Reboot: Mechanic

In a dimly lit room shrouded in darkness, three figures were gathered, their forms cloaked in black from head to toe. 

The room bore an air of secrecy as if it were a sanctuary for clandestine conversations.

Their attention was fixed on a single individual among them, whose authoritative voice broke the silence. "Get ready to attack the Horology Restaurant. And remember, our target for this operation is a woman named Vanessa."

As the command was issued, a hologram projected an image of Vanessa's likeness, ensuring that there would be no room for error or mistaken identity.

The holographic image held a level of detail that revealed Vanessa's features with remarkable accuracy, making it clear who their focus should be on.

The other two figures listened intently, each one absorbing the gravity of the situation. 

"There are already other people stationed outside the Horology Restaurant as disguises, so make no mistake. We only got this opportunity, otherwise, if the target returned to the apartment complex owned by the Crimson Mage, it would be difficult or impossible to complete the task." 

The choice to target Vanessa marked a significant escalation, a move that demonstrated the stakes involved. The room, now charged with tension, seemed to pulse with the weight of their impending mission.

Amid the shroud of secrecy, the three individuals began to prepare themselves, their movements methodical and purposeful. 

Each step they took was imbued with a sense of determination as if they were poised to enact a plan that had been meticulously crafted.

With Vanessa's image still lingering in the air as the hologram dissolved, the room became a nexus of intent and focus. The shadows that enveloped them seemed to mirror the obscurity of their motives, a testament to the complexity of the web they were weaving.

Meanwhile, back at the Horology Restaurant, Vanessa and Shi Tian were joyfully dining on the dishes that she had ordered. 

"Come and let's drink another cup of wine, Nathan." Vanessa took her glass and raised it up, clearly wanting to do a cheering action. 

However, before Shi Tian could get the chance to pick up his wine cup, Vanessa's eyes glinted. 

Putting her wine cup down, she smiled coldly, "Looks like we can't even enjoy our wine properly." 

"Huh?" Shi Tian raised an eyebrow, but suddenly he felt a sudden gust of wind coming from behind. And his natural instinct was to quickly get away from his original position. 

Activating the boosters' suit that he had on, Shi Tian zoomed almost at the speed of light, going toward Vanessa and moving her away from her seating too.

Booom!

The moment Shi Tian escaped their original position, there was a large tomahawk that struck their table, demolishing it entirely.

The tomahawk was shaped and built irregularly. It was inlaid with a special type of neon lighting, indicating that it was crafted with the current era technology. It even shook for a few moments before the tomahawk started to fly back near the entrance of the Horology Restaurant. 

It retracted like a boomerang that would return to its original owner after throwing it around.

Meanwhile, Vanessa lightly tapped on Shi Tian's arm, and asked softly, "So when are you going to pull your hand out from my waist?" 

Realizing his hand was still wrapped around her slender waist, Shi Tian swiftly pulled his hand away.

"Who do you think launched the attack?" He then asked. As for the feeling of embarrassment or shyness from touching her waist, that would only occur to those immature or virgin brat. 

He did it to drag her away from the now-demolished table, so why would he be ashamed?

"Based on the trajectory and the power used, if we didn't evade in time, then our head would most likely be decapitated. The enemies this time are determined to have me dead." Vanessa responded, her expression tranquil, unfazed by the event. 

"Though I bet the manager in this restaurant had a hand for such a thing to happen." She then said, her eyes glancing at Robert Cook, who was pacifying the patrons from the sudden attack. 

Robert Cook didn't seem to have a panicked expression. No, it was more correct that he was far too calm, almost as if he expected that their table would be attacked. 

"Looks like the odds are against us," Shi Tian commented, realizing their situation was worse than expected. 

Who would have thought their enemies would be so outrageous as to break off any pretenses regarding the strict laws of Gearits City?

This was no longer an assassination, but a crime against Geairts City that prohibited any large-scale fighting. 

"Are you scared?" Vanessa lifted her sleeves up and asked. "If you're scared, then you can head downstairs and merge with the crowd. Their target is me after all." 

"How hilarious." Shi Tian chuckled softly. "That tomahawk throw was targeted at the both of us. Do you seriously think I can merge with the crowd?" 

"Oh? Then are you mad that I brought you down with me? I remember our first encounter, you were afraid of trouble and refused to assist me until I bluffed you to save me." Vanessa mused, seemingly having the time to joke and reminisce about the past. 

Shi Tian was silent, not because he was speechless, but it was because he couldn't comprehend why she was talking about something unnecessary. 

"Maybe if this was the same situation as back then, I would have without a doubt left you for dead. But a shame, the current situation is different, and I'm sure the enemies had investigated me as well. I'm no longer a passerby, but a person of interest as well." He muttered, explaining the circumstances. 

Vanessa smirked, not a bit surprised by his response. Had he said otherwise, then she would have suspected something was wrong.

"Anyway, I didn't come here without a plan. So why don't we start our counterattack?" She then said, her hands glowing a dim but subtle light, indicating that she was ready to use her Esper power.