Eight figures sit in a circle, around a wooden chair. Black Mercury gang members, faces hard as stone.
"Spike," Jacob says, voice low. "What did you gather on Silas?"
"Boss, the guy's a ghost. Spies, informants—nothing. No one knows where he hides."
Jacob nods slowly. "K.B., your take on this town?"
"Corruption runs it. Power-hungry men. Male-dominated. Rape and assault? Legal here," K.B. replies.
Jacob clenches his jaw. "So... if I wanted information from these meatheads, how would I get it?"
"Send a woman," K.B. says without hesitation.
Jacob raises an eyebrow. "Explain."
"Men here are driven by lust. An attractive woman draws them in—makes them talk."
"But they'd try to take advantage of her instead."
"Not if she beats them into submission. In the shadowed cloak of a lonely space, men don't place trust in a fellow man. But a woman offering herself? Different story."
Jacob leans back, fingers steepled under his chin. "Clever. Shion."
"Boss."
"Go into town. Gather everything you can on Silas's whereabouts. You have 24 hours. Report back tomorrow night. Don't fail me."
"Roger."
Shion walks the streets, mind racing. She calculates. "Bars, casinos—start there. Change clothes? Wear Something tight to gain attraction? No. Not happening."
Her head smacks into a pole. Her hat tumbles off, landing with a soft thud. "Ouch." She rubs her forehead, scoops up the hat, and put it back onto her head.
A newspaper flutters on the wall: JOB EMPLOYMENT – HITMAN NEEDED. RETRIEVE 16- YEAR-OLD ANNA, Abducted By Unknown MEN. REWARD: 80 MILLION. INQUIRIES AT RICHVILL'S PACK, 7 Pm.
"80 million? Huge. Bet Silas's men took her. Perfect opportunity."
She stops a passerby. "Excuse me—where's Richvill's Pack?"
The man smiles. "Straight down that road, turn left at Street 6 you'll see a field, just—"
Shion vanishes mid-sentence.
The man blinks. "Huh?"
Shion lands in the empty field. "Am I late?"
A man slips behind her, throwing a punch. Shion sidesteps; his fist meets air.
He spins, shocked.
"Who are you?" Shion asks coolly.
The man grins. "Host and manager of this little search party. Here for the job?"
"Where's everyone else?"
"Right in front of you."
Some figures advance in front of them. A few seconds later, more figures start emerging from all directions.
The manager claps. "Good turnout. Lomi—count them."
A woman steps from the dark, tallying. "Twenty-five. Sixteen women, nine men."
"Kaylie!"
Another woman appears. "Yeah?"
"Take over."
Kaylie faces the crowd. "Quick briefing. We located the kidnappers' hideout—five fortified divisions. Teams of five. You have minutes to group up—"
"Wait a damn minute," a gray-bearded man interrupts, stepping forward. "Thought we were retrieving a girl and getting paid. Not storming fortresses."
"If you'd let me finish—"
"Shut it, woman. I don't take orders from chicks." Laughter ripples through the men.
Kaylie bristles. "Just let me—"
"I said shut up!" More laughter.
Shion's voice cuts the air like a blade. "You'd understand if you let the lady finish, moron."
Silence drops.
Gray-beard snarls. "Who said that?"
"I did." Shion steps forward, eyes cold. "Let her speak, fool."
The Gray-bearded man chuckles. "Oh, another mouthy chick—"
"Pigs return to mud no matter how they dress. You reek of booze. Your type dies first in missions," Shion says calmly.
Laughter erupts again.
Gray-beard charges, fist flying.
Shion's counterpunch is invisible—too fast. He crumples unconscious.
Dead quiet.
Shion turns to Kaylie. "Now that the insect's down... please continue."
Kaylie hides a smirk. "Teams of five. Start grouping. I'll return when you're ready."
The group starts scouting themselves.
Shion stands. Not trying to mingle.
A young lady, approaches shion, both hands folds. "Excuse me. Ma'am."
"What?," Shion replies.
"Sorry, my name is Patience. Can I join your team?" She asks Shying.
"Fine."
Patience bows. "Thank you Ma'am."
A boy steps forward. "Hey lady.. can I join you two?"
Shion stares. "Hope you'll behave?"
The boy smiles. "Of course.."
"Fine."
"We seem to be standing. We better go find some more people," the boy says, staring at Shion.
Shion stands like a statue, her eyes are focusing ahead. Not a single blink.
"Oh.. my apologies. My name is Jeremy," the boy opens his palm towards Shion, offering a handshake.
"We don't need many people. The three we are I'm okay with," Shion replies casually.
"Lady.. you seem very confident. It's going to get you killed. Better we find more formidable people to join us with–"
Shion's voice cut through. "Just stop talking. If you want to leave, then You leave."
Jeremy's jaw drops. "Ahh.."
Around a nearby alley a man on a sky-blue Shirt and golden chain on the neck. Speaking to the manager. "Mr Ontari, hope you've gathered the perfect rats for the boss?"
The manager smiles. "Of course. This time, they're 25. I'm really sure King Pin would be pleased."
"He asks if there were more women. Orders on the table. Sex slaves needed."
"Women are more on the list," the manager replies.
A few minutes passes by. Kaylie returns. "Seems you guys are done selecting a team... Let's proceed." She moves forward, giving them maps.
Jeremy collects. "We're sent to Rudy?"
"What does the map say?" Patience asks.
"We head to Rudy street, by following the path that is marked right here. Seems like the fortress is this building marked red," Jeremy says.
"Then we leave," Shion replies.
The three race through the streets, the map clutched like a lifeline in Jeremy's hands. He trails Shion; Patience trails him, eyes darting at every shadow.
They hit the outskirts in under an hour. The map guides them into thick jungle—then the warehouse appears.
Four stories, painted dull white. Windows boarded. Floodlights dead. No guards visible.
The three ducks behind the bush. Jeremy whispers, breath ragged. "No guards... that's good, right?"
Shion says nothing. She crouches, fingers brushing the dirt. Scoops a handful, brings it to her nose. "More than 20 footprints, all leading in. None out," She says quietly.
"Huh, how'd you know?" Jeremy asks.
"We head inside."
Jeremy narrows."Did you just heard yourself, huh?. You said more than 20 men followed through, how'd you expect us to–"
Shion interrupts. As she turns to patients. "Coming?"
Patience nods.
Jeremy is still watchful. "Wait, we need a plane, we shouldn't go in like that, it's suicide."
"No plans needed when it comes to this," Shion stands and starts walking straight towards the castle. Patience follows.
"Ahh.. guess I have no choice," Jeremy follows.
The door bursts open. Silence, darkness, no light. No sound, just silence. Shion walks forward, climbing the stairs.
They both follow her behind.
"Lady, what do you think you're doing?" Jeremy asks.
"The men are on the last floor. Stay quiet," Shion warns.
They reach the last floor. Men's voices echo within the room. Jeremy and Patience hide behind the opposite sides of the door.
"Hey let's navigate a plan," Jeremy says.
Shion's foot burst the door open. She walks inside, calm and bold.
Guns cracks. Men on guard. A boy starts advancing forward.
"Andrew, don't," A man standing beside the wall says.
"But Mr Bobby, sir, she's–"
"Shut your hole, kid!" Bobby barks. "Shion.. so good of you to join us," Bobby smiles. "To what do I–, do we hold the pleasure."
"No one is worthy of calling me by that name. Except for one," Shion replies, clutching her hat.
"Alright.. fine, Roger," Bobby's eyes widen as he smiles.
Jeremy slowly enters the room. Patience follows him, close behind.
Bobby, tell me. Where can I find Silas?" Shion asks.
Bobby sighs. "Shi–, sorry. Trust me, I can't give you a direct location. Silas is not a man we all know. Even as his underdogs."
"So you're now Silas's underdog?"
"Indeed. Been for 3 years now."
A faint smile plays on Shion's face. "You have to have a clue at least?" She slips her hand into her pocket.
Bobby looks at her hand. He swallows. "Of course. Yea.. know King Pin?"
"No."
"I can help you track King Pin. He's one of Silas's high war Lord's."
"So where or how may I locate him?"
Bobby points. "Behind you. That's King Pin's boy Jeremy, he's a spy."