Chapter 127: [Source Project: Ambition]—Shadow of the Cat!

Rebecca's Afterthoughts

"Alright, that's enough."

David nodded with satisfaction, his gaze still on Rebecca.

The accuracy of her shots and the way she balanced effortlessly on the guardrail wall confirmed what he already knew—

The [Source Project: Crazy] armor was a perfect match for her.

Rebecca, still high on adrenaline, vaulted off the railing and landed beside him with barely a sound.

David turned toward her.

"So, how's the suit?"

Rebecca twirled the pink Arasaka HJKE-797 'Yukimura' smart pistol in her hand, a frown creeping onto her face.

"It's great… but…"

She stopped, weighing the pistol in her palm.

"I dunno. This thing suddenly feels kinda… weak? Like, something's off."

David smirked.

Of course.

With her speed, reaction time, and power output boosted by the [Source Project] armor, that tiny smart pistol was now laughably underpowered for her.

"That's normal." He nodded. "Your combat power's leveled up. The gun just isn't keeping up anymore."

Rebecca's eyes lit up.

"So? You got something better for me?"

David chuckled. "I'll hook you up with something bigger. Something that fits your style."

"Giggle—! Hell yeah!"

Rebecca bounced on her heels, her excitement barely contained.

Her red and green artificial eyes glowed wildly as she grinned ear to ear.

"You better not be bullshitting me, David! You promised!"

David reached out, ruffling her messy white hair.

"Relax. I don't break my promises."

"Giggle—awesome! I can't wait!"

Rebecca practically vibrated with energy, her thoughts already racing ahead.

"Next mission's gonna be nuts!"

David simply smiled, letting her excitement burn out naturally.

Then, he shifted his gaze.

"Alright. Sasha, you're up next."

---

Sasha's Turn—A New Predator

Sasha had been silent throughout Rebecca's demonstration, watching and analyzing.

Now, with David's cue, she nodded once.

"Understood."

Without hesitation, she slid the [Source Project] combat chip into the neural interface behind her ear.

---

Meanwhile, off to the side—

Pilar, Rebecca's older brother, was still processing what had just happened.

He leaned toward her, his voice low.

"Hey, Becca… seriously. That was insane. How'd it feel using the armor? Any weird side effects?"

Rebecca rolled her eyes.

"Dumbass, I'm fine."

Pilar wasn't convinced.

"Oh, c'mon. That insane accuracy—pure luck, right? I've never seen you shoot that clean before!"

"Hah? Are you doubting me?"

"No, no!" Pilar cleared his throat. "I just… y'know, care about my little sister's health. How about you let me try the chip? Just once?"

Rebecca leaned in, whispering in his ear—

"Get. Lost."

Pilar's expression crumpled.

For a moment, he looked like he was going to cry.

---

Activation: [Source Project: Ambition]

K-KSHHH!

A mechanized hiss filled the air.

All eyes snapped toward Sasha as her armor began forming around her.

Liquid nano-material flowed across her limbs, solidifying into a sleek, segmented exosuit.

Her visor clicked into place, its display flashing a deep, predatory yellow.

The suit's black-and-gold plating shimmered faintly under the neon lights.

The transformation took mere seconds.

By the time the armor had fully formed, Sasha stood perfectly still, her presence now eerily quiet.

David's eyes narrowed.

The [Source Project: Ambition] suit was designed for high-speed precision, close-quarters infiltration, and rapid assassinations.

And right now—Sasha was exuding pure lethality.

"Looks good." David finally said.

Sasha flexed her fingers, adjusting to the sensation.

Then, she looked up, her calm voice breaking the silence.

"Give me a test."

---

The Shadow of the Cat

David tapped a button on his wristband.

A row of human-shaped training dummies popped up 40 meters away.

Seven targets.

"Hit every kill zone in 10 seconds," he ordered.

Rebecca snorted. "Hah, easy."

But David raised a hand.

"Blindfolded."

The team froze.

Even Sasha raised an eyebrow.

David tossed her a black, opaque tactical visor.

"Put it on."

Sasha caught it midair and—without hesitation—secured it over her already-covered eyes.

Now, she was completely blind.

The team watched in anticipation.

"Three…"

Sasha shifted her stance, her breathing steadying.

"Two…"

Her fingers brushed against her weapons—twin, high-frequency monomolecular daggers that had appeared from her armor's storage compartments.

"One. Go."

---

The moment David said "go", Sasha disappeared.

No sound.

No movement.

No trace.

Gone.

Rebecca blinked. "What the—?"

Then, a whisper of wind.

A flicker of shadow.

Sshk—!

A target's head rolled off its shoulders, cleanly severed.

Another split down the middle.

A third crumpled, a dagger buried directly into its heart.

She wasn't running.

She wasn't dashing.

She was **flowing—**like a cat weaving through darkness.

Like a phantom slipping between the cracks of reality.

The final two targets fell at the same time.

Total time: 9.2 seconds.

Sasha stopped moving exactly where she had started, her posture unchanged.

Her head tilted slightly.

"Done."

David smirked.

"Perfect."

---

The Aftermath

The rooftop was dead silent.

Then—

"Holy shit!" Jack was the first to break.

Rebecca whistled. "Damn, Sasha. Didn't know you had it in you."

Even Maine looked visibly impressed. "That's some real Corpo-tier precision."

Dorio nodded. "Stealth assassin-type, huh? Suits you."

Sasha simply removed the blindfold, her expression unreadable.

David crossed his arms.

"Good. That armor's a natural fit for you."

Sasha glanced down at her black-and-gold plating.

Then—slowly—she smiled.

"…I like it."

David nodded. "Then let's get to work."

---

TO BE CONTINUED…

---

What's Next?

How will Dorio's armor test go?

What mission will David have for the crew next?

Will Sasha fully embrace her new combat style?

Find out in the next chapter!

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