Chapter 147

Chapter 147

In the engine room, water dripped steadily.

Ronan stood behind the harsh light, looking at Jack with a cold, condescending expression.

"Five years ago, I let you get away," Ronan said slowly. "Every day for these five years, I've been thinking about how I'd end your suffering for good if you ever stood in front of me again."

Jack looked at him, his hand gripping the combat knife trembling slightly from the force.

It wasn't from fear.

It was because five years of built-up rage had finally found its release.

"Ronan, only one of us is walking out of here today."

Jack's voice was low, but every word seemed to be forced through clenched teeth.

"You think it'll be you?" Ronan shook his head with an amused look. "Jack, you're overestimating yourself."

"What do you think you learned these five years hiding out there? Every combat skill you have, I taught you."

"In my eyes, you're still that orphan from back then who needed my charity to survive."

"Enough talk."

Jack roared and charged forward.

The combat knife in his hand traced a cold arc through the air, aimed straight at Ronan's throat.

Ronan stood still, not moving.

Not until the blade was only 3 inches from his throat did he strike.

His speed was unbelievable as he grabbed Jack's wrist precisely and twisted hard.

"Crack!"

The sound of a dislocated wrist.

Jack grunted, the knife falling from his hand.

But his combat instincts made him react without hesitation, his left fist swinging out toward Ronan's temple.

Ronan dodged by tilting his head, his left hand forming a blade that struck Jack's ribs hard.

"Bang!"

The blow sent Jack stumbling back several steps until he crashed into a pipe, a sweet taste rising in his throat as he coughed up blood.

Strong. Too strong.

Even though Jack had been through countless life-and-death situations over these five years, facing Ronan, he still felt a crushing sense of powerlessness.

This man was exactly as Viper had said—strong like a monster.

Lucy, hiding behind the generator, watched Jack get beaten until he coughed blood, tears finally streaming down her face.

She wanted to rush out and help, but she knew she'd only be a burden to Jack.

All she could do was bite her lip hard to keep from crying out loud, her hands gripping the rifle tightly.

"Get up."

Ronan walked over to Jack, looking down at him leaning against the pipe, gasping for breath.

"Is this all you've got? So disappointing. If the Black Hawk squad knew their captain was only at this level, I wonder if they'd be crying underground."

Hearing the words "Black Hawk squad," Jack's eyes instantly turned bloodshot.

"Ahhh—!"

Ignoring his injuries, he lunged at Ronan again.

With his good left hand, he grabbed Ronan around the waist, and they both crashed heavily into the cold water.

Jack slammed his head into Ronan's face.

"Bang!"

The impact dazed Ronan, blood flowing from his nose.

Jack took the chance to get on top of Ronan, punching him over and over, pounding his face relentlessly.

"This one's for Barry!"

"This one's for Lynx!"

"This one's for all the brothers from Black Hawk who died!"

Jack roared as his fists became covered in both his own blood and Ronan's, but he seemed to feel no exhaustion or pain, just kept swinging wildly.

Ronan's face was covered in blood, but his eyes gradually filled with killing intent.

"Enough!"

Ronan roared, his legs kicking out with tremendous force, flinging Jack off him.

He stood up from the water, wiping the blood from his face.

"Jack, you've completely pissed me off."

Ronan pulled out a strange-looking dagger from his waist.

It was the White Tower Foundation's latest high-frequency vibration particle blade, capable of cutting through the toughest body armor with ease.

"Now, die."

Ronan flashed forward, appearing instantly in front of Jack, the dagger aimed straight at Jack's heart.

Jack was completely exhausted by now and couldn't dodge.

He watched the approaching dagger, feeling a twinge of regret.

Was he really going to die here?

At this critical moment.

A burst of rapid gunfire suddenly rang out in the engine room.

Countless bullets hit the water at Ronan's feet, splashing up huge sprays that forced him to retreat.

Jack froze and turned his head.

Behind the generator, Lucy was holding the rifle, eyes closed, frantically pulling the trigger.

"Don't you hurt him!"

Lucy shouted. The bullets ran out, the gun making empty clicking sounds.

But she still didn't let go, just stared at Ronan.

Ronan looked at Lucy, contempt flashing in his eyes.

"Foolish woman."

He moved, ready to go kill Lucy first.

"Ronan!"

Jack, somehow finding the strength, sprang up from the water and locked his good left hand around Ronan's neck, dragging him backward.

"Lucy! Get the transmitter! Go!"

Jack shouted.

On the backup display on the engine room wall, the countdown showed only three minutes left.

"No! I'm not leaving!" Lucy cried out.

"Go! Send out the data! This is our only dignity!"

Jack held Ronan tight as Ronan's particle blade plunged deep into Jack's abdomen.

Blood instantly stained the surrounding water red.

But Jack still didn't let go, his face showing a look of relief.

"Ronan... let's go to hell together."

Using his last bit of strength, he pulled the pin on the last grenade hanging from his chest.

"BOOM—!"