Mastermind Behind The Scenes

Daniel crouched low on the rooftop, clutching a sniper rifle tightly in his hands. He aimed at the gray fog, waiting for it to clear. The scene was eerily silent, and everyone was tense. Suddenly, a massive figure burst out of the fog, leaped onto the wall, and began climbing rapidly toward Daniel and the others on the rooftop.

Tat-tat-tat-tat! Gunshots echoed through the alley as countless bullets were fired at the two-meter-tall figure. However, the creature moved swiftly, zigzagging across the walls and evading most of the bullets. Although a few shots landed, they barely hindered its movement as it charged toward the rooftop.

This sight shocked most of the police officers present. The creature had survived a close-range explosion and several gunshots yet retained its incredible mobility. It was undoubtedly a monster. However, the police had prepared to face such creatures, and their resolve remained unshaken.

Daniel's sniper rifle locked onto the creature's head, but after a brief moment of thought, he lowered his aim slightly, targeting its chest instead. He pulled the trigger decisively. A crimson burst of blood bloomed on the creature's left chest.

"Roar!" A pained howl filled the alley as the massive figure crashed heavily to the ground. The shot had hit its heart. Even with its extraordinary vitality and recovery ability, it was severely wounded.

Yet, to the astonishment of everyone present, the creature rose again more than ten seconds later. It glared up at Daniel on the rooftop with yellow, vertical pupils brimming with hatred and murderous intent.

Daniel, captain of the Riverton City Criminal Police Team, was known for his steely nerves. Yet, even he felt a chill under the creature's gaze. He realized that if this monster escaped, it would undoubtedly come back for revenge.

The creature, Alex, shifted his gaze downward and saw armed officers with shields and submachine guns closing in from both sides of the alley. Severe pain coursed through his body, especially from his chest. His mobility was greatly diminished, and even standing was a struggle. He knew he wouldn't survive if caught.

But surrender was not an option. Alex understood that capture meant endless torture and experimentation. He decided it was better to die fighting.

Just then, Alex felt a hand grab his right arm, startling him. Turning to look, he saw no one, yet his body began to vanish. No—it wasn't gone; he could still feel it but couldn't see it. He had become invisible.

Around him, the police grew agitated. Alex had vanished right before their eyes.

"Who are you?" he asked softly, sensing someone nearby. He didn't struggle, knowing that the invisibility might depend on the person holding his arm.

A woman's voice whispered in his ear, "This isn't the time to talk. Run. My ability is exhausting, and I can't keep it up for long."

Realizing this was his chance, Alex grabbed the invisible hand and bolted toward the sewer entrance.

"Hold on tight," he said, sensing she was hesitant.

After a brief pause, the woman wrapped her arms around his waist. Without hesitation, Alex leaped into the sewer, her gasp echoing behind him.

The officers above noticed the commotion and rushed to the sewer entrance, but they saw nothing.

"It's Ghost 002!" Adam, standing beside Daniel, exclaimed in shock.

Daniel nodded grimly. The invisibility confirmed the presence of Ghost 002. A deep sense of foreboding settled over him.

Not only had the Lizardman (001) escaped, but now Ghost 002 was also involved. Worse, the two seemed to be working together. This was bad news.

"Should we pursue them? The Lizardman is severely injured and can't have gone far," Adam suggested.

Daniel shook his head. "The mission has failed. Pack it up. The sewer's complexity and running water make tracking them unrealistic, and Ghost 002's ability is too dangerous. I won't risk our team's lives."

---

Somewhere deep within Riverton City's sewers, Alex's hideout lay in disarray. The space was filled with broken scientific equipment stolen from Brightpath Biopharmaceutical Group's warehouses.

Alex lay weakly on a makeshift bed of hay, staring at the woman before him.

"It's you," he murmured, recognizing her. She was the woman he had once frightened into unconsciousness and delivered to Ethan.

"You didn't turn into a monster. I envy you. Did Ethan send you to save me?"

"No," the woman replied, shaking her head. "The boss doesn't know. I just happened to be nearby."

Alex nodded weakly. "Then you saved me out of gratitude because I indirectly gave you powers?"

The woman, Gina, frowned. "I'd rather not have these abilities."

"I understand," Alex said, his eyes dimming. "You're luckier than me. You didn't turn into a monster and can still live as a normal person."

Gina's frown softened. In some ways, he was right. She was luckier than most. Her abilities—like invisibility and intangibility—were things others might envy, yet she couldn't decide if she was fortunate or cursed.