Chapter 17 Ambush
As night gradually fell, the streets of Silvermoon City were brightly lit, but the air was thick with tension.
Members of the Specter Syndicate stood guard at various positions, not daring to let their guard down for a moment, their eyes alertly scanning everything around them.
James's phone suddenly vibrated - it was an alert from the surveillance feed.
He picked up his phone and opened it, a cold smile forming at the corner of his mouth.
"They're here."
He said softly, his tone completely calm, as if it was just some unimportant people arriving.
Caroline immediately leaned over to look at the phone screen, her face instantly turning pale.
On the screen were five people dressed in black combat gear with masks covering their faces.
They were sneaking in from a remote corner of the port, moving quickly - clearly well-trained mercenaries.
"Are they here to kill you?"
Caroline's voice was trembling as she instinctively grabbed James's arm, her fingertips gripping tightly.
"Yes, the first team. Judging by their equipment and movements, they should be the Viper Strike Team."
James said calmly, tapping on his phone screen.
"Tell our people at the port - don't waste words with them. Surround and kill them directly. Don't leave a single one alive."
Iron Wolf immediately pulled out his communicator and issued orders to the Specter Syndicate members at the port.
At the port, the Specter Syndicate members sprang into action after receiving the order.
More than a dozen Specter Syndicate members spread out in a fan shape, quietly circling behind the Viper Strike Team, their guns aimed at them.
The Viper Strike Team members were still carefully feeling their way forward, completely unaware that danger had arrived.
They thought their infiltration was going unnoticed.
Little did they know, their every move was being watched clearly by James.
"Move!" At James's command, gunfire erupted instantly.
By the time the Viper Strike Team members reacted, it was too late.
Bullets rained down on them. Before they could even fight back, two of them fell to the ground, holes appearing in their chests, dead on the spot.
"It's an ambush!" The Viper Strike Team captain roared, immediately signaling his team to find cover while his gun swept toward the Specter Syndicate members' direction.
But the Specter Syndicate members were well prepared. They hid behind shipping containers, shooting with precision.
With each gunshot, another Viper Strike Team member fell.
The Viper Strike Team captain watched as his teammates fell one by one, his eyes turning red.
He hadn't expected to be ambushed right after landing. These were truly The Reaper's people - completely beyond what they could handle.
"Retreat! Retreat now!"
The Viper Strike Team captain roared, turning to run toward the sea. He knew that staying would only mean total annihilation.
But he had only taken two steps when he felt a chill on his back - a bullet pierced through his heart.
He staggered and fell to the ground, looking back.
He saw a Specter Syndicate member holding a gun, looking at him with ice-cold eyes, completely emotionless.
In less than five minutes, all five members of the Viper Strike Team had been wiped out, with no one escaping.
On the port ground lay five corpses, blood staining the ground, the pungent smell of blood filling the air.
A member checked the bodies and reported through the communicator.
"Mr. Anderson, the Viper Strike Team has been completely wiped out. No one escaped."
James looked at the footage on his phone screen, his smile deepening, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.
"With just this level of skill, they dared to come for my head. They were asking for death."
"Mr. Anderson, should I have someone clean up the scene?" Iron Wolf asked.
"No need, I'll go myself." James stood up, dusting off his clothes.
"I want to see if there's anything useful on these people."
Caroline immediately stood up and grabbed his hand. "James, I'm going with you."
"No, it's too dangerous." James shook his head, his tone serious.
"You stay at the hotel. Don't go anywhere. I'll be back soon."
"No, I want to go with you." Caroline bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I don't want to be separated from you again. What if something happens to you?"
James looked at her stubborn expression, his heart softening, and he sighed helplessly.
"Alright, but you have to promise me that when we get there, no matter what happens, you stay by my side. No wandering off."
"I promise!"
Caroline immediately nodded, a smile appearing on her face as she tightly gripped James's hand, afraid that if she let go, he would disappear.
Soon, Iron Wolf and several Specter Syndicate members followed behind as the group got into cars and headed toward the port.
The car sped along the road. Caroline leaned on James's shoulder, still feeling uneasy.
She watched the night scenery rapidly passing by outside the window, silently praying that everything would be safe.
James sensed her tension and reached out to hold her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here. Nothing will happen."
His words helped Caroline calm down a bit.
She looked up at James's profile and silently vowed that no matter what danger they faced, she would stay with him, through life and death.
Before long, the car arrived at the port. The Specter Syndicate members were standing guard at the scene.
Seeing James arrive, they all bowed respectfully. "Mr. Anderson!"
James nodded, signaling them to step aside, and walked to the bodies holding Caroline's hand.
He crouched down and carefully examined each body, his eyes alert.
Caroline stood beside him, covering her nose, her face showing some discomfort.
The smell of blood was too strong. She had never seen so many corpses before and felt a bit scared, but she still forced herself to stay, not backing away.
After examining the bodies for a while, James found a sealed letter in the Viper Strike Team captain's pocket.
He opened the letter. Inside was a note with some strange writing and account information for Phoenix National Bank.
"What language is this?" Caroline leaned over and asked curiously.
"Spanish."
James frowned. He knew some Spanish and could roughly understand the content.
"It says the bounty money came from this account, telling them to take my head as soon as possible, and there's an extra reward after completing the mission."
"Phoenix National Bank account? Spanish?" Caroline frowned. "Could it be someone from South America?"
"Very likely." James nodded and pocketed the note.
"Spanish is mainly used in South America, and the money flow from this account probably points to South America too."
His doubts grew deeper. He did have some enemies in South America, but they were all small-time players who couldn't possibly have this kind of resources.
Could it be...?