Damn...
Damn...
That cursed mark...
Why did it have to react right now?
Why not a few minutes later?
I closed my eyes for a moment.
Calm down, Ryan.
If you lose your composure, you'll be the one making the next mistake.
They still don't know who I am.
And I'm still the hunter.
I've already eliminated several of their allies... or cannon fodder.
If Justin and Jack really belong to the same group...
They'll fall too.
I just need patience.
I took a slow breath until I regained my composure.
I glanced briefly at Vivian and Brittany.
They were still acting naturally.
I would use them to gather information.
But I would never allow them to die.
They could still be very useful in the future.
I finished my meal, paid the bill, and left the restaurant without attracting attention.
Once I was far enough away...
I teleported.
This time I chose the rooftop of a nearby building.
From there, I could observe without getting too close.
Much better.
Much safer.
---
Vivian tried to keep smiling as they walked through the park.
The second date had been Justin and Jack's idea.
Even though she had agreed to it...
The uneasiness inside her continued to grow.
Brittany walked beside Justin.
Vivian walked beside Jack.
From a distance...
They looked like two ordinary couples enjoying a pleasant evening.
But neither of the girls forgot that this was a mission.
"This place is nice," Jack commented as he looked at the trees illuminated by the streetlights.
"It's peaceful."
"Perfect for talking."
Vivian nodded.
"Yeah..."
"It's nice."
While answering...
She analyzed every movement he made.
Every expression.
Every pause.
Every glance.
The Clown had been perfectly clear.
Observe.
Listen.
Remember everything.
"And what about you?" Vivian asked with apparent curiosity.
"Do you always go out with girls together?"
Justin let out a small laugh.
"Most of the time."
"My brother and I are inseparable."
Jack smiled.
Then he turned toward Vivian.
"And you?"
"What do you look for in a guy?"
The question caught her completely off guard.
Even so...
She didn't lose her composure.
"Someone honest."
Jack held her gaze for several seconds.
Then he smiled.
"Then we're looking for the same thing."
The answer sounded too perfect.
Too calculated.
Vivian felt a slight chill when Jack brushed against her hand "by accident."
It wasn't an aggressive touch.
Nor was it inappropriate.
But there was something unsettling about the way he looked at her.
As if he were evaluating her.
Measuring every one of her reactions.
---
Brittany wasn't at ease either.
Justin was kind.
Charismatic.
He knew exactly when to joke and when to be serious.
But every time she tried to ask something personal...
He redirected the conversation with surprising ease.
"Where did you grow up?" Brittany asked.
Justin smiled.
"In several places."
"My family moved around a lot."
"That must have been difficult."
"You get used to it eventually."
And before she could ask another question...
He changed the subject.
"Did you always want to be a cheerleader?"
Brittany answered automatically.
But mentally, she took another note.
Another incomplete answer.
Another evasion.
---
The walk continued for nearly an hour.
They talked about music.
Movies.
School.
Travel.
Food.
Everything felt so normal...
That it became unsettling.
When night finally fell...
The four of them returned to the parking lot.
Justin smiled as he looked at Brittany.
"I had a great time."
"I hope we can do this again."
"So did I," Brittany replied politely.
Jack looked at Vivian.
"It was a great evening."
"Yeah..."
"It was."
They exchanged brief hugs.
Then...
The two brothers walked away.
Vivian waited a few seconds before speaking.
"What do you think?"
Brittany slowly let out a breath.
"They're good."
She paused.
"Too good."
Vivian nodded.
"Every time we tried to find out something important..."
"They answered."
"But never gave the complete answer."
"Exactly."
The two remained silent.
Finally, Brittany spoke.
"The Clown was right."
Vivian looked toward the street where the brothers had disappeared.
"Yeah..."
"Those two are hiding something."
"And I'm becoming more certain of it."
---
Justin and Jack's Point of View
As they walked down a dimly lit street...
Justin let out a quiet laugh.
"They were nervous throughout the entire date."
Jack kept his hands in his pockets.
His expression remained calm.
"They're intelligent."
"Especially Vivian."
"It's obvious they're trying to investigate us."
Justin smiled.
"Brittany is easier to read."
"She's very expressive."
"I like that."
Jack slightly raised his gaze.
"Vivian has better control over her emotions."
"That makes her more interesting."
Justin chuckled.
"Do you think they're working for someone?"
Jack remained silent for a few seconds.
"It's possible."
"But we don't have proof yet."
The two brothers stopped beneath a streetlamp.
For just an instant...
Their pupils glowed with a faint purple light.
So briefly...
That any ordinary person would have assumed it was only a reflection from the light.
---
From the rooftop...
I watched the scene.
I frowned.
Damn...
I think they realized Vivian and Brittany were trying to investigate them.
Still...
I couldn't blame the girls.
I forced them into this mission.
They weren't professional spies.
I let out a long sigh.
I'll give them one last chance.
A third date.
If I still don't get any answers after that...
I'll eliminate those two.
Even my patience has limits.
I cast one last cold glance toward the brothers.
Then...
I teleported away.
---
Back in my room...
I dropped onto my bed.
I stared at the ceiling for several seconds.
"I still haven't sent them a way to communicate with me..."
That had been a pretty stupid oversight.
I snapped my fingers.
A balloon appeared in front of me.
I picked up the letter I had written a few hours earlier and carefully tied it to the string.
---
To My Esteemed Employees:
How is the mission going?
I hope everything is proceeding according to plan.
Jokes aside, I have to admit that I made a mistake.
I forgot to establish a secure way for you to communicate with me.
That oversight is entirely my responsibility.
For now, continue with the mission.
When the four of you meet again at any one of your houses, stay alert.
That day, I will send you clear instructions on how to deliver your reports to me safely.
Don't worry about your payment.
You will receive it.
Along with a small bonus for the good work you've done so far.
—The Clown
---
I stared at the balloon for a few seconds.
I still couldn't send it.
First...
The four of them needed to be together.
Only then could I deliver the next part of the plan.
I closed my eyes.
The game had only just begun.
And with every move...
It was becoming far more dangerous.