A blonde woman wearing Kugelblitz's uniform was working on her desk, going through paperwork.
Her eyes were narrowed, and she emanated a cold aura of authority and confidence.
Despite her relatively young age, she already managed to become a Peak Specialist.
150 years might be unimaginably long for normal people, but for a Peak Specialist, that was very young.
There was no doubt that she would become a Hero, and she also was well on her way to becoming a Protector.
"I am here to talk about Vernon."
Samar's eyes narrowed, and she slowly looked up from her desk.
A shadowy figure had appeared in her office and stood right in front of her desk.
Yet, Samar wasn't even startled.
It was like she was prepared for any eventuality.
"What's there to talk about?" she answered in a cold tone before continuing to work on her paperwork. "He's dead already."
When Nick saw her reaction, he could tell that Samar was terrifyingly capable.
She had reacted with perfect calm to his appearance.
Her control over herself was the highest Nick had ever seen, except for the Left Arm.
'She can be a tremendous ally or a terrifying enemy,' Nick realized.
"I know the truth about Vernon's death. I can tell you exactly what happened," Nick said.
"Your words are untrustworthy," Samar answered calmly. "You are cloaked in shadows. Chances are that you just want to lure me away with a promise so that you can kill me in silence." ɽ𝖆Ν𝘖ΒΕS
"You know exactly that I don't need to lure you away," Nick said. "You've already tried to access Kugelblitz's network and failed."
The next moment, a terrifying wave of human Zephyx came out of Nick.
It was on the border between Peak Hero and Initial Protector.
"I could kill you right here and now, and nobody would notice."
"Investigation," Samar answered calmly. "Killing me will trigger an investigation, and you don't want that to happen.You want to make it seem natural."
"I have the authority to deactivate your Barrier," Nick said, deactivating Samar's Barrier. "I do not need to justify anything to anyone. As long as I say that you were a traitor, nobody will bat an eye."
"I have killed tens of Heroes already. A Specialist won't even be noticed."
"Special Agent of Aegis with a high level of clearance," Samar said, exposing Nick's identity. "Someone working very closely with Aegis' leadership. Your high authority and knowledge regarding Barriers mean you are close with the Technician, and since you are so freely admitting to killing Heroes, you must also be close to the Left Arm."
"You are an elite sent by Aegis. You might even have more authority than some Protectors."
"But I don't see how that changes the validity of your claims. In fact, your high position only makes you more untrustworthy since you are good at lying and getting what you want."
"Did Aria send you? Did she get cold feet and wants to get rid of me?" Samar asked calmly, looking at the shadowy figure.
'She's terrifying,' Nick thought. 'Just by talking, she managed to make me expose part of my identity while being the weaker party.'
Nick took a deep breath.
'I can't see her true self without exposing my true self. I need to initiate with an offering of trust and vulnerability.'
'But I can't risk the mission.'
'Fine, I'll put you to the test in the most extreme way imaginable.'
"Alright," Nick said, no longer cloaking his voice.
Samar furrowed her brows.
That voice sounded familiar.
The next moment, her Barrier reactivated and regained its connection to Kugelblitz.
That made her narrow her eyes.
What was this person doing?
Despite regaining control of the network, Samar didn't sound an alarm.
She could tell that this would be a bad idea.
The next moment, the black veil of darkness vanished, revealing Nick's body.
However,Nick still assumed a human body since he didn't want Samar to know that he was a Specter.
"Is that enough?" Nick asked.
Samar's expression didn't change, but she took a deep breath.
"Liaison," she said coldly.
"Nick Dusk, former Liaison of Crimson City. Current Special Agent for Aegis," Nick said.
"Your records say that you are deceased," Samar said.
"Falsified to protect my identity," Nick said.
When Samar saw Nick, she knew that she had done it.
She managed to talk with a person who knew the truth about what happened back then.
"Who killed my father?" she asked.
"It was me," Nick answered.
Despite her best efforts to hide it, Nick could see rage and adrenaline gathering in Samar.
Her father's killer was right in front of her.
"Why?" she asked.
"He was an enemy," Nick said. "He, Aria, and I worked together to topple Anatomy. Vernon and I signed a Death Pact that would last until Anatomy's demise."
"As soon as the Death Pact ended and everything returned to normal, Vernon would use the information he gained by working with me to stop me."
"Vernon hated me."
"So, while Anatomy was fighting Kugelblitz, I assassinated Vernon."
Samar looked at Nick with rage. "And the reason why he wanted to kill you is the same reason why I want to kill you."
Nick nodded.
"I killed Wyntor," Nick said.
Samar's fists clenched.
Killing Vernon was one thing, but killing Wyntor was something else.
She knew that Vernon was a monster.
But Wyntor?
She had talked to Wyntor occasionally, which was why she knew about Nick.
Wyntor often talked about Nick, and he also confided in Samar that Nick was his first true friend.
Betrayal!
Samar hated Nick for killing Wyntor.
She would be willing to risk her life to get revenge.
She had the opportunity to exact her revenge right now.
However…
The cost would be far higher than her own life.
"I see your game," she said through gritted teeth.
"This is more important than your or my life," Nick said.
Samar stood up, filled with rage.
"What will happen if I expose you right now?" she spoke loudly. "You essentially rebuilt and reconstructed this city for five years!"
"And yet, you are willing to destroy it if I give the command?!"
That was right.
Nick's identity was the most important thing in the entire operation, and it had to be protected at all cost.
If Samar sent a message to Crimson City, exposing Nick's identity…
Nick would have no choice but to wipe all traces of him from the city.
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