Chapter 1731:
The island lay shrouded in thick vegetation. The varying heights of the dense greenery revealed the rolling terrain beneath, with shadowy mountain silhouettes rising and falling in layered ridges against the sky.
Corrine’s gaze narrowed with recognition. Something about this landscape stirred her memory—it bore a striking resemblance to the Tomb Mountain region in Lyhaton.
Corrine shed her oxygen tank, secured her backpack firmly across her shoulders, and dropped into a low stance before vanishing into the embracing shadows of the forest.
The island lay in absolute stillness, not even the buzz of insects breaking the hush. In that complete silence, Corrine could hear the rhythm of her own heart pounding in her chest. She drew the dagger from her boot, gripping it tightly, and crept forward in a low crouch.
The forest stretched before her in ancient, untouched splendor—so wild and unmarked that it felt like a place where one could vanish without a trace. As she moved deeper, the crashing of waves against the shore faded into a distant murmur. A heavy darkness clung to the canopy above, casting the woods in a menacing shroud.
Beneath her feet, leaves and brittle branches crackled, but she moved swiftly, melting into the shadows with silent precision.
Ten minutes passed before a sound broke through—the faint hum of rotors overhead. Corrine ducked low and tilted her head, spotting a black helicopter circling above the treetops. She squinted up at it, trying to make sense of its presence. Whoever dared fly the chopper without taking fire had to belong to Nate’s side—or be his enemies.
The chopper hovered in place, clearly scanning for someone. Could Nate be close by? The possibility propelled her forward.
𝓥𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓯𝔂 𝓈𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓬𝓮 𝓪𝓽 𝗀𝓪𝗅𝗇𝗈𝖛𝗲𝗅𝘀．𝚌𝗈𝗺
She had only taken a few steps when soft footsteps brushed through the underbrush nearby.
“This place is ours now. Those guys ran off like scared rabbits. Are we really still on edge for nothing?”
“Doesn’t matter. We’re getting paid. Nate’s head alone is worth a billion bucks.”
“A billion? Seriously?”
“Shut up! Keep it down!”
Corrine slipped between thick shrubs, parting the foliage just enough to see two armed men sweeping the area ahead.
A quick glance around confirmed her advantage, and she moved swiftly to circle behind them. Timing her strike with precision, she sprang from cover, slashing her dagger across one man’s throat in a single fluid motion.
As the second man raised his gun, she drove her heel into his chest, knocking him flat. He barely hit the ground before she lunged again. The dagger flashed in her hand, and with a practiced flick, he collapsed without a sound.
She didn’t waste a moment on the warmth of blood staining her skin. Quickly, she dragged their bodies out of view, ready to move on when a faint pop broke the silence.
It was the muffled report of a suppressed gunshot.
She dropped into a crouch, holding her breath, straining to catch the source of the noise before gliding toward it.
.
.
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