Chapter 599: Turn the Tide
"I always thought Oscar wasn't so simple, not an ordinary person," Tan said, his voice devoid of emotion. "I overestimated him. Sorry, Hannah." He pressed the trigger, as usual. Goodbye.
He'd chosen the simplest method this time, to avoid showing Hannah a bloody scene. He only wanted to know who Oscar truly was; there was no need for Hannah to witness further brutality. But the result was unsatisfactory.
Tan hesitated for a second before pulling the trigger again. He still harbored feelings for Hannah; few missions had stretched on this long. Yet, he was a Man of Sacrifice, incapable of sentiment. He had to accept every mission coldly, ruthlessly, killing without compunction.
The instant the trigger was pulled, a figure materialized before him with lightning speed. Before Tan could react, the figure grabbed his arm, redirecting the gun's muzzle skyward. A bullet fired; the sound was deafening.
Hannah, prepared to die, felt a familiar presence shielding her. Simultaneously, Tan kicked at Oscar. Oscar caught the blow effortlessly, unfazed.
Before Tan could speak, Theodore covered his mouth, silencing him. Tan's eyes blazed with fury. Theodore used his other hand to retrieve an interceptor from behind Tan's ear—a device half-implanted, nearly undetectable, worn by every Man of Sacrifice. Tan was clearly being monitored.
Theodore removed, crushed, and then tossed the interceptor into the sea. Tan's mouth was released, but he remained silent, his mission a failure. Oscar was not simple; he had been playing them all along, even knowing about the interceptor.
Theodore disarmed Tan, throwing the pistol into the sea to eliminate evidence. Oscar released Tan, as did Theodore.
"Jimmy!" Oscar called.
Jimmy started forward, then halted. Tan had thoroughly angered him. Jimmy clearly wanted retribution.
"Let me," Oscar commanded.
Jimmy, Theodore, and Hannah stepped back. "Be careful of the blood," Theodore warned Hannah, bringing her back to reality.
She stared at Oscar, incredulous. Minutes ago, he'd been dying on the ground. How was this possible? She gritted her teeth, watching alongside Theodore.
Oscar and Tan glared at each other. Tan watched him vigilantly. "So, you're not an ordinary person."
"No," Oscar replied, his aura powerful despite the blood staining his face.
"Who are you? Secret guard...?"
"Descendant of the royal Wells family."
Fear flickered in Tan's eyes, a fleeting emotion he couldn't entirely conceal.
"I've fought your people several times," Oscar said slowly, shifting his weight. "But I showed mercy. This time, you'll see what a king is!"
Oscar's punch was blocked, but Tan stumbled back. Had Oscar used this strength against Jimmy? Yet, Jimmy appeared unharmed; his injuries must have been feigned.
Tan narrowly avoided another attack, only to be kicked to the ground. He was helpless against Oscar's power. At this rate, he’d be defeated within ten blows.
He wondered if Jimmy had been prepped, trained to anticipate Oscar's moves. Even then, Jimmy had taken several hits during their fight.
"Magnificent!" Theodore exclaimed, elated. Oscar could defeat more than ten men like him; one was nothing. The brutal display invigorated him.
Hannah watched, gritting her teeth, forcing herself to bear witness. She'd promised to accept everything about Oscar, even this horrifying scene.
Tan was now a bloody mess, lying on the ground. Oscar pressed his foot onto Tan's head; he had no strength left to resist. Oscar extended his hand.
Theodore quickly produced a black pistol. Hannah watched, shocked, as Oscar pointed it at Tan's heart.
"If you kill me, they'll doubt your identity," Tan pleaded, fighting for his life.
Oscar laughed, a chilling sound. "If I don't kill you, my identity is completely exposed! But if I do, suspicion might be averted. Besides, you said aristocratic families crave talent. If they can't find evidence, they'll need a gunman—and I am their perfect candidate!"
Tan hadn't realized Oscar knew the true purpose of the aristocratic families who intended to use him.