CHAPTER 12 : Post invasion
Darkness.
That was the first thing Billy felt.
An endless darkness that seemed to stretch forever.
His breathing was ragged, as though an invisible hand was wrapped around his throat.
Then suddenly—
Light.
Blinding light.
Billy groaned.
Everything around him was blurry. His head felt as though it had been split open, and a sharp headache pulsed through his skull.
Before his eyes could adjust, his body was thrown violently onto hard concrete.
Pain shot through his back.
A familiar voice echoed from behind him.
"Remember, Billy."
Krist's voice was calm.
Almost friendly.
"We just had a pleasant little chat."
Billy froze.
"And if you tell anyone otherwise..."
A brief silence followed.
"...I'll come visit you again."
Billy felt his blood turn cold.
"And next time, you'll get another dose."
The words struck him harder than any punch.
Every hair on his body stood on end.
Cold sweat drenched his back.
"N-No..." he muttered.
But when he turned around, there was nobody there.
Only an empty alley.
Billy's breathing became frantic.
He struggled to his feet—
CRACK!
A sharp pain exploded through his broken ankle.
"Aaaagh!"
He collapsed immediately.
Tears filled his eyes.
After several painful attempts, he finally managed to stand and began limping away from the alley as quickly as his injured leg would allow.
He only had one thought.
Get away.
Get as far away from Krist Stark as possible.
---
Meanwhile, Krist was already gone.
The moment he had dropped Billy off, he had immediately left the alley and taken a longer route out of the area.
Maya had helped him lock his bike earlier, making it easy for him to leave unnoticed.
The engine roared to life.
Moments later, he was speeding through the streets.
Four minutes later, he stopped.
He found himself on the road running behind Stark Institution.
A seven-story plaza stood between him and the school.
From where he stood, the school itself wasn't visible.
The plaza was much taller than the four-story institution.
Most people didn't know it, but the plaza and the school shared a boundary wall.
And both properties belonged to the Stark family.
Krist parked his bike and took out his phone.
A message was immediately sent to Harrison.
How is it going?
A few moments later, a reply arrived.
We found one.
Where?
Zestle Street.
Send me a picture.
A photograph appeared on his screen.
Krist studied it carefully.
A residential garage.
Directly opposite the school.
Isn't this someone's house?
Harrison replied almost instantly.
Belongs to a friend of mine.
His family traveled to visit their grandparents. They won't be back until tomorrow night.
We can use the garage as long as we don't break anything.
Krist nodded.
Perfect.
This was exactly what they needed.
A hidden location close to the school.
This will do.
Where are you guys?
Heading back to the mansion.
Okay. Meet me there.
Krist was about to put away his phone when another message arrived.
One more thing.
We can only use the garage until tomorrow afternoon.
So whatever you're planning, do it fast.
Krist stared at the message.
Tomorrow afternoon.
That shortened his timetable considerably.
Interesting.
His lips curled slightly.
Looks like things just became more difficult.
---
He entered the plaza a few minutes later.
The security guard at the entrance immediately spotted him.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Green."
The middle-aged man smiled warmly.
"Good afternoon, young master."
Krist returned the smile.
"How have you been?"
Mr. Green laughed.
"Trying to survive."
His smile faded slightly.
"Things haven't been easy since your parents passed away."
Krist's expression darkened.
The guard continued.
"That lawyer of yours keeps cutting expenses. Several employees have already resigned."
Krist's eyes narrowed.
Another problem.
Another thing Bellatrix's administration had caused.
"Hang in there," Krist said quietly.
"Things will change soon."
Mr. Green blinked.
"What do you mean?"
Krist simply smiled.
"You'll find out."
The guard stared at him for a moment before chuckling.
"You sound exactly like your father when he was planning something."
Krist smiled but said nothing.
Then he rode deeper into the plaza.
---
The first four floors served as a shopping complex.
The fifth floor functioned as a wholesale storage center for Stark Tech products.
The top two floors had been rented to a private research company.
Krist ignored all of it.
He headed straight for the rooftop.
The moment the elevator doors opened, silence greeted him.
No visitors.
No workers.
Nobody.
Years ago, this rooftop had been one of the city's most popular relaxation spots.
The view was breathtaking.
But after his parents' deaths, Krist had quietly restricted access.
Now it belonged to him alone.
A place where nobody disturbed him.
He walked toward the edge and removed a pair of binoculars from his backpack.
His gaze settled on Stark Institution.
Specifically—
The top floor.
The server room.
For nearly thirty minutes he observed every entrance, window, camera angle, and security route.
Occasionally he would jot notes into a small notebook.
Slowly.
Patiently.
Methodically.
By the time he finished, the first pieces of a plan were beginning to form inside his mind.
He closed the notebook.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Got you."
---
Later that afternoon, Krist caught up with the others just outside the Stark Mansion.
The moment he arrived, he looked toward Maya.
"You handled the other two?"
Maya nodded.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"They won't be talking."
"Good."
Luna folded her arms.
"So what's the plan?"
Krist parked his bike.
"You'll find out at four."
Harrison groaned.
"Why can't you tell us now?"
"Because I don't want to explain it twice."
Krist started walking toward the mansion.
"I want everyone present."
Luna rolled her eyes.
"Dramatic."
"Efficient."
"Annoying."
"Also true."
Harrison laughed.
Krist ignored them.
As they entered the compound, he noticed Maya still following him.
"Aren't you going home?"
Maya shook her head.
"My house is too far."
She pointed toward the guest wing.
"I'll just use one of the guest bathrooms."
Krist blinked.
He honestly hadn't considered that.
"Fair enough."
A grin suddenly appeared on his face.
"But since you're staying..."
Maya immediately recognized that smile.
And smiled back.
"...combat training?" she asked.
Krist nodded.
"Combat training."
Maya cracked her knuckles.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
For the first time all day, Krist laughed.
The investigation could wait a few more hours.
For now—
It was time to train.