The panic instigator had a simple objective. It was to create chaos and seize the research lab's experimental data. With the data in hand, he could blend into the panicked crowd and escape with them. However, he had not anticipated Xayne's presence, which threw off his plans entirely.Xayne stood by the entrance like a brick wall, letting no one out. Despite his shouts, the lab remained in turmoil as everyone feared for their lives.A few more people pressed toward Xayne. He grabbed and pushed two of them back, but as he reached for the third, there was a sudden glint aimed at his neck. It was a dagger, gleaming ominously, thrust out from the smoke.The assailant moved swiftly, clearly a trained fighter. The timing was impeccable. By the time Xayne sensed the danger, the dagger had already slashed through his shirt."Damn!" Xayne cursed. He could not face the attacker head-on. The opponent was prepared, and the thick smoke made it impossible to pinpoint his location. He quickly dod
The hitman knew he had lost. This was the first time he tasted the bitterness of failure, and what followed would likely be death.However, he understood that if he failed the mission, returning home meant death as well.So, he had to do everything he could to hold Xayne back and buy his partner some time.Their plan was meticulous, and they believed this mission would be a breeze. Yet, out of nowhere, Xayne appeared, turning the situation on its head.Fortunately, their plan was detailed. Two men were assigned to this operation. One retrieved the research data while the other watched from the shadows.If Xayne had not shown up unexpectedly, the hitman might never have revealed himself, exposing his identity.He had been hiding in the dark, waiting for the right moment.The hitman's original plan was simple. He planned to quickly eliminate Xayne and then join his partner to find the experimental data. They had been observing this underground lab for days, learning every route an
The person's frown deepened as he realized the lab computer was password-protected.Considering the data pertained to Serena Group's groundbreaking cancer drug research, it was expected.Fortunately, the organization had known about this before sending him here, hence they sent a computer expert.Cracking standard passwords was easy for him, and even the most advanced security systems posed little to no effort. The password on this computer had been designed by Xayne's elite security team, which had a complexity that rivaled national security agencies.Even top-tier hackers would need significant effort to breach it.But given the current situation, he did not have enough time.He would have to take the entire computer if he could not crack it.However, that would make him an easy target.Realizing this risk, he decided to forcefully remove the hard drive.Yet, as he bent down to dismantle the machine, he discovered it was locked in a safe that was also password-protected.
That person was Serena, the CEO of Serena Group.Ozark remembered clearly that Serena was in the lab when they began their operation. They had timed their plan to coincide with her presence, just in case.If he could not get the hard drive, he could at least capture Serena. That would still count as completing the mission.After all, Serena Group would not ignore Serena's fate, and she surely knew the password.Ozark recalled seeing Serena's position before the chaos erupted. She should be nearby, probably still in this lab.He had not seen her outside when he slipped in during the confusion.Typically, in a lab emergency, security would prioritize protecting Serena. The guards searching during the chaos must have been looking for someone.The answer was obvious.Furious, Ozark kicked the safe hard, venting his frustration. His eyes coldly scanned the surroundings.The smoke in the lab had mostly cleared, visibility improving to about four or five meters and continuing to get better.S
"The Flame King?"Serena frowned as worry consumed her.The Flame King was supposed to be dead.She didn't know what was going on."Hurry up! Or I'll kill you right now!"Ozark knew that taking Serena hostage was a scare tactic. Kidnapping her would make it too obvious, and he would likely get caught before they even left the lab.Time was pressing. He had to force the password out of her quickly, or the situation could worsen for him.Ozark had no intention of showing mercy. His strong hands clamped around Serena's neck, his teeth gritted in a menacing snarl, "Tell me! If you don't, you’ll die!"Serena struggled to breathe as Ozark's grip tightened around her neck, her pale face turning bright red.His brutal handling made Serena feel the imminent threat of death. She wanted to breathe but couldn't."One last chance. Tell me, or I'll strangle you right now!"Ozark's grip tightened. In the worst-case scenario, he would kill her and then blow up the entire underground lab. Ev
It was not over yet.Xayne's iron fist landed squarely on Ozark's chest.With just one punch, Ozark's chest caved in completely, blood gushing out uncontrollably.Then, the second punch followed.The third punch came right after, collapsing Ozark's chest entirely.Ozark opened his mouth and spewed a mouthful of blood.Xayne showed no mercy, his body covered in blood splatters.After three punches, Ozark's ribs were all shattered, his internal organs pulverized. No divine intervention could save him now.Serena slumped on the ground and gasped for air, her vision blurry. She saw Xayne furiously venting his rage as the lab filled with the stench of blood.Ozark lay in a pool of blood, lifeless, his eyes wide open in death.Xayne walked over to Serena, observing her flushed face. "How are you? Are you okay?"Serena took a deep breath, holding her neck. She looked at Xayne and shook her head. "I'm fine. How is he?""Dead," Xayne replied coldly, glancing at Ozark's body.Serena
"There's smoke everywhere! It must be on fire! You all need to get in there and save people!"The researcher fled in panic, not even glancing back to see what was happening inside the lab. All he saw was billowing smoke, and then everyone started running out. Nobody knew what was going on inside.Hearing about the fire, Dinko broke out in a cold sweat. Usually, he and his buddies just lazed around and collected their paychecks, but the emergency today was a wake-up call.Grabbing the researcher by the collar, Dinko shouted, "Where's the CEO?! Did anyone see the CEO?""I don’t know! Everyone was busy running, the smoke was too thick to see anything! I have no idea where the CEO is!" The researcher replied helplessly, his face pale from shock."Cowards," Dinko muttered. Though he usually slacked off, just earning a paycheck, he was not afraid of a crisis like this. He knew that if something happened to the CEO, he would be the first to get fired. He had finally climbed up to the pos
Serena sat on the couch, gently touching her neck. Her mind was filled with the image of Xayne covered in blood. She could not help but zone out.When she recalled the scene in the lab, especially the critical moment when Xayne appeared, her eyes sparkled with a sense of happiness.In no time, Xayne returned, holding a small medicine bottle. He held up the red bottle and said, "Stay still."Serena immediately straightened up, obediently sitting like a well-behaved child. Upon closer inspection, her neck was as fair as snow, with bruises starkly visible, some even seeping blood."This medicine will heal the scars and regenerate the skin. It's very effective," Xayne said as he poured some of the liquid into his hand and rubbed his palms together to warm it up. "My wife is so beautiful, it wouldn’t be right for her neck to have scars."Hearing this, Serena looked up at Xayne, her eyes shining brightly."It might sting a bit at first, but then it'll feel cool. Just bear with it," Xay