Stalling.

James stepped on the accelerator of his car and drifted through the highway curved lanes in a hastened pace.

The car he drove produced a vibrating-like sound as it crossed through the silent highway, In hopes that he would be able to catch up against the mysterious masked individual that just escaped from his grasp recently.

Meanwhile in a darkened area, A masked individual brought out a large black cloth and covered the entire cage that the kidnapped victims were currently being held.

"Jasmine-chan, I'm scared." Chizu said as her voice trembled.

Jasmine tapped her head, "Don't worry. Somebody will save us." She said.

Chizu quietly cried and hugged Jasmine, While Jasmine observed what was happening outside.

She could hear voices, And their Cage started moving.

Before she realized, They were once again being transferred to an unknown place.

How many times are we getting transferred? Jasmine wondered.

....

....

....

Several minutes passed and James had finally reached the Port. He saw the black car which the unknown individual used.

James immediately tapped his Mask and gripped his MP5 tightly.

*Activating Night Sequence*

*Activating Heat detector*

*Activating Night Vision*

James' vision started to stabilized in the darkened state of the Port.

To which he slowly surveyed his surroundings and raised his gun into a ready-to-fire position.

As he continued moving, He could not find any clues to which indicates the masked man's whereabouts.

The heat detector isn't working, Did the guy have Anti-detection suit? James mumbled through his head.

While james sneakily went all over the area, Footsteps were heard from afar.

James immediately rushed towards where the footsteps were occuring, And witnessed a Port watcher on his night duty.

"Huh?" The port watcher spoke in a trembling voice.

James lowered his gun and said, "Please head home for tonight." In an altered voice.

The port watcher nodded as he trembled in fear upon seeing James' overwhelming appearance.

Then james suddenly saw a flashing muzzle from afar, And noticed that the masked individual was hiding on top of a Building with a sniper rifle.

*Bang!* As the masked individual shot directly at james, While james reacted quickly and managed to dodge it.

The port watcher instantly ran as he tried to reach out his phone and wanted to call the cops, But before he could tightly hold the phone. He was shot from behind by the unknown individual, Immediately killing him.

James ran hurriedly towards the Masked man's position while the masked man continued firing towards James who side stepped his way closer towards him.

When James got closer towards the masked man, James immediately opened fire and made the Masked man hide. James instantly pulled out a pen-sized bomb and threw it off towards his location.

The masked man noticed and immediately jumped off the building and zip lined through the building circuit wires with his sniper rifle.

*Boom!* As an explosion occured on top of the Building.

James rapidly shot at the masked individual as he slide through the air and evaded every bullet that james had shot.

Then the masked man jumped off and rolled over the ground as he instantly aimed at James and shot at his direction. *Bang!*

James stood as the bullet penetrated through the box beside him.

When the masked man cocked his sniper rifle, James hurriedly ran sideways and hid himself from the masked man's vision.

While the masked man raised his gun and surveyed around, A flashbang was thrown into the air, Causing him to duck and cover his eyes immediately.

After it exploded, James immediately rushed towards him and continuously fired his gun.

While the masked man crouched and hid himself from James' vision.

As the two continued on exchanging fires, They eventually ran out of bullet.

James tapped around his waist and noticed there were no more mags left for him to use.

While the masked man stood up and placed his sniper rifle on top of the box and pulled out his karambit knife.

James then slowly walked towards him, As they both confronted each other from a certain distance.

"Who are you?" James asked in english.

The masked man quietly stared at him and did not respond.

James' mask was widely known and feared throughout the underworld, And wondered why the masked individual infront of him continued on fighting against him.

It seems that this guy is a new one, James thought.

New ones were the replacements for the old generation mercenaries, Seeing his actions, James knew that the masked individual infront of him was a hired mercenary.

"What association do you belong to?" James asked.

The masked man continued to stare at him and performed a stance while not uttering a single word.

"Fine, I guess talking isn't your suit." James said and immediately engaged towards him.

While the masked man stood and raised his guard against James who rushed towards him unarmed.

After closing their gap, The masked man instantly swung his karambit knife directly at James' face, But james instantly blocked his wrist and threw a combination towards his elbow, shoulder and chest.

The masked man got hit directly at the elbow while he managed to deflect the next two attacks that James threw at him.

The masked man instantly kicked James' on the knee from the inside and elbowed him, And James got completely hit while he quickly countered attack and punched the masked man towards his ribs, Causing him to slightly gasp.

Their fierce battle continued while James observed his techniques, The masked individual was using CQC, While james deflected and blocked most of his attacks with Systema.

As they both continued, James uttered, "You are from M association."

The masked man instantly flinched and took a few step backs infront of James.

James then raised his hands, "How long have you been in the M association?" He asked.

The masked man did not respond and immediately pulled out a flashbang, While James tried to rush towards him, The masked man instantly threw it at James' direction. Causing his modified mask to malfunction after the flashbang exploded.

James instantly took off his mask and noticed that the masked individual had already escaped.

James then stared at the night sky filled with glittering stars.

....

...

..

Meanwhile, In a large fishing boat, Jackson was seen standing outside in the open as he quietly stared at the Port from afar.

*Ringggg!* Jackson instantly pulled out his phone and answered.

*Beep*

"Hello?" He said.

"Jackson, How's everything doing?"

"Boss, We have successfully left the Port and now heading towards the Island."

"Good, And how was the nuisance? Did you take care of it?"

"No sir, But I left an individual who I can basically tell that's on par against that skull masked guy."

"Oh, Is it the hired mercenary?"

"Yes Boss."

"Keke, Let him stall some time and focus on transporting the products towards the Island."

"Yes boss, By your command."

*Beep*

....

...

Meanwhile in an unknown building, The masked man gasped as he hid himself.

He then slowly removed his mask as his silver hair slowly fell and mostly covered his face.

He had slanted eyes, Sharp small nose and was totally young looking.

He instantly pulled out his phone and dialed.

*Ringggg!*

*Beep!*

"Sir Alheim, This is Joshua." He said.

"Joshua, Why the sudden call?"

"I wanted you to ask about something." He said in a serious tone.

"About what? Spit it out." Alheim bluntly said.

"Does a man wearing a skull mask ring a bell to you?"

"....."

"Sir alheim?"

"Cough, Umm. Why ask? Have you perhaps met up with the individual?" Alheim asked in a curious tone.

"Yes sir, He was unbelievably good in combat. But after seeing his actions, He was holding himself. As if he wanted to observe me and knock me unconscious rather than trying to kill me."

"Did he learn that you're from M Association?"

"Yes sir, He mentioned it. But I did not respond to his words."

"Okay I got it, Immediately leave the place and forget about your mission."

"But why sir?" Joshua asked in a surprised tone.

"Just follow my orders. Leave the place immediately and return to HQ." Alheim said in a demanding tone.

"Yes sir." *Beep*

Joshua stood up and wandered in thoughts, After several minutes he immediately left the place and vanished in the shadows.

.....

...

Alheim was seen sitting in a closed room, Staring at several monitors infront of him.

"Did the ghost return? Does he have a grudge against the Yakman troupe? Or is it.... No way." He uttered.

Alheim realized that his daughter might have been involved again, If not. Why would the Ghost show himself out of nowhere.

That's when Alheim covered his mouth with both of his hands and mumbled, "I guess he's truly destined to be involved in some troubles."

Chapter End.