Chapter 9: The Pact Before the Storm

Before the first rays of dawn had pierced through the towering buildings of the city, Olivia and Ethan had quietly left the family's old mansion, beginning a new journey of investigation. Both of them carried the weight of their family's fate and the responsibility to fight against the "Night Owls." Their steps were firm, but the shadows in their hearts remained. The events of the previous night had made them even more acutely aware that they were standing at the center of a vortex, a vortex that involved not only the struggle between the "Night Owls" and the "Onyx Society" but also a battle over family honor, personal destiny, and even the future of the entire city.

"Who do you think the leader of the 'Onyx Society' really is?" Ethan's voice broke the silence.

"I think we'll have to rely on 'Zero,'" Olivia frowned as she spoke. The document she tightly held in her hands still lingered in her mind. The conspiracy plans of the "Onyx Society" left her with an unprecedented sense of oppression. Especially the plan mentioned in the document to "control the economic lifeblood of the city," which seemed to indicate a silent war, with huge political and commercial interests behind it.

Ethan nodded, "Zero's network abilities are strong; he should be able to help us uncover more information." He looked at Olivia, "But are you sure you want to contact him? He used to be a member of the 'Onyx Society.' Although he's since left, no one can say for certain what that experience might have left him with."

Olivia took a deep breath. "We have no other choice. Only by getting more intelligence from Zero can we uncover the truth about the 'Onyx Society.'"

The two walked in silence, each with their own thoughts. The education Olivia received since childhood told her that when facing an enemy, one must show no mercy. Ethan, on the other hand, was more rational, knowing that in this battle, even the slightest lapse could plunge them into an irreversible situation.

They arrived at Zero's hideout, an abandoned underground warehouse. The exterior of the warehouse seemed desolate, surrounded by overgrown weeds, completely inconspicuous. Olivia and Ethan quietly entered through a hidden passage and reached the basement. With the sound of their footsteps echoing, the surrounding darkness seemed to deepen. The basement was dimly lit, with walls lined with various electronic devices and dust-covered screens.

"You finally arrived," a cold voice came from the darkness, and soon, a figure slowly materialized before them. The person was slender, his face indistinct, but his eyes carried a profound intelligence.

"Zero?" Olivia asked.

The person nodded, as if he had already anticipated their arrival. "What you need isn't just simple information. I can help you, but you must understand that this is not just about the 'Onyx Society' and the 'Night Owls.'"

Ethan frowned. "We don't have time to discuss complicated matters. We need to uncover the truth about the 'Onyx Society.'"

"I know your urgency," Zero sneered. "But if all you see are the enemies before you, you are underestimating the vast network behind them. The 'Onyx Society' is not just a simple criminal organization. They have a much deeper political background than you can imagine. Are you ready for that?"

Olivia took a deep breath and nodded. "Tell us everything."

Zero walked over to a large screen, entered a complex code, and information rapidly flashed across the screen. As the data on the screen continued to change, Olivia and Ethan's hearts raced. They finally saw a list involving multiple power centers, revealing the global infiltration of the "Onyx Society," which even included several well-known political figures and business tycoons.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg," Zero said, observing their reactions. "Your family is also involved."

"What do you mean?" Olivia asked nervously.

"Your grandfather's dealings with the 'Onyx Society' were just the beginning. The 'Onyx Society' has long infiltrated major industries. They don't just control the economy; they control the very lifeblood of an entire nation. Your grandfather's transaction with them was actually an attempt to protect the family's interests, but the price was your family becoming deeply entangled in it," Zero's tone was cold. "And now, if you want to uncover the truth, you must face all of this."

Ethan looked at Olivia, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. "We must stop them."

"Stop them?" Zero sneered. "What can you stop? They've already infiltrated your world, and the people around you might already be under their control."

These words left Olivia and Ethan in silence. Yes, the enemy before them was far stronger than they had imagined. Facing such a vast and powerful network, they had almost no leverage.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the warehouse. Olivia's alertness made her react quickly. "Not good, it could be the 'Night Owls.'"

"Go!" Ethan grabbed Olivia, pulling her toward a concealed exit.

They had just exited the warehouse, barely able to catch their breath, when a cold laugh suddenly came from behind them. "Miss Olivia, Mr. Ethan, looks like you're in quite a hurry to leave." The figure of Shadow appeared in the distance, holding a dagger, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.

"Shadow!" Olivia said coldly, "What exactly do you want?"

"What do we want?" Shadow smiled, "We just want you to understand that everything is under our control. Your resistance is nothing more than a path to self-destruction."

Ethan's gaze hardened as he quickly charged toward Shadow. The two engaged in a fierce battle. Shadow's movements were fluid, and the dagger in her hand seemed alive, while Ethan used his extraordinary senses to evade her deadly strikes.

Olivia watched anxiously from the side, her mind racing with the information Zero had provided. She knew that if they couldn't uncover the truth about the "Onyx Society" soon, Ethan might die, and her family would face utter destruction.

Suddenly, Ethan used a burst of force to push Shadow back several steps and quickly pulled Olivia toward the exit. They looked back to see Shadow standing still, her eyes flashing with complex emotions.

"Are you really going to keep chasing us?" Olivia asked softly.

For a brief moment, Shadow's eyes showed confusion, but she quickly returned to her cold demeanor. "You're not strong enough."

At that moment, the voice of the Night Owls echoed, "Shadow, don't let them escape."

Shadow lowered her head. "Yes, Master."

However, Olivia and Ethan had already successfully escaped, vanishing into the night. Behind them, a storm was brewing—one that would soon sweep across the entire city.