Chapter 18 - The Unexpected Target

Guy was a professional killer, working for a notorious gang. His boss, Frank, was a drug lord ruling the West Blue, infamous for smuggling drugs and selling children.

Just four days ago, a high-ranking gang member mysteriously disappeared. When the gang investigated, they only found remains. By the time they learned of it, the police had already sealed off the scene. Despite being a major underworld figure, Frank couldn't influence the local police.

The gang decided to pay a hefty price to access surveillance footage. The U.S. is filled with cameras, but due to privacy laws, they could only retrieve clues from a distant camera. The footage revealed a figure, possibly linked to the incident, seen at a carnival: Xu Mo, a young man who recently inherited a small company after losing his parents and had recently adopted a girl.

Xu Mo had no significant connections except a vague link to the young master of the Osborn Group, who was currently out of power. Frank, believing Xu Mo could be the killer, sent Guy to eliminate him. Even if Xu Mo wasn't the culprit, Frank's orders were clear: kill him anyway.

Now, Guy was closing in on Xu Mo's residence. Dressed in black casual clothes and a baseball cap, he reported on the phone, "Boss, I'm already near the target's residence."

"You know what to do. No traces," came the cold voice of Frank.

"Understood."

"And bring that little girl too. If she's alive, she could fetch a good price."

"Got it."

Guy ended the call, pocketed his phone, and prepared for action. As he concealed himself in an alley, an electric scooter approached. It was a delivery person, heading towards Xu Mo's door. Guy saw an opportunity. In a swift motion, he approached and knocked the delivery man out, dragging him into the alley.

Checking the delivery address, Guy confirmed it was Xu Mo's residence. He didn't kill the delivery person to avoid leaving evidence. He took the man's uniform and package, then headed to the door.

"Ding dong." The doorbell rang, and footsteps approached. Guy stood ready, hiding his intent under a guise of innocence.

The door opened. Xu Mo appeared, looking puzzled. "I didn't order any takeaway," he remarked, looking up just as Guy's cold demeanor surfaced.

Without hesitation, Guy lunged forward, aiming an alloy dagger at Xu Mo's throat. This move had been practiced countless times, ending lives with a single cut. But to Guy's shock, the dagger hit something as hard as steel.

"What the...?" Guy's eyes widened as he saw the tip of the knife barely indent Xu Mo's neck. The dagger, designed to cut through anything, had met an immovable object.

Xu Mo frowned, irritation clear on his face. "There's no takeaway," he said, his voice now cold. As the realization of the attack dawned, Xu Mo's expression turned deadly. In a swift motion, he grabbed the dagger, snapping it in half with ease. Before Guy could react, Xu Mo seized him by the neck and lifted him off the ground.

"Who are you?" Xu Mo demanded, his voice steady and menacing.

Guy struggled, cursing, "Damn mutant!"

Xu Mo's eyes narrowed. "If you're not going to talk, then you can die."

A small ball of light formed in Xu Mo's hand. He pressed it into Guy's chest. The killer screamed in agony as the energy tore through him, and his body exploded into a spray of blood. However, a purple barrier caught the blood, compressing it into a small, contained ball.

Jia Li, Xu Mo's adopted girl, appeared, calmly taking the blood ball in her hand. "Do you want to eat it?" Xu Mo asked, noticing her interest.

Jia Li looked up at him with innocent eyes. "Well, don't you like me like this?" she asked softly.

"I don't usually eat this kind of stuff. I just think it's nasty," Xu Mo replied, patting her head. Jia Li's instincts had become more apparent since living with him, but she maintained a balance, understanding that not all humans were good.

Xu Mo sighed, "Alright, enjoy it if you want." He paused, looking at the dead assassin. "A killer killed by his target. How fitting."

Jia Li smiled, savoring the energy. Xu Mo wasn't a superhero, nor did he see himself as a protector. He was just someone who dealt with threats in his own way.

"Xu Mo," Jia Li spoke up, "let's find his phone. I can help you track down the people who sent him."

Xu Mo raised an eyebrow. "You can do that?"

"Of course! My species was the most advanced civilization in the universe at one time."

"And what happened?" Xu Mo asked, intrigued.

"It exploded," Jia Li replied nonchalantly, her innocence belying the gravity of her words.

With that, the two prepared to uncover the truth behind the attempted hit, ready to face whatever the underworld threw at them next.