ORGÁNOSI I: Broken Mask

ANTECEDENT: CHAPTER 26

ANTECEDENT: CHAPTER 26

A FEW missions with his 'team', and Midnight was closed to snapping. He was just holding it in while convincing himself not to be kill a teammate because of his leadership training. To vent his frustration, he would spar with Parisi.

However, Parisi had gone somewhere these weeks, so Midnight dragged Love to the gym.

Love was looking flatly at his boss after a grueling workout session. "Boss, you're not trying to kill me, are you?"

Despite an intense workout, Midnight was not even breathing heavily as he wrapped his hands for boxing. "It's just a little cardio. It won't kill you."

Love's lips parted in disbelief. "Boss, may I remind you that I'm just a tracker with minimal combat skill. And when I say minimal, I mean I can run fast to save my life."

"That's why I'm training you." Midnight said dismissively. "Since you're teaching me hacking, I'll train you in return."

"I don't want anything in return for my teaching!" Love firmly declined. "It's free. Please! My services are for free, boss!"

Love's begging fell on deaf ears. "The faster you develop your combat skills, the faster you can spar with me."

Love showed a horrified expression. "Spar with you? I don't have a death wish, boss!"

Midnight just gave Love a cheerful smile before walking to the punching bag to let off some steam.

While Love was dying on the floor, Midnight was tirelessly punching the punching bag in the gym's corner. After Love recovered for a bit, Midnight was still engrossed in beating the punching bag.

Love just shook his head and grab his duffel bag where his laptop was. It's been weeks since he started hunting for a dependable teammate, but he couldn't find anyone decent.

They're either connected to the fourth Arkhon or already working for someone else. While there were many skilled freelancers, most were unwilling to work for others.

Opening his laptop, Love subtly frowned when he saw an email notification from Dominick's tracker, Ruthgar—one of his mentors in the hacking world.

The email contains a profile of someone named Atticus Lockridge, an ex-member of an elite special forces' unit within the British Army. He was discharged from service due to disciplinary reasons.

Love read further and his frown deepened when he didn't read what kind of disciplinary reason it was. It wasn't written in the report which was odd since the report came from Ruthgar.

Who is this guy?

Love moved to the second page to know more but it only had two words written in bold and large font.

'DON'T KNOW'

Shaking his head at Ruthgar's dry sense of humor, he saved the file in an encrypted folder and made his own investigation.

More than thirty minutes later, Love still hadn't found anything about this Atticus Lockridge guy. It was as if he just pops out of nowhere and had no past to speak of.

People like these were either dangerous or had something to hide. Both reasons were troublesome. However, it was not his decision to make if this guy was troublesome or not.

Thus, after his boss finished beating the punching bag, he showed him Atticus Lockridge profile.

Midnight patiently read the whole page and when he turned to the second page, he saw the bold and big words 'DON'T KNOW'.