130: Hunter and Actor

Tartarus, Higher Academy, near the Energy Supply Station.

The mountain wind howled, kicking up red dust from the ground.

Shadow Chaser-J stood personally on a mountain ridge, overlooking the long, narrow valley below that looked as if it had been split open by a giant axe. His tactical eyepiece was scanning and modeling at high speed, converting every rock and depression into cold data.

"Canyon Section A, the rock structure is unstable. Deploy two 'Ripper' automated turrets; that'll be enough to cause a chain collapse and seal the entrance."

"Sections B and C, on both sides of the cliffs, set up an invisible sniper point every fifty meters. I want them to lack even the courage to look up at the sky."

"At the bottom of the valley, beneath that single path, bury 'Predator' directional induction mines. I want every step they take to be onto their own graves."

"That abandoned pump house at the end of the canyon..." He pointed into the distance. "Place the main force of the 'Ghost' squad there. When they are suppressed by the crossfire and can't lift their heads, give them a frontal 'surprise'."

His adjutant recorded the commands at high speed, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Sir, a perfect three-dimensional crossfire network! They'll be like livestock driven into a Slaughterhouse, with no possibility of survival!"

"I don't want possibility." J's voice was as cold as the wind in the canyon. "I want absolute."

wanderer, Personal Workshop.

Chen Feng stood before a massive holographic mirror. In the reflection, he was no longer the sharp-eyed business leader, but a somewhat pedantic, bookish scholar.

"Identity confirmed: Cepheus Sector, Hermes Third-Rate Academy, Visiting Professor, specializing in 'Exploratory Ontological Physics'." The cold electronic voice of the Exchange system echoed in his mind.

This forged identity, which had cost him three thousand credit points, was flawless—enough to pass most of the Alliance's routine screenings.

He picked up a set of dark gray classical formal wear from in front of the mirror and changed into it. This seemingly ordinary suit also came from the Exchange, costing seven thousand credit points. Its fibers were infused with memory metal and miniature force field generators, capable of resisting a medium-intensity energy impact at a critical moment.

"Details determine success or failure," Chen Feng murmured to himself.

He opened the "Curios" section of the Exchange and began his shopping in a category named "Scholar's Gadgets."

"'Quantum Entanglement State Observation Lens'... a slightly more complex kaleidoscope? Not bad, looks convincing enough. Bought."

"'Aether Wind Concept Collection Bottle'... a perfectly sealed empty bottle? Perfect, fits my persona. Bought."

"And this, 'Reality Potentiality Disruptor'... sounds impressive, but it's actually just a metal ball that makes buzzing sounds and emits strange lights? Fantastic!"

Soon, the classical leather suitcase by his side was filled with these seemingly profound but actually useless "experimental props."

The image of an eccentric scholar, desperate to hawk his "great inventions" to universities and unrecognized by the academic mainstream, was now fully fleshed out.

Omni-Dimensional Trade Alliance, Mobile Command Vehicle.

An encrypted communication from Glack popped up on J's screen.

"The target is completely off-guard and trusts me implicitly. How's my acting?" Glack's voice carried a hint of pride, as if seeking credit.

There was no expression on J's face; he didn't even bother to respond to the other's complacency.

"Proceed according to the original plan." His voice was as cold as iron. "Once they enter 'Slaughterhouse' Canyon, your troops will immediately retreat and block their escape route."

"Understood!" Glack replied excitedly. "Pleasure doing business with you!"

"There is no pleasure," J cut off the communication coldly. "Only the transaction."

wanderer, Hangar.

The hangar was brightly lit, filled with the low hum of engine preheating and the electronic beeps of weapon calibration.

Reno was carefully wiping his high-frequency vibration dagger, the blade reflecting a grim cold light under the lamps. Behind him, over a dozen veterans from his personal guard and dozens of newly recruited warriors were all geared up and ready to go.

The sound of heavy footsteps approached.

Chen Feng, having changed into his scholar's disguise and carrying the suitcase full of "experimental props," walked over slowly.

The noise in the hangar seemed to be instantly muted; everyone's eyes were focused on the two of them.

The two stood facing each other in silence, the atmosphere as solemn as a pre-war sacrifice.

"Boss..." Reno spoke first, his voice a bit raspy.

Chen Feng reached out and patted Reno's solid shoulder. Beneath that heavy combat suit were muscles like steel and a burning loyalty.

"Make a big scene," Chen Feng said softly. "Don't actually lose your life."

Reno grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. The scar on his face twisted, giving his originally ferocious expression a touch of honest mirth.

"Don't worry, Boss." He thumped his chest plate hard, letting out a muffled 'thud'. "I haven't seen enough of you turning this universe upside down yet! I won't die!"

Chen Feng also smiled.

He withdrew his hand and balled it into a fist.

Reno understood and raised his fist as well.

"Thump!"

The two fists collided in the air, completing the simplest yet heaviest entrustment between men.

"Wait for my return."

"Waiting for your return."

wanderer, Bridge.

Su Li stood before the massive porthole, silently watching it all.

She watched as Reno led the mixed unit onto heavy armed shuttles, which roared off toward the chaotic urban areas of Tartarus.

She then watched as another small vehicle, disguised as an ordinary commercial shuttle and carrying Chen Feng, silently slipped into another flight path and disappeared at the edge of her vision.

Two teams, two directions—one rushing toward a battlefield of fire and blood, the other infiltrating a dark and treacherous dragon's den.

Her heart felt as if it were split in two, one half tightening with worry for Reno's safety, the other half hanging in suspense for Chen Feng's solo venture into danger.

Only when no trace of them could be seen did she slowly withdraw her gaze, return to her console, and silently open a folder protected by triple encryption.

The folder was named [Cerberus].

It was the emergency evacuation and final rescue contingency plan she had prepared for this mission—one that neither Chen Feng nor Reno knew about.

Tartarus Sector, Low Earth Orbit, designated rendezvous point.

Reno's shuttle fleet hovered steadily in the shadow of an asteroid belt.

A moment later, a massive mercenary fleet jumped in from the other side. It was Glack's "Skull Crusher."

The small assault craft Glack was on pulled alongside. The hatch opened, and his massive frame appeared at the docking tunnel entrance, a warm smile on his face.

"Brother Reno! Sorry to keep you waiting!" He spread his four arms as if to give Reno a hug.

Reno sidestepped to avoid it, merely extending a fist to bump him.

"Everyone here?"

"Of course! I've brought everything I own!" Glack patted Reno's shoulder enthusiastically. "Ready to strike it rich with me?"

"Ready," Reno replied.

For some reason, he felt Glack was a bit too enthusiastic today. Deep within those murky eyes, there seemed to be a faint, fleeting... strangeness.

Was it an illusion?

Perhaps he was just too tense.

Reno suppressed that momentary flicker of doubt.

The arrow was on the string; there was no turning back.

He turned around and issued the final command through the general channel.

"All units, move out! Target: the energy station!"

The two massive forces merged into one, advancing like a torrent of steel toward the death canyon below, which was already riddled with traps.