novelraw Chapter 22: Sea of Darkness - (22)
Chapter 22: Sea of Darkness - (22)
Time was swiftly passing, with some individuals racing against every second.
It was a clear night without rain or wind, dry, and with high visibility. Long-range sniping is easily influenced by external factors; sometimes just a gust of wind or a shower can cause deviations in hitting the target. The weather tonight was particularly suitable for sniping, which was the primary reason for Kui Xin’s decision to use this assassination method.
On her way home to meet up with Silver Mask, Red sent Kui Xin a document containing detailed information about all members of the strike squad assigned to the Mooring Harbor demolition mission. Kui Xin focused on reviewing Thorny Rose’s and Ball Python’s profiles, learning their superhuman abilities, and thus gaining a general understanding.
22:27
Kui Xin arrived home, but Silver Mask was absent, as he had gone to the arsenal to retrieve equipment.
22:28
Kui Xin communicated with Thorny Rose, confirming tonight’s planned route and designated assassination location.
Thorny Rose activated her personal GPS tracker and connected it to Kui Xin’s communicator, allowing Kui Xin to track her position in real time. This ensured that when she met up with Ball Python, Kui Xin could eavesdrop on their conversation.
22:41
Kui Xin contacted Red, asking him to deploy an auxiliary squad from headquarters to blockade the routes. This precaution was intended to prevent any potential failure in the assassination, ensuring that Ball Python would not escape under extreme circumstances.“Hmm, I thought so too. I trust your sniping skills, but we still need backup plans,” Red said. “I’ll remotely command the auxiliary squad while you focus on taking the shot.”
22:50
Silver Mask returned with their equipment.
Kui Xin inventoried the weapons and geared up, while Silver Mask finished eating the roast lamb she had brought home earlier.
23:00
Kui Xin and Silver Mask departed from their home, heading towards the predetermined sniping location.
23:01
Ball Python’s transaction concluded, and after exiting the casino, he contacted Thorny Rose.
“Eldest Sister, did you finish your beauty treatment? Oh, oh, already done?” Ball Python nodded obsequiously through the communicator. “Heh heh, I’ve also finished my late-night snack, and I’ll be right there to meet up with you.”
“You didn’t take advantage of the situation to go gambling, did you? Wait until after completing the mission if you want to gamble; now is not the time,” Thorny Rose said sternly.
Ball Python hastily responded, “Of course not; I was just having a late-night snack. You know how it is, Eldest Sister—only when well-fed do we have the energy for work!”
“You’d better be telling the truth.”
Thorny Rose hung up the call and immediately sent a message to Kui Xin: “Deputy Commander, he’s on his way. We expect to rendezvous at Conch Street in fifteen minutes, then proceed from there to Dock No. 5.”
Kui Xin replied, “Acknowledged.”
23:16
Thorny Rose and Ball Python met at the scheduled time.
Ball Python, seeking to flatter Thorny Rose, complimented her with feigned humility, “Your new manicure looks fantastic, Eldest Sister!”
“Cut the flattery; let’s move,” Thorny Rose said.
23:17
Kui Xin and Silver Mask arrived at their designated sniping location—the abandoned lighthouse on the old dock.
Before Black Sea City expanded its port facilities, this lighthouse guided incoming cargo ships and fishing vessels towards the harbor. Later, as large-scale renovations began, the dock was extended into a massive mooring area, stretching from the shore out into the sea, resulting in the creation of the Floating Sea Port.
People constructed a taller and brighter lighthouse on the Floating Sea Port, rendering the original small lighthouse, rooted on land, obsolete.
23:23
Kui Xin climbed to the top floor of the tower, opened the case she carried, and expressionlessly assembled the K80 rifle. She meticulously loaded each bullet, set up the bipod, and attached the silencer.
She exhaled onto the scope, wiped it clean with a cloth, ensuring it was sufficiently clear, and then positioned her eye against the scope to scan the street for any suspicious individuals.
Silver Mask, bored, asked, “They haven’t arrived yet; who are you aiming at?”
“Hold your tongue and stay silent,” Kui Xin replied mercilessly.
Silver Mask remained silent.
23:24
Red’s voice came through Kui Xin’s earpiece: “The off-duty squad is in position; the street has been sealed off. He won’t be able to escape even if he sprouts wings.”
“Roger,” replied Kui Xin.
She shifted her gaze away from the scope and briefly looked down at the bracelet projection. On the displayed map, green dots representing their squad formed a pocket-like encirclement around the street. Similar to how one would trap a wild boar, they had set up nets along its inevitable path. Once the boar appeared and the nets were drawn tight, capturing the prey would be within reach.
23:26
The audio from Thorny Rose’s concealed listening device transmitted sounds from her location into Kui Xin’s ears.
Ball Python: “Eldest Sister, I ate too much tonight and need to take a dump.”
Thorny Rose: “Why do you always have so many trivial issues?”
Ball Python: “I can’t hold it back when nature calls…”
Thorny Rose: “Hurry up! If you delay the mission, there’ll be consequences!”
Ball Python jogged swiftly into a public restroom.
23:32
Silver Mask remarked, “Couldn’t he choose any other time to go? Why specifically now… How come he hasn’t emerged yet? Even I’m getting impatient.”
23:32
Inside the bathroom stall, Ball Python mentally prepared himself and visualized the scenario. Clutching the glass tube containing the stealth weevil, he muttered to himself, “I’ll pretend to casually tap her shoulder, releasing the bug at the same time; she won’t notice… No, we’ve never been that intimate before. The closest physical contact was when she slapped me… Damn it, thinking about it just makes me angrier—she actually dared to slap me!”
“Should I lie, saying there’s something in her hair, then remove it while placing the bug on her head? That might seem too deliberate… Or perhaps I could cautiously lag behind her by a few steps, quietly dropping the bug as she walks ahead… Seems feasible.”
Ball Python wanted to take deep breaths to calm down but remembered this was a public restroom—the Port Bay District’s toilets have always been notoriously filthy. Breathing deeply here would likely make him vomit.
He slapped his face to regain composure, then left the toilet stall to wash his hands.
Normally, he wore gloves, which provided a barrier against the stealthy weevils making easy entry. When he took action later, he’d first discreetly open the glass tube in his pocket, carefully holding the weevil and silently placing it on Thorny Rose’s hair.
Hair lacks sensory nerves, so even if the bug landed on it, she wouldn’t detect it. Once the weevil burrows inside, Thorny Rose will no longer have constant control over him.
Ball Python slipped the glass tube into his pocket, composed his expression, and exited the restroom.
Thorny Rose looked impatient as she checked the time. “By now, we should almost be reaching our destination.”
“Then let’s hurry and leave,” Ball Python said guiltily.
Thorny Rose turned and walked ahead, while Ball Python trailed two steps behind, watching her silhouette for an opportune moment to strike.
23:34
Red reported, “The target has started moving again.”
“Roger that.” Kui Xin remained fully focused.
Kui Xin’s new mask had night vision capabilities, but she still brought along backup night-vision goggles. With the assistance of night vision mode and the telescopic sight, nothing on the dock streets escaped her eyes.
Tonight, the dock was cold and silent. Due to the series of explosions, Dock No. 5’s operations were temporarily halted. During the day, workers and construction equipment would come and go to repair the docks, but by nighttime, they were entirely deserted.
The lighthouse had lost its glow and stood as a silent guardian over the dock.
A dark gun barrel protruded from the window at the top of the lighthouse, concealing the night’s cover. Someone was hiding inside, unnoticed.
23:36
After confirming that Thorny Rose, walking ahead, showed no intention of looking back, Ball Python discreetly twisted open a glass tube with two fingers.
He swiftly moved closer, minimizing his footsteps, and caught up to Thorny Rose. In a quick motion, he placed the insect on her head.
However, he underestimated Thorny Rose.
She reflexively ducked and unconsciously placed her right hand on top of her head, sensing the wind’s movement.
If Thorny Rose had been unaware of Ball Python’s betrayal, her reaction wouldn’t have been so swift. However, knowing that Ball Python was a traitor, she became vigilant around him, no longer trusting him as before and becoming more cautious against his subtle actions.
Thorny Rose turned to stare at Ball Python while simultaneously stepping back to increase the distance between them. Her expression and demeanor completely transformed, becoming cold and menacing.
Suddenly, a slight itch arose and her hand brushed through her hair. Upon closer inspection, she saw a tiny red worm nearly fully burrowing into her flesh, with only its tail remaining visible.
Her gaze hardened, and she moved to swiftly extract the insect, but the Stealth Insect was incredibly fast. Just as her hand reached over, the Stealth Insect completely disappeared into her flesh.
In this split second, having faced countless life-or-death situations during numerous missions, Thorny Rose did not hesitate for a moment.
With her left hand, she drew the dagger from her waist, and in one swift motion, she severed her own right hand.
With a whoosh, blood gushed forth, and the severed hand, adorned with intricate nail art, fell to the ground, staining the area crimson.
“Ball Python…” Thorny Rose’s eyes radiated murderous intent.
Ball Python stepped backward, his mind buzzing loudly.
“Traitor!” Thorny Rose sneered coldly. “Trying to outwit me? You’re still too inexperienced. Making me lose my manicure… I’m going to slaughter you!”
At this point, there was no need for further concealment. Ball Python had attempted to sabotage her, and she caught on to his actions. Both knew each other’s intentions—that he was a traitor, and that Thorny Rose harbored suspicions against him.
The facade of peace between them was shattered.
Once the veneer of harmony is broken, only further confrontation remains.
The orange glow emanating from the tightly gripped dagger in Thorny Rose’s left hand resembled flowing lava. As the blade heated up, the surrounding air began to subtly distort due to the high temperature.
She pressed the hot blade against the severed wrist of her right arm, causing smoke to sizzle as she cauterized the wound to stop the bleeding.
Realizing he had been exposed, Ball Python immediately thought of fleeing.
Thorny Rose knew he was a traitor! She actually knew! When did she find out?!
Had she reported his betrayal to Red or Headquarters? Was anyone… lying in ambush for him?
Fear firmly gripped Ball Python’s mind. Instantaneously activating his superhuman ability, a thin layer of blood-red flames ignited around his body, causing his muscles to nearly double in size. He turned and sprinted wildly, his steps chaotic.
Thorny Rose reached for her belt but found it empty; she was right-handed, and losing her right arm felt unnatural. She no longer had another hand to wield additional weapons.
“Ha.” Thorny Rose’s face paled; her expression was scornful.
She watched Ball Python’s retreating figure, dropped the scorching-hot dagger, and swiftly drew a slender whip from her waist with her left hand. The whip was made of resilient metal threads woven together, suitable for conducting heat.
With a flick, the whip entangled Ball Python’s legs, causing him to stumble and fall. The robust metallic whip rendered even such a muscular man as Ball Python unable to forcibly break free.
“Deputy Commander, unexpected situation—my right hand has been severed.” Thorny Rose’s forehead slicks with cold sweat from the pain. She spoke rapidly through her agony. “That bastard Ball Python tried to attack me; there’s a deviation from our plan. He hasn’t yet entered the firing range or the encirclement…”
“I already know. Wait three minutes,” Kui Xin said.
“Alright. I can hold on for three minutes,” replied Thorny Rose.
Without pausing, Kui Xin continued, “Red, instruct the off-duty squad to adjust their positions.”
“It’s already underway. That pig Ball Python sure knows how to cause trouble,” Red responded.
Kui Xin grabbed Silver Mask’s hand and climbed out of the lighthouse window. They swiftly descended from the lighthouse to the ground, pulled by the water rope, and immediately broke into a run.
Through the listening device, Kui Xin detected that something was amiss. In less than a second, she decided to abandon long-range sniping and switch to close-quarters pursuit instead.
The K80 rifle was incredibly heavy; carrying it while running acted as a significant burden, draining her energy rapidly.
Thorny Rose gripped her iron whip, its handle gradually turning a reddish-orange like a hot iron brand, extending along the length of the whip. This coloration resembled the hue emitted when molten steel at the steel mill solidifies, indicating the metal had reached extreme temperatures.
Ball Python let out a piercing scream as his legs, bound by the iron whip, began smoking audibly. Despite enduring immense pain, he attempted to pull on the iron whip, but even with his superhuman abilities activated, he couldn’t budge it. His only option was to reach down to untangle the whip, resulting in severe burns that left his hands and legs raw and blistered.
As Kui Xin ran, she listened intently through her earpiece for updates from Thorny Rose.
Thorny Rose’s injury would severely impact her combat effectiveness.
Thorny Rose was an awakened B-class being with the superhuman ability “Blazing Blade.” She could impart extremely high temperatures to metals, making her swings with blades or iron whips akin to cutting butter with a heated knife.
Ball Python’s superhuman ability was “Burning Blood,” which allowed him to enhance his combat power by igniting his own blood. It was a formidable skill, dealing immense damage to enemies while inflicting significant harm upon himself. Although its level was only C, during short bursts, it could rival the abilities of B-rank awakened beings. His bulging muscles possessed extraordinary strength; tests showed that bullets from ordinary handguns would be caught by his robust muscles, unable to inflict substantial harm.
Unless using a gun like the K80, capable of directly piercing through Ball Python’s flesh.
As Kui Xin ran, she noticed two motorcycle thugs gathered on the street corner. Her stride paused momentarily, and with a swift turn, she rushed over, knocking them down with one punch each.
“Can you ride a motorcycle?” Kui Xin asked. “You drive; I’ll aim. Keep it steady.”
“Yes.” Silver Mask straddled the motorcycle, gripping the handlebars.
Kui Xin positioned herself behind him, and as he twisted the throttle, the engine roared loudly. They shot forward, like an arrow released from a bow.
“Bitch!” Ball Python’s eyes turned red as he spun around, intent on engaging Thorny Rose in a brawl.
However, Thorny Rose avoided direct confrontation. In terms of raw strength, she couldn’t match Ball Python, especially since she was already injured. Instead, Thorny Rose wielded her iron whip, maintaining a tactical distance while engaging him in a prolonged struggle.
She evaded Ball Python’s lunges, like cracking a whip against a spinning top, and delivered successive lashes, leaving fiery welts on his body. Despite multiple attempts, Ball Python couldn’t even graze the edge of Thorny Rose’s clothing.
He tried to reach for his gun, but just as he grasped it, Thorny Rose’s whip struck, disarming him instantly.
Ball Python contemplated retreating, but whenever he attempted to flee, the agile whip would ensnare his limbs, forcing him to remain on the battlefield. Once, it nearly wrapped around his neck.
In Burning Blood mode, Ball Python indeed wasn’t sustaining critical injuries, but the searing lash from the iron whip still caused genuine pain. His clothes turned charred black, emitting the aroma of cooked flesh.
With determination, as Thorny Rose’s whip struck again, he reached out and grabbed hold of the scorching-hot iron whip like seizing a branding iron. He then attempted to pull Thorny Rose directly towards him, hoping to finish her off in one swift move.
At that moment, the faint roar of a motorcycle engine reached Ball Python’s ears, accompanied by the sound of bullets firing from a suppressor.
“Pfft—”
A bloody hole appeared in his chest.
Ball Python’s grip on the iron whip loosened, and the flames burning within him seemed to falter.
23:39
Kui Xin and Silver Mask arrived at the battleground!
Silver Mask skillfully maneuvered the motorcycle in a straight line, allowing Kui Xin to maintain a stable shooting stance.
Kui Xin squeezed the trigger again, and with subtle sounds from the suppressor, bullets continued to fire, each striking Ball Python. The powerful impacts caused his body to violently sway.
After emptying all ten rounds, Silver Mask’s water rope ensnared Kui Xin, and they swiftly rolled off the motorcycle.
Propelled by inertia, the moving motorcycle crashed into Ball Python with a thunderous impact, transforming into a fiery explosion amidst a deafening roar.
Ball Python’s robust body abruptly collapsed, engulfed in flames, remaining completely motionless.
“Deputy Commander.” Thorny Rose smiled at Kui Xin.
Only now did she have a moment to retrieve a healing agent from her belt and inject it into herself.
“Mission accomplished! Although we made quite a commotion,” Silver Mask remarked casually.
As Kui Xin approached Thorny Rose, suddenly a pulse throbbed in her temple.
Her gaze shifted towards the fiercely burning motorcycle, beneath which lay Ball Python’s corpse.
Despite being charred like black coal, the tip of Ball Python’s foot twitched. His eyes snapped open, and he unexpectedly lifted the motorcycle, hurling it towards Kui Xin.
“I was planning to take it once fully prepared…” Ball Python spat out the vial containing Divine Blood as he stood up amidst the inferno, his eyes crimson-red as if stained with blood.