The remaining three bodyguards stepped back, tightly surrounding Austin in the center."Come back!" Austin shouted.He had already glimpsed the prowess of top assassins from the Death List through Aldus and Charon and knew how dangerous they were.Moreover, the figure before them was ranked 18th on the Death List.Walter's bodyguard team, though elite and highly skilled, was still no match for a top-tier assassin from the Death List.But…Bang!The four bodyguards opened fire simultaneously. Bullets streaked through the air, hitting the dark figure in the bamboo grove with precision."We hit him!" The four bodyguards rejoiced, excitement evident on their faces."It's not possible, it can't be that easy! Get back here!" Austin's scalp tingled, and every hair on his body stood on end as he roared with all his strength.But at that moment, the leading bodyguard suddenly halted, his face changing drastically as he cried out."It's not a person, it's a paper figure!"Almost simu
The chilling voice made Austin's skin crawl.His throat tightened, and he felt like he couldn't breathe. He opened his mouth slightly, struggling to take deep breaths.When he saw Gerard's razor floss, he finally understood.Tonight's events weren't just a simple case of luring an opponent out. It was more like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!Gerard had arrived long before, even earlier than Charon!After his first trap was dismantled by Aldus, Gerard remained hidden in the shadows, like a hunting leopard locking onto its prey, waiting patiently for the right moment.Aldus had once said that those who could use and craft razor floss were true top-tier experts.But after the razor floss trap was discovered, the subsequent assassins clearly weren't of the same caliber, and even Austin had overlooked this detail.Charon's arrival was evidently the signal Gerard had been waiting for—his chance had come!Gerard not only outsmarted him but also inadvert
When Aldus had taught him combat techniques, he had emphasized this point.Now, alone and vulnerable, any carelessness could lead to the same fate as the seven bodyguards lying dead on the ground.Rustle!Almost as Austin stepped back, the ground covered in smoke and thick bamboo leaves began to bulge.The bulge moved rapidly toward Austin's feet."Damn, ground escape for real?" Austin's pupils contracted, and then a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.Ignoring the approaching bulge, he lunged forward instead of retreating, kicking fiercely at the bamboo leaves.Thud!The bulging leaves exploded open, revealing nothing.Meanwhile, a flash of cold light streaked through the spot where Austin had been."Did you find it?" Gerard exclaimed in surprise, rolling on the ground to put distance between himself and Austin.Austin stood his ground, smirking coldly. "You're not a mole, digging holes isn't that fast. It's just a trick and some mechanisms!"This bamboo grove had been thorou
Creak!The faint sound was excruciatingly loud to Austin.He knew it was the razor floss tightening, digging deeper into his flesh.The terror of death enveloped him, and the indescribable pain coursing through his body nearly drove him to the brink.In just a few seconds, he would meet the same fate as the three bodyguards who had been shredded by the razor floss.As he screamed, Austin struggled in vain. The more he fought, the faster and deeper the razor floss cut into him.The pain was excruciating. It felt like his entire body was being shredded into pieces.Sweat poured down like rain. Blood flowed freely."Is this… really how it ends?" Austin's eyes were wide with rage and despair, bloodshot and full of defiance.But then, something unexpected happened.Swish!In the darkness, an arrow shot through the air like lightning, swift as lightning.Gerard's pupils contracted. He cursed but had no time to stop it.Thud!The arrow struck the trunk of a bamboo stalk near Aus
He slowly looked at Gerard, his bloodshot eyes radiating fury. His hands instinctively clenched the bamboo leaves on the ground."You idiot! Charon, you actually know him!" Gerard was clearly shocked by the exchange between Austin and Raquel."Why didn't you show yourself earlier? If you know him, shouldn't you have been protecting him all along?"His plan had involved two top assassins cornering Austin, with the ideal scenario being Charon standing by helplessly while he swiftly killed Austin and claimed the reward alone.But now, Charon had not only saved Austin. She was poised to join forces with Austin against him!"Fool! Do you think you're a match for me? Or do you believe he still has the strength to help you take me down?" Gerard shouted angrily.Creak!In response to Gerard's outburst, Raquel simply raised her strong bow, nocked an arrow, and drew the string until it was taut like a full moon."The best protection is in the shadows! If I had shown myself earlier, how w
Whoosh!The strong bow and sharp arrow flew without hesitation. Like a harbinger of death, it interrupted Raquel's speech.Rage surged in Gerard's eyes.He turned abruptly, his long blade flashing coldly as he slashed with a howl.Clang!Sparks flew.The strike cleaved Raquel's arrow in half.Austin's pupils contracted, his heart pounding.Was the gap between them so vast, even with only two ranks' difference on the Death List?Raquel's archery was unparalleled, he has experienced it firsthand.That first night, when an arrow carried the message, if Raquel had truly intended to kill him, he wouldn't have survived a second shot.But now, Gerard had deflected Raquel's arrow!"Die!"After splitting the arrow, Gerard moved like a phantom. A smoke bomb burst, filling the air as he charged at Raquel with his long blade."Raquel, watch out!"Austin's face changed drastically. He instinctively tried to get up and help, but a sharp pain made him grunt and fall back to the ground.
With a fierce swing of his right hand, Austin yanked the razor floss tightly."Foolish!" Gerard shouted angrily, feeling the tremendous pulling force on his long blade.Instead of letting go, he gripped it tightly and quickly retreated backward."Raquel!" Austin's face darkened as he saw Gerard moving back rapidly. He shouted urgently.Gerard was about to redirect the strike meant for Raquel onto him!Raquel's face changed drastically, her eyes filled with murderous intent.In an instant, she bent her bow and nocked an arrow, aiming at Gerard, and released it.The arrow whizzed through the air with a piercing hum.Just as it was about to hit Gerard, he quickly drew a slightly shorter blade from his waist and spun it in front of him, creating a barrier of steel that deflected the arrow."Let go!" Austin seized the moment, yanking his right hand hard.The razor floss wrapped around the long blade finally pulled it from Gerard's grip, sending it flying out of his hand."Foolish
"I'm sorry, Mr. Campbell. Your mother has late-stage liver cancer, and …"When Austin Campbell saw the doctor in front of him shaking his head, he felt dizzy, and his eyes reddened at once.Ever since he was a child, all he and his mother had were each other. To raise him and fund his education, she'd worked so hard that her health suffered. Before she even got to enjoy a better life, she had fallen severely ill."Doctor, please save my mother. I'm begging you, please. Is there really no way to save her?" Austin pleaded hoarsely. He was choking up.The doctor hesitated briefly before replying, "There's one last option—a liver transplant. We do have a suitable match here at the hospital …"Pausing, he studied Austin. Having treated Austin's mother for some time now, he was aware of Austin's financial situation.In the end, the doctor decided to continue saying, "But … the surgery won't be cheap. At the very least, it'll cost 200 thousand."200 thousand?Austin's eyes lit up. He