Kapitel 34: Undercover at midnight.

Evening; 10:30 PM.

The mission concerning the missing students was still in progress. New intel indicated that they would be present at a current auction. The venue was exclusive, catering only to the wealthy and noble, run by corrupt government officials and attended by shady politicians.

This entertainment bar was far from ordinary. Somewhere within lay a secret passage. My brother had given me a working code. All I needed to do was find the 'Code Receiver.'

I sipped my wine, surveying the room. "I should look for something suspicious, but..."

All I saw were people dancing and mingling. I leaned my chin on my hand, deep in thought.

Then, I spotted a familiar figure. With that posture, I recognized him instantly. "Alexis Michael, no, Earl Michael." I had found my target.

Rising from my table, I discreetly followed the Earl. Accompanied by two bodyguards, he slipped into a private room. They entered a nameless door and didn't reappear.

I approached the door and tried the knob, but it was locked. So much for security. I pulled out my cellphone, noting the security lock. "This should be useful."

I activated the hacking app provided by the Warden organization. Holding the phone in front of the lock, it scanned and then beeped as the door unlocked.

Glancing around, I slipped inside and closed the door behind me. The room was luxurious, befitting someone of high status.

"The entrance should be around here somewhere." I examined the room, noting the lack of security cameras. Recalling my brother's information, I moved to the bookshelf. This was a classic hidden passage scenario.

I pulled a red-covered book with strange chants on its spine.

A hidden passage revealed itself. It was dark, but I knew I was on the right path. Entering, I didn't have to walk far before I reached my destination.

"The Vlak Auction."

The smell of drug smoke and forbidden substances filled the air. Wealthy men and women mingled. I walked past them, spotting the Earl in a VIP seat. A waiter approached, offering me wine. I accepted and sipped it.

The waiter whispered in my ear, "Number 07731," before disappearing.

I watched him leave. "That was the code receiver," I realized. Everyone here wore masks, myself included.

The auction began soon after.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the most special auction, an event held only once a year. We have many useful items this year!" the host announced.

"Things," I scoffed. They referred to humans as 'things.' It was unforgivable.

"I hope you're all excited for this year's auction!" The crowd buzzed with excitement as the host continued his introduction.

The auctioneer's voice boomed through the dimly lit room, his tone dripping with enthusiasm. "First on the list tonight is a rare gem! A student from the prestigious Academy. A promising young mind, now yours to command."

My stomach churned with disgust as the crowd's murmurs grew louder. These were children, stolen and sold like commodities. I scanned the room, my eyes narrowing behind the mask. Earl Michael was leaning forward, clearly interested.

I needed to act, but I had to be cautious. One wrong move could blow my cover and endanger the lives of those I was here to save. I moved closer to the stage, trying to get a better view of the students being auctioned.

The first student was brought out, a boy no older than sixteen. His eyes were wide with fear, his hands trembling as he was paraded in front of the leering audience. The auctioneer continued, "Starting bid: 50,000 credits!"

Hands shot up, and the bidding war began. I clenched my fists, struggling to maintain my composure. I had to find a way to stop this without getting caught.

I slipped to the back of the room, where a door marked "Authorized Personnel Only" caught my eye. This might be my way to gather more information or find a means to sabotage the auction.

As I reached for the doorknob, a hand grabbed my wrist. I spun around, ready to fight, but froze when I saw who it was.

"Alexis?" I whispered, recognizing the familiar eyes behind the mask.

He leaned in close, his voice a harsh whisper, "What are you doing here? You'll get yourself killed. Little mouse."

"I could ask you the same," I shot back. "Are you here to help, or are you part of this?"

Before he could answer, a loud bang echoed through the room. The auctioneer's voice faltered as the doors burst open, and a squad of heavily armed guards stormed in.

"Everyone, remain where you are!" one of the guards shouted. "This is a raid!"

Chaos erupted. People screamed and scattered in every direction. In the confusion, I saw Earl Michael being escorted out by his bodyguards, heading towards a hidden exit.

"Alexis, we have to stop him!" I urged, but he hesitated, torn between helping me and following his own mission.

Without waiting for his decision, I pushed through the panicking crowd, determined to catch the Earl before he could escape. As I reached the hidden exit, I found myself face-to-face with one of the guards, his weapon aimed directly at me.

"End of the line," he growled, his finger tightening on the trigger.