Chapter 3: Small Secret?

"Here are the results from our test," the man in the suit declared, his hair styled to keep it from obscuring his focused eyes as he stood before the long table. The individuals seated around it spanned a spectrum of authority: elderly gentleme, elegant women, muscular figures and weary faces displaying tiredness—all unified in their interest.

"Thank you for the presentation. You may leave now," said a dark-skinned man with a neatly trimmed beard and sharp black eyes, his authoritative tone cutting through the room. He, too, was dressed impeccably.

"Thank you, sir," the presenter acknowledged respectfully, bowing slightly before exiting the room. With a decisive click, he closed the presentation, leaving the group to deliberate over the newly shared findings.

The room fell into a momentary silence as the group processed the newly presented information. The tension eased when an elderly man, diminutive in stature yet bearing the weight of age on his features, spoke up.

"So... This is the last necessary step..."

"Indeed," agreed a weary-looking man, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

The elderly man continued, his voice wavering slightly with concern, "Are we certain this is the only way forward? It seems risky."

The tired-looking man sighed deeply, rubbing his temples before responding, "I understand the hesitation, but we've analyzed the alternatives. This may be our best shot."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, weighing the potential risks against the necessity of their next move.

A blonde woman interjected with a smirk on her freckled face. "Come on, guys, it's not that big of a deal..."

The tired-looking man frowned slightly, shaking his head. "It may not seem like much to you, but we need to consider all angles here."

The elderly man nodded in agreement, his expression grave. "Every step we take from here could have serious consequences."

The blonde woman groaned dramatically, her smirk widening. "Come on, guys, where's your sense of adventure? This is what we signed up for, isn't it?"

The tired-looking man rubbed his eyes. "Yes.... But we shouldn't just jump into action like this... You're too reckless."

The muscular individual crossed his arms, his expression serious. "I disagree, sometimes you just go and fight the problem head on."

The elderly man glanced at the woman with a measured look, then at the muscular man, then sighed. "Kids these days... All wanting to do something without thinking of the consequences. "

The woman chuckled, shaking her head. "You're all so uptight. Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith, you know?"

The dark-skinned man from earlier spoke firmly, his voice cutting through the tension. "Of course, we won't back down from this, but let's be clear—we're not here to have 'fun'. Do you understand?" He fixed his gaze on the woman, who shifted uncomfortably under his stern look, but her grin remained.

"Is this dangerous? Yes. Are we prepared to take responsibility? Yes," he continued, his tone resolute. "But if this works, we could be at the top of the world. Now, I must go." With that, he rose from his seat and exited the room.

The room fell into silence once more, the weight of his words lingering in the air. After a few moments, one by one, the remaining individuals began to leave, each lost in their own thoughts about the path ahead.

Far removed from the tense atmosphere of the earlier meeting, in a desolate hallway, an exchange was taking place. The corridor was narrow and dimly lit, lined with peeling wallpaper that hinted at neglect. Flickering lights overhead cast shadows, emphasizing the secrecy of the scene.

Two figures stood facing each other, their features obscured by the dim light. The first, a tall and imposing figure, leaned casually against the cracked plaster wall, exuding an air of confidence despite the covert nature of their conversation. Their attire suggested familiarity with the place, blending into the environment seamlessly.

The second figure remained hidden in the shadows, their identity concealed by the play of light and darkness. A hint of apprehension laced their voice as they spoke.

"So, do you accept?" the first figure murmured softly, their voice barely audible over the distant hum of ventilation.

"How much?" came a reply, the hidden figure's voice barely a whisper.

"Hm... 700 dollars for information. 1600 if you bring something substantial. Deal?"

"I don't know... That seems dangerous," the hidden figure replied, their voice showcasing a hint of manipulation.

"Cut that crap out. We both know you wouldn't be in danger," the first figure retorted impatiently, their tone firm and business-like.

After a tense moment of deliberation, the hidden figure finally relented with a nod, while smirking.

"Oh... And one last thing. Don't mess up. The butterfly effect is getting too real these times."

"Don't worry... I got it from here. Heh."