead the way.
"Don't worry! There's usually only one Armorless Union guard in a region, so you definitely won't encounter them again!"
Assassin No. 2 of the Armorless Union: "Ah, you are... Pfft!"
Number 3: "You... Bang!"
Number 4: "Wait... Bang!"
"Huff... huff..."
Why...
Centaurea was breathing heavily, her face, turned away from the two of them, contorted with despair and collapse.
Why?!!
Including the first one, in less than ten minutes, she had personally dealt with four colleagues.
This secluded route leading to the underground area looks like a team-building event for the Armorless Union today!
Normally, it's good enough if there's even one person keeping watch in a place like this. What on earth happened today?
Did Darksteel Tie Dawei send out the entire outer perimeter team?
Why?!
"Why! Why has someone lost contact again!"
On the high-rise building, the younger Darksteel gritted his teeth as he spoke into the communicator.
"Are you all useless! The Black Knight hasn't even appeared yet, and the person has already fallen!?"
[I'm sorry, but logically speaking, even if we encountered the enemy, we shouldn't have been completely without any news, unless...]
"Unless there's a mole within..."
A deep voice came from the side, as the old Darksteel sharpened the Darksteel arrowhead, providing an answer to the matter.
"A mole? Could it be Roy and Monique...?"
"They don't have the guts."
Old Darksteel denied this view and raised the sharpened arrow, aiming it at the sun.
The warm sunlight shone on the arrowhead, yet it gave it a cold, icy sheen.
"Then it can only be Platinum."
The young Darksteel Tie had a gloomy expression.
"No wonder they submitted their retirement applications to us, ha... The Armorless Union has never had the concept of retirement."
"Let Lazurite handle it."
Old Darksteel made his conclusion, stood up, and looked into the distance.
"As for now..."
As if sensing something, the blond-haired Caprinae looked in this direction.
"It's time to hunt."