Chapter 155

Jack's fury swept through the command center like a sudden storm.

But soon, he forced himself to calm down.

Anger wouldn't solve anything.

What he needed most right now was a lead.

A lead that could help him find Vera, or rather, find the "Ouroboros" organization.

"Alex." Jack's voice returned to its usual coldness. "Since 'Ouroboros' is collecting data on the 'Ark Project,' they must have left traces. Anything turn up from that angle?"

Alex nodded and switched the main screen to a world map.

On the map, several locations were marked with red dots, scattered across Asia, Europe, and South America.

"These are locations where Class A or higher security incidents have occurred in the past month," Alex explained. "Including break-ins at secret laboratories, kidnapped biologists, or people who simply vanished without a trace."

"On the surface, these incidents seem unrelated, but after my analysis, all the victims had participated to some degree in the White Tower Foundation's peripheral biological projects."

"'Ouroboros' is working like a diligent scavenger, erasing every trace related to the 'Ark Project' bit by bit, while pocketing everything of value."

Jack's gaze slowly swept across the map.

"These locations are too scattered. We can't check them one by one."

"Exactly." Alex said. "And even if we went, we'd definitely come up empty. 'Ouroboros' operates far more efficiently than we imagined."

"However..." A mysterious smile appeared on Alex's face. "While investigating 'Ouroboros's' money trail, I accidentally discovered something they're very interested in."

He zoomed in on the map, finally focusing on an area in Southeast Asia.

"The Morningstar Key." Alex spoke a term unfamiliar to Jack.

"How is that possible?"

Alex's eyes gleamed with excitement. "According to legend, 'the Morningstar Key' is a relic from some prehistoric advanced civilization. It was split into three parts and scattered around the world. They say if you gather all three keys, you can open a door to 'truth.'"

"Some say behind that door lies endless knowledge. Others say it's the secret to eternal life. And some say it's a power capable of destroying the world."

Jack frowned.

He thought of that pocket watch.

"I know you've already found one piece," Alex said. "But the White Tower Foundation, and now this 'Ouroboros,' are both searching for it at any cost."

Alex pulled up an image.

The picture showed an oddly shaped, chip-like object made of an unknown metal.

Its surface was covered with complex, intricate patterns that looked highly technological.

"This is one fragment of the Morningstar Key," Alex said. "The Lighthouse organization discovered it in an ancient ruin ten years ago. We've studied it for a decade and still haven't figured out its structure or purpose. It's like an unbreakable black box."

"And now, according to my latest intelligence, the third fragment of the Morningstar Key has appeared here."

Alex's finger pointed to a city on the map.

Bangkok.

"Ouroboros has already sent their top action team to Bangkok. Their target is this key fragment." Alex looked at Jack. "And this is our only opportunity right now."

"A chance to actively make contact with Ouroboros and extract information about Vera and the Ark Project from them."

Jack stared at the fragment glowing faintly on the screen and fell silent.

He didn't like this feeling of being led by the nose.

But Alex was right.

This was their only, and best, opportunity right now.

Rather than running around the world like a headless chicken searching for that elusive "V," it was better to take the initiative and go to the place that would inevitably become the center of the storm, and wait for the target to come to them.

"I need equipment," Jack spoke.

"No problem." Alex snapped his fingers. "Take whatever you want from the armory. From pistols to anti-materiel sniper rifles, we've got it all."

"I also need intelligence," Jack continued. "About Bangkok, about 'Ouroboros's' action team, everything."

"Leave it to me." Alex grinned. "Digging up their dirt is what I do best."

"When do we leave?"

"The sooner the better," Alex said. "My people have already arranged everything for you over there. The plane's waiting in the hangar, ready to take off anytime."

Jack nodded, said nothing more, and turned toward the armory.

His figure remained upright, but Alex could sense that something about this man's presence had changed.

If before, Jack had been a blade of revenge filled with violence and hatred,

Now he was more like a sword that had been reforged and sheathed.

Colder, more restrained, and... more dangerous.

He was no longer fighting for the past.

He was fighting for a truth.

And a future that even he didn't know how to face.