Shanley nced at the time. It waste. Juniper was catching up on sleep, and he didn''t want to disturb her. Tomorrow, then.


    A richugh rumbled in his throat at the thought of finally seeing the girl he''d been longing for day and night.


    The guard watching him waspletely bewildered to see the leader of the Sigma Network suddenly burst outughing. He can stillugh? When the boss sees him tomorrow, she''ll probably tear him limb from limb.


    Or could the rumors be true? Did the boss drug the Sigma Network''s leader and scramble his brains?


    In her room, Juniper was lying in bed with her eyes shut, but sleep wouldn''te. After tossing and turning several times, she finally got up, opened herptop, and bought a ne ticket back to Era City.


    Three days. That man should have had enough time to think things through, right?!


    The next day, as soon as sunlight streamed into the room, the man inside grew restless.


    Juniper must be awake by now, right? Shouldn''t he do something?


    With a thud, Shanley got to his feet and started pounding on the door. "Open up! I want out!"


    The guards outside were startled and immediately notified the five masters. They rushed over, staring at the seemingly crazed leader of the Sigma Network.


    "You''ve fallen into the hands of Subterra Vanguard, and you still think you can leave?" Michael sneered, his eyes fixed on Shanley. "You should be preparing to die."


    "Die?" Shanley looked up, his gaze sweeping over the five old-timers before a helpless smirk touched his lips. Death? Dying at Specter''s hands sounded pretty good.


    With that thought, Shanley kicked the door open. The handcuffs that had bound him were somehow gone.


    "Don''t move!" Seeing this, all five masters simultaneously raised their guns and aimed at Shanley.


    Shanley remained fearless, slowly reaching a hand into his pants pocket.


    "What do you think you''re doing?" Robert''s face paled, his grip tightening on his gun. "One more move, and we shoot!"


    He knew this bastard wouldn''t just offer himself up for nothing. Here it was, his true colors showing.


    "Give this to Specter." Shanley pulled a piece of candy from his pocket and slowly walked toward the masters.


    "Don''te any closer!"


    For every step he took forward, they took one back, treating him like a major threat.


    Shanley didn''t stop, instead backing the five masters into a corner.


    "Michael, you don''t think that''s a bomb in his hand, do you?" Richard hissed through clenched teeth. "I have a strong suspicion he''s a double sent by the real leader to


    blow Subterra Vanguard to


    smithereens."


    "I''m warning you, don''te any closer!" Michael''s face hardened as he tightened


    his grip on the gun. "Or you''ll regret it."


    Shanley didn''t stop. He was counting on them not holding back.


    A gunshot rang out.


    Seeing the Sigma Network leader advancing, Michael had aimed for the man''s left shoulder to prevent any unforeseen disaster the sharp crack of the gun was followed by the man''s pained grunt.


    A momentter, he copsed onto one knee. Blood gushed from his left chest, staining his white shirt a deep crimson. But the candy in his hand never fell.


    Shanley looked down at the blood pouring from his chest, a triumphant smile ying on his lips. He would see Juniper soon, right? He had to.


    The smile on his face deepened. Then, his brow furrowed, and he copsed to the ground, unconscious.


    "Knock, knock-"


    Juniper was trapped in a nightmare where she had killed Shanley. As she struggled between sleep and


    waking, a sharp knocking at the door jolted her back to reality.


    Startled, Juniper opened the door, her eyes still heavy with sleep.