chapter 3

The soft morning light barely broke through the haze hanging over the city, but the news felt even gloomier than usual. Every screen, whether public or private, flashed the same story: Mayor Tyyanore, the second mayor to vanish in a month, was missing. The last footage showed his car entering the underground garage of his home, but after that, he was never seen again. His car door was found open, no signs of a struggle, just an odd quiet.

On the streets, whispers traveled faster than any official news. People were on edge, exchanging uneasy looks. Was this the work of a rebel group? Or something stranger like the stories about vengeful spirits that were making the rounds online?

Meanwhile, inside a tall government building, the mood in the council room felt tense and heavy, even with the air conditioning running. The holographic table in the middle glowed a calm blue but did little to lighten the expressions around it. No one showed panic, just a cold anger brewing.

"Disappeared. Just like that," said the County Governor, a middle-aged guy in an expensive suit. A tiny vein pulsed at his temple. "First the Mayor of the Mining District last month. Both were dealing with the Tyyanore earthquake relief funds. The pattern's hard to ignore."

The Chief of Internal Security, a woman in a sharp gray uniform, nodded stiffly. "There are rumors about a vigilante called 'Ghost.' We thought they were just scare tactics aimed at corrupt officials. But these two incidents… they're too precise for a regular group. They're organized, they're… efficient."

A thick silence settled over the room, interrupted only by the quiet hum of the vents. They all understood the implications. Someone, or something, was tearing apart their operation from the inside.

The Governor leaned in, hands on the table. "We can't let this continue. It's turned from an annoyance into a serious threat to our power and the secrecy of our important projects. We need a quick solution before public opinion swings against us." He stared hard around the room, his gaze landing on a shadowy corner where four figures stood still.

Dressed in pristine white uniforms, they looked almost like life-sized dolls. No wrinkles or smudges on their outfits, and the light caught the fabric in a way that made it look artificial. Their faces were attractive, but their eyes were clear and blank. Somewhere behind that was a hint of their former selves, now buried under extensive reprogramming. Underneath the uniforms, they were a mix of human and machine, enhanced and altered. They were the Guardians. Once brilliant minds, now turned into tools.

"It's time to use our most convincing asset," the Governor said sharply. "Activate the Guardian Units. Give them full access to the city's surveillance data. We need to track down this intrusion. Find the source and neutralize the threat—whatever it takes. Bring this 'Ghost' to us, alive or... whatever works." The last word lingered in the air.

The four pairs of blank eyes blinked as one, a synchronized response signaling they understood the order. "Yes, sir!" they replied in unison, their tones flat and robotic. With precise movements, they turned and exited the room, their shadows stretching briefly before fading behind the doors. The atmosphere grew thicker; the dogs had been set loose.

Down in the city, tucked away behind some old buildings, Ghost's headquarters buzzes with the sound of servers and blinking lights. This place isn't your average government office; wires hang from the ceiling, circuit boards are scattered on workbenches, and there's a mix of old tech and the latest stolen gadgets. In this organized chaos, at a set of big monitors filled with data and news, sits the guy running the show.

His face, now bare of any mask, looks young for his 23 years, although his tired eyes tell a different story. Dressed in a simple flannel shirt, he's watching a press conference from Tyyanore city hall. The government spokesman is sweating and trying to appease the public with promises of a thorough investigation. Ghost rolls his eyes. It's all just acting.

He sees right through it—fake nerves and hollow assurances hiding real fear. They know this isn't just any kidnapping. They understand what they're up against. And he gets what comes next. They'll send in their so-called experts, people turned into puppets with no souls. It's a stark reminder of what could happen to him if he ever gets caught.

Suddenly, there's a steady knock on the thick metal door—three firm taps he recognizes well.

"Come in," Ghost calls out, sounding calm again, a stark contrast to the cold persona he puts on in the field.

The door opens with a hiss, and in walks Labor, his go-to tech guy. He looks a bit tired, but there's an excited spark in his eyes as he carries a data tablet.

"What's up, Labor?" Ghost asks, finally tearing his gaze away from the news.

"All done, boss," Labor replies, placing the tablet down on a cluttered table. "The Tyyanore aid fund investigation video package is ready. It's got everything—offshore bank accounts, suspicious transfers, recordings of the mayor and his buddies, even some leaked memos. All verified, in HD, set to blow up on national TV."

Ghost picks up the tablet, skimming through the files and noting the detail. It looks solid. A brief smile crosses his face, appreciating Labor's hard work. Nice job, Labor. As always.

He hands the tablet back. We'll upload tomorrow.

Labor looks puzzled. Tomorrow? Why wait? The public wants news now. It's the perfect time.

Ghost leans back in his chair, hands behind his head, and stares at the ceiling for a moment. Exactly. Let them craft their official story today. Let the Guardians do their show of force and the public think all is well. Then, when they've let their guard down tomorrow morning... boom. We hit them with this, he says, tapping the tablet. The impact after their calm will be much greater.

Labor thinks it over for a second, then nods slowly. Got it, boss. I'll set up an automatic upload for tomorrow morning to hit all the independent news sites and a few national TV stations we hacked.

Thanks, Labor, Ghost replies. Make sure it's secure.

Sure thing. Labor turns to leave but hesitates at the door. Be careful out there, boss. I have a bad feeling about that Guardian team.

Ghost nods slightly, not saying a word. Bad feelings are nothing new for him in this line of work. The hunt had started, and this time, he wasn't just the hunter. He was the target, and he was ready for it.