Chapter 77: The Operation Begins (Please add to your collection! Please keep reading!)

The next morning, at five o’clock before sunrise, Roan stumbled out of Mona’s small apartment, yawning as he made his way to his Chevrolet and drove toward one of the sites for today’s joint operation: the villa belonging to the leader of the Hyena Gang.

Yesterday, the system had rated Roan’s performance as “Good,” and the reward chest had yielded “Stamina Potion x2, Strength Potion x1.” At this moment, Roan’s system inventory contained “Stamina Potion x7, Fire Resistance Potion x1, Night Vision Potion x2, Rebreather Potion x1, Strength Potion x3, Agility Potion x1, Antidote x1, Weakness Potion x1, Sleep Potion x1.”

“Morning, Roan.”

The Chevrolet pulled up at the staging area, some distance from the villa. Ryder approached, carrying a bag of breakfast, smiling as he greeted Roan.

“I thought you’d only show up after the action was over.”

“That was my plan, but August kept calling me, so I had to come early.” Roan took the breakfast, thanked him, and took a big bite, standing beside Ryder by the Chevrolet, quietly watching the agents preparing their gear in the distance.

“I don’t quite get it.” Ryder wolfed down his breakfast, wiped his hands, and tilted his head toward the others, asking, “This is a joint operation between Organized Crime Investigation and the DEA. With all these people, why do they need us?”

“We’re not really being asked to participate—just to follow along, fire a few rounds, and put on a show.” After devouring his breakfast, Roan waved his hand, signaling Ryder to come closer, then whispered in his ear, “Last night, after work, August learned from Dillon that the Hyena Gang has recently stockpiled drugs and raw materials. According to the undercover, it’s worth nearly ten million dollars.

Of course, both Organized Crime and the DEA have been tracking the Hyena Gang for ages. We’re just stepping in at the last minute, so we’re not here for the big prize—nor should we be.

But we did inform them about the bomb yesterday, and Sean’s involvement gives us a legitimate reason to take part.

So August’s intentions are clear: we won’t get the lion’s share, but we can’t leave empty-handed. As long as we participate, August will be able to demand a portion of the spoils afterward.”

They certainly wouldn’t get much money, but cracking such a major case would bring political rewards far greater than any financial gain.

If the news later mentions Investigation Group Five, August comes out ahead.

If August profits, so does Roan.

“Alright.” Ryder nodded in silent agreement. Seeing the time was nearly up, he and Roan began preparing their gear.

This time, their weapons included not only the Glock 18 pistols but also the M4A1 assault rifles.

In addition to basic combat uniforms, plate vests, tactical helmets, stun grenades, smoke grenades, they also carried tear gas canisters and hand grenades.

Roan took fewer hand grenades, but as many tear gas canisters as stun grenades.

…

Agent Norton from Organized Crime Investigation looked at the fully armed Roan and Ryder and was momentarily speechless.

They were only agents, not front-line assault; entry was SWAT’s job.

Before departure, Dillon had informed Norton that Roan was the source of yesterday’s bomb intel and that he would be participating today. Hence, Norton greeted Roan cordially, smiling as he approached with a few teammates.

“Good morning, Agent Roan. I didn’t expect we’d have the chance to work together so soon.”

“Just call me Roan.” Roan extended his hand for a shake and grinned, “You guys are calling the shots today. Ryder and I are just here to support.”

The meaning was clear: we’re not here to steal your credit.

Hearing Roan’s words, Norton and his teammates’ eyes lit up, and Roan’s handsome face seemed suddenly even more impressive.

In just a few minutes, Roan had become fast friends with Norton and his team, brothers-in-arms from different fathers, mothers, and investigation groups.

Ryder: “…”

Time passed quickly; the clock’s hands soon pointed to the designated start time of six a.m.

Inside the distant joint command center, Dillon from Organized Crime and Meldon from the DEA exchanged glances as the hour struck, then spoke into their microphones in unison:

“Begin the operation!”

With that order, agents at the Hyena Gang leader’s villa, a large nightclub, a factory, a dock, and several other locations sprang into action.

Because the Hyena Gang might possess remote-controlled bombs, each team activated signal jammers before moving in.

At the villa, the SWAT vehicle slammed through the gates and sped into the courtyard. SWAT officers, adopting tactical stances, leapt from the vehicle, and with a few shots, eliminated the Hyena Gang guards.

Norton and his Organized Crime team, along with Roan and Ryder, rushed in behind.

Bang!

“FBI!”

The battering ram smashed the villa’s door, SWAT officers poured inside in tactical formation, the others followed, and began methodically searching the rooms.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

As gunfire erupted, the Hyena Gang members—who had partied all night—were shocked awake. They grabbed their weapons to fight back.

If they didn’t fire, SWAT would simply order them to drop their weapons, put on their pants, and lie flat.

But once they opened fire, except for the pre-identified gang leaders, all others were shot in the head without mercy.

…

“Upstairs! Upstairs!”

“There’s a basement!”

“Move! Move!”

Two SWAT officers, rifles at the ready, charged up to the second floor, with Agent Norton and Roan close behind.

As one SWAT officer pushed open a door, a door across the hall suddenly swung open—Norton saw a gun aimed right at his forehead and his pupils contracted.

Bang!

Roan fired, killing the shooter, and nodded to Norton before rushing to the next room without a word.

Kicking open the door, Roan found the master bedroom empty; not a soul inside. His brows furrowed deeply.

Norton and another SWAT officer burst in as well, and were equally stunned by the emptiness.

Suddenly, Norton remembered something. He hurried to the bedside, yanked aside a wall painting, revealing a door painted the same color as the wall:

“It’s an elevator!”

Norton quickly exited the room, explaining, “The undercover mentioned this—the elevator leads straight to the basement!”

“OK.” Roan nodded, not pressing for details. The three immediately left the room.

Just as they reached the stairs, intense gunfire erupted from the basement. Their expressions shifted, and they quickened their pace.

Especially Roan, who knew Ryder had headed for the basement. In his urgency, Roan grabbed the stair railing, vaulted up, and pushed off the walls on either side with both feet, zigzagging and launching himself downstairs at high speed.

Norton: “???”

The two SWAT officers: “!!!”

Thunk!

He landed at the basement corner, where an empty elevator stood. Two SWAT officers were engaged in a firefight with a room at the far end, while Ryder, fully armed, lay sprawled on the ground.

Roan grabbed Ryder’s ankle, hauled him to safety, and rolled him over—Ryder was uninjured, but streaked with white residue across his face.

“Fu-k!”