The Silver Lotus Club stood like a glittering mirage in the middle of the grimy industrial sector — a beacon for the rich, the corrupt, and the reckless. With its sleek black walls, cascading neon lights, and long line of luxury cars parked outside, it seemed untouched by the decay around it. Elias adjusted the cuff of his borrowed tailored jacket and glanced sideways at Lena, who looked effortlessly dangerous in a slinky black dress and a concealed shoulder holster.
"You sure this is going to work?" he muttered, pulling at his collar.
Lena smirked. "Relax. You clean up better than I expected. And besides," she added, flashing him a wicked grin, "in places like this, money and confidence are the only dress codes."
Elias swallowed. It wasn't the first time the Watch had sent him into a situation where one wrong move meant death, but walking into a den of predators felt… different. More personal.
---
At the entrance, a bouncer the size of a refrigerator eyed them suspiciously. He had a shaved head, dark glasses, and arms that looked like they could bend steel.
Character Spotlight: Victor "Brick" Samuels
Age: 37
Profession: Club Head of Security
Attitude: No-nonsense, suspicious, brutally loyal
Flaws: Short temper, slow thinker
Physical Appearance: Massive build, ebony skin, bald head, permanent scowl
Brick's voice was a low rumble. "Names?"
Lena didn't hesitate. "Ethan Cross and Veronica Vance. We're expected."
Brick paused, scanning their fake IDs with a pocket scanner. After a moment that stretched into an eternity, he grunted and waved them in.
Inside, the Silver Lotus was a different world. Gold chandeliers dripped from the high ceilings, walls of water cascaded silently behind glass, and the thrum of bass-heavy music vibrated through the air. Beautiful people — models, tycoons, criminals — mingled like sharks circling blood.
Elias tried not to gawk.
Lena leaned in close, whispering into his ear, "Remember: act like you belong. No second-guessing."
They split up — Lena heading to the bar to gather information while Elias moved through the crowd, trying to locate the dossier. Every reward from the Watch — the sharp negotiation skills, the improved physique, the enhanced memory — was about to be tested under fire.
As he scanned the room, Elias noticed a group of men in expensive suits guarding a VIP section. If the black dossier was anywhere, it would be there.
His watch vibrated again, a sharp buzz against his skin.
> Side Task: "Charm your way past the guards without violence." Bonus Reward: $10,000 + Minor Perception Upgrade.
Elias smirked. This was starting to feel less like survival… and more like a game.
---
Meanwhile, Lena kept an eye on him from the bar, sipping a drink and pretending not to notice the two sharp-eyed women who were also watching Elias from across the room.
Character Spotlight:
Jade Rivera
Age: 31
Profession: Corporate Spy
Attitude: Cold, methodical, seductive when needed
Flaws: Overconfidence, hidden loneliness
Physical Appearance: Olive skin, short black bob, emerald green eyes, sharp cheekbones
Naomi Liu
Age: 26
Profession: Undercover Agent
Attitude: Loyal, quietly intense, struggles with guilt
Flaws: Overthinks, can be emotionally impulsive
Physical Appearance: Slim, petite; porcelain skin; long silky black hair; gentle brown eyes
Both women had their own reasons for being there — and neither planned on letting Elias walk away easily.
--
As Elias approached the VIP section with a confident smile and a dangerous glint in his eye, Lena's words echoed in his head: Act like you belong.
He was about to find out just how convincing he could really be.
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