Annihilation

Chapter 25: Extermination

Hearing this, Vodka asked in confusion, "Big Brother, since you knew they were intentionally luring us here, why did we come?"

Gin sneered, "I wanted to see exactly where they intended to lead us. If they have accomplices, it's the perfect chance to wipe them all out at once. Since they dare to oppose the organization, I shall express my respect for them with death. Move, drive the car over to that corner."

"Understood, Big Brother." Vodka acknowledged, starting the engine and slowly pulling toward the corner.

Upon reaching the corner, Vodka looked ahead, but the area was pitch black. He could see nothing. "Big Brother, it's pitch black over there, I can't see a thing. I have no idea where they've run off to. What should we do now?"

"Drive in. Use the headlights. I want to see what they're up to," Gin commanded.

"Right, Big Brother." After reversing the car, they looked into the path of the headlights to see a row of shipping containers lined up on the ground. Aside from that, there was nothing.

Vodka drove forward a bit further, but seeing only containers and no people, he stopped the car. "Big Brother, what now? I don't see a shadow of that brat. Could he have already run away?"

"Run away? No, they are definitely here. Get out. We'll get out and search," Gin snorted coldly, reaching for the door handle.

Whoosh! A projectile flew from the front right toward the hood. Seeing the object, Gin and Vodka quickly covered their heads and ducked to avoid it.

Bang! With a loud crash, the windshield shattered. The immense force sent the object smashing into the car, where it bounced off the roof before landing inside. They looked at the object—it was a soccer ball.

Whoosh! Whoosh! One after another, two more objects flew toward the car.

Bang! Bang! Realizing they were soccer balls, Vodka pulled out the gun he had ready and fired two shots at the incoming projectiles. After the gunshots, the balls deflated and dropped. Gin, hiding in the back, quickly opened the door and fired a shot toward the direction from which the balls had been launched.

"Vodka, be careful. Even if they aren't bullets, the force of these soccer balls is enough to knock us unconscious."

"Understood, Big Brother." No sooner had he spoken than two more soccer balls were launched from a different direction. After shooting them down, Vodka said to Gin, "Big Brother, we can't keep this up. Our ammunition won't last long, and we don't know how many more balls they have. If we run out of bullets, we're in trouble."

"Hmph, we'll back the car out first, then contact the organization. We'll wipe them out later and see how they escape then." Gin glared fiercely ahead before quickly climbing back into the Porsche.

"Right, Big Brother." Vodka replied, starting the engine and backing the car out.

They hadn't retreated far when a large truck slammed into them from behind. Seeing the truck, Vodka quickly shifted gears, floored the accelerator, and sped forward.

Whoosh! They had only gone a few meters when more soccer balls flew toward them. Gin, in the back seat, shot them down while roaring at Vodka, "Forget about them! Just keep pushing forward! I'll handle the balls, you just focus on driving!"

Vodka didn't respond, focusing intently on the road. This was the most humiliating operation he had ever been on; he hadn't even seen the enemy, yet he was being forced to scurry about like a rat. It was unforgivable, and he was determined to push himself to show those enemies what he was made of.

The large truck pursued them relentlessly. Gin knew deep down that with shipping containers on both sides and no other path, if their car were rammed, surviving would be nearly impossible. As the car sped forward, Gin occasionally shot down soccer balls appearing from nowhere. His ammunition was running low. If he didn't think of a way out, he and Vodka would die here. It was truly a case of capsizing in a small gutter.

"Big Brother, there's a turn ahead! That truck is too big to make it through, we can finally shake that monster off!" Vodka's eyes flashed with excitement as he saw the turn.

Gin glanced at the turn. For some reason, he felt something was wrong with that spot, but in his haste, he couldn't pinpoint what. Seeing the truck still in hot pursuit, he had no choice; they had to shake it off first. Once they did, there would be plenty of opportunities for revenge.

The car rounded the corner, and nothing happened. Seeing no signs of an ambush, Gin thought to himself that he had been overthinking, though a lingering sense of unease remained.

"Big Brother, there's no road ahead! We're blocked!" The path was obstructed by debris. Just as Vodka tried to reverse, the large truck blocked the turn behind them, sealing them in. Even as slow-witted as he was, he realized they had walked straight into an ambush.

"It seems our luck has run out, Vodka. I never imagined we'd capsize in a gutter like this. If the others find out, they'll laugh themselves to death." Gin offered a bitter smile. He had survived countless crises, yet this time, he hadn't even seen the enemy or known how many there were. This was a total failure.

Vodka gritted his teeth and said, "Big Brother, even if we die, we're taking someone with us! Let's get out and fight them!"

Gin ignored him, instead shouting to the surroundings, "I admit defeat this time. I want to know who forced us into this corner. Was it really just that high school detective?" In his view, while that clever brat might be good at solving cases, pulling off something like this was impossible.

Lin Maoxian sat in the driver's seat of the large truck, pulled out a megaphone, and said, "Since you've asked, I'll let you die with clarity. Ask whatever you want. As for that high school detective, he doesn't even exist. We just happened to hear you killed him and borrowed his identity."

Gin quickly dialed a number on his phone while shouting, "I knew it wasn't that brat. I want to know who you people are and why you're opposing our organization! You should know that our organization is not to be trifled with; there will be no good end for those who offend us." He made sure to press the speakerphone button.

Lin Maoxian thought for a moment, then spoke into the megaphone, "I know you belong to a large transnational organization, and that your members like to wear black. But we aren't to be trifled with either. My organization is also a large, transnational one, with power and strength no less than yours. Why should I fear you?"

Gin whispered into the phone, "Vermouth, Vodka and I are going to fall here. I will try to extract information about their organization. You must pass this news to the BOSS, understand?"

There was a silence on the other end before a voice replied, "Gin, don't worry. We will avenge you and Vodka. Rest in peace." Despite the words, her tone held no hint of sadness.

"Good. I'll start probing now. Listen carefully." Gin didn't care about her tone. After saying that, he shouted to the surroundings, "Since you know how powerful we are, and you aren't weak yourselves, why oppose us and create an enemy for no reason?"

"The 'APTX4869' organization is very interested in the drug you've developed. If you can provide information on it, I'll consider letting you go. What do you think? After all, we have no grudge, and I don't want to offend you too deeply."

Gin sneered, "APTX4869? Since you know of its existence, you should know how precious it is. Not to mention that I don't know the specifics, even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. The organization deals with traitors strictly; the consequences are worse than death. Do you think I'd talk?"

"I figured you wouldn't. I was just asking. If you told me, great; if not, I lose nothing. Why not ask?" Upon hearing Gin's response, Lin Maoxian realized that the drug 'APTX4869' was not merely for killing; it must have a much more valuable purpose. He had held out hope, but as he expected, people raised by such an organization wouldn't betray it so easily. He had just done his due diligence.

"Hmph, can you tell me your name? I want to know who I'm dying at the hands of." Knowing he wouldn't get any more answers, Gin wanted to know who had ambushed them so the organization could exact revenge.

Lin Maoxian pulled out his gun and fired at the plastic barrels next to their car. Boom! Boom! Explosions rang out continuously. He had planted a massive amount of gasoline there; it would have blown up not just two people, but two hundred.

After the first explosion, he spoke into the megaphone, "I won't tell you my name. My life's goal is to become the Adventure King, so that is my codename. You just need to know that the Adventure King is sending you to hell."

"Adventure King! The organization will not let you go! I'll be waiting for you in the afterlife..." Gin roared in defiance, but before he could react further, his body was engulfed by a massive fireball, and his consciousness plunged into eternal darkness.