Chapter 88: Chapter 88
Ichiro stood in the dimly lit truck, his muscles tense, his breath steady.
Albi was coiled comfortably around his neck, his cool scales pressing lightly against Ichiro's skin. The massive snake remained unnervingly still, sensing the tension in the air.
Ichiro's grip tightened around the combat knife he had pulled from the supply bag. His fingers flexed, feeling the weight of it, the sharpness of the blade. His golden eyes gleamed in the faint light as he took a slow step forward, mentally preparing himself for what came next.
*This is it.*
His body was coiled like a spring, ready to strike the moment the truck's doors swung open. He would have to be fast—overwhelm them before they could react. The element of surprise was his greatest weapon.
But then—
*SCREEEECH!*
The truck jerked to a stop.
Ichiro froze, eyes widening for a split second before his instincts kicked in. *Shit!*
With practiced speed, he tightly grabbed the combat knife and threw the bag behind him. He grabbed the discarded gag and hastily shoved it back into his mouth, securing it just as the truck doors groaned.
He pressed himself against the cold metal wall, settling into the exact position he had been left in. His breathing slowed, his expression went slack, and he lowered his gaze—becoming the helpless prisoner they expected him to be.
Albi slithered down, hiding beneath his clothes, pressing against his back to stay out of sight.
The truck doors clicked.
*Here we go.*
The two guards stepped into the truck, scanning the dimly lit interior. Their eyes passed over Ichiro's still figure before moving to check the cargo.
Ichiro remained motionless, his head tilted down, playing his role perfectly. But his mind was working at full speed. *No going back now. Albi's with me.*
His golden eyes flickered as he subtly assessed the situation outside. *Five guards. Armed. That woman is here too.* His gaze briefly met hers—Lady Gloria. Her black eyes glowed with amusement, but there was something else in them. Possession.
Ichiro clenched his fists. *I need to move now.*
The guard closest to him stepped forward. "Alright, kid, time to go," he grunted, reaching down to grab Ichiro's arm.
A small smile crept onto Ichiro's face. He tilted his head just enough for his voice to slip past the gag.
*"Avalanche."*
A flicker of golden light flashed in his eyes.
**The world slowed around Ichiro.**
Blood sprayed as he drove his knife deep into the guard's throat, but his focus remained razor-sharp. The instant resistance faded from the man's body, Ichiro's hands shot out, stripping the Glock from the guard's holster.
Another guard raised his rifle, but Ichiro moved first. His feet left the ground in a powerful jump, his knife arcing down—sinking into the man's skull with a sickening crunch.
*Two down.*
Ichiro landed in a crouch, yanking the blade free in one fluid motion. His senses sharpened, hearing the guards outside react.
*"Gunfire! What's going on?!"*
*I don't have time.*
The remaining three guards turned their guns on him. Ichiro didn't hesitate. He twisted, hurling the still-warm corpse of the first man forward.
*RATATATA!*
The deafening burst of automatic fire shredded the body, but Ichiro was already moving. He lined up his shots.
One squeeze. Headshot.
Second squeeze. Another down.
The third guard barely had time to widen his eyes before Ichiro's final bullet found his forehead.
The echoes of gunfire faded.
Then, a stunned silence.
More footsteps thundered from outside, reinforcements pouring in. But Ichiro saw his chance. His golden eyes flickered toward Lady Gloria, still standing at a distance, her black eyes wide with something between fury and fascination.
Ichiro moved like a phantom.
In the blink of an eye, his hand shot out—fingers wrapping around the noblewoman's delicate throat. He yanked her back against his chest, the barrel of his stolen Glock pressing hard against her temple.
*"One move, and she dies,"* Ichiro growled, his voice a low, dangerous whisper.
The guards froze. Their guns wavered.
Lady Gloria let out a breathless chuckle, her lips curling into a smirk even as Ichiro's grip tightened. Her face deep red.
*"Oh, darling,"* she purred. *"You just became even more interesting."* She said as she tried to touch the face of Ichiro.
Ichiro's grip on the gun tightened as Lady Gloria's fingers reached for his face.
*"Stay still,"* he warned, pressing the barrel harder against her skull.
Yet, despite the threat, she only smiled—her black void-like eyes locked onto his golden ones. Her eerie calmness sent a chill down Ichiro's spine, but he didn't have time to dwell on it.
*WHIZZ!*
A bullet grazed past his ear.
Ichiro ducked, narrowly dodging a shot aimed straight for his head. His jaw clenched in frustration.
*"Try that again, and she's dead meat!"* he bellowed.
The guards hesitated, their fingers twitching over their triggers. Ichiro didn't give them a chance to rethink. He yanked Gloria closer, her lithe body pressing against his, using her as a shield.
*"Drop your weapons. Now."*
No one moved.
Ichiro pressed the gun harder. *Click.* The safety was already off.
One of the guards clenched his jaw but slowly unbuckled his holster, tossing his rifle to the ground. Another followed. Soon, the ground was littered with weapons.
*"Smart choice,"* Ichiro muttered.
His eyes flicked past them, toward the dense forest in the distance. Freedom.
But first—transportation.
His gaze shifted to the vehicles. A black, rugged jeep sat idling, its engine still running. A getaway car.
He made his decision.
Keeping the gun firmly against Lady Gloria's head, he started dragging her toward the vehicle.
*"You think you can escape?"* she whispered, her voice laced with amusement.
Ichiro didn't reply.
Because right now, escape was his only option.
The black jeep roared to life as Ichiro slammed his foot on the gas pedal, sending dirt and leaves flying behind them. The guards stood frozen, their hands still raised, watching helplessly as their precious Lady Gloria was taken hostage.
Inside the vehicle, the dim interior lights cast a faint glow on her amused expression. She sat comfortably, almost relaxed, despite the gun pressed against her temple.
*"You're quite the bold one, aren't you?"* she mused, tilting her head slightly.
Ichiro ignored her, keeping his grip firm. His golden eyes flicked between the road ahead and the rearview mirror. The dense forest blurred past them, shadows from the tall trees dancing under the moonlight.
*"Are you even listening?"* she pouted, as if offended by his silence.
Ichiro tightened his grip on the steering wheel. *"Shut up."*
Lady Gloria chuckled, clearly entertained rather than frightened. *"Oh, you're no fun. Kidnapping a noble lady like me… what exactly do you plan to do?"*
Ichiro didn't answer.
Ichiro glanced at her and spoke coldly, *"What's the way to the city?"*
Gloria's lips curled into a wide smile. *"I'll tell you... but only if you grant me a wish."*
Ichiro's expression remained unreadable as he pressed the muzzle of his gun firmly against her skin. *"I'll grant you a wish—by letting you leave alive."*
She let out a soft chuckle, unfazed. Slowly, she leaned closer, her dark eyes gleaming with something unreadable. *"Okay!"* she whispered.
Ichiro narrowed his eyes, sensing something off.
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