Chapter 28

Meanwhile, chaos erupted among the mafia members as they confirmed their boss, Nickel, was dead.

Still reeling from the shock, they quickly began arguing about who could've killed him.

That's when a man stepped forward, claiming to be a witness.

His name was Valdron Mekalana.

Valdron explained that he'd been smoking a cigarette by an open second-floor window when he saw a woman jump down from the third floor—where the boss's room was located.

At first, he thought he might've been seeing things. But after hearing that the boss had been found dead, he was convinced the woman was the assassin.

He shared everything with the others, and the mafia, burning with rage, united under one goal: hunt her down and avenge their boss.

Now—

Valdron squinted through a foldable telescope, focused on the fifth-floor window of a fancy restaurant.

Brown hair. White knit sweater. Brown coat draped over her lap. Plain shoulder bag. Black flats. Tall for a woman…

Everything matched, down to the last detail—except for the sunglasses.

It was her. No doubt about it.

They'd finally found the assassin.

That goddamn bitch…

Grinding his teeth, Valdron lowered the telescope.

The sight of her casually enjoying a luxurious meal after murdering their boss was unbearable.

It felt like she was spitting in their faces.

He suppressed his fury, folded the telescope, slipped it into his coat, and pulled out a radio.

As he watched her slice into a steak, he pressed the button.

"We've located the woman who killed the boss. Das Abentlicht Restaurant, 22nd Raven Street. She's finishing her meal. All units, converge immediately."

After finishing the meal and stepping outside, Kartman gave a respectful bow.

"I truly apologize for my earlier behavior, miss. I have no excuse. Please accept my sincerest apology once more."

Since Lucy remained silent, Daniel answered for her.

"No need to apologize further. Dr. Myrin understands completely. Isn't that right, Doctor?"

Lucy hesitated but gave a small nod after Daniel nudged her.

Satisfied, Daniel smiled.

"Well then, we'll be on our way."

"Of course. It was an honor speaking with you, Captain."

"The honor was mine, Inspector. One rarely meets someone so devoted to the Empire. Farewell."

With a polite bow, Daniel turned and walked off with Lucy.

Once they were far enough away, he glanced back.

Kartman stroked his chin thoughtfully, then turned and walked in the opposite direction.

Daniel sighed in relief.

"You can speak now."

Regaining her voice, Lucy muttered under her breath,

"...You made me look like an idiot."

"I treated you like a patient with aphasia, not an idiot. I was just trying to save you from the Security Bureau."

He wasn't wrong.

If not for Daniel's interference, Kartman would've zeroed in on her instantly.

Though Lucy's pride was bruised, she had to admit it—he'd helped her.

"I'll repay this debt someday."

Daniel broke into a cold sweat.

He couldn't tell if she meant "help" or "kill."

Since guessing was a terrible idea, he simply nodded stiffly.

"No need to repay me. More importantly, how about we go our separate ways now?"

He was worried the dessert shop might close if they took any longer.

He'd been looking forward to a treat—but Lucy shook her head.

"I'm afraid that's not possible."

Daniel blinked. A chill ran down his spine.

Lucy scanned their surroundings and spoke in a hushed voice.

"Keep walking. We're being tailed. Behind us, across the street, even a block ahead—there are eyes everywhere."

Tailed?

Daniel subtly observed the nearby pedestrians.

Just as Lucy said, several men in suits were behaving oddly.

Some had hands inside their jackets—ready to draw weapons.

Their movements were too sloppy for secret agents, but too coordinated to be random.

Only one possibility came to mind.

Mafia members.

Daniel groaned inwardly as a headache began forming.

Their target was clearly Lucy.

"...Doctor? What the hell did you do to get the mafia chasing you?"

She didn't answer.

Instead, she scanned the area again and grabbed his hand—tight and cold, yet oddly soft.

"Captain, I'm making a run for that alley in twenty steps. Since you're with me, you're a target now too. If you want to live, follow me."

She didn't actually care about saving him.

But if he died, the Empire would investigate—and since she was with him, she'd be implicated.

She couldn't let that happen.

"Wait! Doctor, if you have a plan, let's—"

Too late.

On the twentieth step, Lucy turned and sprinted.

With no choice, Daniel ran with her.

"Shit! They're running!"

"That bitch noticed! After them!"

"Kill them both!"

Gunshots rang out.

Whoosh!

A bullet whizzed past Daniel's ear.

He ducked instinctively and sped up, glaring at Lucy.

Did she actually kill a mafia boss or something?!

Now wasn't the time for questions.

"Left!"

Daniel obeyed and turned sharply.

Halfway down the alley, Lucy dove behind a large trash bin.

Panting, Daniel followed her.

"Why are we hiding? Are you going to fight them all here?"

Lucy nodded—and pulled out a detonator with a red button from her bag.

She had already planted bombs in the alley.

She's terrifyingly prepared...

Understanding her plan, Daniel held his breath.

"They're trapped! After them!"

"Shoot on sight! Kill that bastard too!"

The mafia charged into the alley.

But Lucy and Daniel were nowhere in sight.

"Where the hell are they?"

"Did they climb the wall?"

"No way, it's too high!"

"Check behind the trash!"

Click.

BOOOOM!

The explosion was deafening.

Flames burst out as the alley walls blew apart.

Daniel squeezed his eyes shut.

"Shit... goddamn it..."

His ears rang. Smoke burned his lungs.

He coughed, steadied himself, then slowly opened his eyes.

Around thirty mafia members were scattered on the ground, groaning in pain.

"Hah..."

Before he could process what just happened, footsteps echoed from the alley entrance.

Reinforcements?

Daniel reached for his gun—then paused.

The steps were light and frantic.

"Explosion! Did you hear that?!"

"What happened? Was it a gas line?!"

"Let's check it out—could be a big scoop!"

Journalists.

Lowering his hand, Daniel sighed.

"Do you have any idea what you just—"

He turned to Lucy—but she was gone.

Climbed the wall during the explosion? That insanely high wall?

Daniel let out a hollow breath as a swarm of reporters poured into the alley.

Their eyes widened.

Nearly thirty bodies in pools of blood—and one lone soldier standing in the middle.

A reporter's eyes landed on a tattoo.

"Wait... aren't these guys Nickel's men?!"

Hyena tattoos confirmed it.

They were members of the mafia.

Excitement lit up the journalists' faces.

"It's Captain Daniel Steiner!"

"Holy shit—it really is him!"

As the reporters swarmed, civilians also arrived.

Seeing Daniel surrounded by bodies, the crowd murmured.

Daniel raised his hands, trying to stop the misunderstanding.

"Everyone, I think you're—"

"Make way! Captain Daniel Steiner has struck another blow for the Empire! He just wiped out an entire mafia gang!"

The reporter's voice boomed across the crowd.

His explanation was drowned out by thunderous cheers.

"Captain Steiner! Long live the Empire!"

"You're amazing, Captain!"

As applause erupted, Daniel slowly closed his eyes.

Goddamn it...

At this point, he wasn't even surprised anymore.