()||9<黑屏1>0,10BGM_Empty: ()||BGM_TK_face1<黑屏2>0.5: ()||AVG_tele_connect:After leaving the factory owner's villa, the Commander calls the client. ()Saul||:Red curly hair—that's him, that's Hubert! ()Saul||:Hecate... I knew it. It's got to be her! ()Commander||:Hold on, what makes you so sure? ()Saul||:Hubert humiliated Hecate in public once—offended her. ()Saul||:I've suspected all along that she was settling a personal grudge. That's why I came to you instead of letting Blackgold know. ()Commander||:But from what I know, Hecate doesn't seem like the type to kill in the shadows... ()Saul||0.5:You have no idea what happened! ()Saul||0.5:It was three months ago... ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>9: ()||<黑屏1>: ()||BGM_EmptyAVG_Combat_Hits<震屏3><黑屏2><回忆>830.5: ()||:Nice! ()||:Good hit! ()||:At a Blackgold Universal Abyss Squad encampment, two Blackgold operatives are sparring in the open area. ()||:Hubert, get him! Nice one! ()||:The man with red curls, shirtless under a tight tank top, is none other than Hubert. ()||%%type_id=2%%duration=4%%delay=0%%range=3AVG_lifttable:With a swift sidestep and a bit of redirecting force, he throws his opponent to the ground. ()||:"The winner is Hubert!" ()||:Cheers erupt from the crowd. Hubert stands in the center of the clearing, raising his arms to acknowledge the spectators. ()||:Then, the cheering abruptly dies down. Hubert turns around in confusion, A black-haired woman has stepped out of the tent. ()||:It's Hecate. ()||ClothingUpGF_EV9_Intermission:The Blackgold operatives lounging around quickly scramble to their feet, snapping to attention in unison. ()Blackgold Operatives||<震屏3>:Ma'am! ()||AVG_footsteps_woodfloor:Hecate nods. She was heading toward the camp entrance, but she changes course and walks directly toward the sparring ring. ()||Stop_AVG_loop:She stops in front of the group, arms crossed, lips tight, chin slightly raised. NPC-Hecate_AB(0)Hecate||:Don't mind me. Continue. ()||:The Blackgold operatives, previously laughing and relaxed, now stand frozen. NPC-Hecate_AB(0)Hecate||:Continue. ()||:The second time, the word sounds colder. Despite their tension, no one dares disobey. They hesitantly reform a loose circle, leaving space in the center. ()Blackgold Operative||:...The last winner was Hubert. Anyone else want to challenge? ()||ClothingUp:Hubert returns to the center, awkwardly rubbing his hands together and glancing around, carefully avoiding eye contact with Hecate. ()Blackgold Operative||:...Anyone? ()||Rope:No one responds. One operative at the edge tries to slip away but is yanked back by the teammate beside him. NPC-Hecate_AB(0)Hecate||:... ()||:Realizing her presence is paralyzing the team, Hecate finally lowers her arms, swallows discreetly, and sits down on the spot. ()||ClothingUp:Only then do the others slowly begin to sit down. At Hubert's pleading glance, Saul steps forward. ()Hubert||0.5:...C'mon. ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>9: ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2><回忆>830.5: ()||AVG_Combat_Hits<震屏3>:They've already been exchanging blows for a while. Both men are overly cautious now—nothing like the energetic combat earlier. ()Saul||:What now? ()Hubert||:A draw? ()||<震屏3>AVG_Punch_Hit:Taking advantage of a close-range stalemate, they whisper to each other. Then, they simultaneously let go and retreat, ending the match. ()Hubert||:It's a draw. ()||:This heavily theatrical duel is finally over. The watching operatives seem relieved. Scattered applause echo through the camp. ()||:Hecate sits expressionless at the front, snapping a dry grass stalk in her hand. ()Blackgold Operative||BGM_Empty:...So, can we disperse now? ()||ClothingUp:Everyone exhales in relief. A few younger operatives start to rise, trying to escape the oppressive atmosphere. NPC-Hecate_AB(0)Hecate||:I'll have a go. ()||0.5ClothingUp:Hecate brushes the crushed grass from her hand and rises to her feet. ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>9: ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2><关闭蒙版>GF_EV9_Story10.5: ()Commander||:Hubert beat Hecate in front of everyone??!! ()Saul||:Yes. ()Commander||:How could he even dare? NPC-MDR_AB(0)Kuro||:What's the big deal? ()Saul||:You wouldn't say that if you knew Hecate's record. ()Saul||:She was a decorated Marine before joining Blackgold. After an operative, she became a living legend for how quickly she rose through the ranks. ()Saul||:At first, people questioned how someone so young could lead the Abyss Squad. But soon, no one questioned her again—she earned it with her life. ()Saul||:In the Abyss Squad, no one disobeys her. Hubert... how could he dare? ()Commander||:It's surprising, I admit. But there's still no proof that Hecate had anything to do with Hubert's disappearance. ()Saul||:Ever since that incident, Hubert has been targeted—on purpose. ()Saul||0.5:There were so many signs... ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>9: ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>0.5<回忆>83: NPC-Hecate_AB(0)Hecate||:Is everyone clear on the team assignments for this infiltration mission? ()Blackgold Operatives||:Yes, ma'am! ()||:In the camp, Hecate is giving out instructions. Two rows of Blackgold operatives stand straight, eyes forward, expressions serious. ()Hubert||ClothingUp:One question, ma'am! NPC-Hecate_AB(0)Hecate||:Go ahead. ()Hubert||:Why are the others in teams of three or four, and I'm alone? NPC-Hecate_AB(0)Hecate||:I'm not obligated to answer that. ()Hubert||:Yes, ma'am. NPC-Hecate_AB(0)Hecate||ClothingUp:Prep yourselves for departure. Dismissed! ()||:The operatives break formation, heading off in groups to gather gear or discuss strategies. Only Hubert walks alone toward the dorms, dragging his feet. ()||RunStep:Seeing this, Saul catches up to him. ()Saul||:What's going on? ()Hubert||:I don't know... Could be a mission requirement? ()Saul||:Could it be... retaliation? ()||:The two mutter under their breath, not noticing Hecate walking right past them. ()Hubert||ClothingUp:Ahem! Cough... ()||:She gives no sign of having heard anything. Her pace never falters; her eyes remain fixed directly ahead as she walks into her ops room. ()||AVG_Door_Open_Close0.5: ()||:Watching her go, Saul pats Hubert on the shoulder. ()Saul||0.5:Just be careful, alright? ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>9: ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>478AVG_wind_grass0.5: NPC-Hecate_AB(0)Hecate||:Keep up. We've only done 20 kilometers—just about halfway. ()||:A team from Blackgold is silently trekking through mountainous terrain, each person carrying a heavy pack. ()||:Hecate leads at the front. Even her face is drenched in sweat from the long, grueling hike. NPC-Hecate_AB(0)Hecate||:If anyone falls behind, it's double training when we return. ()||:No one says a word. They march in sync, focused entirely on conserving breath. ()||ClothingUp:Hubert and Saul are at the rear. At a bend in the trail, Saul stops Hubert. ()Saul||:Give me five kilos of your load. ()||:Hubert's face is pale. Sweat—cold or hot, it's hard to tell—pours from his forehead. He takes a few seconds to catch his breath before replying. ()Hubert||:Thanks... but no. ()Saul||:Everyone else is carrying 20 kilos, only you've got 30. She's singling you out! ()Saul||:Don't push yourself. C'mon, quick—before they notice. ()||0.5ClothingUp:Hubert pats Saul's shoulder, breaks off a tree branch to use as a walking stick, and continues climbing. ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>9: ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2><关闭蒙版>10.5: ()Saul||:Dangerous missions, harsh training... there's been a lot of this. ()Saul||:And all of it started after Hubert took Hecate down in front of everyone. I choose to believe that's not a coincidence. ()Saul||:Hecate is taking revenge! ()Commander||:... ()Commander||:I admit, it sounds pretty convincing, but we still don't have proof. Hubert's just missing— ()Saul||:We do! ()Commander||:What? ()Saul||:You mentioned the person who killed Hubert just now... ()Commander||:They only left together. The factory owner didn't see Hubert actually get shot— ()Saul||0.5:Regardless, that bald guy with the scar is named Stone. I know where he is. ()||<黑点1>: