The City of Ionia

It appeared to be a typical warehouse from the outside. There was no parking, it was windowless, and it was densely packed by other structures in the cramped alley. There was no sign or parking—just pavement and silence. The dull metal walls were worn, and a dim light flickered above a small door.

Fernando explained my role while walking. He insisted I stay quiet and let him do the talking. I didn't complain. Alice, who was recon, would guide us from the inside. All I had to do was listen to her instructions.

The big boss was usually there. Our goal was to eliminate him. Fernando insisted he would prioritize that, and I should act as backup. I didn't care what my role was as long as I made it out with all limbs attached.

Fernando knocked on the eerie door. I stood behind him.

An upper piece of the door slid open, revealing someone's eyes.

"Serpent's slave," Fernando confidently said.

I didn't understand what that meant, but I stayed quiet.

The door crept open just enough for both of us to squeeze through.

As soon as I entered, a wave of heavy music shook my head. The club stretched wide and deep like an underground cave. Bright lights decorated the ceiling and floor, shifting in sync with the music. People danced like never before, arms in the air and bodies jumping in sync with the beat. Others walked on the border of the dance floor and by the bar, where people sat with multiple drinks in front of them.

The smell was a mixture of alcohol and sweat, with a predominant scent of sweat. The humidity made it unbearable to walk without my arms feeling sticky.

We took the flight of steps down towards the dance floor.

"Ima head down over to the bar," Fernando said while adjusting his sleeves.

"What about the mission?"

He brushed it off. "I need a drink before I do anything. I'll be quick." He detached from my side and left me alone.

"Great…" I mumbled.

I had nothing to do but watch other people and try to fit in. The more I looked around, the more I noticed people wearing skimpy clothes. Sweat was visible on some foreheads. I fanned myself with my hand. Wearing a jacket wasn't a good idea. I naturally left stuffy and sweaty, and wanted to breathe normal air.

"Jill, it's Alice. Can you hear me?"

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I flinched. The close crackling in my ear was something I had to get used to.

"Ya," I replied.

"You're close to the main dance floor now, but don't stay here. Turn around and head back up the stairs, the ones you came down. At the top is a mezzanine level with metal railings overlooking the crowd. People linger there, leaning against the bars, watching others dance. Stick to the right side. There's a door tucked into the walls, barely visible, easy to miss if you're not looking for it. That's where you need to go. Be careful, there's security there. Not just for show. You'll need to move smart, act like you belong, and don't draw attention."

"O–Ok."

That was a lot to take in at once. I didn't want to look like an idiot and ask for another explanation, so I dug through my ears to reiterate what Alice said.

I backtracked and went up the stairs as confidently as I could. I held my head up high and didn't look around too much.

Once at the mezzanine, I walked towards the right side, where I spotted a security guard guarding a door.

Along the mezzanine, people leaned on the railings, either with an empty hand or a drink. Everyone conversed with someone, no matter how they looked. I looked like the odd one out.

Alone and without anyone to talk to.

But then, the crackling noise in my ear proved me wrong.

"You see those two people leaning on the railing near the door? Those are Fernando's men. Walk past him and tie your shoe. That's the signal for a distraction, so you can freely handle the guard. There's a code for the door. 5983."

"What's the distraction?" I asked in genuine curiosity.

"You'll see," she said.

I didn't like being left in suspense, but there was no choice.

I did as instructed. The mezzanine wasn't crowded, so it was easy for me to walk through. The loud music got to my head, and my brain pounded like a wild animal trying to escape a cage. I held my hand to my head and groaned. Loud music wasn't something I was used to.

Regardless, I had to power through for this to work.

Two men leaned against the railing near the door, just like Alice mentioned. I ignored their attire and simply did what needed to be done. As soon as I walked past them, I kneeled and pretended to tie my beaten shoes.

As soon as I kneeled, yelling overpowered the already loud music. Still kneeling, I turned my head to the left to see the scene. Some form of arguing and pointing fingers made the surrounding atmosphere unpleasant. Spit particles flew out of the mouths of the arguing duo.

Was this the distraction? Really?

It wasn't long after my initial thought that the distraction took place. The altercation escalated rapidly and became physical. They started throwing punches while yelling slurs and other negative remarks.

Ok… a little better for a distraction.

But that wasn't all.

One of them grabbed the other guy by the neck and forcefully flipped him over the railing and threw him off the mezzanine.

"What the…" I mumbled to myself while still kneeling.

A guard rushed over to see what was going on. He frantically spoke to the man who had thrown the other person off a roughly 20-meter mezzanine.

So that was the distraction?

I hurried towards the unguarded door. A small, blue rectangular holographic keyboard popped just above the door handle.

"5983," I repeated as I quickly typed. The holographic keyboard turned green. I gently opened the door and squeezed my way through the other side.

"Are you in?" Alice asked.

"Ya…"