86: gather

Night fell.

After a bloody suppression had just occurred.

The streets of New Jeju were already deserted.

The glow of neon lights seemed somewhat oppressive in the misty atmosphere.

The "Nightingale Bar," located in a secluded alley in the city center, looked particularly different tonight.

There was no usual hustle and bustle or intoxicating music, only a heavy atmosphere, like the calm before a storm.

Lin Fei, having altered his appearance with the Touch of Disguise, now sported a bald head and a somewhat vacant gaze, making him resemble Saitama from One-Punch Man.

He pushed open the door to a hidden private room in the bar's back alley.

Lin Mengzi, wearing a loose hooded sweatshirt and a black mask that concealed her exquisite beauty, revealing only a pair of deer-like eyes, followed closely behind.

Creak—

The door to the private room was pushed open.

Inside, the room was dimly lit, with over a dozen shadowy figures scattered in various corners, some sitting, some standing, creating a chilling atmosphere.

Each person concealed their true identity in various ways—grotesque masks, cold metal eye patches, or simply the most basic masks and hoods.

They could only be distinguished by their visible Guild numbers.

When they saw the faintly glowing [698] number above Lin Fei's head.

The figures in the room, who had been whispering or wiping weapons, all paused in unison.

Several gazes, clearly filled with awe and fervor, instantly focused on this seemingly ordinary bald young man.

No words were needed; the mere appearance of the number was enough to explain everything.

Masked Emperor!

He was the mysterious hero who, single-handedly, confronted the Blue Flag Country, forced back the garrison, and secured a glimmer of hope for the players of New Jeju!

He had come too!

A silent surge of excitement and confidence quietly spread among these Thousand Wings Guild members.

With this powerful reinforcement, the chances of success for tonight's operation greatly increased!

Lin Fei's gaze quickly swept across the room, soon settling on that familiar and captivating figure on the corner sofa.

Clad in a black, tight-fitting leather suit that perfectly outlined her curves, with neat and capable silver short hair, even with a black mask, those clear, sharp, silver-gray eyes, seemingly capable of seeing through everything, were enough for Lin Fei to instantly recognize her.

It was his second sister, Shi Jin!

She really came!

Standing beside Shi Jin was a tall, thin young man, also dressed in a black combat suit.

He also wore a mask, but his exposed brows and eyes revealed an undisguised arrogance and disdain.

At this moment, he was scanning the Thousand Wings members in the room with a contemptuous gaze, like someone inspecting merchandise; as an internal tester, he possessed a strong sense of arrogance.

This person was an internal tester from Free Wings, codenamed "Violet."

Lin Mengzi also noticed her second sister; her delicate body trembled imperceptibly, and her red lips beneath the mask were tightly pressed, forcibly suppressing her inner excitement.

She merely gave Shi Jin's direction an almost imperceptible nod, then, together with Lin Fei, found an inconspicuous corner to sit down.

At this moment, they were "698" and "298," not Lin Fei and Lin Mengzi.

Everything revolved around the mission.

"Everyone is here," a man wearing a Silver Fox mask, codenamed "Silver Fox," said in a deep voice, breaking the silence in the room.

His voice was hoarse and magnetic, clearly processed.

"I am the temporary leader for this decapitation operation, Silver Fox."

His gaze swept across the room, finally resting on Shi Jin and Violet, his tone slightly respectful: "These two are experts sent by the Free Wings Main Guild, codenamed [8] and [Violet], responsible for handling potential high-level combat threats."

Shi Jin merely nodded slightly, her eyes still cold and sharp, scanning everyone present like a scanner, lingering on Lin Fei and Lin Mengzi for a fraction of a second before moving away discreetly.

As for Violet, he didn't even show basic politeness, maintaining his haughty demeanor as he adjusted his collar.

He spoke directly.

"You are wrong!"

"What 'handling high-level combat threats'? What does that have to do with me?"

"A small place like Luo Country has no need to resist in front of a giant like Blue Flag Country."

"Even if you trash here wipe out all the Blue Flag Country commanders this time, it won't mean much."

"I'm just here to execute a mission and get an Epic-grade treasure chest."

"What did you say!" a masked Thousand Wings player angrily retorted, "What do you mean we have no need to resist? Are you even a Free Wings fighter?"

"Idiot!" Violet slightly released his spiritual pressure.

The LV35 level indicator above his head and his purple, ultra-rare profession [Wandering Gunner] glowed faintly.

The man immediately felt a sense of dread, as if being targeted by a savage beast.

Violet said arrogantly, "Resistance also requires strength. You are merely trying to stop a chariot with a praying mantis's arms. If not for the support of our Free Wings Main Guild for this mission, you people...

Hmph, you wouldn't be able to achieve anything.

Instead of coming to thank me properly, you dare to talk back?"

"You!"

Even within Free Wings, there was no shortage of pests.

Violet, being an internal tester, was extremely arrogant.

Not to mention the room full of new recruits from the Thousand Wings branch, he even disdained the new recruits from the main guild.

However, if someone was stronger than him, he would adopt a fawning attitude.

Above themselves, they desired equality for all.

Below themselves, they demanded clear class distinctions.

In many companies, such people who judge others based on their status are not a minority.

He just never expected that such arrogant individuals would exist even in a guild like Free Wings.

"What the hell are you yapping about?" Lin Fei said to Violet.

"What did you say! Are you looking for death?" Violet was surprised, then laughed in anger. He already disliked the Masked Emperor; he was just a newcomer, why did he have such great popularity?

"Shut up!" Shi Jin said in a low voice.

"Did you hear that? You, a newcomer, dare to talk back to a main guild operative of mine!" Violet thought Number 8 was backing him up, and continued, feigning courage.

"I told you to shut up," Shi Jin looked at Violet coldly.

Instantly, facing Shi Jin's gaze, a burst of fear erupted within Violet, and he immediately fell silent.

Seeing him stop talking, Lin Fei also stopped bothering him.

He had seen too many self-righteous people, and killed too many.

Level 35 is impressive?

If this were the Trial World, he would have slapped this show-off to death long ago.

But now was a critical moment, and the big picture was paramount.

There was no need to kill the person sent by headquarters before the mission even began.

Silver Fox was clearly somewhat displeased with Violet's attitude, but his good professional conduct kept him from reacting, and he continued, "Violet, time is short; let's not have any more meaningless arguments.

According to the latest intelligence, Lee Seung-ki and the Blue Flag Country commander David, along with some military leaders, are currently in the Municipal Building."

He tapped his finger on the tactical tablet in front of him, and a three-dimensional structural map of the Municipal Building was projected into mid-air.

"The building's exterior is blockaded by the Luo Country's Seventh Armored Division and Twelfth Infantry Brigade, while the interior is guarded by the Blue Flag Country garrison and Lee Seung-ki's private guard, with extremely high defense levels."

Silver Fox's virtual cursor pointed to a specially marked area on the top floor: "And the most troublesome part is here, the top-floor suite area. Besides regular guards, there are confirmed to be at least three 'internal testers' dispatched by Blue Flag Country providing close protection."

Upon hearing the words "internal testers," the atmosphere in the room grew even heavier.

Internal testers, compared to those who entered the Node Tower during the global simultaneous open beta, had more access and trial time.

They were also often more powerful.

Violet was an example; he was already Level 35.

Much higher than these people who were only in their teens.

And every five levels, one could learn a new professional skill.

It could be said that every five levels marked a small watershed in strength.

"Those internal players, I will handle them," Shi Jin, who had been silent, finally spoke.

Her voice was as cold as her eyes, but it carried an undeniable confidence and power. "You just need to break into the top floor at the fastest speed and complete the decapitation operation while we deal with them."

Silver Fox was surprised: "Number 8, are you really going to deal with at least three internal players by yourself?"

Number 8 was a codename Shi Jin was using at the moment; her actual number was not displayed, and Silver Fox did not know her identity as one of the Ten Wings.

Shi Jin nodded.

"Alright!" Silver Fox then looked at the others, "We are responsible for the outer perimeter breakthrough and clearing out miscellaneous enemies, to create the best infiltration and combat environment for Number 8.

The operation will begin promptly at nine o'clock tonight, and each team will commence operations according to the pre-planned schedule."

Silver Fox began to detail the specific action plan and personnel assignments, and everyone listened intently, committing every detail firmly to memory.

Although Lin Fei was listening, a part of his mind was focused on his second sister.

After years apart, his second sister seemed to have become even stronger and colder.

What had she experienced these past few years?

After this operation concludes, if there's an opportunity, he must ask her properly.