"Let''s put the trip to Base One on hold," Michael announced after making the arrangements, looking at his partners. His serious voice held a tremor of excitement. "Right now, the most important thing is dealing with that old bastard."


    "Agreed," the other masters nodded in response. "Things at Base One are under control. If all goes well, Specter should be back by tomorrow morning."


    "Hopefully, we can take care of the leader of Sigma Network before she gets back."


    "Let''s not get ahead of ourselves," Catherine interjected, remaining calm. "Capturing the leader of Sigma Network alive will be extremely difficult. Everyone needs to be careful not to fall into one of his traps."


    After all, the man''s appearance was just too strange.


    Before long, Subterra Vanguard''s agents had located the leader of Sigma Network at a hotel in the city center.


    "The city center?" Michael found this utterly preposterous, his nerves on edge. "To dare stay in such a conspicuous location... he really isn''t afraid of us catching him."


    "Or he could be fully prepared," Catherine said gravely. "The five of us should go together. Our men probably can''t handle him alone."


    Even Specter herself would be locked in a long struggle against the leader of Sigma Network.


    "Alright."


    After gathering their forces, the group headed for the hotel in the city center. Along the way, the five masters continuously discussed strategies for capturing the leader of Sigma Network alive. Despite their skills, they all felt a little apprehensive about facing him.


    Upon arriving at the hotel, the five split up, leading their subordinates to surround the entire building.


    "Confirming the leader of Sigma Network is still in his room," Michael spoke into his earpiece. "The staff said he only has two people with him."


    "Two people?" The other masters felt even more unsettled. Showing up in Subterra Vanguard''s territory with only two men... What on earth was he nning?


    "It could be a trap. Everyone, be careful when you move in," Michael whispered a final instruction.


    "Understood," the others confirmed.


    Inside the hotel room, Shanley sat on the sofa, his deep eyes fixed on theptop on the table. It was disying the hotel''s security camera footage. He could clearly see Subterra Vanguards people entering the hotel and gradually approaching his room.


    "Sir, there seem to be a lot of them," Felton and Flint said, standing behind him in a


    panic. "Shouldn''t we set up some defensive measures?"


    If Subterra Vanguard''s men burst through the door and just started fighting, they probably wouldn''t live to see tomorrow.


    "Open the door," Shanley said in a hoarse voice, not moving from the sofa.


    "Yes, sir." Felton and Flint froze for a second but obeyed.


    "You two go to the bedroom," Shanley said, slowly fastening his cufflinks. "Subterra Vanguard''s people have arrived."


    "Sir, we''re not afraid to die." Felton and Flint stood their ground, refusing to move.


    Shanley nced at the two, a faint curve ying on his lips. Who said anything about dying? Without Specter''smand who would dare to touch him?


    "Fine," Shanley said with a slight twitch of his lips. "Take Juniper''s backpack with you."


    Just as he finished speaking, the sound of soft footsteps came from the doorway.


    Subterra Vanguard''s team had


    intended to cautiously approach the door and then kick it in. They never


    expected in this scene The


    door tothe leader of Sigma Network''s room was wide open. He was standing in front of the sofa, casually staring at them.


    Subterra Vanguard''s men stared back at him. No one moved. No one spoke.


    "Michael," the lead agent immediately said into his earpiece. "You need toe up here. The situation is...plicated."