005 • No. 461

I managed to wake up just in the nick of time for the meeting. It feels weird that I was able to actually sleep last night, but I don't really have time to dwell on it for long.

Skipping through town, I bought myself a cheap meat skewer before making my way to Zhang's residence of sorts. I was handed a small piece of paperwork by the official at the front yesterday when I was setting up a meeting. I just need to show the guards and/or whoever is at the front to get through, along with my ID, which further solidifies my occupation, and whatever the official lady told me yesterday, I've already forgotten.

The city's as beautiful as ever, but for some reason, it felt a little different today. Maybe it's the knowledge that I get to meet the big man himself, but something about the streets felt... heavier. I couldn't tell if it's paranoia or if there's something going on around here. I then remembered the conversation I had with Mr. Merchant the previous evening, a soft hum leaving my lips as I then glanced around my surroundings.

Hope I don't get caught in any 'Political' issue nonsense while I'm here... that just sounds like an absolute nuisance…

I eventually reach Zhang's residence sooner than I thought. The towering gates loomed ahead, flanked by armed guards in sleek uniforms. The woman I had spoken earlier the previous day asked me to show my paperwork and ID. I fish them both out of my pocket, flashing them quickly two the guards and went to wander up towards the entrance.

The guards eyed me warily as I stepped forward — which is fair, but the moment I flashed my ID, they stiffened into a professional stance. One of them reached out to grab my paperwork, his eyes scanning it over and then nodding in confirmation. 

"Proceed inside. Mr. Zhang is expecting you."

Oh vav, I feel special. I offer a semi-polite nod in return and waltz straight through the gates. 

The interior of Zhang's estate is somehow even grander than the city itself. Polished marble floors reflected the intricate carvings of constellations on the ceiling. The scent of fresh herbal tea and incense lingered in the air, and the faint sound of classical music played somewhere in the background. A man ends up walking with me, escorting me through the main halls and into what I'd assume is Zhang's office. The doors open to reveal a sprawling room, sunlight filtering through wide, arched windows. At the center of the room sits Hoa Zhang himself. Perched on his fancy little chair, adorned with intricate designs while he stares boredly, yet tentatively at the papers in his hands.

He looks younger than I expected, to be honest—calm, composed, with an aura of authority that put me on edge a little bit. His dark brown hair, is kept neatly tied back with a delicate hair pin, and his eyes shining with a similar feel with that of gold. Everything about him just screams 'professional' and well-kept. Maybe I'll throw in the fact that he's rich too. He glances up from his papers over to his guards first, then myself with eyes sharp and calculating the moment the doors opened for me to walk through. With that, he rises from his seat, pushing up his glasses as I approach and stop at a relatively respectful distance.

"Miss Sato, I presume..." he begins, his voice steady. 

"Izana," I correct gently. I'd rather not get on someone's bad side who literally has the power to rip me to shreds with a snap of his fingers if he wants to. "Just Izana is fine."

He nods, a faint smile on his lips. "Izana. I hope you've had a pleasant journey so far?"

"Pleasant enough," I reply, scanning the room briefly before meeting his gaze again. "Pleasantries aside, I didn't really come here for small talk."

His smile doesn't waver, though I catch the slightest twitch in his expression. "No, I hadn't expected you did." 

Tapping on my watch, a holographic screen pops up, using my fingers to enlarge the screen enough so he can see what was on it. A picture I'd taken of the Data Chip after turning it in to Sam yesterday to mail back to Zhang through a secure line, "I came across your bounty some time ago to capture a man who had this in his possession. I thought you might be able to help me understand why you have this..." 

Zhang's brow raises at this knowledge. His expression softens subtly as he steps off to the side of his expensive wooden desk, filled with papers and other traditional trinkets of the sort. "So it was you. In that case, I must thank you for doing your job rather quickly. I've had many individuals under my own employment who can't even manage to track someone so minute as quickly as you have." 

His tone is calm, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity in it. I'm a little surprised at the sudden wall of compliments using fancy rich-people language. Blinking a tad bit before quickly gathering my thoughts again to continue the conversation on why I even bothered coming here in the first place. 

"I—... am thankful for you ah... kind words," I reply a little awkwardly, which I mentally slapped myself for, Good God, Izana, it's just a compliment, you're not that awkward with people. "I want to know why you have information about bounty hunters. High-interest targets. Things that aren't exactly common knowledge, on that thing." 

Zhang chuckled softly, the sound low and deliberate. "Information like that, Izana, is hardly uncommon amongt those with the right connections. Knowledge, after all, is power—and power requires careful cultivation." 

He gestures to the holographic image of the data chip hovering between us, his golden eyes glinting faintly in the sunlight filtering through the windows. "This particular chip is more valuable than most realize. It's a curated compilation—names, profiles, activities—all carefully assembled for the discerning eye." He explains further, as if I hadn't meddled with it some time ago with Sora's help. Guilty as charged— but he doesn't need to know that. 

I narrow my eye slightly. "Curated by who? And why would you need something so..." I pause. "specific?" 

Zhang rested his hand lightly on the edge of his desk, leaning just enough to give the impression of someone about to share a carefully rehearsed truth. "It's not a matter of needing, Izana. It's about safeguarding. My position as a one of two central figures in this Interastral Sector requires vigilance—alliances, rivalries, even potential threats. The information on that chip isn't just a list of bounty hunters and their targets. It's an intricate map of the power dynamics that keep this city and others like it afloat. A safety net, if you will." 

I cross my arms, my posture relaxing slightly but my gaze remains sharp. "And you're saying that by you keeping tabs on high-interest bounty hunters is just... business as usual?" 

"Precisely," Zhang responds without missing a beat. 

Should've figured that... 

"Though I assure you, my interest is purely professional. It's not personal—unless, of course, you make it so." 

The faintest edge in his tone has me stiffen a little, but I force myself to remain calm and appear relaxed; casual, if you will. "If it's not personal, then perhaps you won't mind telling me how a target with that chip managed to escape your 'careful cultivation' in the first place." 

Zhang's smile falters, just for a second, before returning in full force. "An excellent question. One I've been pondering myself." He walks over to a polished cabinet near the far wall, sliding open a drawer to retrieve a small tablet. "The man you apprehended was once a courier in my employ. A minor figure, easily overlooked. Yet somehow, he managed to obtain this data and attempted to sell it to the highest bidder. Foolish, of course, but desperation often drives men to such lengths." 

"And what makes you so sure he acted alone?" I press insistently, eyeing his every move. 

Zhang turns back towards me, tablet in hand. "Because, Izana, if he hadn't, you and I wouldn't be having this conversation. The moment that chip left my network, I ensured every trail it might leave was extinguished. Except for the one that led you to me, of course." 

I frown, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. "You let this happen then..." 

I have a strange feeling... that there's something critical I'm missing here... after all... why would he post that bounty with such a risky piece of data...?  

Zhang inclines his head, acknowledging the accusation without an ounce of shame. "I allowed a controlled leak, yes. A calculated risk, or a gamble in the eyes of others, to see where the threads unraveled—and who might take the 'bait', per se. Afterall, that chip itself is difficult to decipher without the proper tools to do so." He tilted his head slightly, his eyes boring into mine. "It seems you've unraveled quite a bit yourself, haven't you?" 

My grip tightens instinctively on my arms, having them crossed against my chest. "I don't quite like being used, frankly." 

"Neither do I," Zhang replies smoothly, his voice carrying a note of finality. "Which is why I'd like to propose a mutual understanding. You've proven yourself capable, resourceful, and... refreshingly direct, to me. Let us work together. I can ensure your path remains clear—and perhaps, you'll find what you're truly looking for along the way. In return, you may return my blanket of anonymity with any professional favors that I see fit for you to fulfill." 

His words are absolute, and carry an air of truth to them, dare I say. He hones in on the word 'professional' indicated that these favors he might as of me won't be personal, in his eyes. Hopefully they aren't fuckin' personal... 

I exhale slowly, the weight of the conversation settling into my shoulders. His offer is as calculated as his every word, but it's not without merit. Still, I'm not about to agree so easily. Sure I got Sam to help with my anonymity for hunting bounties and issuance for payment...Do I really need Zhang's promise of Anonymity too? I mean, it won't hurt to get some extra protection along the way. I just have to try not to be too reckless, burdening someone like Zhang with covering up my tracks does not sound like a very good relationship to have with a literal Acolyte. A whole ass man, who's somehow earned the gaze of an Aos. 

Before I'm able answer, the faintest shift in the air tugs at my senses. It's subtle—just a breath of change—but it set my nerves on edge. Zhang notices it as well, his eyes narrowing slightly as he catches my glance toward the door, his guards taking position as well, noticing the subtle edge in the air. 

"Expecting anyone else?" I ask, my tone sharper than I'd intend, my grip tightens on the hilt of my sword. 

Zhang's gaze flicks towards the door behind me, his posture stiffening slightly. "No." 

The tension in the air grew heavy, and that's when all hell suddenly breaks loose. 

The windows shatter inwards violently, a deafening explosion of glass rains down around us. Smoke billows in, thick and suffocating. Figures clad in black, surges into the room with speed faster than I would've anticipate. 

Mercenaries. 

I'm already on the moving before the first strike comes. The moment the glass shatters, I dart behind to cover myself, my chains lashing out from my rings, wrapping around the nearest pillar for leverage. Instincts guides my actions as I summon forth my sword in one fluid motion, the metal hums with the promise of violence. Zhang's guards charge forth, but they're quickly outmaneuvered—these aren't ordinary mercenary attackers, that's for sure. They moved like shadows, trained, they cut through the room with somewhat unnerving precision. 

I grit my teeth in irritation as I crouch behind the desk, eyes scanning the chaos. Zhang had mentioned "calculated risks," but this? This was far from a coincidence. It feels too orchestrated, like a trap closing in on us, that's irritably complex to get out of. 

The air hums with danger as one of the assassins lunges at him, blades gleaming under the dim lights. I sidestep, twisting my body to avoid the strike, then thrusting my sword into the intruder's side, shielding Zhang instinctively as he reaches for his own weapon. Blood splatters across the floor, but before I can even fully pull my blade free, another assailant was rushing towards him. I barely caught the second strike, my chain whipping out to bind the man's blade mid-air, using it to yank them off balance. My sword slices through his throat with a smooth, practiced motion. 

They're not targeting me this time, why? 

I've been caught in the midst of intruding attacks before, and 9 times out of 10, they just kill whoever's in the room. Not caring who's caught in the crossfire at all, as long as they get the job done... unless... 

"What the fuck is going on..." I grit, parrying another attack, my chain snap forward to wrap around another assailant's sword, pulling it from his grasp before knocking him out with a swift strike to the head. 

Zhang, parries several attacks on his own while commanding orders to his remaining men. His mask of composure begins to slip, revealing a cold resolve beneath. He shoots a glare towards me that I miss. Mainly because I am far too busy trying to comprehend our currently little predicament. 

My sword meets another assassin's in a violent clash. The sound of steel on steel rings in my ears as I pivot, sending a chain out to catch another attacker by the ankle, yanking them off his feet. As he hit the ground, I'm already on them, my sword plunging into their chest without a second thought at all as bits of blood splashes onto my cheek. 

There's something blatantly off about this, to me at least. The timing, the precision, it was all too deliberate. These aren't just random hired mercenaries. They know exactly what they're doing, and they have a specific targets in mind. The data chip, Zhang himself, this feels personal.  

My breathing is a bit ragged as I take in the situation. Zhang is still holding his own, but the guards were dwindling, and the assassins were relentless. Their goal isn't just to kill Zhang—they're sending a message. Whoever sent them doesn't plan on leaving anyone alive, I don't think. And I have a feeling, a tiny feeling that I know who it might be... 

I lash out again, my chain wrapping around a nearby assailant's neck, pulling him into a knee to the face, a crack ringing in the air. As I pivot away, I barely manage to catch the glimpse of a shadow slipping toward Zhang. 

Without thinking, I hurl myself forward, pivoting my foot as chains swing through the air like a whip harsh whip, wrapping around the assassin's wrist just before his blade could strike. I yank violently, pulling them into the path of my sword. The assassin crumple, but I don't pause to check for a pulse, or even care to. 

Something is still gnawing at me—this is no mere ambush. There's just too much coordination, too much foresight. I have an itching suspicion on who could've organized this. It's a stretch, and maybe I'm reaching a bit too far in my own head....But a bit of speculation can't hurt. 

I finally meet Zhang's gaze again, as the chaos begins to diminish, his offer is still lingering in the air like a heavy fog. It's not just the words he spoke—it's the unshakable feeling that Zhang knows more about me than he lets on. My instincts scream to me that his 'mutual understanding' comes at some cost. After all, all offers come with a taxing cost, don't they? 

Before I can respond, his eyes flicks downward to the chains I gripped on one hand and the now sheathed sword in my grasp. He eyes me with a scrutinizing expression, his gaze now no longer cool as it was in the beginning, it's now more guarded and cautious... 

"How interesting," Zhang begins softly, straightening his posture while lowering his weapon, staring at me with a bit of a harder expression compared to before. I stiffen, quickly masking the flicker of unease that crossed my face. He's not just suspicious—he's testing me, weighing my reactions as if he already has the answers in his mind. 

"If you're suggesting I had anything to do with your controlled leak," I say evenly, "then you've greatly underestimated me. I don't take pleasure in playing games, Zhang." 

"Of course not," he replies smoothly, his tone cool and collected. "But timing is crucial, Izana. The courier's apprehension, the recovery of the data chip, your sudden arrival here... It's all quite remarkable, wouldn't you agree? Almost as though the universe itself conspired to align these events." 

My jaw clenches at the accusation. I hate that he's not wrong in technicality. The timing of it all feels far too perfect—too orchestrated. But by fucking who??? And for what reason? Well, I have a hunch on who. Though, as for why, I might as well sit and watch paint dry. 

"Perhaps it's fate," I mock dryly, my voice laced with sarcasm as my filter of 'respect' is beginning to crumble. This situation's beginning to rub me the wrong way, and right now, I don't really have the patience to pretend to be nice right now. "Or maybe you're just that good at making people dance to your tune." 

His smirk returns faintly, sharp and deliberate. "I assure you, I don't waste time on coincidences. Nor do I waste time on those who lack potential." 

The way he says it feels like both an invitation and a warning. I exhale slowly, forcing myself to relax my posture. I can't afford to show weakness. Not here. Obviously not in front of someone like him. 

"What happens next, then?" I ask, my tone generally careful. 

"That, Izana," Zhang begins, his voice dropping into something almost conspiratorial, "depends entirely on you. I've extended an offer. But should you choose to decline, I'll trust you'll find your own way forward. Just know that the path you tread may not always be as clear as you'd like." 

A threat disguised as diplomacy. Classic. 

I know it'd be a good idea to accept, but I already have Sam. Again, it'd be very ideal to have two sponsors, but.... Haizz, I mean, that'd practically guarantee me double the obscurity, but I'm in no position to do any of his 'favors'. At least right now. 

I remain silent for a brief moment, my eye glancing around subtly before snapping back up to meet his own. "I want to ask a question." 

His eyes stay on me the entire time as I retract my chains, and dismiss my sword, "I want to know if you know a man by the name of Rune." 

The air grows a little tenser than before the moment I speak of his name. The guards pause in cleaning of the lingering bodies of dead assailants, and so does Zhang himself. 

"I do not," He declares calmly, with a bit of edge to his tone of voice. 

"Bullshit," I interject right as he claims he's 'never' heard of that name, my tone is far more serrated than I'd like it to be. Completely tossing aside my initial filter as I begin to grow a bit more agitated. Everyone in the bounty hunting world and those in high power know precisely of that name, hell, it's even in his stupid little chip, so that claim of his was a very poor attempt of a cover up on his end. 

"You claim that chip of yours holds all the information, or whatever, that you need," I exclaim, calling him out on his lie. "So try again..." I utter out, my voice low with demand, which catches him a bit off guard visibly, but his expression returns to scrutinizing me again, eventually shifting to a more cautious one, after a soft sigh left his lips as he made his way towards his desk once more. 

"I know of his name, of course. Though, I do not know his current position, if that is what you are inquiring about." He clarifies, which earns a faint huff of frustration from me. I ponder on whether or not I should tell him my suspicions or not, remembering Sora's words that he was here in this region not too long ago... 

Fuck it. 

"I'm inclined to think he did this." I throw out rather bluntly, which manages to get his attention quite quickly, whipping his head around to look at me with furrowed brows. 

"Explain" He utters curiously of my sudden conviction. 

"A little someone told me that he was here, in this region not too long ago, which is why..." I shrug, gesturing to where I'm standing, "...why I'm here" I mumble out as I glance out the window with a pensive expression. 

"I don't know where he is now, I want to track him down— no...I need to track him down. A stunt like this doesn't sound too far fetched for someone like him." Then, there seems to be a moment of realization for Zhang. He walks over to one of the bodies still near him, uncloaked one of them to reveal a man with distinct clothing. His expression holding a bit of annoyance, probably thinking to himself, 'why did no one take off their cloaks earlier'. He might be hiring new guards soon. 

"These men are from planet Mò Lún." He explains, haphazardly wrapping the man's dead body back up before he continues to explain before I can ask any other questions on what that even means. 

"That planet borders between my clan, and the Qiánghuì Clan..." He pauses, thinking to himself for a moment, "...If you haven't visited there yet, which I'll presume you have not by the look on your face, Mò Lún is a rather desolated place. However, It does have its perks in terms of naturistic spectacles. One thing I can assume Rune proposed to those people over there, is anything referring to military numbers and equipment or anything of sorts to better that planet." 

That sneaky old bastard.  

It feels like I'm all the way back to square one. Or more like the moment I answer one question, five more pops out of fuckin' no where. 'Where is he now?' 'Where could he have gone?' 'Why did he come here specifically?' 'what is he planning...' 

Ha, isn't this just great....

Wǔ Wēi

I tap my fingers against my chair, smoke filling the air as I sigh, a cigar occupying my lips while I stare at my screen. Finally, a door knock.

"Come in," I command, the door creaking opens, a brief silence.

"Well?" I inquire impatiently. Another pang of silence before the voice speaks.

"A— a fail— sir..."

"A fail, or a successful fail?" I interrupt. Killing that rich bastard would've been ideal, it'd give me an easier time intimidating little Ms. Fang Li over on this side of this interastral sector, but if she was there, that just makes this game a whole lot better for my own entertainment.

"Was she there?" I ask, turning my chair just enough to glance at the figure a few feet behind me. I could see a faint nod of confirmation, so with that information I can't stop myself from grinning.

"Well then, it seems like that pathetic little girl has finally begun to step up her game."