When the Butterfly Flaps Its Wings (update)

Ren's steps were slow, but her heart raced.

Especially when she caught a glimpse of Jayce Talis through the gap in her veil. Her heart pounded like an engine fueled by rage.

It was him!

He was the one who took her child, her only child!

That was her flesh and blood, her future!

The child she had carried for ten months, endured countless hardships, and brought into the world with sweet anticipation.

Because of him, because of Jayce Talis, her child's life ended before it even began. Her baby now lay in a tiny coffin, buried beneath the earth, rotting away.

All because of him!!

Ren clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

Since her son's death, she hadn't slept a single peaceful night.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw her son's lifeless, hollow stare.

Why? Why?!

Why could he take her son and still stand here, pretending to mourn?

Ren's gaze shifted from Jayce Talis to the entrance of the venue.

The doors had been closed by her undercover henchmen, disguised as enforcers.

Now, they were slowly bringing her tools of revenge.

Soon, very soon, she would have her vengeance!

Huh?

Wait—

Ren noticed a red-haired woman climbing over the barrier, seemingly shouting something in agitation.

But she was stopped by the enforcers.

It seemed she had noticed something was wrong, but what could she do?

Everything was going according to plan. Today, she would avenge her son!

And she would make these arrogant topsiders feel the wrath and mockery of Zaun!

Come on, come on, come on—

Bring me my weapon, bring them our fury!

"This woman—"

Link stood behind Ren, watching her tremble with excitement and rage. His eyes narrowed.

"—is thrilled by the prospect of unleashing her anger."

Link could feel the uncontrollable emotions beneath the veil, surging like a stormy sea.

It was a desperate, burning desire, a pure, unadulterated hatred.

It transcended all other emotions, obliterated all reason.

Only the fire of vengeance roared!

He couldn't explain why he felt this way.

It was as if his instincts were telling him what this woman's emotions were like, what color her soul was.

It was indescribable, mysterious, and profound.

Link wanted to understand the source of this feeling, but he had no way to trace it.

The enforcer carrying the bag passed through the crowd, pausing briefly in front of him, interrupting Link's thoughts.

No, he couldn't dwell on this anymore.

The situation at hand was more urgent.

Ren and her henchmen were in position. It was time for him to act.

Link stared at the bag placed at Ren's feet. He took a step forward, his gaze not on Ren but on the henchman disguised as an enforcer.

This guy had a flare gun. He needed to be neutralized first!

"—We have suffered a heavy blow, but I assure you!"

Mel's voice echoed through the venue. As her words faded, Link's arm, encased in the exoskeleton, shot out from under his cloak like a snake's fang, aiming for the henchman's neck.

The henchman's neck had a visible tattoo. When Link's cold, metallic fingers touched his skin, goosebumps erupted all over his body.

The henchman turned his head, but Link's fingers were already pressing on the back of his neck, where the nerves and blood vessels were most concentrated. A strong enough strike here could knock someone out, paralyze them, or even kill them.

Without hesitation, Link squeezed.

The henchman's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.

As the surrounding crowd stared in shock, Link didn't let go. He lifted the limp henchman and stepped forward, his foot landing on the bag at Ren's feet.

Ren felt the movement behind her but didn't turn around. Instead, she crouched to grab the bag.

Something had gone wrong!

But it didn't matter. As long as she could get her weapon, there was still hope!

Ren grabbed the bag's strap and tried to pull it up, but it felt like it was pinned under an anvil.

Looking down, she saw a metallic foot crushing her bag.

She couldn't pull it free, and the weapon inside was already deformed under the pressure.

Who was this?

Why was he ruining her plans?

Ren looked up in fury, only to see her trusted henchman being flung like a ragdoll, his eyes rolled back, drool dripping from his mouth, as he was hurled toward her.

In an instant, Ren was knocked to the ground, her veil falling off. The crowd erupted in screams.

"Enforcers, enforcers!"

A woman pointed at Link, who was hidden under his cloak, and screamed.

A man nearby stepped forward but hesitated when he saw the "enforcer" being tossed around like a toy.

He was a gentleman, after all. Better not take risks.

Let the enforcers handle it!

The man pulled his wife and child back as the woman continued to scream, and the child began to cry.

The venue descended into chaos.

Meanwhile, a space cleared around Link as everyone backed away.

Jayce and the other dignitaries in the front row were quickly escorted away by the enforcers.

On stage, Mel frowned.

The memorial service was meant to honor the fallen councilors, reassure the people, and dispel the atmosphere of fear.

But now, just as it had begun, this chaos erupted.

What was going on?

Mel glanced at Caitlyn, who nodded and turned to investigate.

A group of enforcers surrounded Link from all sides, guns and batons at the ready, their eyes sharp.

"Stop your violent actions immediately and get down on the ground!"

One enforcer shouted.

"Get down now!!"

"Don't resist—"

Another enforcer cocked his gun, finger tight on the trigger.

Link didn't respond. Instead, he kicked the bag toward the enforcers and tore off Ren's disguise.

As Ren's true identity was revealed, the crowd erupted in uproar.

"A Zaunite! It's a Zaunite!"

"Damn it, how did a Zaunite get into the memorial service?"

"That outfit—she's a chem-baroness!"