[Chamber X Viper] Begins at the End

Ambuscade

The turmoil on Breeze didn't cause much of a stir. Local newspapers, seemingly pre-arranged, downplayed the incident, barely scratching the surface without delving deeper.
Viper knew Chamber had mediated with money.
After all, agents' missions were always secretive, and the appearance of so many deadly toxins in the commercial district should have prompted someone to speak out. The current silence suggested that quite a bit of hush money had been paid.
Despite the accidental spill of the Snakebite poison and despite Viper's inability to find a rational explanation for Chamber and that bastard's negotiations on Breeze. At the end of the day, she acknowledged that she had caused all this trouble herself. Viper decided to express her gratitude to Chamber.
"Sorry," Viper addressed Chamber directly the next day, "special circumstances, thanks for your help."
"No trouble at all, especially for a VIP," Chamber replied with his trademark smile. "As long as I don't blow up the island, those people won't raise any issues."
Viper smiled and left without a word.
"Whenever you're free, let me take you out dancing," Chamber added as she walked away.
"Maybe another time," Viper replied loudly.
Watching Viper's retreating figure, Chamber silently retrieved the expensive action report from his pocket.
Pursuing Viper had indeed been part of the cooperative plan, but this report
— there was absolutely no need to purchase it.
Now he not only bought unnecessary report but also found himself misunderstood by Viper, and he had to personally clean up the mess to prevent her exploitation by others.
What was he doing? Even he wasn't entirely sure.
Chamber knew well that in the eyes of a businessman, and perhaps rightfully so, profit was paramount.
But if life were solely about profit, what would be its meaning?
And yet, if a life driven solely by profit had no meaning, how did he justify his own actions over the years?
Chamber glanced briefly at the sparse mention of Viper's real name on the report cover and returned it to his inner pocket again.

On the other side, the series of missions at Icebox finally reached its conclusion, with Brimstone giving the final briefing to all agents.
"We can finally say goodbye to those annoying zip-lines," Jett yawned, speaking up first.
"What's so bad about zip-lines? Better than being a clown in the yellow box," a grumpy Yoru, just revived by the sage, muttered. "These people are getting smarter. They don't believe anything anymore."
"Maybe because you always go out with that glowing head of yours," Sova joked, adjusting his arrow sights. "You should practice how to throw flashbangs properly."
Yoru remained silent, toying with his katana in hand.
"For this mission at Icebox, Viper will lead the team: Jett, Yoru, Sova, and Chamber," Brimstone commanded briefly. "If there are no issues, you may proceed."
"Sabine..." Chamber seemed to have something to say.
"Did you forget your promise?" Viper promptly interrupted Chamber.
He wisely closed his mouth and silently prepared his gear.
Yoru chuckled quietly on the side, earning a sharp glare from Jett.
"Focus!" Viper commanded firmly.
"Anyone else have questions?" Brimstone asked again.
"No, sir," the five agents replied in unison.
"Fight!" Brimstone ordered.

Icebox is now a perpetual frozen harbor, sprawling in size. It was once used by the Kingdom Corporation for storing and transporting goods, divided into two areas: A Site and B Site. Site A consists of a large, two-story enclosed building originally used for cargo transport, hence equipped with numerous zip-lines allowing agents to navigate throughout the area. B Site, on the other hand, is composed of containers and open structures. Both areas are interconnected by a complex network of pipes and pathways.
In previous missions, agents successfully transferred the Kingdom Corporation's remaining goods. This time, as the final task in the Icebox series, the main objective is to plant the spike in the enclosed structure of Site A, preparing it for demolition to render it completely abandoned.
The mission unfolds smoothly due to the operatives' experience with multiple incursions into combat zones. Sova skillfully launches a recon arrow, its laser nearly detecting all hidden enemies lurking in the shadows. Jett promptly activates Tailwind, soaring to the rear of enemy positions. Chamber uses his Hunter (a Sheriff) to accurately eliminate enemies emerging from the front of Site A. Meanwhile, Yoru dons his mask, stealthily navigating from Area A through to Area B, scouting for hidden enemies.
With enemies cleared from Area A, Viper deploys a Toxic Screen and prepares to install the spike. Agents occupy key chokepoints, rotating to observe potential enemy reinforcements while holding their positions.

However, just as Viper begins to plant the explosive charges, a shadow suddenly teleports behind her.
"Blinding—"
The opposite Omen materializes with a Bucky, poised to end Viper's life.
Hearing the teleportation sound, Viper prepares to stand and grab her weapon, but she sees a man in a golden suit suddenly appear in front of her. Chamber had silently inserted an Anchor Point behind Viper at some unknown time, and upon hearing the sound of Omen landing, he immediately teleported back from the front.
"Plant the spike." Chamber calmly says to Viper.
He holds his exclusive sniper rifle—Tour de Force—in his hands.
With a wolf in front and a tiger behind, Omen ultimately decides to deal with the nearer Chamber first.
"Bang—"
"Boom—"
Gunshots from Tour de Force and Bucky resonate simultaneously, but in such close-quarter combat, Bucky prevails.
Viper turns around and successfully installs the explosive charges, then immediately unleashes her Viper's Pit.
The Viper's Pit, a massive toxic fog generated by Viper using the poison-packed backpack, covers the area. Only Viper, wearing a gas mask with goggles that highlight enemies scanned, can see clearly within the fog. Others entering the toxic fog have their vision obscured and their bodies slowly corroded by the poison.
Agents at the chokepoints also return to defend the perimeter around Viper's Pit. For the other Omen, attempting to single-handedly find and defuse the spike in such an environment is simply an impossible task.
"Blinding—"
He throws a smoke ball and picks up the Vandal from Chamber's body, then teleports away.
"Bang—"

The spike detonate successfully, and Viper survives thanks to Chamber.
She removes her gas mask and approaches Chamber's side.
On that face that had always smiled gently, there was now only paleness.

"Quite daring indeed, willing to sacrifice even your life to gain my trust."
Watching Chamber being carried back to the infirmary by Sage, Viper muttered to herself.
"Viper, are you guys facing any difficulties?" Sage asked in a friendly tone as possible.
"No," Viper replied icily, "Is there a problem?"
Viper's tone was unfriendly; she disliked Sage for complex reasons.
"I understand Yoru, but why would Chamber..."
"This idiot probably thinks he's in a movie," Viper didn't want to explain much to Sage. Leaving behind a cryptic remark, she departed.
Rendezvous, also known as French Displacement, a skill that sounds a bit cowardly, is designed for people like Chamber who value their lives.
Since he can give up his life to achieve his goals, why can't he just state his purpose directly?
Or...?
Viper closed her eyes, envisioning the image of Chamber shaking hands with the man.
Anger.
Pain.
Despair.
It was as if she had experienced decades of suffering in an instant.
Finally pulling herself away from the memories, Viper once again picked up a letter from the stack, using green ink like painting to write a few lines of French on the stationery.
"Since you so desire my trust, I will give it to you. Let's see what you're really up to."

"The Icebox mission concludes successfully. All agents rest for three days." In the operations room, Brimstone didn't elaborate further, issuing orders directly.
"When is the next mission?" Jett asked, munching on snacks.
"Our new agents and Cypher brought valuable intel. It shouldn't be long before we know," Brimstone replied.
"Where's Omen?" Sova looked around.
"Probably caught while trying a fake-out and got busted, then bang," Jett gestured near her temple as if shooting.
Indeed, Yoru, who thought his plan was foolproof, was now lying in Sage's infirmary.
"This guy might as well reserve a permanent bed here," Skye, studying healing techniques as an apprentice, teased.
"Ow ow ow ow ow..." Yoru moaned in bed.
"He's probably going to be here a few more days," Sage sighed.
"Are there such big differences in resilience among agents?" Skye looked puzzled.
"Agents are still human, not unfeeling machines," Sage explained.
Sky glanced at the bed next to Yoru's, where Chamber, also revived by Sage, remained silent, seemingly unperturbed, quietly reading a letter.
Indeed, Chamber hadn't used this brief vacation to rest. Upon waking up, he found the letter left by Viper at his bedside and spent the next morning non-stop on the phone with a credit card that seemed impossible to max out anytime soon.

At noon, Neon, who was often used as a messenger, discontentedly shoved an invitation card adorned with floral script and emitting a cologne-like fragrance under Viper's door.
"I never thought you'd be interested in him," she muttered before sliding away.
Inside her room, Viper tried on her evening gown. She heard Neon's words but didn't respond.
The collaboration between Chamber and his Omega World self was no secret among the Valorant agents. Moreover, the handshake on Breeze that day seemed to hint at his tangled connection with the laboratory assault years ago.
Chamber was a peculiar individual. His entry into the Valorant wasn't exactly welcomed by everyone. Each person here had their reasons for disliking Chamber—whether out of hatred for Omega World and Kingdom Corporation, disdain for businessmen, or complete disappointment upon learning the truth behind the Fracture's explosion.
Yet, Viper's reasons were different from others. She didn't resent someone choosing to become a businessman. After all, as Omen had once remarked, Viper had used her research to heal people before turning it into something lethal. Dr. Sabine back then and Viper right now—both seemed beyond reproach in their choices, for life is like a chess game where every move is made without regret, and decisions propel one forward.
Having gone through half of the life journey and experienced despair deeper than mere life and death farewells, for Viper, at this point, love and hate held little meaning. What she truly wanted to uncover is what lay beneath the smiling visage of Chamber.
Guns and bullets could only shatter the flesh, but what truly destroys a person is the heart.
Just as on that night years ago, when the flames ignited Dr. Sabine's heart with a desire for revenge—only through betrayal.

As night draped the city, only the stars scattered faint glimmers.
However, the coastal commercial street was unusually lively at this moment, adorned with lights and decorations as if celebrating a festival.
Viper immediately spotted the upscale hotel mentioned in Chamber's invitation amidst the bustling street—it stood out uniquely even in such a festive atmosphere.
"Viper, you're finally here," Chamber beamed, looking entirely unlike someone who had just come back to life. "I thought I'd never see this day in my life."
"It has indeed been a lifetime," Viper replied, half sarcastically, half earnestly. "You saved me back in Icebox, so I owe you thanks. And for what happened on Breeze, thank you for wrapping things up for me."
"No need to be so formal, Sabine..." Chamber tentatively used Viper's real name.
Rather than her usual correction, Viper turned on the nearby phonograph. She paused for a moment, as if making a decision. Then, a slightly old-fashioned smile replaced her cold demeanor.
—— She decided to walk over and embrace Chamber around the waist.
"Vincent, didn't you say you wanted to dance with me?" she said.
Chamber was taken aback, not expecting Viper to approach him so boldly.
Of course, it took him less than a second to realize that such initiative had a purpose.
He took a deep breath, regained his former elegance, and began to twirl around the room to the rhythm of the music.

Viper leaned close to Chamber's ear, her voice still magnetic despite not wearing a mask.
"Near the left corner by the door, there's a Trademark trap, and in the hallway outside, the cloakroom to the right has a Rendezvous anchor point. It seems the French have quite different traditions when it comes to dating," Viper mimicked Chamber's tone.
Rendezvous anchor points are surely used for escape. Trademark, as the name suggests, are intended to temporarily prevent people passing through. It consists of a device with small cameras and ground-laid slow traps. When a camera detects someone passing by, it triggers the trap, slowing down their movement and making it difficult to proceed.
Facing Viper's inquiry, Chamber showed no hint of panic on his face. He scrutinized Viper's beautiful face and calmly replied, "Sabine, has anyone ever told you that your evening gown is quite unique? Turning a gas mask into a beret, mixing snakebite poison vials into emerald decorations, and even hiding a poison mist emitter in embroidered leather gloves... I believe such creativity would fetch a high price in any country."
While Viper's Pit excelled in widespread defenses, such a large quantity of poison would be difficult to transport and store without a jetpack. In comparison, the poison tube concealed in the glove is just enough to emit a poison mist, forming a spherical haze or wall-shaped curtain in small-scale combat situations, both threatening and easier to use.
Viper adjusted the beret low, the height just right so a light touch on her forehead could cover her mouth and nose. She naturally wrapped her hands around Chamber's neck, the nozzle of the poison mist emitter directly aimed at Chamber.
——At this distance, if Viper were to release the poison mist, Chamber would likely pass out here within three seconds.
Therefore, Chamber wisely held Viper close and used their dance steps to move her into a blind spot where the Trademark couldn't see.
"So, Chamber—what exactly do you intend to do?" Viper asked.
"And Viper dates with me, does she has a feeling for me?" Chamber replied.

Viper spun once to the music, returning to Chamber's embrace.
She lowered her voice, her tone as icy as ever. "How about we make a deal? You tell me your true intentions, and I'll tell you what I truly feel."
Chamber adjusted his glasses and leaned closer to her ear.
"All those rumors are true. I've partnered with the Omega Chamber, to achieve their goals other than the protocol. Pursuing you is part of it. The Hourglass wants to know the secrets you hold, and they've put out a bounty. Also, that day on Breeze, that person gave me clues about the lab attack years ago."
Upon hearing this, Viper displayed a rare smile. She continued the dance gracefully, seemingly unruffled, but her smile grew more pronounced, starting with a bitter twist and ending in a genuine release of laughter from her heart.
"At Breeze, how did you obtain those clues?"
"I bought it. I found the action report for the attack on your lab."
"At what price?"
"Just money."
Chamber turned off the phonograph and led Viper to the couch.
He looked at Viper with a hint of pity, though he knew deep down that much of her current suffering was caused by him.

"As a trade, I'll tell you my true feelings," Viper said calmly. "Vincent, you're an irredeemable fool."
Chamber didn't seem surprised by this response.
"...But I don't dislike you," Viper added playfully.
"Sabine..." Chamber seemed genuinely alarmed by this answer, "You shouldn't have said that, Sabine. Hourglass are still hunting you. If you already knew I had allied with Omega, you shouldn't have admitted any feelings for me."
Chamber looked at Viper in horror, spilling red wine in his panic, leaving faint stains on his satin suit.
Viper glanced disdainfully at Chamber, then got up to fetch a napkin.
"If you knew that at this distance, I could release poison mist and you wouldn't last three seconds, you shouldn't have admitted your alliance with Omega just now," she resumed her cold and calm demeanor, wiping the wine stains off Chamber's suit with the napkin. "Besides, I only said I don't dislike you."
"Haha, you have no idea how many people are lining up to die in your hand." Chamber's panicked expression was replaced by his usual enigmatic smile. "If it's not you who had asked just now, I wouldn't have admitted it."
"And if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have reveal my true feelings," Viper replied.
Chamber nodded and pulled out an envelope from inside his suit, resembling a love letter, and handed it to Viper.
"This is the action report from back then. It should contain clues to help you find the truth."
Viper took the envelope, outwardly calm but her hands trembling uncontrollably.
"Why did you buy this report for me?"
"What did Dr. Sabine think I should answer?" Chamber seemed to ask knowingly.
Viper looked at him with a scornful expression.
Chamber wisely remained silent, quietly watching Viper open the envelop.

"By the way, keep Omega's matters confidential for me. There are too many people suspecting me now," Chamber said. "I'm afraid before I have a chance to explain, they'll try to eliminate me."
"Why should I promise you?" Viper folded the report casually.
"Because I helped you by buying that report," Chamber replied in a childish tone.
Viper rolled her eyes and cursed, "Idiot!"
However, Chamber couldn't contain his smile.
"Just kidding. I'll tell Omega that today didn't end on good terms, and Dr. Sabine really hates me."
"You knew I would come to talk to you about this today, so you brought the report?" Viper asked.
"I've kept it with me since I got the briefing," Chamber answered. "Sabine, you're the smartest person I've ever met. I believe you'll uncover the truth."
"What about your plan with Omega?"
"I never hoped it would succeed."
Viper nodded, slipping the envelope into a hidden pocket of her evening gown.
"Thank you, Chamber."

"Here's one more thing," Chamber grabbed Viper's arm as she was about to get up. "You got it wrong about the gear. Rendezvous was indeed my doing. But the Trademark, that's not my business."
Viper nodded knowingly and sat back down on the couch.
"What if I step on it?" she asked.
"According to the plan I agreed with Omega, I'd use the hunter to knock you out, take you to my room, and then Omega's people would take you away," Chamber explained.
"How can we avoid triggering the trap, then?"
"Through the window," Chamber said, glancing at the third French window.
"When will Omega's people arrive?"
"About five minutes from now."
"It seems they don't trust you over there either," Viper teased lightly.
Chamber chuckled softly and whispered, "Then I'll need Dr. Sabine to cooperate with me, so let's each find a reason not to use the front door."
He shifted slightly and pulled Viper closer by the waist.
"Are you ready?"
Three.
Two.
One.
Viper struggled with all her might to break free from Chamber's embrace.
Then, she covered her mouth and nose with the beret, shattered the vial of snake bite, and used the spray nozzles on her hands to create a toxin screen. Concealed by the screen, she smashed through the window and slid down the pipe to the ground floor.
Chamber was also prepared; as the toxin going up, he held his breath and teleported to the cloakroom. A few minutes later, he walked out the main door and vanished into the night.