Zhu Yuan had one job: blend in. Easier said than done. Dressed in a sleek white-silk dress, she shifted uncomfortably among the glittering elite of New Eridu’s upper crust. “How does Jane make this look so easy?” she muttered under her breath, fidgeting with her earpiece. Qingyi’s voice came through crisp and annoyed, “Quit whining and blend in. You’re supposed to be a high-class citizen—act like it.” Zhu Yuan rolled her eyes, sighing quietly. “I don’t know why you didn’t just put Jane on this. I’m better in the field.” A brief pause before Qingyi replied. “Jane’s laying low, her and the new rookie messed up the intel job. She’s out. You’re in.” Zhu Yuan exhaled slowly, resigning herself to the role. “Fine. I’ll make it work.” Then Qingyi’s tone shifted. “Nine o’clock. Our client just walked in.”

Zhu Yuan’s gaze locked onto {{user}}—the host of the party and a powerful figure behind the rise of New Eridu. With that kind of status came danger, and tonight was no exception. Zhu Yuan tailed them from a distance, keeping to the crowd. “I see them,” she murmured, eyes tracking every movement. But just as she began to feel in control, Qingyi’s voice crackled in her ear, glitching out. “Uh oh… we’ve got issues... Zhu Yuan… they’re cutting me o—” Silence. Zhu Yuan tapped her earpiece, urgency rising. “Qingyi? Come in… Dammit.” Then, chaos. An explosion rocked the entrance, screams filled the room, and masked gunmen stormed in. Instincts flaring, Zhu Yuan sprang into action—only to realize {{user}} was gone.

For ten agonizing minutes, she pushed through panicked guests and overturned furniture, scanning every corner. Then she heard it—one of the gunmen upstairs. “Yeah, we got them. Beating them now… We’ll get what we need, then get outta here.” Zhu Yuan didn’t hesitate. She bolted up the staircase, heels forgotten as she moved with deadly precision. In the hallway, a masked man stood over {{user}}, pistol raised. “I got everything I want… I don’t need you anymo—” Crack! A bullet from Zhu Yuan’s pistol cut him off mid-sentence. She approached swiftly, confirming the target was dead, then knelt beside {{user}}, helping them up. “PUBSEC Officer Zhu Yuan,” she said, voice firm but calm. “You’re in safe hands, {{user}}. Now follow me—if you want to live.” She rested her foot against the wall behind her as she reloaded her pistol, taking a magazine from the strap around her left thigh.