113 Cleaning 3 (1/2)
Chapter 113: Cleaning 3
Cynthia looked at the strongest of the captain-rank companions around her. Three out of seven were killed, only these four were left. Last time, when she was companions with Garen, she didn't think anything of it. Now that they were opponents standing in front of each other, she felt the suffocating and terrifying pressure.
It was like facing a dozen-storey tall dark blue wave. It was the terrifying pressure of realizing that there was no way to dodge, no escape, and direct confrontation would only result in being devoured and drowned!
The dark blue wave that covered everything in sight was advancing towards her; even her breathing started to quicken, and her body temperature fell.
Clap!
Cynthia fiercely gave herself a slap, and instantly snapped out of the illusion of pressure.
”Am I breaking?” she muttered.
Only someone who was about to suffer a mental breakdown would experience such illusions. She went through death training before when she was very weak and had experienced it once, but it wasn't as terrifying as the suffocating pressure from downstairs.
Hrfff… Whooo…
She hung her head low and started taking deep breaths.
”It's going to be alright… It's going to be alright… I can do it. I will definitely be able to find a way to break through. Definitely!”
**************
Downstairs.
Garen looked up at the broken steps on the staircase leading up to the first floor and frowned. He turned around to look at the military captain awaiting his orders.
”Break through it.”
He pointed at the ground floor ceiling.
Bang bang bang bang!
Dozens of submachine guns were raised and fired towards the ceiling.
This was a small building constructed with cement-bonded wood fiber. The partition between the ground and first floor was not completely concrete; it was effortlessly punctured under the powerful impact of the submachine guns.
A large number of bullets shot through the first floor flooring like rain drops and ricocheted within the small living room on the first floor.
Crash!
A large celadon vase in the corner of the room was hit by a stray bullet and shattered into countless pieces.
Cynthia and the others crouched closely together in a corner and tried as much as possible to reduce the surface area of their bodies, but two of them were still hit multiple times to the extent that they resembled hornet's nests. The space on the first floor was limited; there was no way to effectively avoid the gunfire.
Cynthia and the captain could be considered the strongest two among all of them. In haste, the method which they chose to evade the bullets was the most effective, so they didn't suffer much harm. One got hit in the face, and the other in the left shin. At least compared to the other two, they were already very lucky.
Huff… huff… huff…
Their heavy breathing was clearly audible in the quiet space.
”Cynthia.”
Garen's voice came from the first floor.
”Killing you would be as simple as crushing an ant to me. Surrender, and both of you can live in this situation. I acknowledge your true strength,” Garen downstairs looked up towards the first floor and said calmly. He was indeed making the offer out of appreciation of talent.
The operational model of Manleyton Corporation differed from other companies. To prevent the concentration of power at the upper tiers, all staff would transfer teams from time to time. Constantly scattering and constantly changing, the relationship between members was detached. This was the reason he dared to solicit the other party after killing so many people from Manleyton. Moreover, White Cloud Gate currently lacked elite talent that completely belonged to him.
”It seems, among the Three Divine Marshals, you are the most mediocre one.” Cynthia didn't speak. Instead, it was the other old man's voice that came from above.
Garen gestured for the soldiers to spread out, and addressed the people on first floor alone.
”From the sound of it, you've met the other two Divine Marshals?”
”Of course. They are strong and cruel. Anyone confirmed as an enemy would face their full wrath,” the man replied. ”But you're different. You would alter your benefit analysis based on your mood or some other reason and come up with the best solution. Am I right?”
Garen unconsciously smiled.
”Not bad. You are indeed worthy of being a talent who has survived till now. If you join White Cloud Gate, I will assign you to a suitable position. Choose: join, or die.”
”The alternative of refusal is death. This is your idea of a choice?” Cynthia said sarcastically.
”Death is equally a choice.” Contrary to Cynthia, Garen nodded calmly. ”Well, it was your corporation that betrayed me first. A force that is familiar with my details, expecting to safely escape my sphere of influence. Don't you think that's too naïve?”
The first floor remained silent. After a while, the sound of two guns being dumped on the ground could be heard.
Garen put his hands into his pockets, turned around and headed out the door. He had his answer from the way they breathed.
”Go upstairs and bring the two of them down. Give them medical treatment and a good rest.”
”Yes, sir.” The military captain quickly saluted Garen. Speaking to Garen at spitting distance, he recalled the outrageous scene earlier. The captain had already listed Garen as someone he would absolutely not provoke.