Chapter 193

Zero was staring blankly at his computer screen when the communicator emitted a sharp beep.

"Zero. The Director wants to see you."

The mechanical voice sounded cold and impersonal.

DarkKingdom—this behemoth lurking in the underworld was the nightmare of countless fugitives. As the world's most secretive assassination organization, they controlled countless shady dealings.

Most members were orphans kidnapped as children. In the lightless training camps, only the strongest survived. The losers faced two fates: being tossed into the incinerator or becoming live target practice.

Zero was among the elite. Having clawed his way through mountains of corpses, he now ranked among the organization's top three operatives.

Pushing open the heavy metal door, he entered a room illuminated only by the eerie blue glow of monitors. A figure sat with its back to him, swiveling in a chair.

"Integrity Group's arms shipment was hijacked."

The raspy voice grated like sandpaper.

Zero's pupils contracted slightly.

"I heard."

"Your thoughts?"

His fingers tapped absently against his thigh.

"Whoever pulled this off under Dominic Atlante's nose isn't amateur. I checked the Dark Web's top twenty—none of them did it."

A metallic clinking sound filled the room. The Director was flipping a coin.

"We've trained many promising recruits over the years. Yet none could surpass that one."

Zero's breath hitched.

"Shadow..."

The name stabbed his heart like a blade.

"Do you think she's still alive?"

The coin hit the floor with a jarring clatter.

"That plane crash..." Zero's voice trembled slightly. "The entire aircraft was blown to pieces."

The flickering monitor light cast pale reflections across Zero's face.

Shadow—the eternal legend of the Dark Web rankings. She'd proven with her skills that in the world of killing, gender was never a barrier.

"You two were close." The Director's tone held probing intent. "If she were alive..."

"I'd know."

Zero's reply was absolute.

The air turned glacial. After a long pause, the Director finally spoke.

"Monitor Integrity Group. Find this person."

Zero understood the unspoken order—if the perpetrator posed a threat, eliminate them permanently.

As he exited, Zero's fingers brushed the blade concealed in his sleeve. The last gift Shadow had given him.