Chapter 15

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Leon had just finished pointing out everyone's weaknesses in combat and training. Noticing that it was almost noon, he decided to have a barbecue by the river. The group was excited by the idea and eagerly returned to the wooden house to gather the barbecue tools.

Since they were all big eaters, they had bought plenty of food. There was no worry about running out. The ingredients were plentiful, including a whole lamb, beef cattle, suckling pig, and whole chicken. Over the past two years, everyone had become skilled at grilling, especially the simple technique of barbecue.

With two bonfires set up, they placed the meats on the grills. As the meat roasted, it became crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Once sprinkled with the prepared barbecue sauce, the aroma filled the air, making everyone's mouths water.

Alongside the meats, there were frozen fruit drinks and vegetable salads, creating a rich and satisfying meal. Eating was casual; everyone either stood or sat on rocks, tearing into the lamb and beef, chatting and laughing. The youngest children played around, chasing each other and adding to the joyful atmosphere.

Leon, watching from the grill, smiled slightly. He enjoyed this comfortable, relaxed moment, appreciating the break from his usual state of anxiety and urgency. While he always felt a sense of crisis and was motivated by the need to protect himself from those who sought to harm him, he found solace in these peaceful, ordinary moments.

He had a particular disdain for Hydra but acknowledged that, in a way, their actions had been somewhat useful. Despite his desire to eliminate them, he was not ready to do so just yet.

At least Leon had a clear goal: to harvest the benefits from Hydra's efforts on this Eastern European continent. Hydra had accumulated a lot of advanced technology and resources, and Leon looked forward to reaping the rewards of their hard work.

After their barbecue feast, it was back to intense training. However, two days later, it was time to replenish their supplies, mainly to purchase materials for the nutrient solution.

The nutrient solution developed by Hydra was a marvel of black technology. It contained biologically synthesized proteins and compounds essential for the human body, requiring specially designed equipment. A single bottle of this concentrated nutrient solution could provide all the nutrients needed for a day. It was perfect for Leon and his team and crucial for their growth.

Leon took Sergei and Wanda with him to Perm, a city located near Yekaterinburg. The direct distance is only 291 kilometers, but it was still a bit of a drive. They found a pickup truck on the opposite side of the mountain road and set off for Perm.

The trip took just over three hours. Compared to Yekaterinburg, Perm is slightly smaller but remains one of Russia's largest industrial cities. Despite its industrial nature, Perm is known for its beautiful natural scenery. The city is surrounded by forests and the Kama River runs through it. There are two forest parks and an artificial butterfly garden within the city.

As they entered Perm, they were greeted by buildings in the classic Russian style.

The streets of Perm were bustling, with crowds growing denser as they approached the city center.

Leon, Sergei, and Wanda first found a hotel called Amax Premier and checked in. To get around the issue of identity verification, they had purchased fake identity documents from the black market in Yekaterinburg. The fakes were convincing enough to avoid any issues.

After settling into their hotel room, they grabbed a map of Perm from the lobby and began exploring the city like typical tourists. Despite its industrial reputation, Perm was lively, with busy streets and lots of traffic.

Wanda, though mature for her age, was still a young girl and enjoyed taking in the sights of the bustling city.

The trio wandered into a neighborhood where Leon noticed a restaurant. Checking his watch, he suggested, "That restaurant looks good. Let's give it a try."

Wanda and Sergei, who were feeling hungry, agreed and followed Leon inside. The restaurant had a simple, unadorned decor with a touch of Russian ruggedness. It was spacious and clean but not overcrowded.

They chose a table by the window and ordered a variety of dishes. As they chatted and waited for their food, a news segment on the TV caught their attention. A reporter was interviewing the Russian police, and the news seemed to be quite intriguing.

The news on TV grabbed the trio's attention: just last night, a theater two streets away had been the scene of explosions and gun battles, resulting in over 20 civilian casualties. This wasn't just a gang shootout; it was something more serious.

The police described it as a dramatic chase. The odd part was that no bodies were left behind. After the female reporter interviewed the police, she showed a video. In the blurry footage, it was hard to make out details, but it was clear that the person being chased was a woman. Despite being pursued by more than a dozen attackers, she managed to escape.

"I couldn't sleep because of this," one restaurant guest said. "There were a lot of police dispatched last night. My newborn kept getting scared out of sleep. Yesterday night was hell!"

"Oh, as for me, I saw the explosions and gunfire from the theater," another guest added. "God, I thought they were terrorists."

"But the person being hunted was a woman?" someone else said. "She must be really powerful. Could she be a spy?"

The other guests in the restaurant were buzzing with speculation.

Leon's gaze shifted slightly, and Sergei, who was seated with his back to the TV, turned around with a frown. "These people are really something," he remarked.

Wanda, clearly impressed, added, "That woman was amazing. To escape under such heavy fire is not something ordinary people can do."

Leon nodded. "It's interesting, but it isn't something we need to concern ourselves with. Let's finish our meal and get back to our plans."