In the east of Norus, Doret City welcomed them with a rusted metal board that read: DORET. The air was dry, streets narrower than Indus, buildings packed tightly together.
James, Caeson, and Junwell stood at the edge of the city.
Junwell spoke first. "Listen carefully. Mr. Adolf said he'll send some of his men. I informed them to come here, but I don't have the exact address of the governors' the correct location. So even if they come here they'll take time. So most of the work… we handle."
James cracked his neck slightly. "Where do we start?"
"Their hideout," Junwell replied. "Second Division of the Senate. It's not that hard to find. Normal people know the general area."
He continued, voice turning serious. "But there are three executives protecting them. First—Goffey. A sniper. If we get near their hideout, he can shoot from a long distance. Second—Derent. Close combat specialist. And third—Kollern. A strategist. His abilities are hidden. All we know is he thinks ten steps ahead."
Caeson tapped his waist where his Beretta rested. "That sniper guy… Goffey… he's mine."
Junwell nodded. "James, I've heard about you. You handle Derent."
James gave a short nod.
"I'll take the strategist."
Junwell added, "But first we clear their outer men. This will easy if they won't all be gathered in one place. We can fight them in evenly distributed sections."
On the other side of Doret, Vaelor and Robert had already reached the supposed hideout location. It was an old apartment building. A rooftop overlooked the surrounding blocks.
Vaelor stopped. His senses tingled.
"There's someone up there," he murmured.
But when he focused again, the presence vanished.
"Are you sure this is the correct place?" Vaelor asked.
Robert replied confidently, "Of course. I'm a good agent. I confirmed this location."
"But they're not here."
"We're here to catch them before they kill the governors," Robert said. "You know that."
Vaelor nodded. "I know. But why are the governors getting protection from them?"
Robert looked at him strangely. "It's like you don't know. The Senate does illegal work for the High Chancellor. Those two governors are close to him."
Vaelor frowned. "Illegal work? Aren't authorities supposed to be morally right?"
Robert gave a bitter smile. "Politics isn't about morality. It's about deceiving people."
"What illegal work?"
"Drugs. Import-export rackets. Silencing opposition. You remember that factory vessel incident? Gas leak. Forty-nine workers died."
Vaelor nodded faintly.
"That factory belonged to a friend of the High Chancellor. The case disappeared. The families of the workers? Wiped out. Second Division of senate handled it. It never even reached the news."
Vaelor went silent.
"And now," Robert said quietly, "we're here to protect them. Funny, right? Maybe this is destiny."
Before Vaelor could reply, black cloths were suddenly thrown over their heads from behind. Arms restrained them.
Robert struggled violently.
Vaelor felt it. But he didn't resist. He let it happen ,he was keep thinking of that thoughts.
At Lukman's office, Perun and Lukman were reviewing all recordings. The hidden camera footage. The audio from the hat recorder. Clear evidence of conspiracy.
"We can take this to the authorities," Perun said. "But… are we doing the right thing?"
"If we let the fight happen?" Perun continued. "What are the consequences?"
Lukman replied calmly, "Power shifts. That's all. And we're doing this because my family was in danger."
Perun remembered Melody. What happened to her family and she also moved out of here.
He looked at Lukman. "said but what happened the first time… it was because of you."
Lukman nodded. "Yes. My mistake."
Perun asked quietly, "What do you think is happening right now at the Second Division?"
Meanwhile, James, Caeson, and Junwell were searching the streets of Doret. Market areas. Small shops. Alleyways.
They asked an old man. A shopkeeper lady. A boy.
Each gave vague directions.
After an hour, they realized they were walking in circles.
Caeson growled, "Why can't we find it?" "I think they're not helping us," he added angrily.
Junwell narrowed his eyes. "There's heavy influence here. They know we've arrived."
Caeson's patience snapped. He pulled out his Beretta and grabbed a random man, pointing the gun at his head.
The man screamed, "Help! Help me!"
Crowds began gathering.
"Caeson!" Junwell shouted, pulling him away. "Run!"
They fled through narrow streets until they reached an empty road.
Junwell exploded, "What are you doing?! We're supposed to eliminate governors silently! And you start this in an open market?"
James muttered, "Dumbass."
"What did you say?" Caeson snapped.
Suddenly—
Red laser dots appeared. Three beams. One on each of their heads.
Caeson swallowed. "It is like it's a sniper… We're screwed."
Junwell whispered, "But isn't there have to only one sniper. Which means the others are not that experienced."
From the rooftop ahead, a voice shouted, "Surrender yourselves!"
They slowly raised their hands.
Caeson muttered, "Too far for me to aim. Even if I shoot, the real sniper could be another."
James whispered, "I can run faster… but this angle is bad and you both can came in problem."
Then—A loud crash echoed from the apartment building.
A figure flew out through a door.
Two snipers panicked and shifted aim.
But the middle sniper it was goffey, still targeting Junwell, shouted, "Focus! Others will handle it!"
Inside the building, loud cracking sounds. Furniture breaking. Men shouting. Bodies crashing against walls.
People were being thrown out of doors—landing unconscious.
The entrance door shattered completely.
Caeson felt déjà vu. Doret… last time.
Junwell whispered, "Who's fighting them?"
James stared, there is something.
Inside—Vaelor was moving like a storm.
One punch sent a man flying across the hallway. A kick shattered a wooden railing. His movements were precise, controlled, overwhelming.
Robert stood near the broken doorway, swinging a stick to keep incoming men back.
"What the hell did you just do?!" Robert shouted.
Vaelor answered calmly, "They deserved it."
They stepped out of the broken doorway.
And faced Junwell, James, and Caeson.
Caeson froze. Flashback—of lukman house before how he got demolished by him.
James recognized him instantly. Kaspus Bar… he threshed Saggy and Simpson.
So it's you…
Junwell analyzed quietly. The same guy from yesterday. And he has history with Caeson.
All three were still standing with their hands raised.