The panel indicated that Hannes was also level 60. Han Xiao sensed that something was amiss. The simultaneous appearance of two characters who had reached the peak level of version 1.0 meant something big was going on, and it might even trigger a hidden storyline. Moreover, the names of these two characters seemed familiar to him, but he couldn't quite place them.
In fact, Han Xiao originally did not want to cause any trouble and just wanted to finish Bennett's mission properly, but he was unexpectedly dragged into it. Taking a beating without fighting back is not his style.
Han Xiao dragged the battle into close combat. Although Vernina was a gunner, her [Agent] sub-profession was at a high level, giving her melee abilities as well. The two exchanged blows, with Han Xiao gaining the upper hand due to his strength advantage. He never showed mercy because of his opponent's identity, age, or gender, and Vernina suffered a considerable loss.
The two were far more physically capable than ordinary people. The force of their every move was enough to break bricks and pierce through iron plates. The environment was damaged, the streets were riddled with potholes, and a car that had been overturned was kicked sideways by Han Xiao and crashed into a tree. The surroundings were a mess. Dorasi retreated to the side. Because of the presence of the Sniping, he dared not take the opportunity to escape and watched in astonishment as the two superhumans fought hand to hand.
Dorasi was completely baffled. How come he didn't know that such an amazing superhuman was hidden among his bodyguards? Was he secretly arranged by the Secret Service Bureau? Someone of this level of strength would be more than capable of protecting the top leader, yet he was treated better than the top leader?!
However, for now, Dorasi could only pin his hopes on this hidden powerhouse repelling the attackers, and he was extremely tense.
Han Xiao was like a leech, and Vernina couldn't create any distance between them; the passing time made her anxious.
"This special agent is incredibly strong. Red Maple's reinforcements will be here soon. I'm stuck here. Hannes, hurry and help!"
Hannes: "He's too close to you, and he's too fast; there's a fifty percent chance he'll hit you."
Vernina was in a bind. What should have been a sure thing had been disrupted by Han Xiao, a completely unexpected turn of events. Intelligence clearly indicated that Dorasi's guards were all ordinary people, so where did this guy come from?
Hannes made a decisive decision. "Retreat!"
However, at that moment, sirens wailed, and police cars and special forces vehicles sped in from afar. The sound of rotors filled the sky as two helicopters circled overhead, surrounding the two combatants from all sides.
Red Maple's rapid support team arrived at the scene in just three to four minutes after the attack on Dorasi, living up to their name.
Vernina gritted her teeth, braced herself against two punches with her back, and used the excruciating pain that penetrated deep into her internal organs to propel herself forward, crashing into the encirclement. The Red Maple men opened fire, and a dense barrage of gunfire formed an interwoven bullet screen.
Dodging left and right, she was incredibly agile, finding safe routes through the dense barrage of bullets. Occasionally, stray bullets would hit her, but only cause single-digit damage. Ordinary people using ordinary firearms posed almost no threat to someone of her caliber.
Seeing that Vernina was about to break through the encirclement, Han Xiao snatched a heavy Sniping rifle from a special forces soldier, activated [Willpower Burning], and fired a shot that hit Vernina in the shoulder.
Blood bloomed.
She stumbled, then sped away and disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind patches of blood on the ground.
A portion of the troops gave chase in vehicles.
Han Xiao tossed aside his gun, letting out a sigh of relief. As the saying goes, "Don't Pursuit a desperate enemy." There's no point in Pursuit after a defeated foe; wounding them is enough, you can't kill them anyway.
"In the eyes of the Red Maple people, I'm one of them now, but if I run away rashly, I might be caught." Han Xiao's eyes flashed. He stayed at the scene, preparing to slip away when the suspicious police around him stopped paying attention to him.
More troops arrived and cleaned up the scene. Dorasi was surrounded by people, and a doctor checked him for injuries.
From the police's conversation, Han Xiao learned that Vernina and Hannes had both escaped, which was within his expectations.
As he was resting by the car, a senior military officer approached him and said in a deep voice, "I am Lieutenant Colonel Danny. You did a great job protecting Mr. Dorasi's safety and preventing the kidnappers from succeeding."
Han Xiao continued his act, feigning composure, and said, "It's my duty."
Lieutenant Colonel Danny glanced at the potholed street, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. He said, "Angston, you joined the army eleven years ago, were selected as a special forces soldier two years later, underwent three years of training, and carried out two military operations. Then, due to disciplinary issues, you were discharged from the special forces and transferred to the Secret Service Bureau to protect officers. Your resume is quite ordinary; you've never demonstrated any superhuman abilities."
Han Xiao shrugged. "People are always changing."
Lieutenant Colonel Danny frowned. This matter was serious. This Angston had been hiding his strength and his intentions were suspicious. He had to be thoroughly investigated, but now was not a good time.
At this moment, Dorasi approached and said approvingly, "Well done, you saved me. I will inform your superiors and reward you."
Given Han Xiao's demonstrated strength, Dorasi knew he had to lower his stance. Such a powerful superhuman was not like other ordinary soldiers who could be ordered around at will.
Han He_Tu_Shuxiao secretly sized up Dorasi, thinking to himself, "What secrets does this old official have that have attracted the attention of two level 60 figures?"
"Who is the attacker?" After expressing his gratitude, Dorasi looked at Lieutenant Colonel Danny, his expression turning serious.
"The intelligence department is investigating... Oh, they've found out." Lieutenant Colonel Danny took the computer from his deputy, glanced at it, and immediately froze.
"Vernina, a former Raylen agent, has retired. She was a shining legend on the battlefields of the old era, having carried out hundreds of high-risk missions, including protection, assassination, infiltration, and government overthrow. She disappeared for decades, but has reappeared today, posing the highest threat."
Han Xiao's heart skipped a beat. If it came down to legendary figures from the old era, then Bennett would be involved in some way.
"Ah, I remember now." Han Xiao and remembered where Vernina and Hannes had appeared.
Players encountered these two names around the mid-1.0 version, and their appearance was more like an Easter egg.
In the previous life, the largest Sanctuary was headed by Bennett. Inside, there was a small hill with three tombstones. Two of the tombstones were inscribed with the names of these two people. That's right, when the player encountered them, they were already dead.
Bennett would occasionally pause before the three gravestones, and if asked, Bennett would sigh and say that his friends and comrades-in-arms were buried here; they were all respectable people.
From Bennett's few words, players learn that these three are Bennett old friends, but know nothing else. Some players tried to trigger the quest, but to no avail; it seems to be just an Easter egg.
But now, the two people on the tombstone are still alive, Han Xiao feels there must be a hidden story behind this.
Why would two level 60 powerhouses, contemporaries of Bennett, want to deal with a Red Maple official?
In the original storyline, why did they die, and who killed them?
Lieutenant Colonel Danny suddenly looked up at Han Xiao, his eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.
This unknown fellow actually defeated a legend of an era, who was even stronger than he had imagined!
The Secret Service Bureau was hiding such a terrifying individual, and the military didn't even notice!
"We must investigate this thoroughly." Lieutenant Colonel Danny said gravely.
With his mind preoccupied, Lieutenant Colonel Danny directed his men to clean up the battlefield, but in the blink of an eye, Han Xiao disappeared right before his eyes.
Taking advantage of the moment when everyone around him was cleaning up the battlefield and their attention was diverted, he quietly activated his [Night Stalker] ability, walked to the side, and decisively changed his appearance to slip away. His level far exceeded that of the people present, and once he entered stealth mode, he was almost impossible to detect, with a very strong detection rate... Of course, if he wandered around in front of others, he would still be seen.
When Lieutenant Colonel Danny discovered this, he hurriedly asked the people around him, but no one had seen Angston leave. He was dumbfounded; in just a moment of distraction, the man had vanished!
He ordered a search of the vicinity, but naturally found nothing.
Lieutenant Colonel Danny's doubts didn't last long. Someone discovered the real Angston lying in the flowerbed of Dorasi Mansion, and he realized that this "Angston" was an imposter. This method was the same one used by the Mysterious Person who infiltrated other officials' residences!
"The attacker's identity has been confirmed, but who is this infiltrator?" Lieutenant Colonel Danny's mood was heavy. The infiltrator's strength was comparable to Vernina's, and who was this monster from? Why were such "ace" level combatants all appearing in the capital tonight?!
Upon learning the truth, Dorasi broke out in a cold sweat.
It turns out that the person protecting him was also an enemy, and had been tracking him all along.
The two groups of enemies actually started fighting each other, it was like walking on the edge of hell, but in the end they all came out unharmed!
"I'm still alive," Dorasi said, still shaken.