Preparation For An All Out Attack

Alex nodded his head, determination evident in his eyes. He took aim, calculated the target's speed and direction, and fired. This time, the bullet hit, knocking the target over.

"There you go. You're learning. Sniping isn't just skill. It's an art. It's about reading the battlefield, knowing your enemy, and making your shot count. Keep at it, and you'll be a damn good sniper."

"Thank you, sir, I'll keep practising it over and over again," Ivan said with a small smile, genuinely happy about his first day learning sniper skills.

"Good. Remember, it's not about how many you shoot. It's about how many you hit. And one shot, one kill—that's the sniper way," Alex said, parting valuable words to Ivan as he nodded his head, remembering it deep in his heart.

###

[1 Year Time Skip]

In the past year, I've been learning a lot of things, such as sniping, rifles, and pistols, basically all the weapons, and I did manage to learn to use them efficiently, though still not to the level of an expert but still good enough to use them to shoot like an experienced weaponist.

'Now, I just need to hire mercenaries, plan out my strategy, and then launch an all-out revenge attack on them, killing them in one swoop,' I thought while I lay on my bed, facing the white ceiling with a huge grin.

'Well, I should start looking into some private mercenary military company that sells such mercenaries that I need... Since they won't be in the same place, I would need a lot to finish them all in a day,' I thought as I opened my palm and then closed it once again.

"Well then, I should look into it now." Saying that, I stood up and walked toward my computer.

Opening it and entering my passwords, I opened the browser and then searched for such companies that sold such things as services.

...

[21 Minutes Later...]

"Hm... I should probably go with this company. It seems to have the most experienced and skilled mercenaries that I need." I muttered as I went through the "Xeras Company" that sells the services that I need.

And on it, I found their ICQ contact information. With that, I didn't wait any longer and then messaged them.

###

[Evening]

I managed to successfully hire 20 mercenaries through the Xeras Company. This is how our conversation went.

---

Ivan: Hi, Xeras Security. I need a team of 20 experienced mercenaries for a three-day operation. Can you help with this?

Xeras Security: Hi Ivan! Yes, we can do that. Can you give me more details about what you need?

Ivan: Sure. I need the cost for 20 mercenaries for 1 day, and if you supply weapons and equipment. Also, how do you handle confidentiality?

Xeras Security: For 20 mercenaries, it's $30,000 per day. Equipment and logistics will add about $15,000. We handle confidentiality very carefully. We can discuss this more in detail. When can we meet?

Ivan: That works for me. Let's meet on 1997/3/1, 3 days from now, at the Novosibirsk west side's Horex cafe. Do you confirm the location?

Xeras Security: Great! Meeting at Horex cafe at 12 o'clock in the afternoon works. We'll make sure all details are secure.

Ivan: Perfect. Thanks for the quick response. See you then!

Xeras Security: Anytime! Looking forward to it.

###

So, after securing a meeting with them, I waited for the next 3 days to pass and, in these days, went to school, handling my troublesome girlfriend who seems to love me a bit too much.

I also told Maria about the full-scale attack that will happen next week and told her to gather information on how many bodyguards, their routines, etc., as it would be crucial information to kill them all efficiently and easily, making the work easier than it already is.

...

[Rooftop of the Starlight Private School]

On the rooftop of the school, there could be seen 2 people. Ivan, who was looking over the whole school's playground from the rooftop, while Maria was behind him.

"So... did you gather the information that I asked for?" Ivan asked, his focus still on the grounds beneath him, his expression cold and indifferent as he overlooked the whole picture before him.

"Yes, I did manage to acquire all the information that you asked for," Maria said, her tone cold as well, as she walked up to his side, looking over the clouds.

"So, how many bodyguards? And locations of all the remaining Vorontsov family?" Ivan asked, his tone cold and indifferent.

"They hired 30 skilled and experienced bodyguards... 15 will be guarding them all the time, while others are patrolling the area."

"Also, they're all going to be at the same location, the main house, on Sunday to discuss something," Maria said, her tone relaxed and cold.

'Haha, even the heavens are helping me... Gathering all of them at the same location? I guess I was right about the fact that they'll let down their guard if nothing happens for a year,' I thought, laughing like a maniac inside my mind.

"Okay then... be sure to arrive at the location that I'll tell you beforehand..." Saying that, Ivan left the rooftop, walking out of there while Maria just stood there, still looking over the clouds.

"Mom... finally... finally, I'll be able to avenge you," she muttered in a low voice, a drop of tear dripping from her eyes while gazing at the clouds.

"I... didn't expect it to happen so soon... but I'll definitely do my best... and kill them... for killing you," she said, some tears still dripping from her eyes, but she had that crazy look on her face that would be unsettling for anyone that saw her right now, but that only lasted for a few seconds before her cold persona took over her.

###

[Horex Cafe]

[11:55 AM]

"Hm... so 5 minutes left," a man wearing a full black suit said as he gazed at his clock.

"If... if I could satisfy this client, then I'll definitely be promoted this time," he muttered, his expression that of a person trying his best.

...

[5 minutes later...]

While the man waited, enjoying his coffee, outside of the cafe was Ivan, looking around to see if anyone was spying or not, and who knows? It's better to be prepared than be sorry later on.

Seeing no one, or no suspect, he then walked inside the cafe. He was wearing a full black hoodie with the hood covering his half face.

And as he entered, he looked around to see where the man he was supposed to meet was, and then he saw a man clad in a full black suit.

'He must be the one I talked to on ICQ,' Ivan thought before he walked toward the table where the man was and then sat on the opposite side of him.

"Ah, are you Mr Ivan?" The man clad in a full black suit said, a smile spreading across his face as he stood up and extended his hand.

"Yeah, that'll be me," Ivan said, his tone a bit hoarse as he tried to sound more deep and mature, as no one would want to give their mercenaries to a kid even if he offered a huge price.

"I'm Zayin, Mr Ivan, the one who talked to you on ICQ," Zayin introduced himself with a smile as they both stood up and shook hands.

As they shook hands, Zayin tried to gauge the strength of Ivan as he gripped it tightly.

'Hoh, testing my strength huh?' Ivan thought as he noticed the strength that Zayin was putting in, so to play the game that Zayin started, he also gripped it lightly which was enough to overwhelm Zayin.

'W-what?... He's more powerful than I thought... I thought that he would just be some rich man's son, but I guess I was wrong... he must be someone trained by the military from a young age,' Zayin thought as Ivan overpowered him in strength.

"Let's not waste our time and get to the point," Ivan said, as he sat, followed by Zayin who did the same.

"Indeed," Zayin agreed, as he was someone who valued time a lot.

"I need 20 professional mercenaries who are highly skilled for an operation, just for 1 day. Can you handle that?" Ivan said, getting to the point.

"Yes, we can. Though, may I ask what you need them for?" Zayin asked, trying to acquire some information as to why he needed them.

"I need them for some private operation. Also, what will be the total cost?" Ivan said, not leaking any information and closing the case professionally.

"The total cost would be approximately $30,000 for the 20 mercenaries, and $15,000 more for the equipment and weapons," Zayin said, a professional smile blooming.

'It's costly... but if this operation goes smoothly, then I don't mind... I've already gathered $1M from the last 8 years, so just $45k isn't much for me,' Ivan thought.

"That's alright for me... Can I pay some advance payment here and then pay what's left after the work's done?" Ivan said.

"Yes, that's acceptable." Saying that, Ivan stood up, followed by Zayin as they shook hands and then left, the deal successfully handled.

###

A/N: Now just 3 or 4 chapters, or less than that, to go and we'll finally be on the cultivation arc!! Throw in all your stones, and support this book!