No More Shadows
Gerard has his next target—Zhang Rui, a key figure in Madam Wei's network. But Zhang Rui isn't another coward like Zhao Feng. He's a predator in his own right, protected, powerful, and ruthless. Gerard isn't just hunting him—he's walking into a warzone. Meanwhile, the assassin prepares his next move. The chase is over. The fight is about to begin.
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A Man Worth Killing
The apartment was dimly lit, the only glow coming from Gerard's laptop screen.
The data Zhao Feng provided was enough to map out a clear picture of Zhang Rui's operation.
Unlike Zhao, who played with numbers, Zhang Rui played with people.
A fixer. A middleman.
He handled blackmail, disappearances, assassinations.
And he looked the part.
Zhang Rui was a man who commanded attention without demanding it.
Tall and broad-shouldered, with the solid frame of a man who had once been a fighter but had grown comfortable in power.
His slicked-back black hair was streaked with silver at the temples, adding an air of authority rather than age.
A neatly groomed beard, trimmed to perfection, giving him an air of refinement that hid the predator underneath.
His skin was smooth but slightly weathered, the kind of face that had seen too many deals, too many betrayals.
His eyes—dark, sharp, and calculating—never revealed more than he wanted. They carried a quiet amusement, as if he always knew more than the person sitting across from him.
Dressed in a custom-tailored charcoal suit, he gave the impression of a corporate businessman rather than a criminal.
But the small details betrayed him.
Scarred knuckles, a hint that his past wasn't as clean as his present.
A thin, jagged scar running down his left wrist, partially hidden by a designer watch.
The casual way he sat, completely at ease, like a king surveying his court.
Unlike Zhao Feng, Zhang Rui was not a man who broke easily.
He was a man who made others break.
Jian leaned against the table, tapping at his phone.
"I hope you realize this guy isn't going to run and beg like Zhao Feng."
Gerard didn't look away from the screen. "Good."
Jian smirked. "You enjoy this way too much."
Gerard's eyes remained cold. "I don't enjoy it. I need it."
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The Setup – Trapping a Predator
Zhang Rui wasn't a man who walked into traps.
He was a man who set them.
But Gerard wasn't looking to trick him.
He wanted Zhang Rui to see him coming.
To feel the fear creep in.
Zhao's data showed that Zhang Rui owned several properties under fake names.
But one in particular stood out.
A private club in the old district—The Silver Lotus.
Exclusive, high-end, and filled with men who thought themselves untouchable.
Jian raised an eyebrow. "You're planning to take him out in public?"
Gerard was about to respond when the familiar digital chime rang in his mind.
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[Ding! New Mission Activated]
[Elimination Mission: Make an Example]
Objective: Kill Zhang Rui publicly.
Requirement: His death must be witnessed by at least ten people.
Reward: $250,000
Bonus Condition: If his death causes fear and instability in Madam Wei's network, the reward increases to $500,000.
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Gerard's fingers twitched slightly, processing the new mission.
Jian noticed. "System again?"
Gerard exhaled, nodding. "It wants him taken out in public."
Jian grinned. "Damn. Even the system has style."
Gerard closed the mission window. "Then we make a spectacle."
Jian chuckled. "Well, at least it'll be entertaining."
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Meanwhile – The Assassin Prepares for War
The assassin sat in a darkened warehouse, his weapons laid out before him.
He had studied Gerard's movements.
And he had reached a conclusion.
Li Xian was dead.
Whatever had come back in his place was something else entirely.
Something that fought like a soldier.
A trained killer.
That wasn't natural.
The woman from Madam Wei's inner circle stood nearby, arms crossed.
"This is your last chance."
The assassin didn't respond immediately.
He finished assembling his rifle, locking the final piece into place.
Then, he looked up.
"I only need one shot."
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The Silver Lotus – Walking into the Fire
The club was a shrine to excess.
Wealth dripped from every corner—velvet seating, crystal chandeliers, private booths shielded by silk curtains.
The air was thick with cigar smoke, expensive perfume, and the quiet hum of power.
Zhang Rui sat at the center of it all, his personal VIP section surrounded by bodyguards.
Tonight, he was completely at ease, sipping whiskey, enjoying the company of two young women draped over him.
Until Gerard walked in.
The moment Zhang Rui saw him, his entire demeanor shifted.
The smile didn't vanish. But the eyes changed.
Assessing. Calculating.
Gerard didn't break stride.
He walked straight toward the VIP section.
The bodyguards reacted immediately, stepping between him and Zhang Rui.
One reached for a weapon—
Gerard moved first.
A single step forward. A sharp elbow to the throat.
The man collapsed, gasping for air.
Before the others could react, Gerard pulled out his phone and tossed it onto Zhang Rui's table.
The screen was open—displaying the list.
Zhang Rui's face remained unreadable. "I see you've been busy."
Gerard took a seat across from him, completely calm. "Not yet."
The club had gone silent.
Zhang Rui slowly set down his drink. "You're either very brave or very stupid."
Gerard's gaze didn't waver. "Neither. I'm just thorough."
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Meanwhile – The Assassin's Crosshairs
From a rooftop across the street, the assassin had Gerard in his sights.
The club's tinted windows didn't block thermal vision.
One shot.
That's all it would take.
His finger rested on the trigger.
He exhaled slowly, steadily.
And then—
His instincts screamed.
Something wasn't right.
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Gerard's Instincts Trigger – The Moment Before Death
His body reacted before his mind did.
He grabbed Zhang Rui and slammed him to the ground.
Glass shattered as the bullet tore through the air.
The shot had missed.
But the message was clear.
Now, the assassin was in play.
And this time?
It wouldn't be five minutes of survival.
It would be a war.
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