But—now he had changed his mind.
He had no intention of asking for more manpower, nor did he plan on bringing Vodka along.
That's right, he and Akai Shuichi were enough.
Gin was unaware of Akai Shuichi's complex feelings toward him, but he remembered the previous provocation quite clearly.
A smile curled at the corners of his mouth, one that made people's skin crawl.
How interesting.
However, Gin was not about to make things difficult for Akai just because of this, yet—
As his future 'arch-nemesis', how could he allow his strength to fall short?
It would be better to let him see how much the boy playing the accordion has grown.
If he falls into his hands, ha.
Gin wasn't trying to make things difficult for him on purpose; he was simply very interested in the current skill level of this future Nemesis, besides—
Anyway, if he really couldn't hold on, he would step in himself.
As long as he doesn't die.
..
After sending the mission details to Akai Shuichi, Gin took him to pick out equipment.
The Black Organization's arsenal was quite well-stocked—at least for the Cadres.
Especially for core members like Gin.
Akai Shuichi looked at the pile of firearms and weapons speechlessly, wondering if he had entered a small arms depot.
There is just a difference between anyone, even between Cadres.
Akai was very tempted by the equipment laid out before him.
What man wouldn't love these things, especially one with a background as an agent like him.
Akai quickly selected the weapons he needed, ranging from cold weapons to firearms; he had plenty of ammunition and firearms that felt natural in his hands. His gaze lingered on the Barrett M99, but considering his mission, he reluctantly gave it up.
Gin looked at the Black-haired youth's reluctant gaze, fully perceiving the helplessness in his heart.
The equipment was reliable, however—
So, may I ask what it is you intend to do?" Akai emphasized the word "you.
However, the Person in charge was unreliable!
Not only is he unreliable, he is simply leaving the Newcomer to fend for himself!
"Supervising you." Gin said without changing his expression, speaking with such conviction about his refusal to do anything that it seemed as if letting the Newcomer go to his death was a perfectly normal thing to do.
That's right, sending him to his death.
If he were truly an inexperienced Newcomer.
Even based on his usual level of performance, this mission was a life-or-death struggle.
Akai couldn't help but feel a sense of doubt—had Gin discovered something was wrong?
Or did he really just find him an eyesore?
However, when meeting Gin's indifferent eyes, the Black-haired youth sighed in his heart, having to admit that, given this man's personality, he likely truly felt it was no big deal.
If he succeeds, it means he has passed the test; if he fails, it is simply because he lacks the ability.
No wonder Gin is known for being cold and ruthless even within the Black Organization; if he is this way toward his own people, he is likely even more merciless toward his enemies.
It looks like I'll have to give this mission my all—I can't actually die during this mission.
It was just that—
Thinking about the situation after exposing his true strength, Akai couldn't help but feel a bit of a headache.
Although he could use an excuse to bluff his way through and avoid being dealt with by the Black Organization, trouble was still inevitable.
..
As it turned out, Akai had thought too far ahead.
Because the trouble had already arrived.
Pinned into a dead end, Akai Shuichi lay prone behind a piece of cover. The deafening roar of machine gun fire erupted around him, he let out a sigh, letting out a helpless, bitter smile, feeling that his luck had truly run dry.
He had heard of cases where the Black Organization had no intention of negotiating and simply planned to double-cross their partners; it seemed that luck truly had its cycles.
But—could it not rotate onto his head?
He looked up at the azure sky, where the sun shone brightly, but unfortunately, his mood was as heavy as if it were covered in a layer of dust.
Yet his gaze remained bright.
-----------------------
Author's Note: I expect to post another chapter this afternoon.
Chapter 29 Chapter 27 Akai thought, so he really was smiling..
Seven people.
I wonder if anyone else will come later.
The black-haired youth could not help but sigh; it seemed they truly held him in high regard.
No, perhaps it is because they hold Gin in high regard.
Akai remembered the leader's expression of shock and anger when he saw him, even though his heart was filled with gloom, he couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.
Did Gin already foresee this?
However, if that were the case, throwing the Newcomer out there as bait would be truly ruthless~
Despite thinking this, Akai did not feel any anger.
A confident smile played at the corners of his mouth, his Green eyes shimmering.
Seven against one, tsk.
This wasn't a battle of attrition; they were all rushing him at once.
Oh, right, they were all rushing forward with guns in hand.
Taking them on head-on was a foolish move; he used the terrain to do his best to evade, launching counterattacks whenever an opening appeared, but facing seven guns, he still found himself somewhat overwhelmed.
He finally managed to take one down, but the cost was several shots to his abdomen and chest, along with a wound to his right shoulder.
Luckily, he was wearing a bulletproof vest.
His right shoulder was still bleeding, the stinging pain a reminder that his wound needed treatment as soon as possible, but Akai had no time to bandage it.
His knee slammed heavily into the man's abdomen, in the split second the man instinctively bent over, Akai grabbed his arm and used a stepping maneuver to drive into his shoulder, executing a shoulder throw.
Before he could fire a follow-up shot, a bullet whizzed past his face. Fortunately, he was quick; he leaped away without a second thought from the spot that would have been riddled with holes the very next second.
Sigh—one might really die here.
Akai Shuichi thought, feeling quite helpless.
Although he didn't feel much fear—he even felt a faint sense of excitement.
It would be quite a joke if people found out—that an undercover agent like himself would actually die for the Black Organization.
Akai Shuichi looked coldly at the enemy before him, unable to stop himself from letting out a mocking smile.
But—
If you want my life, it probably won't be that easy.
He quickly turned and ducked behind cover to avoid the incoming bullets, then struck suddenly while the opponent was cautiously approaching, landing a punch to the opponent's abdomen before pivoting to deliver a heavy kick to the opponent's temple.
This maneuver caused his opponent to fall, but it also aggravated his own wound; cold sweat seeped from Akai's temple, his lips turned somewhat pale.
There are still five left.
He faced five more enemies who were watching him with predatory eyes, they were even more cautious as well.
Akai Shuichi felt a bit dizzy—it was likely due to excessive blood loss.
He knew he shouldn't, but at such a critical moment, he found it difficult to concentrate—but there was nothing he could do; the impact of the wound on his condition was beyond his control.
A single bullet broke the prelude to this near-death situation.
He heard the sound of something whistling through the air, tearing through the silence.
Akai suddenly looked up.
A bullet, carrying gunpowder smoke and killing intent, rushed toward his head like lightning, precisely grazing his left cheek; he could almost feel the heat as the bullet brushed past his skin.
Fresh crimson seeped from the wound, blood slid down his left cheek, dripping onto the ground to bloom into a scarlet flower.
Along with it, a few stray strands of hair fell from his temple.
The pain came only after the fact. As Akai regained consciousness from the brink of death, he felt a searing sting on his left cheek. He frowned and tentatively touched the wound with his hand; the pain jolted his nerves again, causing Akai to wince and let out a sharp hiss.
He raised his eyes to look toward the direction from which the bullet had come.
In that direction, there was only one suitable sniping position.
It was already nearly seven hundred yards away.
This was no time to be distracted, but that bullet had come so suddenly that even the opponent was momentarily stunned, preventing the young agent from dying due to his lack of experience.
Akai frowned deeply—was it a warning?
The next bullet came without warning, but it was aimed at an enemy two steps away from him.
A single shot to the head. It was a bloody mess; red and white brain matter mixed with blood, a metallic stench wafted through the air. A significant amount of blood even splattered onto the Youth's body and face before he could dodge.
A sticky mess.
The young Agent froze for a moment.