Luke snapped back into focus immediately. He tapped his watch screen twice, and a blue 3D holographic screen materialized in midair. A virtual keyboard shimmered to life on the table's surface, projecting a full computing interface right in front of Thora. Thora raised a brow. She had to hand it to Blue Star Military Academy—their gear was top of the line. Ever since Luke had been equipped with the micro-computer, he no longer needed to lug that backpack everywhere. "Boss, the other side already made contact through the channel I set up. They're asking how much product we want and where we want the exchange." Thora studied the data on the holographic screen, her expression darkening. "Did you get a lock on their location?" Luke hit enter. The display instantly shifted to a world map, zooming in and out as he worked the interface until it settled on a single region."Couldn't pin down an exact position, but I've narrowed it to a general area. They're operating out of the Golden Triad." Thora crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on the zone. The Golden Triad. They'd been there before. The place was pure chaos—a paradise for every criminal element in Chaules. Rogue militias, organized crime syndicates, trafficking rings—they all converged there. It was a self-governing territory that no empire had the authority or the firepower to touch. "But we can't be sure the Golden Triad is actually their home base," Shirley raised the question. Thora nodded. "People like them are constantly on the move to make deals. Whoever they send to handle the exchange might not even be connected to their central operation." Tristan, who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, gave a firm nod. "Exactly." "One more thing—the head of the Hawthornes has visited the Golden Triad three times this year alone." Luke continued, enlarging the display. "His movements were deliberately concealed, but the academy's satellite network still captured images of Elliott in the Golden Triad." Similar to the Astralis Empire's "Sentinel System," Blue Star Military Academy operated its own high-precision global satellite surveillance network capable of tracking targets with pinpoint accuracy. The image showed only a side profile, but Thora recognized him instantly. It was Elliott. "Boss, there's something else," Tristan spoke up. "Ryan's team stumbled onto a deal going down in a city not far from the Golden Triad. It turned into a firefight. Ryan's side took some serious hits. "He said they walked straight into an ambush. The other side seemed to know they were coming. And it wasn't just armed personnel—some of the hostiles were practically unkillable. Like something out of a comic book. He's warning us to watch our backs." "How's Ryan's team holding up?" Thora's voice dropped low. "They've pulled back to regroup near the Golden Triad. Resting and patching up." Tristan's tone was heavy. Thora's gaze returned to the spot where Elliott had been sighted. Her voice went cold. "Set the exchange point in a city near the Golden Triad." "Are you sure, Boss? Won't that tip them off?" Luke asked, uncertain. Thora's reply was measured. "If they're already expecting us, there's no point playing games. They knew Ryan was coming. There's no way they don't know we're next." Luke nodded without another word and began composing the reply. "Could there be a mole?" Shirley asked, her brow creased with suspicion. Thora pulled her gaze back, her tone even. "Possible, but not necessarily inside the academy. "Plenty of people know about this mission—academy leadership, high-ranking officials from multiple nations. There are a dozen ways the intel could've leaked. Ryan's team went in without enough recon and got caught off guard. That's not surprising." Even as she spoke, her brow furrowed in thought. "What I'm more concerned about are those 'unkillable' fighters he mentioned." Luke turned to her, testing the waters. "Artificial werewolves?" At the words "artificial werewolves," both Shirley and Tristan visibly tensed. Thora didn't answer, but what Luke had said was exactly what she suspected. If artificial werewolves were involved in the counterfeiting ring, did that mean Blue Star Research Institute had a hand in this too? "Boss, they replied. Said it's all good. The exchange is set for five days from now. They want us to have the cash ready." "Good." Thora nodded, then gave the order, her voice low and decisive. "It's a two-day trip from here to the Golden Triad. Tell everyone to gear up. We move out at 6 a.m. tomorrow.""Got it!" What none of them knew was that deep in the Golden Triad, the remaining members of Wolffang who hadn't made it into Blue Star Military Academy had already arrived ahead of them, quietly running reconnaissance in the shadows.