As Nicole, Sam Li, Soldier 11, and the others set off for the Outer Ring...
At that same moment...
An emergency strategy meeting was underway at the Janus District Public Security Bureau in Lumina Square.
Zhu Yuan presided over the session, managing the display screen as she spoke with focus.
"As you can see, these are the clues that Qingyi and I uncovered during our recent investigation. The fugitive Perlman is colluding with unknown forces and preparing something dangerous in the Outer Ring…"
While the Outer Ring was outside New Eridu's official jurisdiction, Perlman had fled there after escaping from the city. Zhu Yuan couldn't just sit back and watch him stir up chaos—he had to be brought to justice.
After she finished speaking, Seth immediately raised his hand.
"If we already know where Perlman is, why not just send in more people and grab him?"
To him, it didn't seem like that complicated of a task.
The bureau chief sighed. "Seth, you're being too optimistic. The Public Security Bureau has very limited authority in the Outer Ring."
He took a sip of tea and continued.
"The Outer Ring is a mess—hundreds of factions tangled together. If I had to compare it, it's like a giant wasp nest. If we storm in, we'll provoke the swarm, and they'll come straight for us."
The gangs out there had no love for the Public Security Bureau.
Given the chance, they'd even rob their officers.
Qingyi added, "And if we send too many people, we'll draw attention. Word will spread fast, and if Perlman hears about it, he'll vanish. That would make arresting him even harder."
That was the core of the problem.
Even though they knew where Perlman was, sending agents into the Outer Ring was risky and could backfire—so they'd been forced to wait.
After hearing everyone out, Seth looked frustrated.
"So what now? We know where he is, but we just sit here and let him roam free? That's hard to accept."
Zhu Yuan nodded. "I get it. That's why we're having this meeting—to come up with a concrete plan and act fast."
The bureau chief looked to her. "I know you've got something in mind. Let's hear it."
Zhu Yuan answered seriously, "I believe our best option is to send in a small team, disguised, to slip into the Outer Ring and seize the opportunity to arrest Perlman."
That way, they wouldn't alert the local gangs—or Perlman himself.
Of course, the downside was the danger. If their identities were exposed, the local factions could turn on them fast.
The chief nodded. "Alright. How many people are you thinking?"
"Just three," Zhu Yuan replied. "Myself, Senior Qingyi, and Seth. That's all we need."
Seth beamed. "I've been ready for this."
Qingyi nodded. "I agree."
The bureau chief hesitated.
In the past, he'd have approved without question. But now, both Seth and Qingyi had received blessings from the golden statue, enhancing their power—and they were now being groomed as key assets.
If something went wrong out there...
That loss would be too much to bear.
Sensing his concern, Qingyi spoke up. "Don't worry, Chief. With our current strength, even if our cover's blown, we're not afraid of the gangs out there."
The chief finally nodded. "Alright, but I have two conditions."
Zhu Yuan straightened up. "We're listening, sir."
"First," the chief said firmly, "you must put your safety first. If things go sideways, abort the mission and return immediately."
Zhu Yuan nodded. "Understood."
"Second," he continued, "bring Jane with you—the crime expert. She's infiltrated the Outer Ring before and knows the area better than any of you."
No sooner had he said it than he called out, and the conference room door opened.
A tall, graceful figure stepped in.
It was Jane. She'd arrived quickly after receiving the invitation from the chief.
Seth was surprised. "That was fast..."
Zhu Yuan smiled. "With her on board, our chances just went way up."
Qingyi packed up the tea set. "Well, tea's done—time to move."
Zhu Yuan had already prepared everything before the meeting. Once they had the green light, the team simply changed into plain clothes, got into a cargo truck, and headed for the Outer Ring.
To avoid suspicion, they disguised themselves as traveling black market merchants.
Somewhere on the broken roads of the Outer Ring, Soldier 11 was at the wheel of the Hare's House truck, tearing down the battered asphalt.
Nicole had been driving originally.
But Soldier 11 found her too slow and took over the driver's seat herself.
Suddenly, the truck hit a damaged patch of road and jolted hard.
Billy, unsteady on the roof, nearly got flung off. "Unbelievable... I'm a high-intelligence tactical unit designed for heavy fire suppression, and this is where I've ended up…"
Clinging to the luggage rack, Billy stared off into the distance, sighing dramatically.
Then, his expression changed as he spotted something.
"Ruins... dried-up rivers… We're close to Calydon, Boss Nicole! I see the town!"
Nicole's voice came from inside the truck. "I see it too. Map says we're ten kilometers out."
"Hold on," Soldier 11 said. "Almost there."
Soldier 11 was fast. In no time, the shape of a town appeared in the distance, and they drove right in.
Looking around, the buildings were even more rundown than Canvas Lane—crumbling ruins from the old era lined the streets, and here and there, a few children could be seen darting between alleys.
Just as they entered Calydon...
Several men carrying clubs suddenly jumped out and blocked their path.
Nicole quickly explained, "We're from Hare's House General Services. Caesar invited us—we're here to help!"
Upon hearing that, the men immediately lowered their weapons and smiled.
"Finally! Come on—Boss Caesar's been waiting for you."