Chapter 102
However, Lemuen's gaze wasn't so sharp; it was more of a mixture of curiosity and surprise.
Ines is an operator who excels at counter-tracking; her observation skills are naturally excellent, even quite strong.
In an instant, she noticed the two girls' reactions.
This gave Ines an opportunity, and she spoke up, "So, you mean you want to treat me as your personal plaything?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Ines felt a surge of anticipation.
She hoped that her words would distract the two girls, giving her a chance to escape.
Ines, who is skilled at faking her death, is by no means weak in her ability to escape and save her life.
"Eh?!"
Han Fei was completely shocked, thinking to himself, "I didn't, I didn't, don't talk nonsense!"
Han Fei was about to explain his intentions.
On the contrary, Texas reacted even faster than Han Fei.
The longsword in her hand fell to the ground with a thud, piercing directly into the earth, barely a finger's width from Ines's cheek.
At that moment, Ines could even feel the chill emanating from the sword; the murderous weapon so close at hand sent shivers down her spine.
"Miss Ines, I know what you're up to."
Texas remained expressionless, her voice as Tundra the wind blowing across the tundra. "But I advise you to abandon your little schemes. Such methods won't get you out of trouble; they'll only make you more miserable. I assure you."
She's right.
Lemuen walked up to Ines and whispered, "You can't escape me, really, you've been marked."
Upon hearing this, Han Fei straightened up and raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that Ines seemed to have indeed been marked regarding the cross-border pursuit permit.
Ines fell silent, her gaze shifting between the two girls. She knew they were telling the truth, and if she used any more tricks, they probably wouldn't hold back.
After a long pause, Ines said, "Then, what do you want?"
"We need a guide," Han Fei said earnestly. "We're not familiar with Kazdel, and as a local, you can obviously help us get acquainted with the area more quickly."
Ines stared at Han Fei without changing her expression and said, "Aren't you afraid I'll lead you down a dead end?"
"Afraid."
Han Fei didn't deny it; he even nodded, saying, "Of course we're afraid. Nobody wants to die here."
"Oh?"
Ines raised an eyebrow, looking at Han Fei with great interest, her meaning clear—you know that, yet you still want me to be your guide?
"Because when we encounter danger, the first thing we'll do is absolutely kill you."
Han Fei met Ines's gaze and said frankly, "Trust me, if we kill you, we'll definitely kill the others as quickly as possible."
"And, Miss Ines, you don't want to die, right?" Han Fei's lips curled into a smile. "I can tell you're not as fearless as you seem. You have ties and attachments."
"And all of these are insurance policies that ensure you won't do anything foolish."
With that, Han Fei crossed his arms and said, "Two choices: either cooperate with us, or you'll be free once we've resolved our issues."
"Either die now and return to that dark space."
"I assure you, this time no one can pull you out of that dark space."
Ines remained silent, her gaze sweeping over everyone's faces before she said, "I can't."
"Uh-huh?"
Han Fei smirked and said, "So straightforward? Aren't you going to reconsider?"
"It's not that I'm unwilling to cooperate, it's just that they're too conspicuous."
Ines looked at the halos above the angel sisters' heads and explained, "This is Kazdel. Sankta here is just a walking Guardian Gun, do you understand?"
I understand what you mean.
Han Fei nodded slightly. He had already witnessed the Sarkaz's madness when he first landed.
They can't kill them all, they simply can't kill them all.
"Even if I were willing to cooperate, how can I guarantee that the other Sarkaz won't attack you after seeing the two of them?" Ines said calmly. "Obviously, I can't guarantee that, and if you clash with the Sarkaz mercenaries, I think the possibility of me being blamed is not small."
"If that happens, we will make our own judgment," Lemuen said. "We will determine, based on your behavior, whether it was a trap you set or an accidental mishap."
"You're mistaken. There are no coincidences, only constant occurrences," Ines said seriously. "Whenever you encounter Sarkaz, you will become their target."
"At least for now, there are almost no Sarkaz in Kazdel who are willing to show mercy to alien races."
This situation did not surprise the girls much; they had already witnessed the Sarkaz's madness.
Just then, Han Fei suddenly spoke up, "Because the moderates have all left Kazdel with the Demon King, right?"
The next second, a look of surprise flashed in Ines's eyes, and she said, "How did you know?"
"Of course I know, it's no secret."
Han Fei shrugged, then dropped a secret that made Ines's expression change:
"By the way, I also know that you're not actually Sarkaz, but Caprinae."
Ines's expression changed, and she said, "You?! Who exactly are you?!"
Ines's race was not a secret in the past, but over time, few people know about it.
After all, she had lived in Kazdel for far too long; she had become part of it, and Kazdel felt more like home than Leithanien.
And now, a stranger she had only recently met, who wasn't even Sarkaz, had casually revealed the truth she had been trying to hide.
How could Ines possibly remain calm in this situation!
"Uh-huh?"
Han Fei tilted his head, a playful smile on his lips, "I've already introduced myself once. If you want to hear it again, I don't mind saying it again."
Ines was unfazed by Han Fei's words, her gaze fixed on him, and said, "You know that's not what I'm asking."
"Well... I can't tell you that." Han Fei shook his head, but the smile in his eyes deepened.
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly bent down!
His long, slender fingers, once again with irresistible force, precisely lifted Ines's chin, forcing her to tilt her head back to meet his gaze.
The next second, his warm breath brushed against her sensitive earlobe without warning, so close that it was almost touching her skin.
That deep, magnetic voice, like a poison coated in honey, poured directly into her ear canal:
In short, I know you better than you think.
He deliberately slowed his speech, his hot breath brushing against her small earlobe, sending a slight shiver down her spine. "I understand your abilities, I understand your past, and I understand even more your confidence in that little trick of 'faking your death to escape'."
He paused slightly, lowering his voice even further, carrying a dangerous allure, almost like a lover's whisper:
So, be good and don't try it. You can't afford the consequences.
An unfamiliar, masculine, burning scent, carrying an undeniable air of control, forcefully invaded Ines's most intimate sensory realm.
The subtle tickling sensation on her earlobe and the intensely close body heat made the hairs on the side of her neck stand on end instantly. An indescribable tingling sensation quietly rose up her spine, mixed with intense humiliation and a trace of panic that she herself was unaware of.
If it weren't for that hand gripping her jaw like an iron clamp, if it weren't for the three cold gazes beside her pinning her to the spot like tangible chains— Ines swore she would have made this arrogant man understand that a Sarkaz mercenary, even unarmed, could teach him what it means to suffer unforgettable regret with her life!
Finally, Han Fei withdrew his hand, straightened up, and said, "So, have you thought it through, my trophy lady?"
"Relax, we won't be here for long, at most a week. We'll be leaving then, and you'll be free."
The sense of humiliation in Ines' heart was so intense. As a Sarkaz mercenary, Ines had handled countless spoils of war, but she never imagined that she would one day fall to such a state.
What was even more terrifying was the extent of the man's knowledge of her that instilled a sense of fear in Ines.
A mix of emotions overwhelmed Ines, but in the end, the will to survive prevailed.
"Good."
When she uttered those words, Ines felt a sense of relief—at least being a guide was better than anything worse.
The next second, Ines took a deep breath and said, "I hope you can keep your word and not deceive me. How about I assure you that unless I die, I will hunt you down to the very end."
Han Fei nodded slightly and said, "I think I have a very good reputation for integrity."
Upon hearing this, Ines's lips curled into a cold smile, the meaning clear—where is the integrity?
Leaving and then immediately returning with men to fight back—is that what you call integrity?
Noticing the change in Ines's expression, Han Fei didn't hesitate and threw the Shut-in Helmet at her.
Ines caught it instinctively. The conspicuous, almost piercing hole in the helmet instantly drew her attention.
"What do you mean?" She looked up, her voice cold and hard.
"The work of your sentries."
Han Fei pointed to the helmet, his tone carrying a barely perceptible chill, "We had just approached the ruins when a stray arrow went straight for my little darling. If I hadn't reacted quickly, it wouldn't be my helmet lying injured right now."
"Ugh--How cheesy!" Lemuen rubbed her arms exaggeratedly, glaring at Han Fei with a look of disgust.
On the other hand, her sister's smile seemed even deeper, the curve of her lips carrying a meaningful undertone.
Ines threw the helmet to Han Fei, got up from the ground and said, "I gave them the authority to fire freely, and you, you have two Sankta behind you. In Kazdel, this is the treatment for Sankta."
"For money, the Sarkaz will do anything. Betrayal, killing, ambushes... are commonplace. And the girls behind you, in the eyes of the greedy, are nothing more than two walking treasure chests, exuding a deadly allure."
"Are you sure you really want to lead them across this greedy land, Mr. Han Fei?"
"You're wrong."
Han Fei suddenly stepped forward, instantly closing the distance between them to almost Ines breath. He tilted his head slightly, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe, his deep voice carrying an undeniable declaration:
"You should call me—Master, my Miss Spoils."
The word "master" pierced Ines's eardrums like a barbed icicle!
An indescribable, electric-like tremor instantly erupted from her tailbone, shooting wildly up her spine, making the hairs on her body stand on end! A strong sense of humiliation surged and burned in her chest like magma, almost burning away her reason!
She suddenly looked up, staring intently at the face so close to hers. Her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white, and her nails dug deep into her palms—a violent impulse roared within her, making her want to smash that damned composure on the other person's face with a punch that gathered all her strength!
But.
The cold muzzle of the gun, the sharp edge of the sword, the reflection from the sniper scope... three invisible threads of death tightened around her throat.
Ines used all her willpower to suppress the roar that almost burst from her throat and the urge to throw a punch. She forced herself to loosen her clenched teeth and take a deep breath.
Just endure for seven days, and after seven days, everything will be over.
This thought was like her last lifeline, and she clung to it tightly.
It was just verbal harassment, nothing serious, Ines tried to calm herself down!
Han Fei stood up straight as if nothing had happened, as if the extremely insulting whisper had never occurred.
He surveyed the crowd, his voice calm yet carrying a haughty, condescending arrogance:
"In the Tundra of Ursus, I faced the blades of the Emperor's Blades; in the wilderness of Columbia, I fought against the ancient Beast Lord; even in the sanctuary of Laterano, I could sit on equal footing with His Holiness the Pope and converse with him."
His gaze finally settled on Ines, tinged with a hint of disdain:
"Mere Sarkaz mercenaries are not enough to instill fear in me, to make me consider retreating? At the very least, it would take the regent of Kazdel, Theresis, to personally come."
Volume 1: Chapter 137 The Target River Valley
The moment the words left her lips, Ines felt as if an invisible hand had gripped her heart, causing it to sink sharply!
Ursus Emperor's Blades... Columbia Beast Lord... Laterano Church!
The weight these names represented was like heavy lead weights crashing into her consciousness.
The Emperor's Blades is a terrifying legend that walks the Ursus Tundra, the Beast Lord is an ancient being that dwells in the wasteland and is almost mythical, and the Pope of Laterano is the supreme symbol standing at the pinnacle of power and faith in Terra!
Han Fei's tone when mentioning these things was too calm, too certain, without the slightest boastfulness or exaggeration, only a calm statement of facts.
This calm and collected demeanor is more impactful than any impassioned declaration—it reveals a confidence that has been forged through countless life-or-death situations and the witnessing of true peak power.
'He... is not bluffing.'
This thought, like a cold electric current, instantly pierced Ines's blood, which was boiling with humiliation, bringing a brief, almost absent-minded blankness.
The man before her had a background and experiences far more unfathomable than she had imagined.
However, this sudden shock only lingered in her eyes for less than half a second.