Ucok felt his chest like it had been hammered by a sledgehammer.Someone had been shot.And for a split second, the world seemed to stop spinning.The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder. The reflection of the streetlights on the wet asphalt looked like blood that had already pooled before it actually flowed.Ucok turned to his right.Ren was still standing.Maya was stunned, her eyes wide.Diana slumped to the ground, but not from a gunshot—just because her body was too weak.Then... he saw him.Rizal stood stiffly.Blood dripped from his left arm.Not a fatal wound.But enough to give a warning.Bang Togar blew smoke from his pistol. "I'm just underlining my words."Ucok blinked. "YOU SHOT HIS ARM JUST TO—?!?!"Ren pulled him back before he could say more.Rizal clenched his fist, bearing the pain with his jaw clenched. "If this is how you 'emphasize' something, I'd rather be deaf."Bang Togar gave a small smile. "I need you to realize. This isn't a negotiation."The air grew

7... 6... 5...Darkness.Not just any darkness—a killing darkness.Smoke from the exploded lights filled the room. The smell of electrical burning mixed with dust and the lingering gunpowder from the previous shots.Rizal could hear his own breath. Ucok’s breath. Even the final seconds of that damn bomb.Nova was still in the chair. Hands bound. The bomb beneath her continued its countdown.4... 3...Damn it.He had to choose.And he only had a second.In the dark, shadows moved like ghosts.Footsteps echoed.Ucok cursed softly, his hands fumbling at his belt. “Where’s my flashlight... Ah, found it!”CLICK.The small light from his flashlight shone on the floor—and immediately revealed something they hadn’t expected.A mass of wires.This bomb wasn’t just under Nova’s chair.It was all over the room.Ucok froze. “Uh... Rizal? I’ve got bad news.”Rizal turned sharply. “Don’t tell me—”Ucok directed his flashlight towards the ceiling.There were thin steel wires stretched across every c

Kaspar sat behind a carved wooden desk, his fingers tapping the surface with a disturbing rhythm. He wore a thin smile, like someone who knew the ending before the first page was turned.Before him, Rizal, Nova, Maya, and Ucok stood silently.The room felt like a trap. The walls were dark, lit only by dim hanging lamps. In the corner, two large men stared at them without pause since they entered, as if waiting for a signal to crush anyone who dared to cause trouble.Kaspar leaned back, intertwining his fingers in front of his face. His eyes were sharp. Too sharp."I must be honest," he said softly, "I didn't expect you to come to me. This is... interesting."Ucok crossed his arms. "Well then, let's make it more interesting. Can you help us or not?"Kaspar chuckled, his voice low and dangerous. "You come in desperation, yet you still dare to be rude? I like that." He leaned forward. "But the question is... why should I care?"Nova clenched her fists. "We don't have time for your games,

The figure stood in the doorway, framed by the red glow of the still-flickering emergency alarm.His black suit was neat, but his neck… his neck had clearly been slashed. A gaping wound that wasn't bleeding, but looked fresh. His eyes were empty, but on his lips… a smile.Nova backed away slowly, her spine hitting the wall.“He… that’s Rian. I saw him die myself. I was the one—” Her voice caught. “I was the one who shot him. In the head.”Ucok immediately turned his head. “AHEM. Can I make a suggestion? If he was dead before, and now he’s alive, that means ZOMBIE, right?!”Maya raised her weapon. “This isn’t the time for jokes, Ucok.”Ucok held up his hands. “I’M NOT JOKING. Look at his NECK. This is already Resident Evil level, not GTA!”Rizal pushed Nova behind him. “Everyone back. Now.”But it was too late. Rian stepped inside, and two burly figures followed from behind. They wore masks—creepy masks with red lines crossed over the eyes.Ucok glanced at Maya. “If we all die here, I

The lights went out.Footsteps echoed.Ucok immediately dove behind an old lathe machine. "I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR LIFE INSURANCE FOR THIS CHAPTER, HEY!"Nova, Maya, and Rizal instantly went into fighting stance. The sound of a creaking iron door came from behind, followed by heavy footsteps and the clinking of metal... the sound of combat boots.Five people entered. All armed. Black uniforms. No insignia. Faces as flat as if their holiday bonuses were rejected.And the one in front? Someone they never expected to appear so soon.Kaspar.In a long leather coat, a cigarette in his lips, and a cynical smile, he stood amidst the smoke, as if he had just descended from hell using the VIP elevator."The hide-and-seek is over, kids," he said. "Time for a serious talk. No codes. No tricks."Ucok whispered, "Seriously, this guy enters every room like he's filming a movie. Can't he ever use a normal door?"Kaspar stared sharply at Rizal. "You know, I wanted to believe you were just stupid. But no