chapter 4: Dark web

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[Senator's office]

The moment Kenan entered the room, a heavy scent of expensive cologne mixed with the dense smoke of burning cigars enveloped him.

He didn't flinch, but his sharp gaze flickered toward the source of the smoke.

"Kenan!" Senator Harrison's voice cut through the air, firm yet welcoming. He removed the cigar from his lips, tapping off the ash with a casual flick of his fingers.

Kenan's father, Arwan Dragomir, who had been sitting with his usual air of calm authority, immediately straightened, his sharp grey eyes settling on his son with quiet scrutiny.

Kenan met his father's gaze for a second before turning to the senator with a polite nod. "Good evening, Sir."

"Have a seat." Harrison gestured toward the couch,

"Thank you." Kenan strode toward the couch, his tailored coat shifting slightly as he sat. His ocean grey eyes were unreadable as ever, flickered once more to the cigar still resting between Harrison's fingers.

Noticing this, the senator let out a small chuckle before stubbing it out in the ashtray.

"Oh, pardon my negligence," Harrison remarked, his voice laced with amusement. He knew all too well that Kenan despised tobacco.

"It's fine, sir." Kenan remained composed, though the tension in his shoulders eased slightly.

A brief silence settled between them before the senator turned to Arwan, who remained expressionless, his hands loosely clasped together.

Kenan, sensing the weight of the moment, leaned forward slightly. His tone was calm, yet firm. "You mentioned an emergency. I hope everything's okay?"

Harrison let out a deep breath, his fingers interlocking as he stared at Kenan. His sharp, calculating eyes held something else tonight...and that was concern. "Kenan, do you know what the biggest threat to humanity is these days?"

Kenan tilted his head slightly, considering the question. He then shrugged, his expression impassive.

The senator didn't wait for a reply. Instead, he turned his laptop toward Kenan, the screen glowing ominously in the dimly lit room. "The Dark Web."

Kenan's grey colored eyes settled on the screen. His face remained unreadable, but his gaze sharpened slightly.

Harrison tapped a few keys, the images on the screen shifting to pages filled with cryptic messages, disturbing transactions, and news headlines that screamed of hidden horrors.

"The deep web was once out of reach for the average person," Harrison spoke, his voice lower now, as if the walls had ears. "But now... any dirty fish can access the dark web. And it's destroying societies, ruining lives in ways we never imagined."

His fingers tapped the laptop's surface in frustration, his lips pressing into a thin line.

Kenan nodded slowly. "I agree, Sir."

Harrison leaned in, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of urgency and frustration.

"Look here... There's going to be a massive auction on this web next month."

Kenan's jaw tightened slightly as he absorbed the information. His gaze darkened as he scrolled through the screen.

"As you can see, this auction could create a disaster beyond our control," Harrison continued, watching Kenan carefully.

Kenan's fingers hovered over the screen for a moment before he leaned back. His tone was measured. "I see..."

"The details of this auction....whether in a flash drive, a chip, or even an old-fashioned paper file....are out there somewhere," Harrison stated, his voice steady but edged with urgency.

Kenan finally lifted his gaze from the screen. His voice was calm, unwavering. "And how can I help?"

Harrison exchanged a glance with Arwan before answering. "I want you to go to Norway and find that source."

Kenan arched a brow slightly, his expression unreadable. "Isn't this a job for intelligence agents or the military?"

"You're right," Harrison admitted. "But in the end, it will be you presenting this case to the 'World Court'."

Kenan exhaled slowly, his gaze flickering between the senator and his father. Then, with a slight nod, he leaned forward, clasping his hands together. His voice carried a quiet intensity. "That would be my honor, Sir."

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Harrison's face as he leaned back into his chair, his fingers tapping against the armrest.

"You know," he mused, "I had my doubts about whether you'd agree. But Arwan-" He gestured toward Kenan's father. "He was certain you wouldn't step back."

Kenan's gaze met Arwan's. For a moment, no words were spoken, but something passed between them. A silent understanding, a recognition of duty that needed no explanation.

Finally, Kenan spoke, his voice unwavering. "As I said, it would be my honor, Senator Harrison, to serve my country and humanity."

A subtle but unmistakable warmth appeared in Arwan's expression, his lips curving ever so slightly. Like any father, he felt pride... a deep, unspoken pride in his son, in his strength, in his unwavering sense of duty.

"Of course, my agents will accompany you," Harrison added.

Kenan gave a slight nod. "Understood."

"Let's discuss the plan first," Harrison said, pulling out a stack of classified documents. "And remember, this is highly confidential."

Kenan leaned in, his sharp eyes scanning the papers with unwavering focus. "I understand, Sir."

And just like that, the real mission... the real story began....!!

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(Moscow, Russia)

Four jeeps of special forces stopped near an abandoned building. The moment they came to a halt, armed men jumped off, their boots hitting the ground with precision.

Then a tall, well-built man leaped out of the jeep, adjusting his mask. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings as the cold air of Moscow hit his face.

"Sir..!" A soldier rushed to him and saluted.

"Where is she?" the man asked, his voice sharp.

"Chief already barged in..." the soldier informed in a low voice.

The man clenched his jaw. "This stupid girl...!" he muttered under his breath before dashing inside the building.

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[Inside the building]

A woman....no, a lioness—stood in the dimly lit hallway, her presence exuding danger. She checked her gun, loaded it swiftly, and placed it back in her holster.

"I won't spare you all...!" she hissed under her breath, her masked face turning towards the locked door.

Her brown eyes flickered as she calculated her next move. She took silent but deadly steps towards the stairs, her heartbeat steady, her hands firm.

Reaching the upper floor, she searched for a perfect angle to break into the locked room. Her gaze landed on the railing wall.

"Perfect..." she murmured, stepping onto it. Just as she was about to jump, a firm voice echoed from behind.

"Chéri..!!"

She paused, her grip tightening. She turned her head, her cold gaze locking onto the man standing there.

Evan.....

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice as sharp as a blade.

"Stop giving me that damn look and get down...!" Evan ordered, his own glare just as intense.

She didn't move.

"Now..!" His voice was firm, his eyes challenging hers.

She smirked lightly and turned her head.