375
A tense expression crossed Dave’s face when he heard Miguel’s words. “What do you mean?”
“Someone hacked into the Overseer System and tracked where your car was heading from the airport. I’m guessing that you are being followed,” Miguel informed with a stern expression.
Dave and Alpha Kilian exchanged worried glances at the same time. “Can we find out who it is?” Dave asked grimly.
Miguel shook his head. “Our men tried to track the perpetrator but failed. Whoever the hacker is, he’s more skilled than us and swiftly withdrew once he knew we were on to him.”
Narrowing his eyes, Dave inquired curiously, “If the hacker is as sophisticated as you say, why was he discovered when hacking into the Overseer System? Miguel, I remember that no one noticed when you hacked into it the last time.”
“I was thinking about this inconsistency too. There can only be two possibilities. Firstly, someone noticed the network freezing. Secondly…”
“What is it?” Dave asked.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
“The hacker deliberately left tracks for us to find,” Alpha Kilian suggested.
Miguel glanced at Alpha Kilian before nodding in agreement. “These are the only two possibilities.”
Dave broke into a smile. “It looks like the party in Forbidden forest is getting livelier.” Just as he spoke, he looked in Alpha Kilian ‘s direction. “J, do you think I’m the target or you?”
Alpha Kilian wasn’t surprised by the question. “Is there a difference?”
“Of course there is. I can’t allow a friend on a rare visit to be dragged into my affairs,” Dave answered. An indiscernible glint flashed across Alpha Kilian ‘s eyes. “I’m afraid I’m the one who got you involved.”
“Do you mean he could be from Midnight fang pack ?” Dave asked but quickly answered his own question. “That’s unlikely. If they knew who you were, I probably would have heard of it. Besides, how would
Boss, who’s extremely busy now, have time to keep an eye on you?”
“He doesn’t have to because he knows that I would definitely come,” Alpha Kilian remarked with certainty.
“Are you saying that it was his men?” Dave asked.
Alpha Kilian shook his head. “I can’t say. It feels more like an entirely new faction.”
Dave’s eyes narrowed. “That’s what my hunch says too. If it were Boss, he would have openly declared war instead of using such clandestine methods. Furthermore, he would let us know that he was
watching us.”
Alpha Kilian concurred with a nod.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard they wracked their brains, they couldn’t think of anyone else. Dave looked at him. “Aren’t you supposed to be retired? How did you end up offending so many
people?”
Alpha Kilian quipped, “I can’t help being born attractive.” “That’s true. You never fail to attract enemies!” Dave teased.
Not disputing the statement, Alpha Kilian curled his lips in response. After all, he couldn’t deny that was largely how his life turned out to be.
At that moment, Dave broke into a mischievous smile. “From my perspective, it seems that God is on my side. Look at how many experts are gathered here. Fate has evidently brought you here to help me take them all down. Say, do you think DX will stand at the top once all of them are wiped out?”
Alpha Kilian was cognizant that when Dave mentioned “all of them,” it naturally included Shadow Seeker.
Alpha Kilian calmly reminded him, “Be careful of getting carried away, for you might end up biting off more than you can chew.”
Dave ignored the warning with a smile. “With you around, what have I to fear? Furthermore, peace has reigned too long in Forbidden forest . It’s time to shake things up a little.” At that moment, a bloodthirsty glint faintly flashed across Dave’s eyes.
Alpha Kilian threw him a glance without making a comment. After all, Dave might not follow through with his words.
If he did, he would run the risk of being attacked by the combined strength of the other organizations. That was a development that brought no benefit to DX at all.
Nevertheless, Alpha Kilian could vaguely sense that there were many different factions hidden within Forbidden forest itself.
He didn’t know why they had come and couldn’t care less about them. However, he had a strong hunch the matter with Midnight fang pack wouldn’t be easily resolved. More importantly, there was a sense of impending chaos just beyond the corner.
As for how it was all going to end, no one had any idea. Regardless, he would keep Nelly safe, come what may.
At that moment, his train of thought was broken by Miguel’s question. “Dave, in that case, do we need to make any preparations?”
Dave’s eyes sparkled momentarily. “Didn’t you say that the hacker is more skilled than you are? What’s the point in preparing?”
“I can gather a few of my friends to launch a combined attack. We’ll stand a better chance that way.”
Dave furrowed his brows upon hearing Miguel’s suggestion. “Is there really such a big difference among the skills of hackers?”
Miguel nodded. “A small variation makes a world of difference.”
“In that case, is there a way to differentiate those among you? For example, even though people have different characters and methods of doing things, we are still able to stereotype them. A person of a certain character has a fixed way of doing things. Therefore, aren’t you able to tell after battling each other so frequently?” Dave asked.
“There is. Some like to attack aggressively, while others prefer a more indirect approach. However, I have never come across someone like that amongst all my opponents. His method might look ordinary, but his sequence is illogical, making him unpredictable. Furthermore, the way he attacks is extremely ruthless-” Midway through his explanation, Miguel suddenly froze with his brows furrowed.
Meanwhile, in an expansive presidential suite in Central Hotel, Dellmoor, Thalia was sprawled languidly on the couch, barefooted. Her striking red toenails accentuated her porcelain-white legs.
The table in front of her was brimming with fruits and snacks which she munched on while surfing on her phone, making for a leisurely sight.
As for Tony , he was busy at the computer with Ben watching him closely from the side.
It wasn’t until Tony exited the program without a hitch that Ben breathed a sigh of relief. “Tony, what are you doing all this for?” Ben asked. “On top of that, you even got yourself
detected.”
“Detecting me and finding me are two different matters,” Tony replied calmly, his gaze fixed on the screen. “Besides, it’s not that they found me. I was the one who revealed my presence to them.” He was staring at the screen with a confident and steady expression. The gravitas he exuded belonged to someone a lot more mature than his age.
“But what are you planning?” Ben prodded.
“Obviously, I’m trying to see how capable Daddy’s men are and whether they have found any useful information. Even though Daddy promised to keep us updated, how much has he shared so far? Despite knowing that we’re extraordinary and have joined Darknetz, we will always be children in his eyes. He will definitely not want us to worry, let alone get us involved,” Tony explained.
Even though Ben shared his sentiments, he still couldn’t resist asking, “Aren’t you worried that Daddy would notice?”
“He won’t.”
“Why won’t he?” At that moment, Thalia’s drawl rang out. “Looks like both of you don’t know Alpha Kilian well enough.”
Upon hearing her words, Tony asked, “What do you mean?”
Thalia looked up from her phone and inquired, “What? Don’t you know?” “Know what?”
“I remember telling both of you about Alpha Kilian ‘s background,” Thalia said.
“Just spit it out.” Tony sensed something amiss.
“Back then, Alpha Kilian established DX when he was going against Darknetz. Don’t you know this?” “We do.”
“DX’s headquarters is located here.”
Tony was stunned. “Here? Isn’t it in Irushea?”
“Hmm? Was that what I said back then?” Thalia knitted her brows while trying to recall that memory.
“Did I not tell you that DX moved its headquarters here shortly after it was founded? Not long after they moved, Alpha Kilian retired for some unknown reason, and DX was left in the hands of another founder.
That person is similarly capable and ruthless. Under his management, DX expanded significantly and
even recruited many hackers to their side.” Thalia paused briefly before she continued, “From what I’ve learned, the majority of the top-twenty hackers within the community were hired by him. As to who exactly they are, I have no idea.”
Tony and Ben were both rendered speechless.
“Other considerations aside, DX is filthy rich and was willing to make very attractive offers. As Darknetz was established later and wasn’t as well-funded, it was late to the game in terms of recruitment.” Thalia shook her head in regret as she spoke.
Ben and Tony stared intently at her, upset at the unwelcome piece of news. “Why didn’t you tell us this beforehand?” Tony questioned her.
Thalia tilted her head to look at him. “I assumed that both of you were already aware. Who could’ve guessed that you don’t even know your daddy at all?” She shifted the blame back onto them.
I’m not going to take responsibility for something like that. Tony added, “Please tell us everything next time.” “Okay.”
At that moment, Ben , too, heaved a heavy sigh.
When she saw how exasperated they were, Thalia advised them, “Actually, this isn’t that big of a deal. So what if Alpha Kilian finds out? He’s your daddy, not your enemy. Besides, he didn’t protest when he learned that both of you have joined Darknetz.”
Tony took a deep breath. “It’s not that he doesn’t object. He just hasn’t gotten the opportunity to do so.”
“So what if he’s against it? It’s not like he can do anything to you,” Thalia retorted. “That’s easy for you to say.”
Thalia raised a brow. “Of course. It’s none of my business, after all.”
Tony and Ben were so exasperated by her words that they were speechless.
Thalia smiled at them. “Don’t worry. Worse comes to worst, you can pin the blame on me. After all, Alpha Kilian doesn’t have a good impression of me, and I don’t give a d*mn anyway.”
Just when Tony was about to reply, the phone on the table suddenly rang. They were subsequently stunned to see the name splashed across the caller ID. They were subsequently stunned to see the name splashed across the caller ID. When she saw the boys motionless, Thalia asked, “What’s wrong? Who’s calling?” Both of them said nothing.
“Don’t tell me it’s Alpha Kilian ?” she asked again.
After giving her the side-eye, Tony picked up the phone. At the same time, Ben and Thalia quickly fell silent. “Hello, Daddy,” Tony answered.
“Tony , have you gone to bed yet?” Alpha Kilian ‘s caring voice rang out over the line.
After looking out the window, Tony responded swiftly, “To bed? What do you mean? It’s still early.” As if something had occurred to him, Tony asked, “Daddy, have you arrived?”