Kuruya Heist – Chapter 5: Uninvited Gang


    The Sound of Doubt. The Shadow of Reality.


    Tap. Tap. Tap.


    Nikey’s breath froze in his throat.


    His fingers twitched against the cold vault wall, his pulse a war drum against his ribs.


    For a moment, everything felt unreal. The weight of the silence pressing in, the faint hum of security mechanisms in the distance—it had to be in his head.


    Stress. Exhaustion. The pressure of the mission.


    He swallowed hard, forcing his breath to steady.


    You’re overthinking. Stay focused.


    The sound was gone.


    His body unclenched slightly. Just his imagination. That’s all.


    Then—


    Tap. Tap. Tap.


    Closer this time.


    A sharp chill ran down Nikey’s spine.


    This wasn’t his mind playing tricks on him.


    Someone else was here.


    Instinct kicked in. He dropped low, pressing his body behind a half-broken concrete divider. A relic of old construction, just high enough to keep him hidden.


    His breathing slowed.


    Eyes sharp. Ears sharper.


    The vault was supposed to be empty. Only guards outside, only security measures—but no other thieves.


    And yet—


    A soft shuffle of movement.


    A presence. Near. Watching.


    Then—


    "Oh, scaredy cat!"


    The voice came from above.


    Before Nikey could react, a firm hand grabbed his collar and yanked him out of cover.


    He barely stopped himself from gasping aloud.


    His feet hit the floor, body tense—staring up into six unfamiliar faces.


    <hr>


    The Rival Gang. The Uninvited Guests.


    They stood in a loose formation, each one exuding raw confidence. Unlike Reyin, who carried an air of reckless danger, these men were calculated, equipped, prepared.


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    Their gear was high-grade—reinforced gloves, cutting-edge tools, specialized lockpicks, even silencers strapped to their belts.


    This wasn’t a street gang.


    These were professionals.


    And Nikey?


    He was in their way.


    "Well, well, what do we have here?" one of them murmured, amusement flickering in his gaze.


    A taller, bulkier man cracked his knuckles. "Another rat sniffing for cheese?"


    Nikey’s breath came shallow, controlled. His mind screamed danger.


    Then—


    A sharp voice cut through the air.


    "Stop."


    The man who spoke wasn’t the tallest or the strongest.


    But the moment he did, everyone else fell silent.


    He stepped forward—slim, well-dressed, a mind sharper than the knives strapped to his belt.


    His eyes gleamed coldly, dissecting Nikey in an instant.


    A leader.


    A strategist.


    The one in charge.


    His voice was calm, smooth—but behind it lay power. Control.


    "Who do you work for?"


    "Reyin," Nikey said, voice even.


    The reaction was immediate.


    One of the men snorted. "Reyin? They work with newbies now? Damn."


    Laughter rippled through the group, but the leader remained unreadable.


    A long pause.


    Then—


    "Interesting."


    He took a step closer.


    "Then, let me offer you a deal."


    Nikey stiffened.


    "You help us get the best stash, and we’ll split it fifty-fifty."


    Silence.


    Fifty percent.


    Nikey’s stomach twisted at the number.


    That was more than Reyin would ever offer. More than he could even imagine.


    His mind spun.


    Doing this alone would be risky. Too many variables.


    If things went south, the outside world wouldn’t know what happened here. Reyin was far away, completely blind to what was happening inside the vault.


    Even if he got only 50%, it would still be enough to change his life.


    He could return to Reyin with money, with power.


    Enjoy the riches, the thrill. The girls, the food, the comfort.


    The things he never had before.


    ...But what if they betrayed him?


    That thought cut through the fantasy like a blade.


    Would they really let him walk out with half?


    Would Reyin ever forgive him for taking a bigger cut with another gang?


    But—


    I don’t have a choice.


    If I say no, I get nothing. If I say yes… at least I have a chance.


    His fingers curled slightly.


    Then—


    He nodded.


    "I’m in."


    The leader smiled.


    But behind his eyes—


    There was only calculation.


    The leader''s gaze sharpened, his voice calm but commanding.


    "And you? What''s your name?"


    Nikey parted his lips.


    "Ka—"


    He stopped. A hesitation—small, but real.


    That name didn''t belong here anymore.


    He swallowed, steadied himself.


    "Nikey."


    The leader studied him for a moment, then smirked. "Good answer."


    To Be Continued in Chapter 6: Steal. Run. Repeat.