Chương 75: QUIET ALLEY (1)

"Chase that little shit… NOW," the masked kidnapper shouted, his voice exuding rage as blood seeped through his mask. The one in the driver's seat didn't hesitate. He started the engine and gripped the wheel tightly. But just then, a dagger suddenly shot out from beneath the van. Flying toward Jimin, followed by a faint hissing sound.

"Huh…" the driver murmured, confused for a split second. Nonetheless, he stepped on the accelerator. The engine roared. But instead of smoothly launching forward, the van began jerking and vibrating violently.

"What the hell," he murmured, as he tried to stabilize it. But the van lost balance. It tilted and swerved slightly sideways. An unstable flapping sound echoed. Jimin caught the returning dagger mid-air. A faint grin spread across his face. Good luck chasing me.

"Shit. He punctured our tires!" the driver shouted, as he slammed the brakes. The van skidded a few meters before slowing down abruptly.

"Oh, fuck it," the masked man sneered in rage, as he stepped out. He landed on the road and immediately locked onto Jimin's direction. You are so dead. As Jimin turned his head to check, he noticed that the kidnapper had started chasing behind him. His expression tightened. Shit… Who are these people? I don't think I directly messed with someone… Or are they just regular criminals? Jimin turned right sharply, stepping up his pace. Then instantly equipped his cloak, increasing his speed further.

I can't go to the orphanage right now… Or call for any civilian. They will be in danger. I can't involve them. His gaze sharpened. I can't even call the police. Or I will come under the radar of both the police and these criminals. He clenched his teeth. I must lure them somewhere secluded. But then- The faint sound of the quick footsteps that chased him, was slowly getting louder. As he turned his head, he discovered that the distance between them was slowly shrinking. Damnit. This guy is fast.

I can't outrun this guy for long. Stealth is also useless under these direct street lights… I have no choice but to fight. He ran with his full might.

Meanwhile, inside the van- The driver was fiddling with a laptop.

"What is this messy situation?" he muttered. I clearly sensed that the guy was a low-level E-Rank. How did he escape? He sighed. Doesn't matter… That muscle-head is a Rankl E-17 warrior. He can handle that bastard... But I need to handle this situation first. With that he pressed a key on his laptop.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Back at the local CCTV Control Center's surveillance room- Multiple footages started glitching all at once. But this time, the middle-aged operator finally noticed.

"Huh?" His lazy expression disappeared instantly. The idol music stopped. He quickly removed one of his earbuds. His eyes scanned the screens rapidly. Then, he immediately grabbed the microphone.

"Hello…"

Back at the van- The driver was storing stuff from the van into his storage ring. We don't have much time… This van is busted. I need to sweep this car clean first. His movements didn't slow. I have to join him as fast as I can… Good thing, the target's still within my tracking range. He opened the glove box, revealing a handgun. Just in case…

Meanwhile- Jimin had been running, constantly shifting directions, luring him to a familiar place. But the kidnapper had already closed in, silently tailing behind him by just a few meters. Damnit. I was planning to lure him to the factory. But I might get caught before that. His expression sharpened. There's no other choice. He suddenly entered a nearby alley. The kidnapper followed behind. But as he turned a corner, there was nothing but a dead-end.

Jimin finally halted just a few steps from the end wall and slowly turned around. The masked kidnapper stopped as well. Both of their breathing was slightly heavier now. Suddenly- The man started laughing, as he took out a talisman from his storage ring.

"You run quite fast. An assasin type… huh? But how did escape the artifact?" Then, he placed a talisman on the ground. And as soon as he did, the talisman started glowing and a wave of mana spread instantly, covering the area with a thin, intangible and invisible barrier of mana.

"Whatever… You should've called for help when you had the chance," the man said, his voice dripping with amusement.

"Not that it would save you. But you can scream all you want now. Nobody's hearing anything." Jimin's gaze sharpened. Is it a Soundproof Barrier?

"You've got nowhere to run. You're stuck here with me," said the man. But Jimin didn't show any expression. We will see who's stuck with who, dipshit.

"You broke my nose, you cunt," the man shouted with extreme spite, as he slammed the wall beside him. The concrete wall cracked instantly. Dust fell in small chunks. The man stood there breathing heavily, clenching his fists tightly. Jimin's eyes narrowed as he observed him carefully. This bastard… Has the build of a warrior. Though I couldn't put full power into my punch, it only broke his nose. Yet, he's not only strong but also fast enough to chase me without any gear. His expression tightened. Damnit…

A high-level warrior. The realization settled heavier in his mind. No wonder I couldn't shake him off. The man suddenly laughed through his rage.

"But you are an idiot," he said.

"I might've broken a few bones and taken you with us for just that. But you just had to mess up our van." He tilted his head slightly.

"Now, we have no way to take you. And no choice but to remove the evidence… and the witness." Huh… Does it mean they don't actually need me? But Jimin's eyes sharpened slightly. But are these people really just regular criminals? I should try pushing him a bit more?

"Don't think you'll be safe," Jimin said calmly.

"There are surveillance cameras in this area. You'll be caught soon." The man was startled by that statement at first. But then, He suddenly burst into laughter.

"Caught?" he repeated.

"You think we are amateurs? Nobody's seen nothing… And nobody will know anything." But Jimin was kind of glad to hear that. That means I don't need to worry too.

"Enough," the man muttered, as he immediately charged at Jimin bare-handed. But Jimin was already prepared. The difference in stats should still be big. I just need to follow my usual strategy. He instantly summoned all three of his daggers, as he charged forward as well. ['Overtime' has been activated] ['Weight Distortion' has been activated] ['Pierce' has been activated] ['Poison' has been activated] The daggers quickly shot forward.

"What-" the man murmured, as it was unexpected for him. He instantly firmed his guard and tensed his muscles. Iron body. A faint silver aura emerged around his whole body. He tried to deflect the daggers with his reinforced hands. But to his utter surprise, the daggers didn't bounce off. Instead, they grazed past the sides of his palms. A sharp sting followed instantly. The wound at one hand had become slightly greenish. The man groaned immediately. HOW? That bastard told me he was low-level.

How are his attacks so strong? And this poison… But he didn't falter. He kept charging forward, blood lust erupting through his eyes. I'm killing this cunt no matter what. Jimin's expression remained focused. A slight grin formed on his face, as he changed the trajectory of the daggers toward the man's back and joints. But suddenly- The man dashed forward, instantly closing the distance, clenching his fist hard. Jimin's eyes widened slightly. He was completely off guard. Shit.

He reacted instantly, immediately forming a telekinetic barrier in front of him. I can't dash. I'll slam into the wall. Then- Iron crusher. A silver aura condensed around the man's fist. Then, the fist shot forward. Though initially slowed by the barrier's resistance, it managed to push through Jimin's defense and landed right into his midsection. BOOM! A heavy, crushing impact. Jimin's eyes widened. A cracking sound could be heard, as the fist caved in Jimin's gut.

And at the same time, the daggers also pierced into the man's joints, though shallow. Jimin flew back and slammed right into the wall, as he immediately coughed up blood. The pain spread throughout his torso and his vision started becoming blurry. Shit…