Chapter 61
Stellar was startled by the room's soft, delicate interior. He instantly turned to Nash, who already wore a black outfit and a white mask bearing a disconcerting smile. A chilling wave washed over Stellar. Despite his wartime experiences and countless brushes with death, a shiver ran down his spine. The Smiling Grim Reaper lived up to his terrifying reputation.
"Let's go," Nash said, pulling up his hood and appearing before Stellar in an instant. Startled again, Stellar led Nash outside to the waiting black Cullinan. The driver sped away as soon as they entered.
"The Blood Fiends sent eight men to the birthday banquet. You must protect the Warden!" Stellar warned.
"This isn't my first time," Nash replied coldly, his voice deepened by the mask's voice changer, imbued with a chilling mystery.
"Kid, you're the first to speak to me like that," Stellar murmured, but fell silent under Nash's over-the-shoulder glance. Stellar knew Nash's identity: the White Grim Reaper—first on the Dark Web Killer List, ninth on the Blood List, seventy-two missions, all successful, targeting only red-listed murderers. Facing this honorable Grim Reaper felt like facing the Warden himself.
An hour later, at the heavily guarded Jonford Private Estate, sentries stood three and five paces apart, armored vehicles patrolled, drones hovered, and snipers lurked. The security was impenetrable.
At the entrance, Zakariah (Head of the Martial Arts Association), Henderson Zink (Chief of the Jonford Inspection Office), and Grant Zell (Jonford family) stood together.
"Is the Smiling Grim Reaper really that terrifying?" Grant asked incredulously, after Zakariah's introduction. Henderson also drew a sharp breath.
Zakariah chuckled wryly. "His strength is roughly equivalent to a level nine grandmaster—a level unmatched in Jonford."
Henderson gasped. "How strong is a level nine grandmaster?"
Zakariah stroked his beard. "Balanced, invulnerable, capable of single-handedly defeating an enemy general amidst a thousand troops." Henderson inhaled sharply again. Zakariah's honesty and aversion to boasting made his assessment all the more credible.
As they spoke, a Cullinan approached. Stellar exited, his mask sending another shiver through the three powerful men.
"Let's go inside," Stellar said softly.