Basil’s eyes hardened as the barrel steadied in front of him.

“What is the meaning of this Artem?”

His hand moved instinctively toward his waist, toward the familiar weight that had saved him more times than he could count.

A sharp click echoed in the night.

“Naah, no no do not try to be over smart”

Artem’s hand was faster. He ripped Basil’s gun away and tossed it into the darkness behind him. The metal struck a rock and vanished with a dull sound.

Basil turned fully toward him.

Artem stepped back, boots grinding against gravel, both hands locked around the gun now pointed straight at Basil’s chest.

“Did you lose your mind Artem?” Basil said quietly. “What do you think you are doing?”

Artem’s lips curved upward, slow and ugly.

“Come on now old man do not pretend anymore. I know you are not on our side”

Basil took a step forward.

“What bullshit are you talking about? Put that gun down”

“Still pretending,” Artem laughed. “Well who cares now. You are dead anyway”

The forest felt tighter suddenly, as if it was leaning in to watch.

“Artem” Basil warned. “If Elias finds out you will not live”

Artem threw his head back and laughed louder.

Basil’s face remained unreadable, carved from years of loss and restraint.

“Do you think we are fools?” Artem said, lowering his chin, eyes burning. “Do you think Elias does not know about this? He is the one who planned it”

Basil froze.

“What do you mean???”

“We know all about your little dealings with Miles Sterling” Artem continued. “We know you two are plotting something against us. Elias even believes you were involved in his father’s death”

“That is not true,” Basil said sharply.

“True or not it does not matter” Artem replied. “Elias does not like loose ends”

He gestured vaguely toward the forest behind them.

“The tribal people are dead. You will be dead. And the treasure will be divided nicely among us”

Basil exhaled slowly.

“So it is greed huh???”

Artem’s smile widened.

“Do not worry about your men. Once I reach the ruins I will send them to you, then that little brat will be alone with his one man”

He leaned closer, voice dropping to a whisper.

“Goodbye old man”

Basil moved.

In one sudden burst he lunged forward, shoulder slamming into Artem’s chest. The gun went off, the shot tearing through the night and shattering bark from a nearby tree.

They crashed to the ground.

Artem grunted as Basil’s fist connected with his jaw. Basil followed with another blow, knuckles splitting skin. Artem rolled, boots kicking, driving his knee into Basil’s ribs.

Basil gasped but did not stop. He grabbed Artem’s wrist, twisting hard. The gun slipped, skidding across the dirt.

Both men scrambled.

Artem reached it first.

Basil tackled him again, the impact knocking the air from both of them. They rolled through ash and dirt, striking stones, elbows and knees bleeding.

Artem headbutted Basil.

Stars exploded behind Basil’s eyes. He staggered back, breath ragged.

Artem did not hesitate.

The gun came up.

A single shot echoed through the forest.

Basil staggered as the bullet tore into his chest. His body jerked once, then again, before collapsing onto the ground.

Artem stood there breathing hard, watching.

Basil’s eyes stared upward, unblinking.

No breath came.

Artem wiped the blood from his cheek and smirked.

“Rest now old man”

He turned away, disappearing into the forest, leaving Basil Jefferson lying still beneath the dark canopy, the silence slowly swallowing the sound of his fall.

….

Star Harbor morning

Morning in Star Harbor arrived gently, sunlight spilling across the wide roads as traffic moved with its usual rhythm.

Daniel drove carefully, both hands steady on the steering wheel. Hope and Asher sat in the back seat, seatbelts snug against their shoulders. The car felt warm, safe, filled with the soft hum of the engine.

Asher leaned forward, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Daddy I want to drive a car”

Daniel laughed softly, eyes still on the road.

“Aren’t you growing up too soon”

Asher pouted for half a second before grinning.

“Please Daddy”

“Son, you are not old enough,” Daniel said patiently. “I promise I will teach you one day. How about we play a driving video game in the evening?”

Asher’s face lit up like fireworks.

“Really??”

“I promise”

“Yay!!!”

Daniel smiled, then glanced at the rearview mirror. Hope sat quietly, hands folded in her lap, eyes fixed on the passing buildings.

“Hope what’s up with you?” Daniel asked gently. “You were quiet at breakfast too”

Asher turned toward her immediately.

“What happened sister, are you sad??”

Hope hesitated, then her voice came out small.

“Daddy I miss big bro. When is he coming back?”

Daniel’s chest tightened for a brief moment.

“He will come back soon dear. He promised you didn’t he?”

Hope nodded.

“Yes but he didn’t call too”

“Didn’t big sister Mona tell you your brother is busy with important things right now?” Daniel said. “Don’t be sad. He will come back”

Hope leaned back, trying to believe it.

Behind Daniel’s car, another vehicle kept a careful distance. Charles sat inside, eyes sharp, posture alert, every movement of the road reflected in his mirrors. He had followed this route many times before.

The traffic signal ahead turned green.

Daniel’s car moved forward.

Suddenly a vehicle shot out from the side street, cutting across without warning.

Daniel slammed the brakes.

The tires screeched.

Asher instinctively threw his arms forward, shielding Hope.

“We are fine Daddy” Asher said quickly, though his voice shook.

Before Daniel could react further, another car slid in from the opposite side, blocking the road.

Charles cursed under his breath and hit the brakes hard, his vehicle skidding to a stop behind them.

Doors opened.

Masked men poured out, sticks and metal rods in their hands, spreading fast.

Charles opened his door and stepped out.

In one swift motion he struck the nearest man, the impact echoing as the attacker crashed against the car. Another rushed him. Charles ducked, twisted the man’s arm, slammed him into the hood.

More men moved toward Daniel’s car.

Inside, Hope’s hands trembled.

“Daddy….,” she cried.

Daniel turned slightly, forcing calm into his voice.

“Hold on. Close your eyes”

He knew the car was bulletproof. That knowledge did not stop his heart from pounding.

Outside, Charles fought like a man cornered. He dodged a swing, countered with a brutal strike to the ribs, then pivoted as two more closed in. A blow clipped his shoulder. He grunted but stayed on his feet.

He tried to move toward Daniel’s car.

Men blocked his path.

“Get those three out of the car” one of them shouted.

“Don’t you dare” Charles roared.

He raised his gun, finger tightening.

Then everything changed.

A blur dropped from the side alley.

A woman in a mask moved like a shadow given form. She struck the nearest man before he could even turn. Another fell. Then another. Her movements were precise, silent, and devastating.

Charles froze for half a second.

It was her.

The same woman from the footage days ago.

He snapped back into motion, firing low, shots hitting legs, forcing attackers to collapse screaming. The masked woman dismantled the rest with terrifying efficiency.

Sirens wailed in the distance.

Police vehicles and Sterling Security agents arrived fast, lights flooding the street.

The woman vanished into the alley without a sound.

“Are you alright Mr Charles?” an officer asked.

“I am good,” Charles replied. “Get them out of sight. The kids are here”

The police moved quickly, clearing the scene.

Inside the car, Daniel finally breathed.

Charles knocked on the window.

Daniel opened the door cautiously.

“You alright sir?”

“We are good,” Daniel said.

Charles leaned closer to the back seat, softening his tone.

“You can open your eyes, little ones. They were shooting a movie. Don’t worry”

Hope and Asher peeked.

“A movie?” Asher asked.

“A movie” Hope echoed, confused.

“Yes look, they are gone” Daniel said gently.

Hope’s lips trembled. Tears spilled over as fear finally escaped.

She grabbed Asher’s hand tightly.

“I was scared Daddy”

Daniel climbed into the back seat, wrapping both children in his arms.

“It’s alright. I am sorry. I took the wrong way”

Another car stopped abruptly.

Monica stepped out, moving fast.

“Oh my God. You alright uncle”

“We are good,” Daniel replied. “They were just shooting a movie”

Monica understood instantly.

Hope threw herself into Monica’s arms.

“Big sister Mona”

“It’s okay,” Monica whispered, holding her tight. “Your sister is here”

She looked at Asher. He tried to look brave, but fear still lingered in his eyes.

“How about we take a break from school today”

Asher nodded slowly.

Hope clung tighter.

…..

Morning Sylven forest ruins

Morning at the Sylven forest ruins arrived without warmth.

The campfire had long died, leaving only a thin column of smoke that drifted lazily upward, dissolving into the pale mist clinging to the ancient trees. Ashes glowed faintly, as if the ground itself still remembered the violence of the night.

The treasure hunters moved with renewed tension.

Weapons were checked again and again. Magazines clicked into place. Blades were tightened at belts. Radios were tested, then tested once more, even though everyone already knew the signal would be unreliable inside the ruins.

Faces were harder now. Fewer words were spoken.

Half of the monk’s men and Kaelo’s fighters peeled away from the main group, moving outward to take positions along the boundary. They climbed watch points, settled behind fallen stone and roots, eyes fixed on the forest that seemed far too calm for a place that had already claimed so many lives.

Miles stood slightly apart from the rest.

He slid into his tactical vest with quiet efficiency. The fabric fit him like it belonged there. Knives rested naturally along his sides, balanced, familiar. A handgun sat secured at his hip. There was no hesitation in his movements, no nervous energy. Only readiness.

Maddock stood beside him, fully armed, posture straight, eyes sharp.

“You look calm,” Maddock murmured.

Miles adjusted a strap and answered simply.

“I am just excited to see their faces when we reach there.”

Maddock nodded.

Elias stepped forward, boots crunching against gravel and broken leaves. He raised his voice, making sure everyone heard him.

“Everyone listen carefully. We are entering the ruins now. Our goal is simple. We go in, we observe, we secure what we came for, and we come back before sunset.”

His eyes swept across the group, lingering on the tired faces, the fresh scars, the fear no one wanted to admit.

“Men on patrol, you work according to plan. Radios might not work properly inside. If communication is lost and things get bad on the ground, you do one thing.”

He lifted his hand and clenched it into a fist.

“Cause an explosion. That will be our signal.”

A few men swallowed hard. Others nodded grimly.

Elias continued.

“No heroics. No wandering off. You stay with your assigned groups. The forest already took enough from us.”

Silence followed.

Miles glanced toward the ruins.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep