The woods were serene and quiet, save for the momentary disruption when two birds flapped their wings and left their nest.

Hattori Mei frantically climbed over a fallen log, only to be tripped over by the vine that grew around its base. She fell with a heavy thud. Pushing her palms against the vegetated forest ground, her arms started to shake and gave out. Hattori Mei was just too tired to go on. There was no strength left in her. Her lungs burnt and the sharp pain within the organ was horrid. Everything felt awful.

She willed herself and took in a few more breaths. It was only after a while that Hattori Mei managed to bring herself up. She continued to try and run despite the pain and suffering as the Grim Reaper was tailing her close behind. She tried to run two steps but failed to do so. Hattori Mei could only walk at this point.

“I knew Xia Lei would pull an ambush on our way over to Area 51. I can’t believe those dumbasses thought that this was a good chance to seize Alloy X’s secret. Warriors sure are warriors. All brawn and no brain. You all deserve to die. This is all your fault that I’m stuck in this predicament! Fuck you!” Hattori Mei hissed and cursed to no one. The resentment in her heart was overflowing. She hated everyone, including those who were already dead.

Humans tend to find it easier to forgive themselves.

Hattori Mei would’ve continued to hide in the safety of the V Science Corp branch office if it weren’t for the Japanese samurai’s constant pressure. If they had stayed silent, this whole ordeal wouldn’t even have taken place! There was no way Hattori Mei would’ve fallen into Xia Lei’s trap!

A river appeared before her. It was about seven metres in width and the water current looked strong. It only took one look at the water to have Hattori Mei’s eyes sting with unshed tears. The deepest part of the river was about two metres deep. Swimming was an option but the current was dangerous. With her current physical condition, Hattori Mei would’ve drowned to death.

Clouded with despair, Hattori Mei turned her head upstream. It was then that she found a dead tree that laid flat across the river. It was a big red oak tree that could serve as a single-plank bridge!

Hattori Mei was instantly motivated. She dragged her legs along the riverbank, not forgetting to study her surroundings as she moved. The fringing woods behind her were quiet without a single presence or sound. The knowledge allowed her to relax a little. Xia Lei hadn’t caught up yet. Regardless, she was safe for now.

Finally reaching the natural single-plank bridge, Hattori Mei was suddenly reminded of something. She brought out her phone, a glance at the top corner of the screen immediately making her break out into a smile. There was no signal coverage for a while but there was finally one bar here. It was enough for a phone call!

Hattori Mei quickly dialled for a number.

Roar! Abruptly, a loud beast roar was heard.

Urgently halting her dialling, Hattori Mei snapped her head up, finally spotting a pair of bears on the other end of the single-plank bridge. It was a female and male couple. The male bear looked no less than four hundred kilograms and the female bear looked about three hundred and fifty kilograms. They were so big that it was menacing.

This was the worst. Hattori Mei felt as if the world was out to get her. The shred of hope that she finally felt moments ago was immediately shattered without mercy.

If this was a game show, it was about time for a commercial break from all the action.

Unfortunately for her, that was not the case. As soon as the pair of bears noticed Hattori Mei, the male bear abruptly climbed onto the fallen tree and started to dash towards her. The female bear followed him closely behind. Both of them were fast! Bears were beasts who could climb trees, which contributed greatly to their great speed on the single-plank bridge. It only took a while until the bears were at the middle of the tree trunk.

This was not the time to call for help. Hattori Mei’s adrenaline spiked. She frantically brought up the pistol strapped to her waist and began to fire at the male bear in front.

Bang! Bang!

Hattori Mei fired two bullets, both hitting the male bear’s body directly. However, the beast was blessed with an amazing layer of fat and skin structures that protected its vital organs. Not only did the male bear not succumb to firepower, but it also seemed to be more agitated than before. It roared and picked up its speed. Its sprinting form looked like an incoming military tank!

Bang bang bang!

Hattori Mei panicked, quickly firing off a few more shots in succession. Bullets travelled out of the muzzle and hit the frontmost bear without a missed shot. Two of them were lodged into the male bear’s skull lethally.

Under the influence of inertia, the male bear swooped down onto the surface of the bridge and continued to move forward to Hattori Mei. Due to extreme shock, Hattori Mei backed away and tripped on a stone. Her body lost balance and she fell onto her back.

The female bear abruptly quickened her crawl.

Hattori Mei pressed on the trigger. Clack. Shit, she was out of ammo!

The female bear snarled and waved her claws, slapping Hattori Mei’s pistol out of her grip in the process. The bear opened her wide jaw and darted forward for Hattori Mei’s vulnerable skull.

This was it. Hattori Mei closed her eyes in despair.

However, as she continued to wait for death, the female bear’s teeth did not come in contact with the sides of her neck. She waited… and waited… She finally blinked her eyes open after a second, catching sight of the female bear falling forward onto her in the nick of time. There was a sabre without a hilt lodged into the centre of its forehead!

She was saved but Hattori Mei felt no joy. She was fully aware of who she was about to face. Compared to facing a certain someone, the woman would rather end up in the black bear’s stomach!

The weight of the female bear crashed onto her frame, immediately rendering her motionless. The only part Hattori Mei could move now was her head. She could hear footsteps and a slight turn of her head had confirmed her thoughts of doom. In that very moment, her persistence, her faith and everything else went into shambles.

Xia Lei was here. It was he who saved Hattori Mei from becoming a bear’s meal.

“Do you know why I saved you?” Xia Lei walked over and stood in Hattori Mei’s sight.

The woman couldn’t speak. The crushing weight of the bear was too much for her to handle. She started to wheeze from the lack of air. Other than that, it was mostly out of her fear of Xia Lei.

“I saved you because I made a promise to myself to kill you personally,” said Xia Lei as he rolled the female bear off Hattori Mei’s body with a light kick.

The extremely heavy bear was instantly removed from Hattori Mei’s body.

Hattori Mei abruptly flipped over and clawed for her pistol.

Xia Lei did not stop her, opting to watch her struggle in silence.

Hattori Mei picked the weapon up and raised her arm. She pressed on the trigger.

Clack.

Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack…

Out of desperation, she continued to press on the trigger, praying frantically for a miracle to happen. She was out of bullets. Her senses were completely overridden by her strong survival instincts. In all honesty, she could barely think even if she wanted to. Her mind was a complete blank due to the earlier shock. The only thing she could think about was fear.

Hattori Mei threw the gun at Xia Lei.

Xia Lei moved over and seized Hattori Mei’s wrist in a swoop. He twisted it forcefully.

“Ah!” Hattori Mei’s shrill scream rang out as she lost grip of her pistol.

Xia Lei regarded her coldly, “You’re still thinking of killing me in this state? You’re the most incompetent opponent I have ever encountered.”

“Let me go! Let me go!” Hattori Mei kicked at his calf desperately. Xia Lei did not move away. The woman actually felt like she was kicking a stone.

It took only one push from his palm for Hattori Mei to double over onto the ground.

Laying on the rocky shores along the riverbank, Hattori Mei could no longer feel the dull pain the rocks inflicted on her ass and back. Tears were shed and she pleaded pitifully, “I’m so so sorry. Xia Lei… I’ve wronged you and I acknowledge that. Please… Please give me a chance to redeem myself. I can promise you that I’ll never try to bring harm to you again. I can even play double agent for you. Don’t you wish to surpass Lockheed Martin? I know the company like the back of my hand and I can certainly get you any information you wish. And Japan. Yeah! Japan! I work for HyperTech and I can even provide you intel on Japan. How’s that? Please don’t kill me, please?”

Xia Lei was ultimately unfazed. Hattori Mei’s proposal was enticing but he was not the least bit attracted. He was aware that a vicious woman like Hattori Mei would never be loyal to him. Xia Lei was certain that Hattori Mei would never pull anything again for as long as he was alive. However, as soon as his two years were up, the first thing Hattori Mei would do is attack his wives and children!

That solidified his murderous intent. Though pumped with fury, Xia Lei was still smiling on the outside. “That sounds good. You’re a valuable asset. I mean, after all, we’ve slept together once upon a time. We’ve got history and I’m not a man who pretends to not know you after sex.”

“Really?” Hattori Mei was shocked. Never did she expect to convince Xia Lei so easily. It was so easy that the woman found it difficult to believe.

Xia Lei affirmed, “Yeah, for real. But you need to show me your sincerity. Answer me this. Where is Yan Fo and Augustan?”

“They’re in the Caesar Palace Hotel in Las Vegas. They’ve set up a trap around the area. It’s not wise to go there now.” The tension in her muscles began to ease up. “I was initially thinking of turning them into my bait but those two bastards were too smart. The FA Organization has its own operation. As soon as you show up, their entire base would come out and kill you. At this moment, they’re most probably in the east.”

“Do you know who is the current leader of the FA Organization?”

Hattori Mei shook her head. “I sincerely have no idea. Your father was a part of the FA. If he doesn’t know, how am I supposed to know?”

Xia Lei uttered, “Okay, I believe you.”

Hattori Mei immediately followed up. “Please let my mother go. I’ll work for you. Please spare my mother. I know that you were the one who hired the assassin. As long as you’re willing to give him a call, I’m sure he’ll free my mother.”

Xia Lei continued to stare at her. “What can you offer me?”

Hattori Mei was stunned, finally standing up from the ground. “My body. I’m a woman blessed with a beautiful body.”

“That’s not what I’m looking for. What I desire is intel on the firearms dealer alliance led by Lockheed Martin. I’m giving you one minute to sort things out then hand me the information. I’ll call the assassin and have him spare your mother right now.” Xia Lei dug his phone out and dialled. He paced over to the edge of the bank as he spoke into the device. “Mechanic, let Hattori Wendy go immediately. You’ll still be paid with the promised amount. Yeah, alright. It’s a pleasure working with you.”

Unbeknownst to Hattori Mei, Xia Lei’s phone was not even on.

Xia Lei was not the least bit surprised. While he pretended to be on the phone, he was studying Hattori Mei’s subtle shifts from the corner of his eye. Her intentions were obvious. Hattori Mei was giving her all to survive this ordeal while Xia Lei, on the other hand, planned to exploit her one last time before sending her to the underworld.

Among the components of a human’s moral compass, the proportion of darkness had taken up more than half of the proportions.