In the meanwhile, Aurora and Bishop reached a place hidden deep within a forest.
There lay a villa, isolated and surrounded by thick trees. It was located far away from the city’s hustle, tucked deep into the forest at the southern hill.
This was Luna’s exclusive base, known only to a select few trusted members. The villa served as both a training ground and a research facility, kept strictly out of reach from outsiders.
On one floor, in a secluded corner of the villa, a lab operated quietly. Inside, several researchers were busy working on a rare herb found in South Asia.
They were attempting to extract a specific strain for use in medicine—targeted toward treating neurogenic disorders. The work was delicate and highly confidential.
It was her own lab, with her own people working in it—loyal only to her. She had another lab, the one known to the public under her alliance as Dr. Lia.
But this one was different. This lab was exclusively hers, hidden away for a reason. That’s why it was situated in such an inconspicuous location, far from prying eyes and unwanted attention.
Outside, a few members of the Phantoms stood guard, their sharp eyes constantly scanning the area.
Aurora, having already put on the familiar mask she used during her time as Luna, stepped out of the car and entered the villa.
Her presence caused an immediate reaction—every man on duty straightened and bowed to her with disciplined precision.
Though a flicker of suspicion crossed some of their minds, they kept it buried. Something about her appearance felt slightly off.
Their boss, Luna, had always been lean and physically sharp. This version of her seemed bulkier, slightly different in form.
Rumors had spread months ago claiming that their boss was gone. But both Bishop and Knight—Luna’s closest allies—had dismissed it completely.
And now, with Bishop by her side, there was no logical reason to believe otherwise.
Perhaps their boss had been on a secret mission all this time. That would explain the long absence.
And when her cold, sharp gaze swept past them, their doubts vanished like smoke. No one dared question it further.
That look—calm and commanding—cut deeper than a blade. Her aura gripped the air, wrapping it in a suffocating pressure that made even the strongest among them uneasy.
She didn’t need to speak to prove her authority.
Her movements were precise, her silence powerful. Her presence alone was enough.
There could only be one person who carried such a chilling calm, such a terrifying sense of command.
It had to be Luna. The Devil Queen had returned.
"Boss... Boss... huaaaa huaaaa!"
A loud wail echoed from the second floor.
A blur of movement followed as a man dashed down, leaping over the staircase railing in a wild sprint.
With no care for elegance or caution, he jumped the last two steps and flung himself forward—arms wide open like a long-lost child.
But before he could reach her, Aurora casually sidestepped without so much as glancing at him.
He crashed straight into the ground, face-first, groaning as the rest of the room watched in a stunned silence.
A notorious member of the Phantoms, a felon with a razor-sharp mind and unmatched instincts.
He wasn’t just anyone—he was one of Luna’s most trusted aides and the leader of her second squad, a group known for its deadly efficiency and flawless field execution.
In the Phantoms’ structure, Jack’s unit ranked just below Luna’s own core team.
Despite his intelligence and fearsome reputation, Jack always reverted into an overly emotional mess in front of Luna.
No matter how many assassinations he led, no matter how many underground deals he closed with nerves of steel, one look at her and he behaved like an abandoned child seeing his mother for the first time in years.
He scrambled to his feet, tears of relief glistening in his eyes.
"Oh Boss! You’re here! I was dying to see you!"
Aurora, who had smoothly sidestepped his hug, stared at him with visible disdain in her eyes.
She adjusted the glove on her hand, gaze dropping on Jack as if he were something stuck to her shoe.
"You didn’t die, did you?" she said coolly. "Then stop whining."
Her voice was cold, business-like.
"Now tell me—what’s the update on the drug cartel report I told you to dig up months ago?"
Jack blinked, half-laughing, half-crying. He clutched his heart dramatically, shaking his head in disbelief.
"It’s really Boss... it’s really Boss..." he whispered like a madman, his joy spilling over.
"Sick," Aurora muttered under her breath, turning her gaze away.
But just then, both of them turned their heads toward the front entrance.
Bishop was dragging Calvert behind him.
The man looked like a broken puppet—his knees scraped, face pale, and body trembling uncontrollably.
His eyes darted wildly, and incoherent screams spilled from his mouth like a lunatic possessed. He was on the brink of collapse, fear crawling under his skin like fire ants.
Everyone turned to look.
Jack’s brows furrowed. He stepped forward slightly, eyeing the pathetic man with distaste.
"Boss... who is he?" he asked, curiosity laced with caution.
Aurora didn’t answer right away.
She walked slowly, each step steady, confident. Her gaze fell on Calvert as if he were nothing more than a pest crawling at her feet. A cruel smirk played on her lips as she finally spoke, her voice low and chilling.
"Someone who wants to play a game with me."
The moment those words left her mouth, a cold wave swept through the room.
Not just Jack—every single person who heard her felt it.
A shiver down their spines. A breath caught in their throats.
Heeehee... Boss! How bad of them..." Jack said, trembling slightly, a crooked grin on his face.
Without waiting for permission, he walked over to Calvert, crouched beside him, and muttered pitifully, "Tsk tsk tsk... poor soul."
Then, with an unsettling chuckle, he grabbed Calvert by the collar and dragged him toward the basement, his steps almost playful.
He locked him up inside a reinforced cage without a second glance.
Without sparing him another glance, Aurora went up to her room to clean herself.
She was still smeared with blood and gunpowder, and she didn’t want Jenny to see her .
After some time, both Bishop and Aurora came down to the living room of the villa.
Aurora slouched down heavily onto the couch, exhaustion creeping into her bones.
Bishop stood by her side and said,
"Boss, it seems that Knight and Hunter are on their way. They were at Country F when they got your signal."
When Aurora had regained her senses after Alexander had taken her, she had discreetly pressed a hidden button on her wristwatch.
She was unsure of the capabilities of this body, and so she had taken the risk to alarm her squad.
Bishop had received the signal, as had the other three members of her core team.
They contacted Bishop immediately, and when they learned that Luna was alive, they didn’t even wait for him to explain.
They directly began preparations to come over without wasting a second.