"Since the Tingen City team uncovered this human trafficking ring spanning the entire eastern kingdom, the Nighthawks have been relentlessly investigating the extraordinary forces behind it. We've confirmed not only involvement from the 'Witch Sect,' but the 'Aurora Order' has surfaced as well."
The "Silver Bullet Detective Agency" had hung its CLOSED sign, with doors and windows tightly shut and curtains drawn, ensuring not a whisper of sound or sliver of light escaped.
In the first-floor hall, everyone except the Night Watcher on duty guarding Chanis Gate had gathered, some seated and others standing, all listening intently as Clement, captain of the Enmat Port team, laid out the mission.
Angel recognized most faces from her past few days here, though two unfamiliar members were present—likely part of the local team who'd been busy "monitoring targets."
Daly Simone, having caught up on sleep during the day, now brimmed with energy. Using what she called her "feminine privilege," she'd claimed the largest sofa and beckoned Angel to join her.
Rupert Norman had finally mastered handling his pipe, which now rested between his lips with a slight tremor. Though unlit, his gaze wandered constantly, sweeping across the assembled group.
Pollis Port's "Sleepless" Morrow and "Midnight Poet" Brandon Bolo stood together behind Rupert, their expressions grave, eyes fixed forward.
Two local Nighthawks sat slightly apart from the others, their attention riveted to their captain.
"Nightmare" Clement, the Enmat Port team captain, occupied a high-backed chair with a city map spread across the low table before him. Three locations were circled in red: one in the port district, another in the west district, and the third in the Duran district—all densely populated areas with convenient transportation access.
"Our investigation has pinpointed three locations," Clement said, his finger tapping each red circle as he spoke. "Warehouse No. 16 in the port district, the sugar factory on Corvo Street in the west district, and the Yahn Clinic on Fourth Avenue in the Duran district."
"The Yahn Clinic evaluates those who've been tricked or kidnapped. The sugar factory serves as a transit hub within the city. Finally, these 'goods' are loaded onto ships at the port district, bound for destinations specified by buyers." His voice hardened. "This year alone, this operation has trafficked over a thousand innocent civilians to plantations across the Furious Sea islands, deep mines on the southern continent, and even sacrificial ceremonies held by certain cults."
"Many victims are believers of the Goddess of the Night!"
Every Night Watcher instinctively straightened, as if feeling the goddess's gaze upon them.
Seeing their emotions stirred, Clement smiled with satisfaction before continuing after a brief pause.
"Initially, this operation was assigned to the church's elite team, the 'Red Gloves.' Some of you may have heard of them or even seen them in action. With their involvement, success would have been guaranteed."
"Unfortunately, the 'Red Gloves' are occupied with other missions and cannot spare personnel. That's why we've assembled here tonight."
This marked the second time Angel had heard of the "Red Gloves"—an elite team of extraordinary individuals within the Nighthawks, all at least Sequence 7. Operating independently of local teams, they were like vigilant hounds watching over all parishes, ready to respond to calls for help, support regional teams, or apprehend dangerous extraordinary criminals who crossed jurisdictions.
Despite their reputation, Angel had only heard their name but never witnessed them in action. It seemed this wouldn't be her chance to meet them either.
"Captain Clement," Rupert Norman raised the hand holding his pipe, "Wasn't the plan to begin the operation after the Backlund team joins us tomorrow? Why move it forward?"
"I was just getting to that," Clement acknowledged with a nod. "Intelligence indicates that every Monday, the sugar factory transports 'goods' to the port warehouse for secret shipment out of Enmat Port at night. However, this afternoon, we detected activity at all three target locations. I invaded the dreams of several ordinary citizens and discovered they're likely planning to ship out the current 'goods' tomorrow morning."
"They moved up their schedule?" Morrow's face darkened, making his already brown skin appear even more somber. "Could our information have leaked?"
"Unlikely."
Clement shook his head, his hawk-like eyes sweeping across each face, lingering longer on Angel.
"Everyone here represents the core strength of their parish's Night Watcher team, proven through experience. I trust none of you leaked information, and before today, most weren't even aware of the mission's full scope—there was nothing to leak."
"Could it be... divination?" Daly interjected.
At that familiar word, everyone's expression changed. It was the term official Beyonders least wanted to hear, despite often relying on divination themselves when planning operations.
"Very likely," Clement agreed, rubbing his fingers across the map. "Perhaps a passive divination ritual sensed our action would 'pose danger' and triggered a warning. Or someone performed a casual divination that exposed our deployment."
"Regardless, the probability is high that the other side has discovered or grown suspicious of our operation. If we delay until tomorrow night or the day after, we may find only empty strongholds when we breach the warehouse and sugar factory."
"Then we move immediately and capture them," Brandon Bolo suggested eagerly. "You must already have a plan, right?"
Including Angel, the others nodded in agreement. They hadn't come all this way to Enmat Port just to smell the exhaust of fleeing human traffickers. If the targets were preparing for an early evacuation, they would strike even earlier—get ahead of them!
Seemingly satisfied with their reaction, Clement's stern face softened slightly. He pushed the map forward, allowing a clearer view for everyone.
"'Silver Bullet' has preliminary anti-divination capabilities as a Night Watcher stronghold, which is why we can safely meet here. But once we leave, we must assume the other side will monitor our movements. Therefore, we must act swiftly—giving them no time to react."
He pointed to the location furthest from the coast: the Yahn Clinic in the Duran district.
"This clinic is controlled by an 'Aurora Order' extraordinary, Sequence 8 of the 'Mystic Prayer' pathway—a 'Listener.'"
Angel recalled reading about this pathway in Night Watcher documents. The church had identified only the low-sequence potion names and some extraordinary abilities of the "Mystic Prayer" pathway. At this sequence, extraordinaries could hear whispers from hidden entities, gaining unique and powerful abilities—but at a steep price. They were prone to losing control, and without advancement within a few years, they inevitably succumbed to madness or death.
The other Nighthawks seemed equally familiar with these details, accepting Clement's words without question.
"Morrow and Bolo, you'll proceed to room 204 at the inn opposite Yahn Clinic. One of our members is monitoring from there. Join him, then enter the clinic directly and capture or kill the 'Aurora Order' Listener. He has two non-Beyonder subordinates—show no restraint and take whatever measures necessary."
"Understood."
"No problem."
The Pollis Port pair responded firmly, with Brandon Bolo particularly enthusiastic, as if he'd been awaiting this opportunity.
"Daly, you'll lead a team with Marlow and Cliff. Take the '3-0431' Eye of Freezing and, together with our monitor at the sugar factory, neutralize the guards and rescue the captives."
"The factory has eight armed guards overseen by a Sequence 8 Hunter pathway 'Provoker'—skilled with traps and capable of disrupting opponents in battle with mere words. Use the sealed artifact to deal with him directly. The others will handle the guards and transfer them to police custody. Exercise caution—when cornered, the guards may threaten civilians. Lethal force is authorized if necessary."
So there really is a "Provoker" potion... fits perfectly with that dealer Dominic's behavior, Angel thought, mentally marking today's extraordinary trait dealer as a "Provoker."
Daly nodded, rose, and disappeared through a door at the back of the hall, presumably heading to Chanis Gate to retrieve the sealed artifact.
The other two Nighthawks summoned by the captain were unfamiliar to Angel—one tall, one short, both men with composed expressions revealing no anxiety.
"Finally, the warehouse in the port district," Clement continued. "I've attempted several times to enter using extraordinary abilities, but encountered a strange blocking force inside. 'Questioning' ordinary workers revealed an underground staircase that they're forbidden from entering."
"Besides some workers who know the truth, there's only one mysterious individual inside, suspected to be a Beyonder. The first time I employed my Nightmare ability, he detected me. He's likely Sequence 7 like myself, or possibly even stronger."
Stronger, so potentially Sequence 6? Angel glanced at those not yet assigned. Besides herself and Clement, only Rupert Norman remained.
Could the three of us be tasked with confronting this possibly Sequence 6 extraordinary?
As if answering her unspoken question, Clement confirmed: "Warehouse No. 16 has no workers at night, but that extraordinary never leaves the premises. He'll definitely be inside. Rupert Norman, Angel Granger, and I will handle him."
"I've already requested permission to use '2-032,' the Hand of Proclamation. Our group will carry this sealed artifact to eliminate this unidentified-sequence extraordinary."