Extra's Descent

"Join you, huh…."

Brandon glanced down at the blade on his hilt.

Then, he looked at the hooded figures in front of him.

He had to at least hear them out.

But it's not like he would change his mind after.

Killing was out of the question.

Their deaths would be detrimental to whatever Evelyn had planned.

Secretly, he clenched his phone and clicked a button.

Then, he gazed ahead.

One of the men spoke up.

"It's not like we're actually against her. But she's the one we can't convince."

"....?"

Brandon tilted his head.

Several thoughts flooded his mind.

He knew where this was going.

"Since you're new to the syndicate, we'll give you a chance."

The man's expressions became serious.

"You do know what will happen anyway, right?"

"Most probably."

The fact that he was being cornered…. He was given no choice.

To either comply with their demands, or be silenced.

"So? What's your cause…?"

Brandon asked, pretending to lower his guard.

The man turned and looked at his comrades. They all exchanged looks, smiles on their faces, and nodded to each other.

Then, he went on to elaborate.

"Can you see the potential profits we could reap off the auction?"

Ah.

So….

"You plan on causing a ruckus, stealing the actual goods in the process."

After all, the auction was an elaborate scam. The real goods were stowed away, only selling replicas.

Typical auctions.

"Bingo!"

The man snapped his fingers.

"Since you've figured that out, what do you say? It's not just us. Don't worry. The other guys are in on it as well."

It was interesting.

If Brandon had to be honest, he could admit they were partially on the same side.

It wasn't a bad offer.

However, these guys….

'Their methods. It's too unrefined.'

There could even be potential leaks.

With such thoughts, Brandon asked.

"How sure are you that the other members won't leak to the heads? Don't you think there could be a traitor in your midst?"

"We've been planning this for months. You're still new, so you might be unaware of it. But the syndicate deals with traitors as soon as word gets out."

"And none of you have been silenced?"

"Exactly. If we had a traitor this whole time, we'd be dead by now."

"You have a point."

No, they didn't.

Even if that were the case, circumstances could vary.

For all they knew, the syndicate was just waiting for the right time for them to be silenced.

And knowing the information network that Zed had, most probably, they already knew.

Meaning, joining their entire cause was a risk.

If his participation is leaked, then….

"How confident are you that your plan would even succeed?"

"I get it, I get it. You're that type of guy. I don't mind it. Overly cautious is a good trait. I like it."

"Then…"

"I can assure you that this plan will work. We have a trump card."

Interesting.

This guy….

'He's a real idiot.'

"Trump card?"

"I can't show you since I don't trust you. You haven't even accepted our offer yet."

Slowly… Brandon's words seemed to be getting through to him.

At first, they had cornered him, giving him no leeway to reject.

And now, they revealed several key pieces of information.

"So if I join your cause right now, are you willing to show this trump card of yours?"

"Don't push your buttons. The way you're acting right now, it makes you suspicious, you know?"

"And that's the sort of person you need, no?"

Brandon gave him a confident smile.

"Exactly."

The man nodded his head and massaged his temple.

Meeting his gaze, Brandon asked.

"Codename?"

"Link."

A decisive answer.

"I take it this is your response?"

"Maybe."

Brandon couldn't specifically state his acceptance.

After all, they could have recording devices. It could be used against him, pushing down any sorts of excuses.

Just like they said, the syndicate doesn't treat traitors kindly.

Even a single hint of betrayal was detrimental. Most probably, they wouldn't even give him a chance to explain himself.

Zed couldn't back his claims. It would only serve to harm Zed's status in the syndicate.

Although they seemed to be on the same side….

'Their plans go against mine.'

Not exactly, but Brandon didn't want to handle too many unpredictable variables.

Brandon looked ahead. There, on a rooftop, he could see the reflection of light.

'Good.'

He had a certain habit that arose after the entire Lumian incident.

His right arm.

It felt itchy.

As well as his fingers.

Often, he would crack the knuckles on his right arm. It had become an unconscious habit at this point.

And for some reason, it seemed to trigger something inside his thoughts.

Crack—!

He cracked his index finger.

Then…

Bang!

A loud banging sound echoed from a distance.

"Ukh!"

"What?!"

"Get down!"

Something pierced through Link's shoulder, and blood splattered on the ground. Clenching his shoulder, Link immediately moved away and hid behind one of the waste containers.

They were under attack.

"It's a sniper!"

The men immediately dispersed, alerted by the sudden attack, and hid behind any cover they could find.

***

After freshening up, Amelia left the bathroom and walked towards the kitchen. Twisting the plastic bottle lid, Amelia was about to chug down the water when her phone suddenly vibrated inside her pocket.

Retrieving her phone, Amelia opened the screen and notifications alerted.

—Come.

It was from Brandon.

Amelia's brows raised and immediately chugged down the water. Wiping her lips, she peered her eyes open and scanned.

The only message was 'Come.' However, there was a specific location sent.

Curious, Amelia clicked the location banner.

"Ah."

There was a red dot that moved, and there seemed to be a pin that said, 'Brandon.'

It was a tracker.

"When did he install this app…."

However, Amelia immediately knew what the message was for. Just from how concise the message was, she surmised that he was in trouble.

With such thoughts, Amelia immediately headed for her room and changed her outfit.

Donning a black blazer, and a black hat, Amelia wore a full black attire.

Since it was night, she had thought it was good camouflage.

"Aurelia, I'll be back in a bit."

"Un."

Letting Aurelia know of her departure, Amelia quickly left the apartment and scanned the location.

Brandon wasn't that far.

Tempering her legs with mana, Amelia quickly rushed the bustling streets.

Scanning her phone, another message was sent.

—Sniper.

"Okay."

Amelia nodded and continued running. It took her about fifteen minutes.

Realizing Brandon was close by, Amelia rushed towards a secluded alleyway.

Closing her eyes, she wrapped her legs with even more mana and jumped, using the close walls of the alleyway as her steps to quickly arrive on the rooftop.

Getting into position, Amelia scanned.

There, she could see Brandon walking towards another alleyway that was in front of the building she was on top of.

"...."

After a few seconds, she could see three men entering the alleyway. They seemed to have been following Brandon.

"I see."

She understood her task.

Extending her hand, and waving it, as if she was tracing the air, a sniper rifle materialized in her hand and Amelia clutched it.

She got into position.

Scanning through the sniper's sight, she could see that Brandon had reached a dead end, and the men had revealed themselves to him.

They seemed to have engaged in conversation.

And so, Amelia waited for the signal.

Though the alleyway was secluded, Amelia had positioned herself perfectly to scan the entire alleyway.

She was high above.

Minutes passed. There were no subtle changes in Brandon's movements.

But as she waited further, Brandon raised his arms close to his face and cracked his index finger.

It was a habit Amelia had come to notice.

And that habit….

"The signal…."

After all, it was subtle, but she had met Brandon's gaze.

With such thoughts, Amelia settled her finger on the trigger. Positioning the reticle correctly, Amelia focused her aim.

She knew Brandon was strong. Most probably, he could even deal with the men that had cornered him.

But for some reason, he didn't lift a finger against them.

Most probably, he didn't want them to die.

She just needed to do her job.

And so, she clicked the trigger.

Bang—!