Hidden Dead Ends

Chapter 34

Clang!

Song Ran deflected the silver-black curved blade of the man in the white gauze with one arm, sparks flying off as it made contact.

His left arm had long been replaced with a metal prosthetic, made from high-grade alloy. From the collision with the curved blade, only a thin scratch appeared.

Amid the coconut grove.

The man in the white gauze wielded a blade in one hand and a gun in the other, moving like a spinning top, constantly twisting left and right.

Sometimes slashing, sometimes shooting.

At close range, he didn’t aim for Song Ran’s vital points but targeted the edges of his limbs, focusing on inflicting injuries.

This strange combination of combat and gunfire techniques made defending incredibly difficult for Song Ran.

Who would have thought that just minutes ago, he was overpowering his opponent?

But ever since the man in the white gauze began using this combination of knife and gun combat, Song Ran found himself caught off guard, repeatedly shot in the feet and calves, limiting his mobility and putting him at a disadvantage.

In the forest, the tall, straight coconut trees cast deepening shadows as the sunlight faded.

Song Ran stepped back, his foot landing on a patch of hard soil, throwing off his balance. His expression changed as he raised his gun to fire, trying to push back his opponent.

Bang.

A gunshot, but not one, two shots rang out.

The man in the white gauze was just a fraction quicker in firing.

Two bullets flew out in quick succession, forcing Song Ran’s gun barrel to shift and miss, sending his shot into the empty space to the right.

This unique combat style made Song Ran’s pupils shrink as he recalled an obscure combat technique that had gained popularity over a decade ago.

“Riga Combat Technique!?” He retreated rapidly, flipping backward with agility like an ape, landing behind a coconut tree.

Just as he stabilized himself—

Bang! The tree trunk he was hiding behind splintered as three consecutive shots hit the same spot, piercing the tree and nearly hitting his forehead.

Song Ran returned fire with two shots, both dodged by his opponent.

He was stronger and better at close combat, but his marksmanship was only average.

‘What do I do!?’ Anxiety surged within him. The longer he was held here, the more likely trouble would arise at the construction site in the distance.

He had to break this stalemate!

A moment’s distraction cost him, pain flaring in his shoulder as he was shot again.

Even through his bulletproof vest, he felt his shoulder swell and fill with blood rapidly.

Alarmed, he protected his head with one arm and somersaulted out from behind the tree, firing in mid-air to suppress his opponent.

Bang! Bang!

After landing, he lunged forward, rolling and leaping again.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three shots hit the center of his chest, scattering sparks on the steel plate inside his bulletproof vest.

But the shooting didn’t stop him from closing in.@@@@

Taking advantage of the moment when his opponent changed magazines, Song Ran sprang up, his knee bent and ready to strike.

The man in the white gauze dodged with a swift sideways roll, reloaded, and fired three more shots in quick succession.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The bullets hit Song Ran’s left arm, blocked by the alloy limb.

The man in the white gauze retreated quickly, creating distance. With his other hand, he pulled out a larger caliber silver gun from his back.

Raised it.

Aimed.

Suddenly, a purple shadow flashed.

Bang!

A large purple hand grabbed the man’s wrist, yanking it upward.

The gunshot echoed, the bullet flying harmlessly into the sky.

The man in the white gauze widened his eyes, thrusting the knife in his other hand forward.

Clang.

The blade slid across Li Chengyi’s flower-scale armor, leaving only a thin scratch.

“A cyborg!?” The man’s expression twisted in rage, lunging forward to strike Li Chengyi’s abdomen with his knee, only to be met with searing pain.

His expression didn’t falter as his arm detached at the wrist, shooting upwards.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Automatic gunfire sent a barrage of bullets accurately hitting Li Chengyi’s chest, head, shoulders, and limbs.

But it was useless.

Sparks flew as the purple-black figure flickered.

Boom!!!

The old man, gun and all, was slammed into the floor-to-ceiling window behind him.

Glass shattered, raining shards everywhere.

He struggled, eyes filled with despair, before being thrown out the window, falling nine stories to the ground.

Thud.

A muffled sound echoed.

Li Chengyi glanced out the window, seeing the old man’s body twisted, lying face-up on the grass, blood seeping from the back of his head like tomato paste.

Only then did he turn and leave the hallway, disappearing from sight.

The blonde woman beside the scene only regained her senses then, her face pale as she let out a terrified scream.

* * *

At the construction site.

Song Ran spat on the ground, squatting down to inspect one of the fallen little yellow-hatted workers.

Four bodies lay side by side, moved by him to the same spot.

“Sorry.” Song Ran sighed, knowing these were just ordinary people.

They had come here for simple work, not expecting to lose their lives.

Standing up, he took out his phone and dialed a number.

“How’s the situation?” Sindra’s voice, slightly tired, came through from the other side.

“Several are dead, the enemy had many people, locals. We couldn’t hold out. Among them was at least one expert at a high level of Riga Combat Technique; I was held up for a while,” Song Ran responded gravely.

Sindra was silent for a moment.

“Compensation will be tripled... I didn’t anticipate this much resistance.”

“After all, the company’s headquarters isn’t here. This is Yiguo, even the strongest force has limits against local power.” Song Ran said.

"...If only your equipment were allowed through customs..." Sindra didn’t finish her thought, sighing. "What about Li Chengyi and Ding Chongyi?"

"Ding Chongyi retreated early. Li Chengyi... should be hiding," Song Ran said, unsure.

He had just checked the construction site and found no one. He even went to the entrance of the hole, which now had its cover removed, leaving only an untied automatic rope behind. There was no one there either.

So he guessed Li Chengyi must have hidden himself.

"He's a smart guy; he wouldn't do anything reckless. He must be in hiding," Sindra said.

"If he dies, we’ll have to shift our focus elsewhere," Song Ran said in a deep voice.

The company’s capabilities were severely limited in Yiguo. Many had died in past investigations due to lack of preparation and various constraints. This helpless feeling was much worse than when operating on their home turf in White Star.

"Ash Real Estate, right? I’ll send someone over later, but too many eyes are on me. I can’t act openly," Sindra said.

"So we just wait for them to make the next move?" Song Ran asked.

"No problem. If we can’t act, we’ll find someone who can," Sindra said.

After ending the call, Song Ran sighed, glancing at his feet where bullet holes revealed a glimmer of silver.

Both of his legs were modified with mechanical parts, with only half remaining flesh and blood. After being injured, hidden syringes in the metal structure would automatically inject coagulating gel and antibiotics to prevent infection.

The metal framework would then take on more of the load, allowing him to walk more easily.

This was why he could still move so freely.

"Brother Song?" Just as he was about to look for a functioning AR device to contact Li Chengyi, a familiar voice called from behind.

Song Ran quickly turned to see a figure slowly emerging from the forest.

It was Li Chengyi.

He was unharmed, though his face was pale, and sweat covered his brow and temples, looking exhausted.

"You’re okay!?" Song Ran’s heart eased as he quickly walked over.

"I heard Expert Ding’s warning and climbed out to hide. I only came out when everything was over," Li Chengyi wiped the sweat from his forehead and spoke softly.

"Good. The others have already been moved. Did you find anything?" Song Ran asked quickly.

"I did."

"Great, then let’s get out of here and return to Suiyang!" Song Ran said decisively.