Chapter 55 - The Ghost's Playground

The rain had eased by the time they reached the outskirts of the old district. This part of the city was long abandoned — broken streetlights, crumbling buildings, and faded graffiti decorating cracked walls. The only sound was the squelch of their footsteps on wet pavement.

Sai led the way, hands tucked into his jacket pockets, his expression oddly calm for someone who just survived a collapsing hideout. Mira stuck close to Hotaru, occasionally glancing back nervously. Tora was nose-deep in his tablet, scanning the area for any digital traps or surveillance. Ryuuji, true to form, was casually spinning his knife like they were out on a casual stroll.

Kuro sat perched on Hotaru's shoulder, his eyes glowing faintly in the dark.

"Are you sure this place is safe?" Mira asked, shivering slightly.

Sai chuckled. "Safe? Not really. But it's invisible — no official maps, no power grid connection. It's a ghost spot."

"Perfect for ghost hackers," Tora muttered.

The group finally stopped in front of a rusted, vine-covered door tucked into the side of a collapsed building. Sai knelt down, brushing away dirt to reveal a keypad embedded in the ground.

"Is this a joke?" Hotaru raised a brow. "A keypad outside the hideout?"

"It's not a door lock." Sai's fingers flew across the keys, entering a rapid string of numbers. A soft click echoed behind them — a sewer grate shifting open.

"Gross," Ryuuji sighed. "But fitting."

They climbed down, one by one, into a narrow tunnel lined with faint neon arrows. The air smelled faintly of metal and rainwater. After a few twists and turns, Sai stopped in front of what looked like a blank wall.

"Alright, time for a little magic." He pressed his palm flat against the wall. Faint lines lit up under his touch, forming a digital signature that scanned his handprint.

The wall slid open silently, revealing a spacious underground bunker. Monitors lined the walls, old but functional. A beat-up couch sat in the middle, with a tiny kitchen tucked into one corner. The entire place had the vibe of a hacker's dream den — chaotic, messy, but oddly cozy.

"Welcome to The Playground," Sai grinned. "This was Shiro's first real hideout."

Mira tensed. "Isn't that bad?"

"Not really," Sai said. "See, Shiro abandoned this place after the betrayal. I… kinda took it over."

Hotaru glanced around. "You never mentioned this."

Sai shrugged. "Didn't think we'd ever need it."

Tora dropped his bag on the couch and immediately started linking into the old systems. "This tech is ancient, but it's still got a pulse. I can work with this."

Ryuuji flopped onto the couch dramatically. "This place needs serious redecorating."

Mira leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "So, now what? We camp here forever?"

"No," Hotaru said firmly. "We regroup, we strategize, and we hunt. If Shiro's really the one feeding Kurogane our every move, we need to flush him out."

Sai's smile faded. "There's something you need to know about Shiro. He doesn't just sell information — he twists it. He's not a hacker for hire anymore. He's a puppet master. He creates false trails, forges betrayals, and sets up traps inside traps."

Hotaru's fist clenched. "So we're not just fighting Kurogane. We're fighting the ghost in the wires."

Kuro let out a low growl, as if sensing the tension.

Tora's screen suddenly flashed red. "Speaking of ghosts — someone just pinged this location."

The room froze.

"Impossible," Sai whispered. "This place is off every grid."

"Not to him," Tora said grimly. "He built this place."

Hotaru grabbed her sword. "Then let's give him a welcome party."

Ryuuji grinned. "Oh, I'm bringing the fireworks."

Mira exhaled sharply, but her eyes were determined. "Let's end this game."

The air inside The Playground shifted — from desperation to a dangerous sort of excitement. They weren't just running anymore. The hunters had officially become the hunted.

---

End of Chapter 55

---