Chapter 71 - Breaking In, Breaking Out

The team arrived at Aether City under the cover of darkness. Neon lights flickered across the towering skyline, and the air was thick with the smell of rain and electricity. This city was a fortress—Shiro's playground.

Tora adjusted his headset, tapping furiously on his tablet. "Alright, I hacked into the city's surveillance. We have a ten-minute window before the next scan."

Ryuuji grinned. "So, what's the plan? Walk in like we own the place?"

Sai shot him a dry look. "That's not a plan. That's suicide."

Mira pointed at the towering facility ahead. "Shiro's lab is underground. If we want to stop Project Revenant, we need to get in, destroy the data, and get out without setting off alarms."

Kuro, perched on Hotaru's shoulder, yawned. "Or we just burn the place down like last time."

Hotaru smirked. "Tempting, but let's not turn every mission into a demolition job."

Tora's fingers flew across the screen. "There's a maintenance entrance on the east side. It's not as heavily guarded, but it's monitored."

Hotaru cracked her knuckles. "We handle the guards quietly, Tora gets us inside, and we move fast."

Sai nodded. "Then let's move."

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Inside the Facility

The moment they stepped into the cold, sterile hallway, Hotaru knew something was wrong. It was too quiet.

Mira's eyes narrowed. "Where are the guards?"

Before anyone could answer, a low hissing noise filled the air.

Tora paled. "Gas! They knew we were coming!"

Boom!

A wall exploded, sending them flying. The dust settled, revealing a group of enhanced soldiers—cybernetic eyes glowing, weapons primed.

Shiro's voice echoed over the speakers. "Welcome, Hotaru. Did you think I wouldn't be expecting you?"

Hotaru gritted her teeth, pushing herself up. "Tora, get that data now! We'll handle these guys."

The first soldier lunged. Sai intercepted, twisting mid-air to slam his foot into the soldier's jaw.

Mira grabbed a loose metal pipe and swung it, cracking another soldier's helmet. "Why do they always have to be so ugly?"

Ryuuji flipped over a railing, landing behind an attacker. "Time for a little fun." He jabbed a needle into the soldier's neck—an instant sedative. The soldier collapsed.

Hotaru dodged a plasma blade, countering with a swift knee to the gut. "Kuro! Any weak spots?"

The cat flicked his tail. "The neural implants. Hit them hard enough, and they'll short-circuit."

Hotaru smirked. "Perfect."

With newfound precision, the team went all out—taking down the soldiers one by one.

Tora's voice crackled in their earpieces. "I got the data! But we have a problem—Shiro's activating something."

The room shook. Sirens blared.

Hotaru's stomach dropped. "Tora, define 'something.'"

A metallic roar filled the air.

Tora's voice was shaky. "Uh… I think it's a prototype."

A massive mechanized beast emerged from the shadows—four legs, razor-sharp claws, and a glowing core in its chest.

Ryuuji groaned. "You just HAD to say 'let's not blow up this place,' huh?"

Hotaru cracked her knuckles. "Change of plans."

Sai unsheathed his blade. "We destroy that thing, take the data, and make sure Shiro regrets ever crossing us."

The mechanical beast charged.

The fight for survival had begun.

To be continued…

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