Chapter 132: Witch VS Assassin
"Boom!"
...
A burst of noise jolted Doctor Bai awake from her sleep.
She shot up from the bed, her eyes bloodshot and unfocused, still half-asleep.
Last night, she was busy contacting the Organization's High-level Staff in South Korean politics and the Military Police.
At the same time, she had to mediate with Headquarters regarding the resolution to destroy the Modified Humans.
Having been busy for two consecutive days without closing her eyes, Doctor Bai had just been startled awake, and her open eyes were already threatening to close again.
A rumbling sound of Artillery Fire, accompanied by violent shaking, completely woke her up.
"What's going on?!"
Doctor Bai didn't even bother putting on her shoes, threw on a jacket, and rushed Outside.
She grabbed a Security guard from the Base and demanded, "What's happening?"
"Doctor Bai, there are enemies! It's the Federal Army! They're... they're attacking!"
Doctor Bai ignored everything else and quickly ran towards the Base's Monitoring Room.
Inside the Monitoring Room, Doctor Bai looked at the Federal Army surrounding the Base so tightly that not even a drop of water could get through. She felt like a deflated balloon and collapsed directly onto the ground.
Outside the Old Castle Base, on a wartime Command Vehicle, a Middle-aged Man in a Federal Army uniform held Binoculars, observing the situation inside the Ancient Castle.
When he saw the few Heavy Firepower Points inside the Ancient Castle still spitting out Bullets,
Colonel Barney immediately issued an Order through the Command System.
Four 81MM Mortars and six 60MM Mortars simultaneously unleashed Firepower upon the Ancient Castle.
After two rounds of rumbling Artillery Fire,
The few Firing Points inside the Ancient Castle quickly fell silent. The dilapidated Ancient Castle used to conceal the Base also collapsed by nearly half under the Artillery Fire.
Seeing this scene through his Binoculars, a hint of a Smile finally appeared on Colonel Barney's stern face.
After receiving Intelligence from Sloan, Barney immediately led a Company to the target point to encircle and suppress these Terrorists.
He had no intention of underestimating these Terrorists.
It should be known that a fully staffed Infantry Company in the Federal Army's structure has one hundred and seventy-six people.
It has three subordinate Infantry Platoons and one Weapons Platoon. M240 Machine Guns and M224 60mm Mortars are even deployed down to the Squad level.
A separately established Assault Team is composed of three three-person Assault Squads, with each Squad equipped with one MK153 Shoulder-Fired Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon.
This Firepower and personnel Equipment configuration was sufficient for a small-scale engagement on the Afghanistan Battlefield.
However, when the Company launched its attack, Barney discovered that he had indeed underestimated these Terrorists.
The Firepower of this Old Castle Base operated by these Terrorists was not weak. Various light and heavy Machine Gun Firing Points were configured, giving the Federal Army a "surprise" as soon as they opened the Gate.
In addition to over a dozen Snipers on the High Ground of the Ancient Castle, they even had two Anti-aircraft Machine Guns set up.
These Anti-aircraft Machine Guns, used to defend against air raids during the WWII Period, could turn their barrels and fire horizontally, their Firepower capable of turning any Armored Vehicle into a pile of Scrap metal.
What surprised Barney the most was not the Firepower inside the Ancient Castle, but the Terrorists inside who fought without fear of death.
When his Company used Mortars to blast open the Ancient Castle's Gate and planned to rush in, the Terrorists inside directly counter-charged towards their Guns.
These Terrorists all displayed a fearless attitude, getting shot and having their thighs broken by Bullets, yet still struggling to crawl back up.
Most of the Company's Soldiers were stationed in South Korea, having enjoyed peace for a long time. Where had they ever seen such a scene?
Several Platoons, under the Cover of Artillery Fire, assaulted the Ancient Castle multiple times but were all forcefully repelled.
...
What Barney didn't know was that the Organization Doctor Bai belonged to was already in its third generation of Gene Research on the Brain. The first generation of Finished Products were those like Choi Sung-ho, who had only undergone simple partial micro-adjustments to their Brains, cutting off Pain Nerves.
The third generation of Finished Products had Speed, Strength, and Computing Power several times that of Ordinary Persons. The most outstanding among them had even awakened Psychokinesis due to in-depth Brain Modification, capable of interfering with reality with Mental Power.
The Federal Army had an absolute advantage in Weapons and Firepower, but facing these Modified Humans whose physical fitness, Strength, and Speed far surpassed Ordinary Persons, they seemed insufficient.
When these Terrorists counter-attacked and were about to charge into the Federal Soldiers' Formation that was nearing the Ancient Castle,
The Supporting Artillery behind them had to stop their Bombardment to avoid friendly fire. Without Artillery Fire support, in Close Combat, facing these fearless enemies, the Federal Soldiers were forced to retreat step by step, suffering the Loss of over a dozen people.
Watching the fallen Soldiers, Barney's eyes were about to split from rage, and he planned to disregard everything and mobilize the Infantry Battalion from the Base.
It should be noted that a Federal Infantry Battalion, with a strength of over five hundred people, in addition to more powerful Artillery, is also equipped with Great Killer Weapons like Missile Launchers at the Battalion level.
However, using them within South Korea would cause too much of a commotion. This was not the Afghanistan Battlefield after all.
If he were to really use Missile Launchers, while it wouldn't necessarily mean no hope of promotion, the Merit for eliminating these "Terrorists" would be greatly diminished.
Just as Barney was about to make a desperate move,
Bang! A Sniper Rifle shot reversed the situation.
On a Barren Mountain over three thousand meters away from the Battlefield, Sloan lay on the ground and calmly pulled the Trigger.
Unlike other Powered Persons,
Before meeting Boss Tang, Sloan did not possess any Supernatural Power.
What made him famous in the Underworld was his precise Marksmanship.
Ultra-long-range Sniping, Curved Shooting...
Several top Gunmen in the Brotherhood of Assassins, including Cross and Fox, were his disciples.
It could be said that even B-Level Superhumans, assessed by various countries as Threat Levels, would tremble before Sloan's Sniper Rifle.
Given enough preparation Time, he would even dare to provoke A-Level Superhumans.
Now, this Marksmanship Master was proving his Marksmanship with headshots.
The modified anti-material Sniper Rifle in Sloan's hands delivered headshots with every shot. Even when hiding behind Cover, he could calculate the angle and use Ricochet to eliminate these enemies.
No matter how fast the Experiment Subjects were, they were useless against Sloan's Prediction.
Coupled with the powerful Sniper Rifle Bullets, a mere graze would blow off half an arm or half a thigh.
Sloan's face showed no Expression. His left hand supported the Gun body, and he calmly pulled the Trigger without a hint of trembling, truly like the Grim Reaper from Hell, the Soul Collector from the Underworld.
"Eliminate him! Eliminate that damned Sniper!"
Inside the Old Castle Base's Monitoring Room, Doctor Bai watched as the Ancient Castle's Armed Security was about to repel the Federal Army.
As long as they could buy enough Time, the people inside this Base could escape through the Secret Passage.
But now, a Sniper had ruined the excellent situation.
Doctor Bai hysterically issued Orders to everyone.
Less than two minutes had passed since Sloan pulled the Trigger.
The Armed Security that had rushed out in front of the Ancient Castle was reduced to only a few stragglers.
Even the Modified Human she had placed high hopes on, the High School boy with the Noble Young Master appearance, was struggling to hold on.
Even he, facing Sloan's elusive Bullets, could only dodge awkwardly.
Doctor Bai repeatedly shouted Orders, commanding the Snipers on the Ancient Castle's High Ground to find the mysterious Sniper's Position and eliminate him.
Bang, bang, bang. The Snipers on the Ancient Castle Organization's side searched for Sloan's Position through their Scopes, but often, as soon as their Sniper Rifles were extended,
A Bullet would pierce through their Scope, blowing their Heads open like watermelons.
Once, twice, thrice. After losing five Snipers, no matter how much Doctor Bai shouted, no one was foolish enough to be the next target.
Doctor Bai was so angry that she smashed the Communicator in her hand against the Wall.
"Yes, Doctor doesn't seem happy!"
In the empty Monitoring Room, a Voice suddenly sounded. Doctor Bai turned around with a hint of panic.
At the Entrance of the Monitoring Room, a hooded girl stood with her hands in her pockets, looking at her with a Smile.
Her Expression was like a child who had successfully caught the 'Ghost' while playing hide-and-seek.
"It's you!"
Doctor Bai retreated two steps in panic, looking at the young girl before her, unable to hide the terror on her face.
This Monster was someone she had personally created. Even after ten years, she recognized her at a glance.
"Number One!"
Doctor Bai's Voice trembled slightly.
"Doctor Bai, long time no see. For ten years, I've truly thought about you all the time!"
Gu Zi Yun smiled playfully, and her figure instantly disappeared from Doctor Bai's sight.
"Ah!"
Doctor Bai let out a piercing scream. A Steel Pipe directly pierced through her thigh.
Blood spurted out along the Steel Pipe.
"Monster! This damned Monster!"
Doctor Bai struggled to crawl backward, dragging a long Bloodstain behind her.
"Monster? Doctor, saying that makes me sad!"
Gu Zi Yun wiped the Bloodstain from her face, dragging the Steel Pipe, and walked towards Doctor Bai step by step.
Doctor Bai struggled to crawl backward: "Monster, Monster..."
Gu Zi Yun waved her hand, and the Steel Pipe directly impaled Doctor Bai, nailing her to the floor.
"Doctor, I have a question I want to ask you?" Gu Zi Yun squatted on the ground, her pure face stained with Blood.
"Hehehehehe, cough cough!"
Doctor Bai looked at Gu Zi Yun and laughed wildly. As she laughed, Blood coughed up from the corners of her mouth.
"Yes, do you feel a splitting Headache, like your Head is about to explode?"
Doctor Bai said with schadenfreude, "This is a Sequela of Brain Modification. There's no solution except for the Agent I developed!"
"You could endure this Pain for ten years, truly worthy of being a Monster. How about a deal?"
Doctor Bai forced herself to lift her Head, "Help me get rid of those enemies Outside, and I'll give you the Alleviation Potion!"
Gu Zi Yun reached out and patted Doctor Bai's face: "Doctor, do you think you have the Rights to make a deal?"
*Slap*, Gu Zi Yun flicked her hand, and Doctor Bai spat out half a mouth of teeth.
"Yah-xi, Doctor, do you have the Conditions to negotiate?"
...
"Keep two for myself, and the rest for Mom. These Agents should be enough to stabilize her condition."
In a pure white Laboratory, Gu Zi Yun packed the Injections into the Silver Briefcase, a hint of warmth in her Eyes.
Her Adoptive Mother was a gentle woman. Although she was an adopted daughter, her Adoptive Mother had pampered her like a princess since she was a child.
Even though this poor woman had Alzheimer's Disease, couldn't remember the past, and forgot everything, she still remembered her favorite Pastry and still called out her name in her dreams.
Alzheimer's Disease is a Terminal Illness. No Medical Institution in the world can cure this disease, except for the Gene Modification Agent targeting the Brain that the Organization researched! Gu Zi Yun put the last Injection into the Briefcase, closed the Briefcase, and glanced at Doctor Bai's Corpse.
Despite being scum and a bastard, it was undeniable that she was indeed an Authority in Brain development.
After injecting the Injection researched by Doctor Bai, Gu Zi Yun's troublesome Headache instantly disappeared, and her Ability, which she could only utilize at 30%, was instantly unlocked.
Thinking of the scene where her mother's body would improve after injecting the Agent,
Gu Zi Yun carried the Silver Briefcase and hummed a tune as she walked towards the Base's Outside through the Side Door.
The Armed Security of the Old Castle Base had all been urgently deployed Outside to resist the invasion. The remaining two or three small Security guards couldn't even see Gu Zi Yun's Shadow before their Heads were pressed against the Wall and smashed to pieces.
"..."
Humming a Goguryeo folk tune, Gu Zi Yun widened her pure Eyes and pulled the Dagger out of an Armed Security guard's Neck.
Suddenly, Gu Zi Yun slowly turned around, like a Fierce Beast hunting encountering another Fierce Beast, looking Wary towards the corner behind her.
Tap, tap, tap. Following steady footsteps, a tall figure emerged from the Passage corner.
"Little girl, that was quite a plan. Doing things so beautifully, don't be in a hurry to leave yet. I haven't given you a Tip!"
Sloan raised his hand and fired a shot. With a rapid flick of his wrist, a Bullet drew an Arc and shot towards Gu Zi Yun's Temple.
"Clang!"
Gu Zi Yun sliced the Bullet flying towards her with a single strike of her Dagger. She twirled the Dagger in her hand, her pair of pure Eyes flashing with curiosity.
"Uncle, are you going to block my way?"
"Uncle, yah-xi, harassing young girls is not gentlemanly Behavior!"
Before she finished speaking, Gu Zi Yun's figure appeared in front of Sloan. The Dagger in her hand left several Afterimages as it slashed directly towards Sloan's Great Artery.
This strike was extremely fast, so fast that Ordinary Persons couldn't even see it clearly because it surpassed the afterimage retention of their Retina.
Gu Zi Yun's Strength could be considered Second Tier or above among the various Marvel Heroes and Villains.
What had always limited her Strength was the Sequelae caused by Brain development. After injecting Doctor Bai's Alleviation Potion, this was the first time Gu Zi Yun had unleashed her full Strength in ten years.
Facing this strike, Sloan didn't even dodge. Raising his hand, he fired a shot towards Gu Zi Yun's Head.
Gu Zi Yun wore a pure Smile on her face and tilted her Head. The Bullet grazed her cheek, leaving a Bloodstain.
*Hiss!* The two crossed paths. Gu Zi Yun felt the sensation of the Dagger slicing across the enemy's Neck.
Something felt wrong!
"So Uncle is a Powered Person!"
Gu Zi Yun turned back, looking at the Golden Light emanating from Sloan's entire body. She tilted her Head and pointed the Dagger at Sloan:
"I just don't know how long this Golden Light on you can last?"
"Little girl, at my age, you should call me Grandpa!"
Sloan looked at the Golden Light enveloping him. He pulled a Necklace from his Neck, looking at the Yellow Talisman inside where the Golden Light was slowly fading.
He unhurriedly put away his Handgun and walked to the Fire Cabinet on one side of the Corridor.
He raised an Elbow and shattered the Protective Glass of the Fire Cabinet, taking out a red Fire Axe from inside.
"Little girl, since you're using a Dagger, I won't bully you! Come on!"
Gu Zi Yun looked at the Dagger Sloan was holding and couldn't help but narrow her pure Eyes: "Uncle, are you kidding?"
Sloan chuckled. He held the Fire Axe horizontally in his right hand and patted the Axe body with his left Palm, taking a deep breath.
As his breathing accelerated, a part of the Invisible Gene Chains within his Body instantly activated.
Right before Gu Zi Yun's Eyes, the clothes of the tall Black Person old man before her were torn open by expanding Green Muscle,
A thick Lizard Tail grew out from behind him.
"Very powerful Strength!"
Sloan, who had surged to over two meters tall, clenched his Fist. His Big Green Head still vaguely showed Sloan's former appearance.
Sloan felt the Strength throughout his body in the Lizardman State. His Heart and Lungs capacity, Strength, and Speed instantly soared,
In Lizard form, his overall Strength instantly burst to nearly six times its normal level.
"However, little girl, I don't like this appearance at all. Let's finish this quickly!"
Sloan blinked his Vertical Pupils, swung the Fire Axe, and charged straight at Gu Zi Yun.
In the Lizard State, with Strength and Speed several times that of Ordinary Persons, even before the Axe chopped down, the whistling Wind Sound directly tore Gu Zi Yun's hood.
If this Axe strike landed, no matter how tenacious Gu Zi Yun's Life force was, having her Head split in half would be irreversible.
Gu Zi Yun's expression changed. She swung her Dagger back to parry the Axe Blade.
*Clang*~ A Light Sound of Metal and Iron clashing.
Gu Zi Yun was directly sent flying four or five meters away by the Axe. She used her feet to push off the Wall behind her to regain her balance.
She looked down at the Dagger in her hand, which was split in two. She took a breath, facing Sloan who was striding forward with the Axe.
With a wave of her hand, the Handguns held by the dead Security guards flew up into the air.
Under the control of her Psychokinesis, four Handguns hovered in mid-air and simultaneously opened fire on Sloan.
*Pfft pfft pfft pfft pfft pfft...*
The Armed Security guards' Silenced Pistols, with an Ammunition Capacity of 9 rounds, fired at the Rate of Fire of Rifles under Gu Zi Yun's control.
Facing the incoming Bullets, Sloan raised his left arm horizontally to block his face, letting the Bullets hit his body.
In Lizard form, Sloan was not afraid of these Bullets at all. Blocking his face was just an instinctive reaction.
Bullet after Bullet accurately hit Sloan's body. After scraping his Skin, they clinked and fell to the ground...
Facing Sloan, who far surpassed her in Strength and defense, Gu Zi Yun felt like a dog trying to bite a turtle, unable to find a way to Take Action.
Sloan wouldn't stand idle. Blocking his face with his left arm, he grabbed the Axe handle with his right hand. *Whoosh*, the hand axe flew out directly, chopping towards Gu Zi Yun's face.
The reason he aimed for the Head with every strike was that Sloan had clearly seen from the High Ground that the Heads of these Modified Humans were their Weakness.
Facing the hand axe chopping towards her Head, Gu Zi Yun tilted her Head to dodge. The hand axe cut off a strand of her hair, and the entire Axe body embedded itself in the Wall.
And with this momentary distraction, the four Handguns lost their control and fell to the ground.
Sloan seized this opportunity, lunged forward, rushed in front of Gu Zi Yun, swung his fist the size of a vinegar jar, and smashed it towards Gu Zi Yun's face.
Gu Zi Yun's reaction was also quick. She shrank back, pouncing into Sloan's arms like a Raccoon Dog, her two fingers stabbing directly towards Sloan's Eyes.
Sloan used his left arm to wrap around and choke Gu Zi Yun's Neck. He swung his right fist back, using his Elbow to fiercely smash into Gu Zi Yun's back.
Sloan used twelve parts of his Force in this Elbow strike. It could shatter even Iron Man.
Gu Zi Yun let out a muffled grunt, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in her Eyes. Facing an Elbow strike that could almost smash her slender body in two, she didn't dodge or evade. Her two fingers still stabbed towards Sloan's Eyes.
She was clearly planning to trade injuries.
Sloan's Elbow turned, and a green Palm blocked his Eyes.
*Splurt!*
Gu Zi Yun's two fingers forcefully pierced through Sloan's Palm. Bright red Blood flowed out from Sloan's Palm.
Gu Zi Yun had a pure Smile on her face, stirring her two fingers in the Wound in Sloan's Palm.
"Bang!"
But before she could be happy for long,
A thick Lizard Tail whipped fiercely across her body. Her small body was directly sent flying, crashing into the Wall beside her.
The entire Wall cracked from the impact, and falling Wall Plaster instantly covered Gu Zi Yun.
(End of chapter)