Lu Ze had successfully reached the summit of a towering mountain. The biting cold wind whipped across his face, but that was of little consequence. What mattered were the people before him.
"If I hadn't marked Xi'er beforehand, I wouldn't have been able to pinpoint your location so precisely. Now, you have nowhere to run! Surrender and become fodder for my bullets!"
Barrett was quickly deployed. As he loaded and aimed, the mercenaries remained completely unaware of the peril they were in.
"Hahaha, we've hit the jackpot this time. A natural Saint Mark! Those are priceless, almost impossible to find. If we sell it on the black market, it'll be enough for us to live out our days!"
"I know, right? This thing is worth so much... and it was in a mere orphanage, with no guards at all. It was too easy to capture, almost making me doubt if it was real?"
Several burly men joyfully discussed their future lives of luxury. In the cage, Xi'er, trembling with fear, curled up in a corner, unable to believe it was all real.
"Bronya sister... Brother Lu Ze, won't someone save me..."
A tear traced a path down her cheek, and soon she was weeping uncontrollably, burying her face in her knees, completely bewildered. Anyone who saw her would surely feel a pang of sympathy.
"What are you crying about?! They aren't going to kill you. Your life isn't worth that much, besides..."
Before the speaker could finish, his head exploded. A spray of crimson fluid, like ketchup, splattered everywhere.
Even Xi'er, huddled in the corner, got a speck of the 'ketchup' on her. She froze, watching the gruesome spectacle, and a subtle shift occurred within her.
As her pupils changed color, Xi'er slowly stood up, wanting to see... who it was... that had saved her.
The people around them were thrown into a panic at the sight, raising their guns and scanning their surroundings vigilantly. Suddenly, someone spotted a glint of light on the snowy mountain.
But it was too late. One shot, two shots, three shots... Barrett's shots were deafening, echoing through the heavens, and it was precisely this sound that instilled immense fear in them.
Soon, Barrett's bullets ran out. Lu Ze chuckled. These mercenaries weren't particularly strong, yet they dared to kidnap someone. They were truly asking for death!
With a swipe of his right hand, a portal slowly opened. He then pulled out a short knife and charged in.
The next second, he appeared behind a soldier and slit his throat with a single swift motion.
Seeing the enemy finally revealed, countless mercenaries raised their guns to fire, but they soon fell. Lu Ze pulled the trigger, his handgun spitting fire rapidly.
Soon, the bullets were depleted. Lu Ze knew it was time to end things. Just as he was about to finish them all off, the soldiers dropped their weapons.
From their pockets, they produced vials of red pills, which they quickly opened and consumed. Instantly, a powerful aura emanated from them.
Each of them, in that moment, possessed the physical attributes of an A-class Valkyrie. Countless red lights flashed across their bodies as Honkai energy surged through them, only to burst them apart.
These pills, while granting immense power for a short time, came with a price. There was a fifty percent chance of exploding, a gamble with their lives.
Those who survived charged forward.
This complicated matters. Ordinary bullets would be useless against these individuals, and his spatial Honkai energy was not yet well-developed; he could only employ minor tricks.
He was momentarily stumped, but he had no time to ponder. A fist hurtled towards him, aiming directly for his forehead.
At that critical juncture, he slightly adjusted his body, deftly dodging the blow. Then, gripping his short knife, he swiftly slashed the attacker's wrist.
Blood gushed out, but they seemed unfazed, as if incapable of feeling pain or fear, driven only by an indomitable spirit and an unyielding resolve to kill their enemy.
In the corner, one of them watched the scene unfold. Fortunately, he had dodged quickly enough. Once this person was dealt with, he could claim the bounty effortlessly, making a fortune.
Under the onslaught of three to five attackers, even with his swift dodges, he couldn't avoid taking a few blows. He was sent flying, crashing through the iron cage that held Xi'er, shattering it to pieces.
Xi'er's crimson eyes widened in shock upon seeing Lu Ze. In her memory, this man was only good for telling stories and cooking; he seemed to have little other use.
But the current situation completely shattered her perception of him.
The berserk attackers behind him did not slow their assault, charging forward rapidly, seeking to press their advantage.
Lu Ze saw the approaching figures. Xi'er, beside him, was defenseless. The outcome was clear: she would die before he did.
Therefore, he quickly rolled to the side, attempting to grab Xi'er and escape. But as soon as he got a hold of her, the burly men behind them closed in.
There was no time...
"Lu Ze... you should run, don't worry about me..."
Xi'er's crimson eyes flickered. A week ago, they had barely known each other, yet their bond had deepened considerably. Perhaps the real Xi'er also wished for a shield.
"How could I abandon you? Now and in the future, as long as I, Lu Ze, am here, no one will be able to harm you! *Puff!*"
The moment after his heroic declaration, he spat blood, bracing himself protectively over Xi'er. The burly men rained punches down on his broad back, one after another.
It was as if they were venting their rage. With each strike, the force increased. With a sickening crunch, Lu Ze could clearly feel his bones breaking, yet he still struggled to hold them off.
His mouth bled profusely, his entire face stained red.
"Cough... I... I might not be able to wait for the future..."
Finally, as the effects of his temporary power-up expired, he collapsed to the ground. Even in his fallen state, his hands still shielded Xi'er.
"Hahahaha... You're such an idiot, a complete idiot... An idiot I grew to like. Fine... today, I shall unleash my fury."
Xi'er gently bit Lu Ze's lips. After a few seconds, she slowly pulled away, licking the corner of her mouth. This was the taste of his blood, and it was not unpleasant.
A dark energy coalesced in her right hand, transforming into a giant scythe. Her eyes glowed crimson, as if declaring that today was their day of reckoning.