Chapter 196: Quietly Waiting for Cole

Chapter 196: Quietly Waiting for Cole

Facing Nightshade's suggestion, Jaxon waved him off.

"No. The guy's alone. If we make too big a scene, the people backing him will catch on. I'll go myself."

Jaxon didn't see the man as a threat at all. After all, he'd taken down the entire Crest Security Syndicate crew—Cole wouldn't pose any danger.

"General Storm, now that our forces have stabilized in Frostkeep, should we start moving our people in?"

At Nightshade's suggestion, Jaxon nodded.

"I was just thinking the same thing. Have our people hide under the Storm family identity. Keep them ready to move at a moment's notice."

"Understood. I'll arrange it now."

While Nightshade made the arrangements, Jaxon had already arrived at the location.

The place was remote and the surroundings chaotic.

After scanning the area, Jaxon slipped into the shadows.

Until Cole showed up, he had no intention of revealing himself.

After all, the Crest Security Syndicate guys were always cautious. If he exposed himself too early, things could go sideways fast. He couldn't give them any opening.

……

After waiting half an hour in silence, the sound of a car engine broke the quiet.

At the sound, Jaxon immediately turned his head and saw a figure jump out of the vehicle.

The newcomer was Cole—though he had no idea a pair of eyes was watching him from the darkness.

He glanced around the area before heading straight inside.

He'd expected his people to be waiting for him, but when he arrived, his face fell. There wasn't a soul in sight.

"Where the hell are those idiots? Don't tell me something went wrong."

The moment he muttered to himself, a sound came from behind him.

He instinctively turned around as Jaxon stepped out from the shadows.

Seeing Jaxon, Cole's expression changed, a flicker of wariness in his eyes.

"You're Jaxon?"

"Looks like you're not completely stupid. Yeah, that's me."

At those words, Cole visibly froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

"If you're here, that means those guys failed. Useless trash, every one of them. Should've known better than to count on them."

There was no fear in his eyes—only contempt.

Jaxon didn't bother with small talk. His voice was ice-cold.

"I don't have time to waste on you. Tell me where the Crest Security Syndicate base is, and maybe I'll let you live."

At that, Cole looked like he'd just heard the world's funniest joke. He burst into mocking laughter.

"Who the hell do you think you are, talking to me like that? You really think I'm like those other losers?"

"I'm telling you right now—I don't have time to mess around with you. Surrender, and I'll make it quick. Otherwise, I don't mind putting in a little extra effort."

Cole stared at him with a half-smile, killing intent rising in his eyes, as if he could tear Jaxon apart in the next instant.

"Jaxon, I'm giving you a chance. You'd better wise up, or I swear I'll make sure you die right here."

Hearing his cold threat, Jaxon let out a soft snort. He wasn't going to waste any more time.

"Guess I'll have to get rough before you'll talk. Fine. Let's do this."

Jaxon crooked his finger in a taunting gesture. Cole yanked out a dagger and hurled it straight at Jaxon.

Seeing the attack coming head-on, Jaxon immediately dodged to the side.

The moment he steadied himself, Cole charged forward.

"Everyone says you're some kind of hotshot. I'm gonna find out today just how good you really are."

He pulled out another short blade and went straight for Jaxon's vital points, his movements fluid and lightning-fast.

He'd expected to take Jaxon down easily. What he didn't expect was that despite his speed, he couldn't land a single hit.

Jaxon simply sidestepped a few times and effortlessly evaded every strike.

"Pretty quick on your feet. Let's see how you dodge this next one."

He glared coldly at Jaxon and launched another fierce assault. Fast as he was, he still couldn't inflict any real damage.

As the attacks kept coming, Jaxon's patience began to run out.

"I don't have time to keep playing with you."

Killing intent flared in Jaxon's eyes. He grabbed the incoming dagger and twisted hard.

Crack!

Cole's arm snapped on the spot.

A scream of agony tore from his throat as he began to struggle.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break free from Jaxon's grip.

He clenched his teeth, fury blazing in his eyes.

"You goddamn bastard—I swear I won't let you get away with this!"

Hearing his roar, Jaxon let out a cold snort and kicked him hard in the gut.

Blood sprayed from his mouth as he slammed into the ground. He tried to get up, but Jaxon wasn't having it. He stomped down hard on Cole's chest.

At first, Cole hadn't taken Jaxon seriously at all.

He never imagined Jaxon's strength would be on this level.

Now, he was completely dazed. He wanted to fight back, but he had no strength left to resist.

Seeing the killing intent in Jaxon's eyes, fear crept onto Cole's face. A bad feeling settled over him.

"What do you want?"

"Relax. I just want to know where the Crest Security Syndicate base is. Tell me, and I'll let you live."

Jaxon's voice was icy, his eyes gleaming with cold light. He didn't want to waste time on Cole, but he hoped the man would be smart enough to talk. Otherwise, he wouldn't show any mercy.

Fear flickered in Cole's eyes, but he still refused to speak.

"Who the hell do you think you are, threatening me? The location of Crest Security Syndicate isn't something you get to know just because you want to."

Hearing his arrogant tone, Jaxon's expression darkened.

"You sure about that?"

Jaxon stared down at him coldly. Cole remained stubborn. Jaxon didn't coddle him—he stomped down hard on his chest again.

Crack! His bones shattered on impact.

Another scream rang out. His mind went blank, his face twisting in agony.

"My patience has limits. You'd better smarten up, or I promise you'll die ugly."

Even in the face of Jaxon's cold warning, he still refused to talk.

"I told you—I don't know!"

Seeing the killing intent in his eyes, Jaxon sighed in exasperation.

"Fine. If you're not gonna talk, don't blame me for what happens next."

A twisted smile tugged at Jaxon's lips—a look that sent a chill down Cole's spine.

In a matter of seconds, Jaxon had broken several of his bones. Cole collapsed in agony, his face ashen, but he still couldn't escape Jaxon's hold.

Just as Jaxon was about to strike again, Cole's heart leapt into his throat. He frantically begged for mercy.

"Wait—wait!"

"Got something to say?"

Jaxon stared down at him coldly, eyes glinting like ice.

Seeing that expression, Cole didn't dare even breathe too hard. He stammered out quickly.

"I'll tell you where they are—just let me go!"