Chapter 63 - The Hunt Begins

The air was thick with tension as Hotaru and her team gathered around the dimly lit warehouse, their new temporary base. The scent of oil and rust lingered in the air, but no one seemed to care.

Tora was glued to his tablet, fingers typing at an insane speed. "Okay, I couldn't break into Shiro's system, but I did pick up a faint signal. It's weak, but it's coming from an abandoned research facility outside the city."

Sai crossed his arms. "If he let you find that, it's probably a trap."

Ryuuji leaned back against a crate, a smirk on his face. "Oh, no doubt. But what's life without a little danger?"

Kuro flicked his tail and meowed, as if in agreement.

Hotaru exhaled, her grip tightening on her sword. "We don't have time to hesitate. Mira is waiting."

Sai nodded. "Then we go. But we need a strategy. We don't just walk into whatever hellhole Shiro has set up for us."

Tora pulled up a blueprint on his tablet. "The facility is huge. Two floors underground, multiple corridors, and—" He zoomed in. "—a security system that's still active."

Ryuuji sighed. "Of course it is. Let me guess, laser traps, cameras, maybe a few robotic guards for fun?"

Tora grinned. "Bingo."

Hotaru's mind raced. They had to move fast, but recklessness would get them all killed.

Sai studied the map. "We split up. Tora, disable security. Ryuuji, gather intel. Hotaru and I will clear the way and find Mira. Kuro—"

Kuro jumped onto the table, eyes gleaming.

Ryuuji laughed. "The cat does whatever he wants, let's be real."

Hotaru cracked a small smile. "Then let's not waste time."

—

One Hour Later - The Facility

The team moved like shadows through the dimly lit corridors. Tora worked his magic, disabling cameras and hacking doors, while Ryuuji snuck ahead, gathering crucial information.

Hotaru and Sai took down guards in silence, their teamwork seamless.

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the speakers.

"Well, well… you actually made it. I'm impressed."

Shiro's voice.

The facility's lights flickered, and a large metal door slammed shut ahead of them.

Hotaru gritted her teeth. "Shiro."

His laughter was cold. "Welcome to the real game. Let's see if you can survive."

Alarms blared, and the walls shifted.

The trap had been sprung.

To be continued…

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