One by one, the surveillance clips began revealing Xiao Feng's recent whereabouts. As he entered Kelly's apartment complex, Lei Yan swiftly accessed the interior footage. The group watched as Xiao Feng stood hesitantly before Kelly's door, debating for a long moment before finally raising his hand to knock. Then, the screen jumped forward — the rest of the night passed in silence.
Old White frowned, perplexed. "What business could Xiao Feng possibly have here?"
Before Lei Yan could respond, the footage shifted again, leaping through countless scenes of the city until finally freezing on one—Xiao Feng was seen opening the door, about to step outside.
A striking silhouette appeared beside him. The woman, visibly anxious, seemed to be saying something, though no sound came through the feed. Everyone in the patrol car was puzzled—until White, Rice, and Lin recognized her at once: the Alliance's Espers Envoy, Kelly.
"How strange…" Old White muttered to himself. "When did Xiao Feng get involved with Kelly? How did I not notice this?"
Rice looked equally baffled. "Why would she be with him in the first place?"
"We can sort that out later. Lei Yan, was that the last piece of footage?"
Lei Yan nodded solemnly. "Yes."
"And the timestamp?" Lin asked sharply.
Lei Yan glanced at the display. "Just three minutes ago."
Old White's brow furrowed deeper. "So, you're saying Xiao Feng is likely still inside Kelly's residence?"
"Exactly. After that moment, he disappears completely from all surveillance records."
"Where is Kelly's apartment? Quickly—send the coordinates to Lin!" White ordered.
Without delay, Lei Yan transmitted the full address. Lin tapped a button on the central console, and a translucent display unfolded to reveal a detailed map—streets, paths, every turn marked clearly.
Lin gave it a quick scan, then turned to the group. "Buckle up. We're about to fly."
Within minutes, the patrol vehicle screeched to a halt beneath Kelly's high-rise. Lin, Old White, Storm, Lei Yan, Rice, and Alice disembarked, scanning their surroundings before heading upstairs.
At Kelly's door, Old White knocked. Silence.
"What now?" he asked Lin.
With a faint smirk, Lin stepped forward. "Watch closely."
He raised a single finger toward the lock. Frost began to form on his fingertip, coalescing into a slender icicle. Inserting it into the keyhole, Lin twisted gently. Click. The door swung open.
White and Rice exchanged astonished glances—this was not the sort of lockpicking they had expected.
Lin made a courteous gesture. "After you."
Old White stepped in first, softly calling out, "Xiao Feng…"
No answer. The apartment lay still.
The rest followed, scanning the rooms. But Xiao Feng was nowhere to be found.
Old White stood at a half-open window, gaze darkening. "Don't bother. If I'm right, he's already gone."
Lin, hands in his pockets, leaned out the window and peered downward. The abyss below made his stomach lurch. "No way… That drop is impossible to survive."
Alice folded her arms. "There's nothing my brother can't do. But where do we look for him now?"
Old White thought for a moment. "We leave. We shouldn't linger here. Let's get moving and regroup elsewhere."
Back in the patrol car, Lin took the wheel—but before he could start the engine, two massive armored vehicles rolled into view, blocking the road ahead. These were no ordinary patrol units. Twice the size of Lin's vehicle, they bristled with heavy weaponry—turrets, machine guns, even two compact surface-to-air missiles.
Lin's eyes narrowed. "Damn… We've been made. Everyone, hold tight."
He started the engine. With a loud screech, the patrol car reversed violently, tires screaming against the asphalt. But the rearview mirror revealed the worst—two more armored patrols had arrived behind them, boxing them in completely.
The trap had been meticulously set. Four fully armed units, hemming them in on a narrow urban street.
Lin slammed on the brakes. The sudden stop threw everyone against their seats.
Rice and Old White peered through the rear window, tension rising.
Though a capable hunter, Old White was no stranger to fear. "What now?" he asked Rice, anxiety bleeding into his voice.
Rice frowned, silent in thought.
The cabin grew still. The engine idled with a rhythmic hum, while Lin stared grimly ahead, calculating.
At last, Rice broke the silence. "We run."
Lin scanned the surroundings and spotted a narrow alley between two buildings. He pointed. "There. That alley—we bolt through it."
But Lei Yan raised a hand. "Wait. If they were able to box us in here, you don't think they've covered that alley too?"
The warning landed hard.
"And don't forget to scan for snipers," Lei Yan added grimly. "One careless step, and we'll be picked off before we even cross the line."
Another silence descended, colder than before.
Storm whispered, "So what, we just sit here? Or… do we walk out and surrender?"
Lin brushed a hand through his hair. "That's… an option."
And then it came—boom.
A single, muffled sniper shot echoed ominously through the cabin.