Chapter 12: Rescuing Vanessa

In the Golden Triangle, Edward continued to evade his pursuers, especially the armed helicopters in the sky that relentlessly strafed him with machine gun fire.

It wasn't that Edward didn't want to fight back; he had simply exhausted all his bullets by now. He had intended to rescue Vanessa and leave, but these people were like a pack of rabid dogs, crazily chasing after him.

He had already killed nearly three to four thousand grunts, yet it didn't instill fear in them. Heck, it seemed like, his killing had stoked their madness. Now Edward was completely out of ammunition, left with only a Ming Blade, but even this specially crafted blade was showing signs of wear.

"Stop, you have nowhere left to run, do you?" Suddenly, a voice echoed. While dodging bullets, Edward managed to glance back and saw a middle-aged man standing on a tank, using a megaphone to address him.

Seeing him, Edward suddenly thought of a plan. He stopped and raised his hands high, signaling his surrender.

The middle-aged man's eyes lit up upon seeing this and he gestured for his men to halt. However, they didn't lower their guns. Instead, they aimed directly at Edward. Any slight movement would have triggered them to pull the triggers.

"Are you Khun Sa?"

"Yes, it's me. You're the Grim Reaper, aren't you?"

"Grim Reaper?"

"Yes, perhaps you don't know you have that nickname. You've killed nearly four thousand people, so they all call you the Grim Reaper. Initially, I thought you were a small team, but I never imagined you were just one person. Interesting, truly interesting. Tell me, who sent you?" Khun Sa looked down at Edward and asked.

"Kingpin, he sent me to rescue someone."

"Kingpin? Do you think I would believe that? I suggest you tell the truth, or even though I admire you, I won't be able to stop my men from acting against you."

"I know you don't believe me, but you can let me see Vanessa. She knows me."

Khun Sa stared at Edward without any fear in his eyes. Finally, Khun Sa waved his hand, and a group of men rushed forward. They used chains to securely bind Edward and then roughly threw him onto a vehicle. They proceeded in a grand procession toward the camp.

After what seemed like an eternity, Edward had grown accustomed to the bumps in the vehicle. Suddenly, the vehicle stopped, and he was dragged out. Immediately, he saw a disheveled woman. Despite her dirty hair, he could still vaguely make out her beautiful face.

"Vanessa?"

"It's me. You're Ed, right? Why did Wilson send you?" Vanessa took a few steps forward, wanting to help Edward up, but she was stopped by the enemies on both sides.

"Looks like you really were sent by Kingpin. Doesn't he fear what I might do to his wife? Mrs. Vanessa, I've treated you well before, but your husband has treated me like this. Since that's the case, I'll reward you both," Khun Sa said grimly.

"No! Please don't!" Vanessa cried out in terror.

The deputy and several soldiers approached Vanessa with lecherous expressions. The deputy said, "Mrs. Vanessa, don't be a scared kitty. We'll make you witness ultimate pleasure. After we're done with you, there are over three thousand soldiers waiting to enjoy your company. Looks like you'll be quite busy for several days."

Vanessa was stunned and began stepping back until she could only lean against the wall.

Suddenly, Edward chuckled coldly. Khun Sa sensed something was wrong and shouted, "Shoot him!"

But it was too late. Edward had somehow acquired a dagger and effortlessly cut through the chains. He swiftly stabbed the dagger into the throat of a nearby enemy and then used their weapon to open fire.

Fortunately, Vanessa had already fallen to the ground, or she might have been hit by gunfire.

Edward killed everyone present, and upon hearing the gunfire, people outside began rushing towards the scene.

"Come with me!" Edward grabbed Vanessa and tossed her into a jeep. He quickly collected firearms and ammunition from the bodies, stashing some in storage compartments and placing others directly in the jeep.

"Contact Kingpin and tell him to send reinforcements immediately!" Edward threw a satellite phone to Vanessa before starting the car. Trembling, she dialed the number and quickly got in touch with Kingpin.

"Wilson said he needs ten minutes. He asked me to head to these coordinates."

Edward glanced at the coordinates and ordered Vanessa, "Hold on tight!"

Vanessa gripped the handrail on the jeep's roof, and in the next moment, they surged forward with a powerful thrust as Edward drove through the broken wall and sped out of the camp.

Just as Vanessa began to breathe a sigh of relief, she saw Edward's pale face. Before she could speak, they heard a barrage of gunfire from behind, causing Vanessa to cower down completely.

Edward sharply turned the steering wheel left, using trees to block the bullets. However, there were too many bullets, and despite his efforts, the vehicle was hit. One bullet pierced through Edward's head.

Vanessa watched in horror, not knowing what to say until the vehicle, now out of control, began heading towards a cliff.

"No!!!" Vanessa screamed in terror.

But the vehicle stopped at the edge of the cliff, and a voice came, "Sorry to scare you."

"You, you…. weren't you hit by a bullet?"

"Think of it as my superpower. After all, people have different constitutions," Edward joked.

However, this was their territory, and Edward and Vanessa were soon surrounded. After surveying the area, Edward stopped the vehicle, placed Vanessa in a cave, and after leaving her some supplies, said, "Stay here. No matter what you hear, do not come out. Understand?"

Vanessa nodded quickly, knowing she was a liability to him. She knew she can't become Ashley to her Leone. After all, even though her Lone can revive himself like in the game, Vanessa can't dodge enemy charges like Ashley.

Unexpectedly for Vanessa, Edward found a huge rock from somewhere and blocked the cave entrance to ensure it wouldn't be discovered. Then he entered slaughter mode, fighting alongside the Dark Ghost for the first time.

Nervously clutching a handgun, Vanessa suddenly heard gunshots outside. She trembled and dropped the gun, covering her mouth tightly, afraid she might make a noise.

After what seemed like an eternity, the sounds gradually faded away, and the huge rock at the cave entrance shifted. A figure appeared.

"Ed?"

"It's me. Come out. It's safe now."

Hearing Edward's voice, Vanessa breathed a sigh of relief and walked towards the cave entrance. But what she saw in front of her left her speechless with fear.