A Devil's Bargain
Surviving the ambush was just the beginning. The Ghosts are regrouping, Madam Wei is escalating, and now—the assassin is making his move. But does he want Gerard dead, or does he have a different proposition? Meanwhile, the Black Lantern remains untouched, but time is running out. The underworld is closing in, and Gerard must decide who his real enemies are.
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Regrouping – The Aftermath of the Ambush
Gerard sat in the dimly lit apartment, rolling his shoulder as he adjusted the bandages.
Jian paced nearby, agitated. "They sent a damn kill squad after us. That's not just retaliation—that's extermination."
Gerard remained silent, deep in thought.
The Ghosts had been good. Too good.
They didn't move like common mercenaries or hired killers.
This was military-level training.
And that meant one thing.
Madam Wei had deeper connections than he originally thought.
Jian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "So what's next? We still hitting the Black Lantern, or are we gonna deal with the assassins first?"
Gerard's voice was calm. "We do both."
Jian blinked. "I swear, you enjoy making my life difficult."
Gerard's eyes flickered toward the door.
Someone was watching them.
He could feel it.
His fingers tightened around the knife hidden beneath the table.
And then—
A knock.
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An Unwanted Visitor – The Assassin Arrives
Jian and Gerard exchanged glances.
Another knock.
Gerard rose to his feet, quietly signaling Jian to stay alert.
He opened the door just enough to see who was on the other side.
The assassin stood there, arms crossed, wearing a neutral expression.
His wrist was still bandaged from their last fight, but his posture was relaxed—not hostile, but not exactly friendly either.
Gerard didn't react. "You must be lost."
The assassin smirked. "I was curious."
Jian frowned. "Curious about what? Whether you could kill him up close this time?"
The assassin's smirk widened. "No. Curious why a dead man is walking around in someone else's body."
The room fell silent.
Gerard's eyes narrowed.
The assassin lifted a hand. "Relax. I didn't come here to fight."
Gerard's grip on the knife didn't loosen. "Then why are you here?"
The assassin's smile faded slightly. "Because we both want the same thing."
---
[Ding! New Side Mission Unlocked]
[The Assassin's Offer]
Objective: Decide whether to ally with or eliminate the assassin.
Bonus Condition: Extract useful information from him before making a decision.
Bonus Reward: $300,000 + Assassination Skill Upgrade (If Allied).
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A Dangerous Conversation
Gerard leaned against the wall, analyzing the assassin's body language.
The man was too controlled, too precise.
This wasn't a bluff.
He truly wanted something.
Gerard gestured to the chair across from him. "Talk."
The assassin sat down, his gaze unwavering. "You and I both know this isn't just a simple war between you and Madam Wei."
Gerard remained silent.
The assassin continued. "Someone betrayed you before. Someone erased you from existence. And now—Madam Wei has access to military-grade assets. You think those things aren't connected?"
Jian let out a low whistle. "That's one hell of a conspiracy theory."
The assassin ignored him, locking eyes with Gerard. "You're chasing ghosts, but you're missing the bigger picture. The people who erased you? They're still watching. They're still pulling strings."
Gerard's fingers twitched.
Because he knew, deep down, the assassin was right.
Jian scoffed. "So what, you wanna team up? That's rich coming from the guy who just tried to kill us."
The assassin smirked. "Business is business. Now? I have a bigger target."
Gerard studied him.
This was dangerous. But so was refusing.
---
A Devil's Bargain
Gerard's voice was low. "What's your price?"
The assassin's smirk didn't fade. "I help you take down Madam Wei. In exchange, when this is all over—you help me find the ones responsible for erasing you."
Jian shook his head. "This is insane."
Gerard's expression remained unreadable.
Then, he extended a hand.
"Deal."
The assassin shook it.
A pact had been made.
For now.
---
Meanwhile – Madam Wei's Doubt Grows
Madam Wei sat at her desk, fingers tapping against the polished wood.
The ambush had failed.
That in itself was frustrating.
But what truly disturbed her was how.
Li Xian.
The pampered second-generation heir.
The man who, by all accounts, had no real combat experience.
And yet, he had survived an ambush from professional killers.
Not just survived.
He had counterattacked.
How?
Her sharp eyes flickered toward her daughter, Wei Meiying.
A delicate beauty, her features refined from years of private education and high society grooming.
Her long, sleek black hair fell in perfect waves, framing her pale face.
She was elegant, poised, with an air of effortless confidence.
But beneath the refined exterior, Meiying had inherited her mother's sharp mind and ruthless nature.
Madam Wei's voice was smooth. "Meiying, did your brother ever show… unusual talents?"
Meiying blinked, tilting her head slightly. "Unusual? No. He was always soft. Indulgent. Pathetic."
Madam Wei's nails drummed against the table.
That didn't align with what she was seeing now.
Meiying studied her mother's expression. "You think he's changed?"
Madam Wei exhaled slowly. "I think there's something we didn't know about him."
Meiying smiled faintly. "Would you like me to find out?"
Madam Wei met her gaze. "Yes. Start with his old friends. Find out if he was ever more than what he appeared to be."
Meiying's smirk widened. "Consider it done."
Madam Wei watched her daughter leave.
Her instincts were screaming at her.
Li Xian was hiding something.
And she was going to find out exactly what.
---