Chapter 69: Cannot Be Spared
The atmosphere in the room turned grim. It was hard to believe that the very company they had fought for and bled for now branded them ’rogue’. In Japan, such a word ant only one thing—death.
Li checked the windows, scanning the distance through his binoculars."Caps... we’ve got a company. It’s code onion. There’s a whole group of n out there, all geared up—sa as Riku’s last op. They’re just standing there, waiting. And leading them... it’s Chief Takeshi himself. And he’s not alone—there’s soone with him. Arican, maybe? Looks like another rcenary unit has joined them and..."
His voice cut off. His body stiffened. He couldn’t bring himself to finish.
Anton’s face hardened as realization hit. "Holy mother of God... those SUVs..."
Richard yanked the binoculars from Li, muttering, "The fuck are you talking ab—" He froze, his breath catching. Then the words tore out of him. "That fucking son of a bitch. It was Kieta. The damned rat staged it all!"
Ayane staggered back as if being slapped. She had trusted Kieta like a younger brother. Her lips trembled, but no words ca. Disbelief crashed over her like a wave.
Riku frowned. "Fuck. Why him?"
Li slumped into a chair, despair washing over his face. "Shit... I should’ve seen it coming. With his obsession, that lunatic was bound to pull sothing like this."
Riku pressed, "You an you know why?"
Li cut him off with frustration raw in his tone. "Because of you. Because you actually won her. Dammit."
The words hung in the air like poison. Silence pressed in. Ayane’s tears finally broke through her stoic mask. Even Riku clenched his fists, hating that he was being singled out but unable to deny the truth.
Richard broke the silence, his voice steady but low. "It’s all right, bro. None of us bla you. His betrayal? That’s on him, not you."
Riku exhaled and nodded. His eyes flicked to Ayane. She looked lost. Quietly, he laid a hand on her shoulder, letting her lean against him for support.
Li straightened, forcing calm into his voice. "I’m sorry for the crash-out. But listen... they’re well prepared. Not firearms this ti. Tactical shields. Machetes. Advanced helts. Every counterasure we’ve set up—poison gas, mines, kerosene, escape routes—they know it all. Because of that rat, Kieta." He struck the table with his thumb as he laid out the bleak reality.
The celebratory mood had bled dry, replaced by chill resolve. The shadow of life and death lood heavy over them. But beneath it, another fire stirred in every heart—rage.
Ayane’s team had worked together for four years. Despite their differences and occasional doubts in each other’s opinions, ti had forged those rough edges into understanding and respect.
Their bond had been tested repeatedly through chaos, fire, and thunder. Yet each ti, they triumphed. Each mission not only brought them closer to their goals and earned them money, but also built a sense of camaraderie that felt like family.
And now, that bond was shattered by soone they once called their own. Soone they had trusted to watch their backs and to lean on in tis of need.
Thump
A dagger was slamd onto the table. It was Anton, bursting out in anger. He wasn’t the type to accept things so easily.
"Captain. I no care if I die or run. I want... this dagger in Kieta chest. Traitor must die."
Richard nodded. "Yes, boss. With you leading, we got this."
Ayane snapped out of her shock. She wiped her tears and looked around at everyone’s faces.
Riku was the only one who remained calm, as if quietly accepting whatever she had planned. The others, however, were clearly out for blood.
Her pained expression hardened as she made her decision. Reaching out, she took the dagger herself. "Then he won’t be spared," she said coldly.
Before their unity could settle, a loudspeaker crackled. Kieta’s voice filled the room."Captain—it’s . I know you hate . But Riku fooled you. Surrender, hand him over... we can settle this peacefully. Please."
Li shot to his feet, rage boiling. "That deceiving bastard! Still trying to worm his way into Cap’s head!"
Richard shoved open a window for a clearer view, his jaw tight. "What a fucking fox. He wants us to be Company slaves forever."
Then another announcent ca. It was from Takeshi."Listen, Ayane. As your ntor, I’ll give you ten minutes. Don’t even think about running. If we co in... there will be only blood."
Ayane’s face hardened at Takeshi’s words. She knew this man—her master. Everything she had learned ca from him. The odds were stacked against them, but surrender was not an option.
Hope sparked suddenly. Li, excitent creeping into his tone, pointed at Anton and Richard. "Wait—you two. Where the hell is the yacht? Yes... that can be our escape ticket."
The n blinked. Then it hit them as their mory turned into realization.
Anton scratched his chin and nodded. "Hmm... possible, bratan."
Both Riku and Ayane looked confused. Ayane raised an eyebrow."Can soone please tell
what’s going on?"
Richard sighed, half-exasperated. "All right, boss. Don’t get mad. We were actually planning to surprise you on your wedding night—with a yacht. Rented one. It’s parked on the neighbor’s deck."
Anton smirked through his accent. "Best part? Kieta don’t even know. We rented after he left."
Ayane took it all in and reached a conclusion. "So you’re saying we make a scene, trap them, and escape from the rooftop using the grappling gun?"
"Sounds like a good plan," Li exclaid.
But Riku raised a hand, practical as ever. "Agreed. But we still need soone to sneak past them, get the yacht ready, and bring it close. Who’s going?"
The room fell silent. One by one, all eyes turned to Richard.
He froze, swallowing hard. "Fuck... why
always?"
Outside the villa, after 8 minutes..
David looked impatient as he tapped his foot and checked his watch."Damn... why give them ten minutes when five could’ve done the job?" he muttered.
He glanced at Takeshi, who was still scanning the villa and its surroundings with binoculars, completely ignoring him. That lack of response grated on David. He raised his voice to needle the man into speaking. "Don’t forget, we need at least a head and the copied source code. Company won’t pay for sob stories."
Takeshi finally looked at him, his tone calm but cutting."We will abide by our deal. And we expect you to keep yours."
The jab shut David up. He hated the reminder, but money was the only thing that mattered here. Every extra bullet fired, every minute wasted—it was all profit slipping away. He hmphed, kicking at the dirt, but spat out one more retort anyway."Two minutes. No more."
Takeshi returned to his cool watch, unmoved. He had his units positioned on the front and back exits, confident the mined lawn was enough to kill any suicidal attempt. If Ayane’s team tried that path, it would be their own grave.
Deep down, he still hoped she’d surrender, as rcy was the last gift he could give her as her forr master.
Just as the tir ran down, the villa door opened. Out ca a short, broad-shouldered Arican with his hands cuffed high. Richard.
Kieta frowned imdiately. Sothing wasn’t right.
He whispered sharply to Takeshi in Japanese."Chief, don’t trust him. He’s Ayane’s most loyal dog—he’d burn himself alive if she ordered it. This must be a trick."
Takeshi gave a slight nod, acknowledging the warning.
David chuckled when he saw Richard."Damn, Takeshi. You recruiting all nationalities now? Planning to replace us in the global rankings?"
Kieta puffed himself up, trying to impress Takeshi. He had already noticed his distaste in conversing with the arican."We take pride in skill, Sir Anderson. If you ever change your mind, we would also welco your approach."
Takeshi chuckled, but David barked out a harsh laugh."Like you bastards could afford . Besides, I don’t like kennels where the dogs forget who holds the leash."
Kieta’s face darkened, but before he could answer, Richard was shoved forward. Kieta redirected his fury onto him, sneering."You Arican dog, think you’re too smart?" He kicked Richard hard in the stomach. "Why did you co instead of captain? What’s going on inside?"
Richard staggered but tried to spit at him. Kieta dodged and drove a fist into his gut, sending him rolling across the dirt. Then he laid into him, boots slamming against his ribs."I fucking hate you, dwarf! Always taking sides with that traitor. Bet it was your idea to cheat the company. Fucking Aricans... best place for you is under soone’s boots!"
Richard groaned, curling under the blows, but no one moved to stop it until Takeshi’s steady voice cut through."Halt. We need him able to answer."
Kieta stopped reluctantly, straightening his shirt and fixing his glasses. At least he’d had his chance to grind down an Arican after Anderson’s mockery.
He shot David a look, but David only smirked, unbothered.
Personally, David didn’t give two shits about Kieta or Richard. Their cause, insults, pride—none of it mattered. Deep down he knew they were no less than primates who could be crushed whenever he wanted. His only concern was the timing that he needed to pass.
Richard was dragged up, face swollen, lips bleeding. Surrounded by guards, one pressing a machete to his neck, he still grinned through the blood."Long ti no see, Chief. I ca to present captain’s terms."
Takeshi raised an eyebrow, then smiled faintly at the absurdity."You think you’re in any condition to negotiate?"
Richard licked blood from his lip and spoke."Yes, because we are half the prize. Won’t it be a sha if we decide to bury the rest with us?"
Kieta snarled and lifted his hand to slap him."You fucking little—"
"Enough." Takeshi’s hand stopped him cold. "Tell
her terms."
Richard added with a chuckle, "She’s willing to surrender, but wants assurances for her safety and the team’s. We’ve even captured Riku—he’ll die on your command. But for trust, she wants Kieta himself as your representative, guarded by at max ten n. I’m here as a hostage, a sign of good faith."
Kieta’s face paled instantly. He bowed low to Takeshi, panicked."Chief, don’t believe him. It’s a trap! They’ll kill
the mont I step in there!"
Takeshi, however, didn’t sense any foul play as he considered the words he’d heard. By the details, Riku was the mastermind—so if Riku alone died, things could be much better. Ayane didn’t have many options.
Also they were the ones who had set the terms earlier, so it was only fair for her to be cautious. Given her personality, it was beneath her expectations to act otherwise.
He said, looking at Kieta, "You think they’d dare attack you in the presence of ten of my best guards?"
David laughed, a note of scorn rising in the air. "So work culture you’ve got. Captain willing to throw one of his own into the fire just to save a bunch of misfits. Cute." He leaned toward Kieta, smirking. "I hope you don’t chicken out, pal. Looks like your captain’s got bigger balls than you."
Kieta swallowed his rage, fixing his glasses before bowing again."I shall follow Chief’s order."
Takeshi gave him an approving look and ordered two teams of five n each to escort him.
One of the guards pointed at Richard."What about him, Chief?"
Takeshi glanced at the beaten Arican whose hands were cuffed. Hurting him further might break the fragile trust. And he knew Ayane’s eyes were on them even now."Put him at the corner. Keep him under watch."
The guards dragged Richard aside.
Despite the blood on his face, Richard grinned wider. In his head, everything was moving exactly as they’d planned.
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