I want to become a killer

Lisbeth's words hung in the air, heavy with intent. The silence in the room was suffocating, and for a moment, I wasn't sure if she was trying to test us or if she genuinely meant what she said. Her eyes burned with something deeper than just fear—it was the kind of anger that could level empires, the kind of rage that could reshape everything.

I glanced at Mara, whose face remained impassive, unreadable. The decision was now hers as much as it was mine.

"We can make them pay," Mara said, her voice low, unwavering. "But you have to help us take them down. Every piece of information you've got, every lead, it all comes with you."

Lisbeth studied her for a moment before slowly nodding. "You'll get what you need," she said. "But it's not going to be easy. Zenith isn't just some corporation. They've infiltrated everything—governments, military, law enforcement. If you want to take them down, you'll need more than just documents or footage. You'll need leverage. And I can show you where to find it."

I felt the weight of her words sink in. This wasn't just about fighting against a few corrupt leaders; this was a war against an invisible enemy that controlled the strings of the world. We would need more than just information; we would need an army.

"Where do we start?" I asked, my voice tight. I could feel the rising tide of urgency within me. The stakes had just gotten higher.

Lisbeth stood and moved to a small filing cabinet in the corner of the room. With careful precision, she unlocked it and pulled out a manila folder, thick with papers. She handed it to Mara, who took it without hesitation, her eyes scanning the contents.

"This is everything I've been able to gather," Lisbeth explained. "Names, locations, links to secret accounts, shady deals—everything you need to hit them where it hurts. But it's just the surface. What's hidden beneath…" She trailed off, as if the words themselves were too dangerous to speak.

Cipher, who had been silently observing from the doorway, stepped forward. "This is a start, but it's not enough," he said, looking up from the tablet in his hands. "We'll need to infiltrate their communications. We need to know their next move before they make it."

Lisbeth's expression darkened. "That's not something you can just hack into. Zenith's systems are encrypted with layers of countermeasures. I've tried before, and I nearly lost my life for it."

"What's the alternative?" I asked, frustration creeping into my voice.

"There's an old ally of mine," Lisbeth said slowly. "He's a hacker. Not like Cipher, though. More of an... underground type. He's been off the grid for years, hiding from Zenith. He might be our best shot at cracking their communications, but getting to him will be dangerous. He's not the kind of person you can just ask for help."

Mara looked at me, her eyes sharp. "Do we trust her?"

I nodded. There was something in Lisbeth's eyes that told me she wasn't just trying to manipulate us—she was just as desperate as we were to end this. And if there was anyone who could help us, it was her.

"Where is he?" I asked, knowing full well this was the next step in a much longer game.

"He's in New York," Lisbeth replied. "But you're going to have to move quickly. Zenith is closing in on him, and if we don't act fast, he'll be gone. Forever."

The urgency in her voice was undeniable. I could feel the walls of time closing in on us. There was no room for hesitation.

Cipher tapped his fingers against the tablet, lost in thought. "New York, huh? That's a big city. How are we supposed to find him?"

"I know where he is," Lisbeth said, her voice steady. "He's been hiding out in an old warehouse on the east side. But you can't just walk up to it. The place is rigged with security—his personal system. If you don't have the right access codes, you won't even get close."

I met Lisbeth's gaze, determination growing within me. "Then we'll get the access codes."

Lisbeth smirked. "You really are committed, aren't you?"

"We'll do whatever it takes," I said, the words almost feeling like a promise.

She handed me another file, smaller than the first. "This has the codes, but it's in pieces. Each piece is hidden in a different location. One is in a government facility in Maryland, another is with a person who used to be close to Zenith but defected. The third… well, that one is the trickiest. It's buried in a database that only one person can access, and that person isn't someone you want to cross."

I could see the weight of the task ahead of us, and for a moment, doubt crept in. But I pushed it down. This was the path we had chosen.

"We'll split up," I said, turning to Cipher, Mara, and Alan. "We'll get each piece, then meet back here. We don't waste time."

Lisbeth nodded in agreement. "I'll guide you, but remember—Zenith isn't just watching you. They're watching me, too. If we fail, they'll make sure we don't get another chance."

I stared at the files in my hands, the cold reality setting in. We were up against a force more powerful than we had ever imagined. But we couldn't stop now.

Not when we were this close.

Not when victory was within reach.

.....

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