"I saved your life and gave you food. I just helped get rid of your troubles—there's no need to hold such a grudge." Merlin looked at Bick gnawing on a beef bone and patted his head.
"Woof woof!!" Bick, who had been happily chewing on the bone, instantly opened his mouth and bit at Merlin's hand.
But Merlin had anticipated it and smoothly dodged, then rapped him on the head.
Bick tried to bite him again, but still missed.
"Woof woof woof!!!"
"Woof!"
Merlin teased him a few more times. Eventually, the fuming Bick gave an exasperated bark, then buried his head in his beef bone and ignored him.
"I think I should let go of the leash." John found his beloved dog's angry appearance rather amusing and reached out to stroke his head reassuringly.
If anyone else had teased Bick like that, the leash in his hand would not have stayed so steady.
"You should tease him more. It helps build a stronger bond."
John: "..."
He doubted Bick would ever forgive Merlin for neutering him.
Natasha and Erica noticed that Merlin seemed quite familiar with the other three people present. Only the two of them appeared to be meeting everyone for the first time.
"When does the mission begin? Where is Tony Stark now?" Once everyone had sat down, Natasha was the first to get straight to the point.
At those words, everyone turned their attention to Merlin.
According to the mission briefing, they had gathered here. Clearly, the crucial part of the operation rested with Merlin.
"One at a time. I can answer all of your questions." Merlin pressed down with his hand, then gathered his thoughts.
"This mission will take place in a hidden cave in Afghanistan. The target, Tony Stark, is there as well."
"During this mission, I'll serve as logistics, responsible for transportation, weapons, and planning."
"As for when we begin, once you confirm that you're ready, we leave immediately."
"Now, for the split. There are six people and one dog here. John and the dog count as one, so they get one-sixth."
John's eyes widened slightly. The division was fine, but something about the way it was phrased felt wrong.
"The rest of us each get one-sixth as well. Fifty million apiece. How does that sound?" Merlin waited for their response.
No one had much of an issue with Merlin's proposed split. After all, without him handling logistics, it would be difficult for the mission to proceed.
Natasha herself did not care much about the money. As long as she could see Stark, that was enough.
Among those present, aside from Natasha, whose identity was known to relatively few people, everyone else knew at least something about one another.
The Punisher and John went without saying. Both were ruthless men capable of wiping out entire groups single-handedly.
Erica and Bullseye were also famous assassins in the underworld. Although Kingpin's increasing favor toward Erica had made Bullseye dislike her, ever since joining the Game Platform, taking on various missions, and earning more money, he had stopped caring much about it.
Killing people while playing games was far more interesting than the jobs Kingpin gave him.
Though they were not very familiar with one another, they could roughly sense each other's capabilities. In the end, no one objected.
After everyone had chosen their weapons, Merlin led them to an open area behind the custom shop.
"Wow, you even have an attack helicopter in your shop?" Natasha said in surprise.
"UH-60, Black Hawk Special Attack Helicopter." Frank also recited the model of the helicopter before them in astonishment.
The others likewise stared in awe at the gigantic beast shrouded in black.
Its long, sleek fuselage resembled an osprey, with missile launch systems mounted on either side, giving it a nimble, agile appearance.
Its exterior was covered in a layer of pitch-black Invisible Coating, producing almost no glaring reflection beneath the lights.
"The Stealth Annihilator. Based on the Black Hawk, fitted with brand-new stealth technology and an Atomic Engine. It can evade satellite and radar detection."
"Stealth technology?" Natasha raised an eyebrow, then reached out to touch the aircraft's outer covering. It felt icy cold, like touching a sheet of ice.
"It can carry exactly six people. Get on."
With that, Merlin opened the hatch and took the pilot's seat.
Without a word, Erica opened the hatch and entered the helicopter. The others followed, each carrying their weapons aboard.
Natasha, Frank, and John sat in one row. Bullseye and Erica sat opposite them, with Bick between them.
"Good doggie." Bullseye tentatively reached out to pet Bick's head, but the dog nearly snapped at his hand as he turned.
"You'd better not provoke him," John said flatly from across from him.
Bullseye tilted his head, a flash of savagery passing through his eyes as his mouth began to move.
The next moment, the Punisher, Natasha, and John immediately fixed their gazes on him.
"Bullseye, we're teammates right now. Once we get there, kill however you like. After this mission, your reputation in the assassin world will definitely rise by a lot. But if you get thrown off the helicopter now, you'll have nothing." Merlin turned around from the cockpit and gave him a reminder.
Bullseye was extremely capable. Nearly anything in his hands could become a lethal weapon; even a paper airplane could pierce glass when thrown by him.
Other than the Punisher, none of the others would likely be his match one-on-one.
But together, they would certainly turn Bullseye into a corpse and toss him out of the helicopter.
Feeling their stares, Bullseye's mouth moved twice. In the end, he reluctantly placed the paper clip back between his teeth.
"Taking off!" Once the cabin had quieted down, Merlin started the Annihilator's engine.
"Buzzz..." The rotor blades slowly began to turn, then spun faster and faster until they merged into a circular blur.
The aircraft slowly lifted into the air.
The Stealth System activated. Ripples spread across the fuselage's surface, and the massive attack helicopter blended perfectly into the dark night, leaving only the buzzing of its rotors.
But as it flew higher and higher, the sound gradually faded until not a trace remained.
"Damn it!" Matt, who had just arrived at Merlin's Custom Shop, heard the helicopter's roar and slapped the shop door in frustration.
He was one step too late again.
The Stealth Annihilator carried six people and one dog through the skies of Eagle Country. It soon reached the border, passed through layer upon layer of detection, successfully crossed it, and headed toward Afghanistan.
In the early hours of the morning, over a barren stretch of the Gobi Desert, the Annihilator quietly revealed itself in the darkness, hovering in midair.
"Guys, we're here! Remember to put on your headsets."
Natasha and the others strapped on their Parachutes and opened the hatch. In the barren desert hills not far away, scattered points of light came into view.
Before you continue