Chapter 59: The Aethelgard Assassin

The red visor on Langley’s face stayed still as he stepped over the threshold. He held that heavy rifle like it was part of his arm.

Behind him, four men in matte-black armor filed in. They weren't carrying normal guns. They had bulky, humming canisters strapped to their chests and glass-tubed launchers.

"Cyprian Fenwick," Langley said. His voice was flat. "I've watched your tapes. You like to move fast. You like to break things."

"I'm a busy man, Langley," I said. I kept my hand near my side. "I don't have time for fans."

"I'm not a fan," Langley said. He gestured to his team. "These boys are from Aethelgard. We spent six months studying how you took down the docks. We know how your ghost friends work. We know how your system pings."

"Boss, my sensors are going crazy," Cedric whispered. He was backing away, clutching the tablet. "Their gear... it’s dampening the network. I can’t get a clear read."

"That’s the point, kid," Langley said. He looked at Cedric. "Hand over the tablet and maybe I’ll let you walk out with your hands still attached."

"Go to hell," Cedric snapped. "Wrong answer," Langley said.

He didn't fire the rifle. He tapped a button on his wrist. One of the men behind him stepped forward and leveled a glass-tubed launcher at Oswin.

"Oswin, move!" I yelled. Oswin tried to shift. He tried to turn into a blur of shadow. But as soon as he moved, the air around him turned thick and purple. A clear cylinder slammed down from the ceiling. It happened fast.

Oswin hit the side of the glass, but it didn't break. It rang like a bell.

"What is this?" Oswin shouted. He pounded his fists against the glass. "Cyprian! I can't breathe! The air is gone!"

"It's a Vacuum Jar," Langley said. He sounded bored. "It’s for high-density ghosts. The more he fights, the faster the pressure drops. He’ll be a pancake in three minutes."

"Let him out," I said. I felt the heat rising in my chest. "Or what?" Langley asked.

He stepped closer. "You're going to use your new trick? The one where you break the floor? Try it. My boots are anchored to the core. You’ll just shake yourself off your feet."

"Jarek, Malone, take the guys on the left," I ordered. "Don't bother," Malone said. He was shaking. He was looking at the men in black armor. "Cyprian, those canisters... those are Soul-Eaters. If they hit us, we just stop existing."

"Smart man, Malone," Langley said. "I see you've kept your wits. Now, Fenwick. The tablet. Now."

"I'm not giving you anything," I said. I checked my system. The icons were still flickering and the admin access Langley had was like a virus. Every time I tried to call up a skill, it turned grey and died.

\[System Alert: Administrative Override Active\]

\[Warning: Skill 'Contract Nullification' is Locked by External Consultant\]

"You think you're the only one with a system, Cyprian?" Langley laughed. "The Syndicate owns the servers. I just have the password."

"Cedric, find a workaround," I said. "I'm trying!" Cedric hissed. "But he’s blocking every port! It’s like he’s inside my head!"

One of the soldiers moved toward Cedric. Jarek stepped in the way, raising his blade. The soldier didn't flinch. He just tapped his chest canister.

A burst of white noise exploded out. Jarek screamed and fell to his knees, clutching his head. "Stop!" I shouted.

"Then give it up," Langley said. He walked right up to me. The barrel of that rifle was inches from my chest. "You're a big fish in a small pond, Fenwick. But I'm the guy who drains the pond."

"Why work for them?" I asked. I was looking for a gap. "You're an Aethelgard Captain. You're supposed to have honor, right?"

"Honor doesn't pay the bills," Langley said. "And it doesn't get me back to the Upper Tiers. The Syndicate promised me a way out. All I have to do is clean up their mess. That's you."

I looked at the Vacuum Jar. Oswin was on his knees. He was gasping, his face pressed against the glass and he looked smaller.

"I can't... Cyprian..." Oswin’s voice was a tiny scratch. "You're hurting him!" I shoved Langley’s rifle aside.

Langley didn't even stumble. He grabbed me by the throat with his free hand. His grip was like a vice. I tried to punch him, but my arm felt like it was moving through water.

"You feel that?" Langley whispered. I could see my face reflected in his red visor. "That's the pressure. That's what happens when you play in a league you don't belong in."

"I belong... anywhere I want," I choked out. "Not anymore," Langley said. He threw me back against the marble wall.

I hit the stone hard. My vision blurred. I saw Cedric being cornered. I saw Malone frozen in fear. I saw Oswin fading away in that glass trap. For the first time, I felt like I was going to lose.

"Cyprian! I got something!" Cedric yelled. He smashed his tablet onto the floor. A spike of green light shot out. For a second, my system icons turned bright gold.

\[System Override: Emergency Protocol 'Last Stand' Available\]

\[Level 45 Bonus: Temporary Admin Rights Granted\]

"Now!" I screamed. I didn't use a skill. I just lunged at the Vacuum Jar. I poured every bit of energy I had into my fist and slammed it into the base of the glass.

The jar didn't break, but the seal hissed. Air rushed back in. Oswin gasped and rolled onto the floor.

"You little brat," Langley growled, looking at Cedric. He raised his rifle at him. "Look at me, Langley!" I shouted.

Langley turned and smiled. It was a nasty smile. "You think you won something?" Langley asked. He reached into his coat and pulled out a small, black remote. "You're so worried about your friends. You're so worried about your points."

"What is that?" I asked. My heart was hammering. "This is the Kill-Switch," Langley said. "The Syndicate built the Grey Layer to be deleted."

"You're lying," I said. "Am I?" Langley asked. He held the remote up. "One press and this whole layer collapses. Everyone in it. Every soul. Gone."

"You'd kill yourself too," I said. "I have a transport fix," Langley said. He put his thumb on the button. "Last chance, Fenwick. Give me the tablet, or I turn off the world."