Location: Near Jagged Isle, Uncharted Waters
As the Red Blade sailed from the atoll, a shadowed fleet emerged behind distant mist.
Bounty Network Intercepted: New Deployment – Cipher Pol-7 Hunter Cell activated.
Back on the ship, Benn Beckman had been silent for hours.
Until he called a meeting.
"We need to test something," he said. "We've drawn too much attention. So let's give them what they want—just not where they want it."
The Setup – Beckman's Bait
Beckman suggested using a fake relic pulse, forged using a fragmented memory shard, to lure bounty ships into an ambush zone near Jagged Isle.
"Let's see if they're watching us… or just watching him."
Ankit volunteered to act as visible bait.
Makino was furious.
"This isn't some trap for rats. These people are smart, coordinated—government-trained."
But Ankit was already ready.
"If I don't understand who's hunting me, I can't protect anyone."
Location: Jagged Isle – Ambush Begins
A fake relic beacon was planted in a broken temple ruin. Ankit stood visibly in its light, cloak fluttering in the wind.
Within hours, two bounty ships appeared.
This time—no fancy cloaks.
Just elite agents of Cipher Pol-7.
They moved in silence, dressed in black suits and white gloves, eyes hidden behind masks.
Their leader carried a tri-bladed polearm with seastone lining.
"Ankit. You are not an outlaw. You are a glitch. And we are here to correct you."
[Fight: Cipher Pol Elites vs Beckman & Ankit]
The agents attacked in unison.
Ankit flowed between strikes, using Dual Echo Step to flash around one attacker—then blocked the polearm with both blades crossed.
Benn fired calculated shots, forcing the agents into predictable dodges.
But one agent vanished.
Suddenly—Ankit was pinned from behind.
Too fast.
System Alert: "Speed exceeds prediction model. Risk of internal fracture: High."
Then—SNAP!
Ankit's second blade reversed mid-air and struck the attacker across the face.
The agent dropped, stunned.
Beckman smirked.
"Thanks for confirming… they really are watching him."
The real trap sprung. Explosives hidden in stone pillars collapsed the outer ruins, sealing two agents.
The rest fled, damaged and exposed.
Aftermath:
Shanks watched the wreckage from the cliff above.
"They're not here to kill you, Ankit. Not yet."
Ankit nodded. "They're trying to capture me. Because they're afraid of what I might unlock."
Beckman added, "And because they don't know how close you are to unlocking it."
🔹 SYSTEM PANEL – Ankit 🔹
System Sync: 23.8%
Skill Level (Twin Flow Style): 7.2
Trait Strengthened: Combat Intuition II
Can now predict short-range teleportation, vanish attacks, and feints.
Status Warning: Seal Runes Detected in Your Aura – Visibility Increased
Next Chapter: Chapter 23 – The Vanishing Tide