Chapter 163: The Last Hunt [ 1 ]

Inside an abandoned commercial building overlooking Zenith City’s eastern freight terminal, Cassian stood beside a shattered window, observing the enormous warehouse complex across the street.

Several cargo trucks occupied the loading bays, while armed security personnel patrolled the perimeter beneath the afternoon sunlight.

From a distance, the facility appeared to be conducting ordinary commercial operations, but Cassian knew better.

The investigation had established that the warehouse was connected to the financial network responsible for the assassination attempts against the surviving members of the Palladium Fruit expedition.

Behind him, six Awakeners waited for instructions. They were experienced fighters recruited through Adesewa’s trusted contacts, and each had been informed of the operation’s objectives.

Their priority was to capture the individuals coordinating the warehouse’s activities, secure any surviving records, and prevent the destruction of evidence.

Cassian raised his communication device. "Captain, we’re in position. There are twelve visible guards around the property, although we haven’t confirmed how many are inside."

Adesewa’s voice emerged through the receiver. "Understood, Cassian. Proceed as planned. Remember, I want the people managing that facility alive if possible."

Cassian glanced toward his companions and smiled faintly. "We’ll do our best, Captain. But I can’t promise they’ll cooperate."

"Then give them a convincing reason," Adesewa replied before ending the transmission.

Cassian lowered the device and turned toward his team. "Everyone knows their assignments. Secure the entrances first, and don’t allow anyone carrying documents or communication equipment to escape."

The Awakeners nodded before following him toward the building’s rear staircase.

Several minutes later, the first explosion shook the warehouse’s western entrance.

A reinforced security gate collapsed inward as two Awakeners forced their way through, immediately drawing the attention of the guards stationed nearby.

Shouts erupted across the loading yard, followed by the unmistakable sounds of weapons clashing.

Cassian entered through the eastern side, his Divine Rune activating as he intercepted an approaching guard.

The man swung a heavy sword toward his shoulder, but Cassian shifted aside and struck him across the chest with a Mana-reinforced palm. The impact sent the guard crashing into a stack of wooden crates.

"Secure the offices!" Cassian ordered, advancing toward the main building. "Don’t waste time fighting anyone who surrenders!"

Within moments, the warehouse descended into chaos.

---

Several kilometers away, Safiya stood outside a fortified training compound in Zenith City’s northern commercial district. The property was surrounded by reinforced concrete walls, and several surveillance cameras monitored the entrance.

Beside her, Bastian adjusted the protective equipment around his arms while examining the guards stationed near the gate.

"They certainly take their security seriously," Bastian remarked, rolling his broad shoulders. "You’d almost think they were hiding something."

Safiya gave him an unimpressed glance. "Considering why we’re here, I’d be disappointed if they weren’t."

Bastian chuckled before turning toward the Awakeners accompanying them. "All right, everyone. Let’s make this quick."

Safiya activated Hounds of Ngalam, allowing the supernatural markings associated with her Divine Rune to emerge across her skin.

Her Hunt Marks sharpened her awareness of the individuals moving within the compound, helping her distinguish the guards stationed near the entrance from those patrolling deeper inside.

"There are more people inside than the surveillance reports suggested," Safiya observed, her expression becoming serious. "Several are moving toward the rear buildings."

Bastian flexed his fingers. "Then we’d better stop them before they disappear."

Safiya nodded and signaled the team forward.

The first guards barely had time to react before Bastian slammed his shoulder into the reinforced gate.

A tremendous crash echoed through the compound as the metal barrier tore free from its hinges.

Bastian stepped through the opening, the tortoise-like plates of his Divine Rune emerging across his arms and shoulders.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen!" Bastian announced with an enormous grin. "I’m afraid your training session has been canceled."

The nearest guards immediately drew their weapons.

Safiya sighed at his theatrical entrance before rushing past him.

Within seconds, the compound erupted into battle.

---

Inside the conference room serving as the operation’s temporary command center, Jet stood beside Marcus, watching several live surveillance feeds displayed across the large screen.

Adesewa occupied the head of the table, maintaining communication with the teams conducting the coordinated raids.

The reports arrived continuously.

Cassian had breached the freight-terminal warehouse and captured several guards. Safiya and Bastian had entered the northern security compound, where they encountered armed Awakeners attempting to destroy documents and communication equipment.

Both operations were progressing, although resistance was proving stronger than anticipated.

"Three additional vehicles just departed the warehouse," Marcus reported, examining a traffic surveillance feed. "Cassian’s people stopped one, but the other two are heading toward the eastern expressway."

Adesewa immediately raised her communication device. "Cassian, two vehicles escaped your perimeter. Can you confirm whether they were carrying personnel or equipment?"

A brief burst of static preceded Cassian’s response.

"Personnel, Captain," Cassian answered, sounding slightly breathless. "We captured the warehouse supervisor, but several senior employees fled through a concealed loading entrance. My people are pursuing them."

"Don’t abandon the warehouse," Adesewa instructed firmly. "Secure the records first. We’ll handle the escapees separately."

"Understood," Cassian replied.

Jet examined the surveillance footage carefully.

For weeks, Damian Visconti had relied on intermediaries and hired Awakeners to conduct his operations. Now those same people were being forced into the open.

"He’s going to realize what’s happening," Jet observed, turning toward Adesewa.

"He probably already has," Adesewa answered. "The question is how he’ll respond."

Marcus opened another monitoring window. "I’ve been watching the financial accounts associated with his companies. Several transfers were initiated within the past ten minutes, including payments to private security contractors."

"Reinforcements?" Jet asked.

"Possibly," Marcus replied, adjusting his glasses. "But the amounts are unusually large for ordinary security services."

Adesewa approached the screen. "Keep watching. If Visconti intends to disappear, he’ll need transportation, protection, and somewhere to go."

Jet nodded, returning his attention to the displays.

---

Inside a luxurious private residence overlooking Zenith City’s western district, Damian Visconti stood behind an enormous wooden desk, listening to a frantic report from one of his subordinates.

The young man wore an expensive black shirt beneath a tailored jacket, and a silver wristwatch rested against his left wrist. His handsome face remained composed, although the cold expression in his eyes revealed his growing displeasure.

"What do you mean the warehouse has been attacked?" Damian demanded, staring at the middle-aged man standing before him.

The subordinate swallowed nervously. "Sir, armed Awakeners breached the freight terminal approximately fifteen minutes ago. We’ve lost contact with the supervisor, and several of our security personnel have been captured."

Damian’s fingers tightened around the document he was holding.

"And the northern facility?" Damian asked, his voice dangerously quiet.

The subordinate hesitated. "That facility is also under attack, sir. Our people reported two powerful Awakeners leading the assault before communications were interrupted."

For several seconds, Damian said nothing.

Then he threw the document across the desk.

"Idiots!" Damian snapped, his expression twisting with anger. "I spent millions establishing those facilities, and you’re telling me both have been compromised in the same afternoon?"

The subordinate lowered his head. "We believe the attacks are coordinated, sir."

"Of course they’re coordinated!" Damian retorted, striking the desk with his palm. "Do you think two of our most important facilities were attacked simultaneously by coincidence?"

The subordinate remained silent.

Damian turned toward the enormous windows overlooking the city.

He had expected the expedition survivors to continue hiding behind their defenses.

Their previous attempts to investigate his organization had been troublesome, but he had believed his financial arrangements and intermediaries would prevent them from reaching anything important.

Clearly, he had underestimated them.

More importantly, they had apparently discovered enough to strike at the infrastructure supporting his operations.

Damian slowly exhaled.

"Prepare the remaining guards," Damian ordered, turning toward his subordinate. "We’re leaving."

The man looked startled. "Leaving, sir?"

"Immediately," Damian answered coldly. "Have the armored vehicles brought around, and contact our transportation arrangements outside the city. I want everything ready before these people discover where I am."

The subordinate bowed. "Understood, Mr. Visconti. I’ll make the arrangements."

"And destroy anything that could connect this residence to the operation," Damian added, his expression hardening. "Documents, transaction records, communication devices. Everything."

The subordinate hurried from the office.

Damian remained standing beside the desk, staring at the city beyond the windows.

He hadn’t abandoned his ambition to possess the Palladium Tree.

But for now, remaining in Zenith City was becoming unnecessarily dangerous.

Once he reached safety, he could rebuild his network and hire stronger Awakeners.

The survivors might have won this round.

They hadn’t won the war.

---

Back at the command center, Marcus suddenly straightened in his chair.

"Captain," Marcus called, his fingers moving rapidly across the keyboard. "We’ve intercepted something."

Adesewa approached immediately. "What is it?"

"A communication request through one of the channels associated with Visconti’s private security arrangements," Marcus explained. "It’s the same channel we identified while investigating the transportation contractors."

Jet moved closer to the screen.

Marcus opened the intercepted message.

It contained instructions requesting immediate transportation, an armored convoy, and clearance for departure through a private facility outside Zenith City.

More importantly, the message included a pickup location.

Adesewa studied the address before looking toward Jet.

"That’s one of Visconti’s residences," Adesewa observed, her expression sharpening.

Marcus nodded. "And the transportation request was submitted less than two minutes ago."

Jet felt his pulse quicken.

For the first time, they possessed information concerning Damian’s immediate movements rather than merely his financial connections.

"He’s running," Jet said, staring at the address.

Adesewa reached for her communication device. "Then we need to move before he disappears."

Jet looked toward the map displayed on the screen.

Damian Visconti had finally made a mistake.

And this time, Jet intended to make certain the opportunity wasn’t wasted.