Bab 33: 33. "Sceming in Shadows: Nathaniel's Move"

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Mount Reven,

Nathaniel Delacroix, found himself standing in a dimly lit room, facing two imposing figures.

The first man, with a tall and sturdy frame, had a playful grin on his face as he exuded a menacing aura that seemed to weigh down on Nathaniel.

The second man, lean and wiry, held a knife in his hand, which he licked with a raw, bloodthirsty lust in his eyes.

Nathaniel's instincts screamed at him to run, as the pressure from these two monstrous individuals threatened to overwhelm him, making his scalp tingle with unease.

"Gulp..." Nathaniel swallowed hard, trying to keep his nerves in check and not reveal any signs of weakness. He knew that showing fear could be a fatal mistake in the presence of these predators.

"So, what kind of wind blew you here to our humble abode, Mr. Nathaniel Delacroix?" The first man spoke, his voice gruff but laced with amusement. His grin widened, revealing sharp teeth that added to his intimidating demeanor.

"Hehehe..." The second man chuckled, his eyes fixed on Nathaniel as he continued to lick the knife with a disturbing eagerness.

"Mr. Delacroix, you better not waste our time, as we're already in a sour mood." His words sent a chill down Nathaniel's spine, as the sheer bloodthirstiness in his tone was palpable.

Nathaniel took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He knew he had to tread carefully in this precarious situation.

"I have a job for you," he said in a low voice, trying to maintain his composure. "And I am willing to provide a handsome deal for it."

"Ohh! Do you!" Second man said, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light, as if daring Nathaniel to make a wrong move that would cost him dearly.

Nathaniel swallowed hard, his mouth dry, but he didn't let his fear show. He held up a photo, showing it to them.

"Mr. Hammer and Mr. Bullet, I am sure you two won't be disappointed with this deal," he said, his voice low but steady. "I want you to cripple this person and make sure she won't be able to walk out from the hospital ever again."

Both Mr. Hammer and Mr. Bullet looked at the photo and exchanged glances. Nathaniel could see the recognition in their eyes as they realized who the woman in the picture was.

"That woman, where did I see her!" Mr. Hammer muttered, his brow furrowing as he tried to recall.

"Hey, isn't this your own cousin, Vivienne Delacroix, who is also a rising CEO of Delacare Company!" Mr. Bullet exclaimed, a lecherous smile spreading across his face as he looked at the image.

Nathaniel's crooked smile widened. "Right, now I remember where I've seen her. So, Mr. Nathaniel Delacroix, are you sure you have the right amount for this job?" Mr. Hammer said, his voice laced with caution. "After all, the man behind her is a formidable opponent, whom not even our Leader Enforcer dares to go against openly."

Nathaniel maintained his composed demeanor, though his heart hammered in his chest with anticipation.

He knew the risks of going up against the formidable man behind Vivienne, but he had no choice. He couldn't trust anyone else with this task, and he needed Mr. Hammer and Mr. Bullet on his side.

"Don't worry, you won't have to get involved directly, and Vivienne is currently out of Novus City. This is the perfect opportunity to strike," Nathaniel pitched, hoping to persuade them to assist him in taking down the woman who had caused him so much trouble.

As Nathaniel showed them the box he had been carrying and indicated that they didn't have to worry about the price, both Mr. Hammer and Mr. Razor nodded at each other, seeing that Nathaniel had prepared the payment.

"Well, that's a good point. If she's not in Novus City, then it might be possible for us to handle this task," Mr. Bullet responded, his interest piqued. Nathaniel felt a wave of relief wash over him. At least they were showing some interest in helping him out.

Mr. Hammer, who stood tall with a bulky stature, nodded in agreement. "I remember seeing her last time in Nova Plaza with that man our Leader warned us about. If she's now outside of this city, then we might have a chance."

"Hahaha!" Mr. Bullet chortled, his fingers itching to get ahold of the bundle of money in the open box before him.

He lifted the lid and gazed at the neatly stacked bills, his eyes shining with greed. "Mr. Nathaniel Delacroix, make sure to have the rest of the payment ready after the job is done. Don't make us wait, or we might just have to pay you a visit."

Nathaniel nodded fervently, relieved that these two ruthless killers had agreed to his request. "Yes, yes, don't worry. I will personally send the remaining payment on time," he assured them, his heart swelling with satisfaction at the thought of finally achieving his goal.

"By the way, where is she now?" Mr. Bullet's voice carried a note of impatience as he leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished surface of the table.

Nathaniel, his hand on the doorknob, turned back to face Mr. Bullet, his eyes locking with the older man's.

"Ohh, she should be in the Scion Qing Metropolis right now!" Nathaniel's voice was filled with a sense of urgency, his words rushing out in a flurry.

"Hahahaha!" Mr. Hammer let out a hearty laugh, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

"Alright, then wait for the good news!" Mr. Hammer's booming voice echoed in the room as he waved his hands dismissively.

Nathaniel nodded curtly, his resolve firm, and with a swift nod, he turned on his heel and scurried away from the oppressive atmosphere, leaving the room behind.

...

After Nathaniel Delacroix left, Hammer and Bullet looked at each other.

"Is this alright? Are you sure we won't get in trouble for this?" Hammer asked, a little unsure.

"Oh, are you really worrying about failure before we've even started?" Bullet looked at him like he had asked something ridiculous.

"No, not that, but if Leader Enforcer gets wind of it, we might get the same punishment we got for our earlier mistake!" Hammer said, reminding himself and Bullet of the punishment they had suffered at the hands of their leader, The Enforcer.

Bullets clenched his fists, seething with anger as he spoke of their third partner, Razor. His voice was laced with frustration and rage as he recounted the events of their last task. "But that fucker Razor," he spat out the profanity with venom, "got out scot-free, and even had the gall to make fun of us!"

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