Serena let out a helpless chuckle as she looked at the photos of the extravagant meal.

She typed back: [Pace yourself. If you gain too much weight, Jaxon and the others won't even recognize you when you get back to the Gray Zone.]

Black Jack: [Take it back! Take it back! Take it back!]

Serena laughed softly, replied with a simple [Goodnight], and turned off her phone.

The next morning.

Just as the first light of dawn broke over the horizon.

Serena's eyes snapped open the instant a faint rustle sounded near the window.

Despite having just woken up, her gaze was razor-sharp and perfectly clear as she stared at the glass.

A figure with fiery red hair expertly popped the lock on the floor-to-ceiling window and vaulted inside.

Seeing Serena sitting up in bed and watching her, Black Jack flashed a dazzling grin. "Morning, Demon."

The dangerous edge vanished from Serena's eyes. She pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation. "Black Jack, the Lancaster family's security system isn't just for show. Why use the window when there's a perfectly good door?"

"Walking through the door doesn't have the same dramatic vibe," Black Jack said, tossing her red hair over her shoulder. She hopped over to the edge of the bed, her vibrant eyes shining brightly at Serena. "Babe, are you heading to the United

Realmon States today?"

"Did Julian tell you?"

Black Jack chuckled, tacitly confirming it. "Since you're going anyway, how about... you do me a little favor and help me clean up a mess?"

Serena narrowed her eyes. "What kind of trouble did you stir up in the United Realmon States this time?"

After over a decade of sisterhood, Serena could read Black Jack like an open book.

"Ugh, it's just a tiny little accident," Black Jack said, scratching her head sheepishly. "I was in such a rush to get to Elyndor that I took a wrong turn along the way and accidentally lost one of the Ghost Alliance's core neural-research chips..."

A cold glint flashed in Serena's narrowed eyes.

She knew exactly which chip Black Jack was talking about. It was the one she had personally accelerated development on alongside the team four years ago, right before she left the Ghost Alliance.

It had been in the testing phase back then. Once finalized, that single chip would dictate the Ghost Alliance's core interests for the next five years.

Its importance was immeasurable.

Black Jack looked even more guilty but hurried to explain. "I've already tracked it down! It's in the United

Realmon States. The problem is net

several major factions over there have their eyes on it now, and it's too

risky for my localetew to make a move. Twas planning to fly out there alone today to handle it, but..."

She pressed her hands together in a pleading gesture. For someone with such a wild, untamed appearance her begging was completely out of character "Demon, since you're already going to the United Realmon States today, you have to help me!"

Serena sighed in defeat and poked Black Jack's forehead. "I can never say no to you."

Payou

"I knew you were the best!" Black Jack tackled Serena into a hug and planted a loud kiss on her cheek. " just got intel that the chip is going up for grabs at an underground auction the United Realmon States at noon. The team is already

setting up a perimeter. Jaxon and I

need to head over right now."

"I checked the time difference. If you hurry, you'll make it to the auction right on

time."

"So, I'll see you at the auction tonight!"

With that, Black Jack vaulted right back out the window.

Serena was speechless.

The woman was literally staying in the guest room right across the hall.

Yet she insisted on scaling the walls.

What kind of dramatic vibe was that?

She shook her head with a fond, exasperated smile.

However, before leaving for the United Realmon States, there was still one piece of

business she needed to take care of...