Andrew wasn't a Proxy, nor did he take commissions on the Proxy Net, so he had very few friends on Knock-Knock. As he scrolled through his contacts, he quickly noticed something amiss.
Sure enough.
The Jane he had added previously had disappeared, replaced by a new friend request that had popped up at some unknown time. It wasn't just a change of nickname or avatar; it was a completely different account. The proof lay in the unique Knock-Knock UID, which was entirely different from the first one.
Although the nickname, avatar, and UID were all different, the familiar tone of voice made Andrew reply with a hint of uncertainty:
[MeowscularAreCutestInTheWorld: Jane?]
[Anonymous: Mm-hmm Very sharp, Little Shopkeeper]
But why would Jane, who was undercover for Public Security, suddenly contact him?
Still, Andrew answered truthfully:
[MeowscularAreCutestInTheWorld: I'm dealing with something a bit east of Heatwish Cape right now. What's up?]
[Anonymous: Looks like you didn't attend Miss Monica's premiere. I wanted to give you a little heads-up.]
[MeowscularAreCutestInTheWorld: I remember your previous cover was as a member of the Vanishing Wolves, right? Is the gang you're infiltrated in the one planning the kidnapping attack?]
[Anonymous: That's right Just a friendly warning: remember to stay far away from this area for the time being. Be careful not to get caught in the crossfire]
Jane's warning made Andrew start to doubt his previous speculations just a little.
Could I have really overthought things?
But regardless of whether he was overthinking it or not, Andrew wouldn't lower his guard. Besides, with his current equipment, he wasn't worried even if they actually showed up.
However, no matter how you sliced it, Jane's situation as an undercover agent was quite dangerous. So, Andrew sent a reminder:
[MeowscularAreCutestInTheWorld: Those berries I gave you before... do you still have them?]
[Anonymous: Of course, they've been in my waist pouch the whole time~ I haven't been able to bring myself to eat a gift from the Shopkeeper yet.]
Seeing this message, Andrew breathed a slight sigh of relief and immediately typed out a warning:
[MeowscularAreCutestInTheWorld: If you get hit with any abnormal status other than Poison, make sure to eat one. It can nullify all status ailments.]
Now, he was feeling regret—immense regret. At the time, he didn't know she was a police officer, or he would have given her two bottles of Potions as well. She had left the store so quickly afterward that Andrew simply hadn't thought about it.
An officer walking the tightrope of life and death like her was essentially standing on the edge of a cliff at all times; one slip meant a fatal fall.
Over at the gathering point, Jane, accompanied by four underlings, raised an eyebrow slightly upon seeing the message. Subconsciously, she felt a bit skeptical.
The effect Andrew described sounded more like a panacea a doctor would make up to trick a child.
But regardless, it was a sign of Andrew's concern, so she accepted it.
[Anonymous: I'll remember that. But don't forget what I said either, Shopkeeper~]
[MeowscularAreCutestInTheWorld: Of course. You be extra careful too. If you run into a danger you can't handle, give me a shout.]
[Anonymous: Such a sense of security. But my new colleagues look like very reliable people, so don't worry about me.]
[Anonymous: I've noted your words, though. If it really gets dangerous, I'll be counting on you then~]
Watching Jane's avatar switch to offline status on his phone, Andrew put the device down.
It seemed Public Security was already planning to arrest those people. He hadn't expected Jane to go out of her way to warn him, though.
It appeared she placed a high value on the people around her.
Walking to a secluded spot with a gloomy expression, Hank immediately pulled out his phone and made a call.
Several long, drawn-out rings followed, the call only connecting at the very last second before it would have automatically hung up.
Already full of pent-up rage, the tens of seconds of waiting made the anger in his heart impossible to suppress. Before the other party could even speak, Hank immediately roared aggressively.
It was as if he wanted to vent all the frustration he had received from Evelyn in one go.
"What the hell are you doing? Taking this long to answer my call?! Do you want to cooperate or not!!"
On the other end of the line, the man's voice was unhurried.
"Don't be in such a rush, Director Hank. Since I agreed to cooperate with you, we're grasshoppers on the same rope now. Neither of us can do without the other."
Hank was dismissive of the man's words, but since it was the eleventh hour and too late to find a suitable replacement, he had to force himself to be patient.
He chose not to harp on that issue, asking instead about what concerned him most right now.
"How are your plans coming along? Today is the last chance."
The man's voice remained just as unhurried. He took a drag of a cigarette, exhaling a long plume of smoke before speaking:
"Relax. Everything is thoroughly arranged. We're just waiting for them to step onto that road."
After saying that, he let out a cold chuckle.
"Those paparazzi... whether they get caught or not, their objective has already been achieved. There won't be any problems with the plan that follows."
After all, whether they were hauled off to Public Security or successfully snapped photos, it signified one thing.
That there were no issues with the route. It was precise down to the inch.
Hank didn't chime in on the man's words. After all, no matter what verbal guarantees were given, the final result was everything.
So, he merely spoke coldly with a dark expression:
"I hope what happens next is truly as you guaranteed, Thorne."
At this moment, the identity of the voice on the other end was fully revealed. It was none other than the boss of the Vanishing Wolves—Thorne.
Subsequently, Hank reiterated the mission objectives to Thorne once more.
"The two bodyguards around Astra Yao are useless to the company. And the manager who can't make Astra Yao more obedient... there's no need to leave her alive."
"Two? Wasn't there always only one female?"
Thorne's brows furrowed slightly. The feeling of the plan going beyond his control made him feel quite uncomfortable, and he immediately spoke up:
"What's the deal with this other one who suddenly popped up?"
But Hank spoke with total indifference:
"Just a small fry. I observed him; he's not even wearing a powered exoskeleton, just ordinary armor. His weapon is just a standard melee weapon too."
Hank's words allowed Thorne to relax slightly. He leaned back into the sofa he had been sitting on, resuming his relaxed attitude.
Even if there was one extra bodyguard, it didn't matter. No matter how strong he was alone, how could he compare to a group of mercenaries equipped with military gear who had been rolling through battles since childhood? It wasn't as if a helper who suddenly arrived would have the strength of a Void Hunter.
Feeling reassured, Thorne asked:
"Then this newcomer who just arrived today...?"
"Make him disappear thoroughly, of course."
Hank spoke unquestionably:
"The best way to keep a secret is, naturally, to make him close his mouth forever."
Although the man hadn't personally offended him, since he held the identity of Astra Yao's bodyguard, he couldn't be spared.
"If he has to blame someone, let him blame his own bad luck."
____
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