Chapter 165: East Anekta Crisis (4)

The security headquarters was gone.

Or, more accurately, it was in the process of falling apart.

The enormous skyscraper that had stood beside the storage facilities was engulfed in smoke and flames. Its upper floors had collapsed inward, while the remaining structure was breaking apart beneath the force of the explosion. Huge chunks of concrete and glass rained down onto the surrounding streets.

A portion of the building slammed into the ground, sending a cloud of dust across the promenade.

Eden stared.

For a moment, he couldn’t quite process what he was seeing.

’What?’

His eyes widened slightly.

’What the fuck is going on?’

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

The attack was supposed to take place on the third day of the auction. Not the first evening. Not while the first batch of merchandise was still being sold.

He had two days left.

Two days to prepare, to study the island, and to figure out how to take advantage of the chaos without getting caught in it.

Now the entire timeline had been thrown out of the window.

’Why now?’

He searched the area for signs of the attackers. Several explosions were already going off across the island, and the sound of distant fighting could be heard from beyond the central promenade. The guests were scattering in every direction, while the remaining security personnel desperately tried to organize a response.

The attack had already begun.

And Eden had no idea what was supposed to happen next.

His jaw tightened.

"Damn it!"

He turned toward Vespera.

"Listen carefully. Go to the hotel and get Lucy."

She looked at him in confusion.

"What?"

"Take her to the warp gate. I want you both there, waiting for me."

Vespera stared at him.

"Why? What’s happening?"

"We’re clearly under attack!"

"I can see that, but the security forces will handle it. We need to help evacuate the guests and—"

"Vespera."

His voice cut through her words.

She stopped.

"Clear a way to the warp gate. Find Lucy, take her with you, and wait for me there."

"But what about you?"

"I’m going to retrieve something."

"Retrieve something? Eden, the entire security headquarters has just been destroyed!"

Eden didn’t bother wasting time explaining.

He turned away.

Vespera grabbed his arm.

"Wait. What do you mean by clearing a way to the warp gate? Why would we need to clear anything?"

Eden looked back at her.

For a moment, he considered explaining. But there was no time, and she clearly had no idea how serious the situation was about to become.

"Just go. Don’t wait for anyone, and don’t let Lucy wander off. If someone tries to stop you, get away from them."

Vespera hesitated.

"Eden..."

"Please."

Something in his expression made her release his arm.

She nodded and immediately turned toward the hotel.

Eden watched her disappear into the crowd before facing the burning skyscraper again.

His original plan was gone.

There was no point pretending otherwise.

He would have to improvise.

The first group of attackers appeared near the eastern promenade.

They wore ordinary clothes, but their movements and the way they coordinated their attacks made their identities obvious. All of them were Awakened, and the insignia on one man’s sleeve caught Eden’s attention.

’Crimson-Crow.’

’They aren’t even trying to hide their affiliation.’

One of the rogues raised his hand, releasing a burst of Essence that tore through the storefront of a nearby shop. Another kicked a fleeing guest to the ground before reaching for the bag she was carrying.

Eden disappeared.

A moment later, the first rogue collapsed.

The second barely had time to turn before a purple blade passed through his neck. The third attempted to raise a barrier, only for Eden to appear behind him and drive his fist through his back.

The remaining attackers reacted too late.

Eden moved through them with ruthless efficiency. Their ranks were far too low to pose any meaningful threat. Most were C-Rank or B-Rank, and even the occasional A-Rank among them was nowhere near his level.

He didn’t waste time exchanging blows.

A flash of purple Essence. A burst of movement. Another body falling.

Within seconds, the street was silent.

Eden stepped over the fallen attackers and continued toward the storage buildings.

He could hear fighting in every direction now. The island’s security personnel were attempting to regroup, but the destruction of their headquarters had clearly disrupted their coordination. Several rogue Awakened had already reached the central district, and the situation was deteriorating rapidly.

’This is getting worse by the minute.’

He reached the first storage skyscraper and looked up.

The building was still standing, but the entrance had been forced open. Several security personnel lay unconscious near the doors, while a group of rogues were dragging crates toward the street.

Eden’s eyes narrowed.

’They’ve already breached the storage facilities.’

The rogues guarding the entrance barely noticed him before he was among them. One was thrown against the wall hard enough to crack the concrete. Another had his weapon sliced apart, followed by the arm holding it. The remaining attackers attempted to retreat inside, but Eden followed without slowing down.

The lobby was already in chaos.

Security personnel had been overwhelmed, and several storage containers were scattered across the floor. Some rogues were searching through the merchandise, while others were trying to force open reinforced doors.

Eden ignored them and headed for the elevators.

The items he wanted were stored somewhere in this building.

He didn’t know the exact floor, but the storage facilities were organized by category. Potions, elixirs, materials, weapons, and artifacts were kept in separate sections.

He only needed to find the right one.

A rogue stepped out from behind a pillar, raising a rifle-like Essence weapon.

Eden didn’t even look at him.

The weapon fired. The projectile passed through the space where Eden’s head had been a fraction of a second earlier, striking the wall behind him.

A moment later, the man was lying on the floor.

Eden entered the elevator and pressed the button for the upper storage levels.

As the doors closed, he glanced at the blood on his hand.

’I don’t have time for this.’