It seems like some kind of cosmic will is at play; as long as you encounter one unfortunate event, then a series of unfortunate events are bound to follow. Especially after transmigrating, when the storyline is just beginning, Li Lin felt this kind of scene would surely happen frequently.
But without even the time to wash his face, just throwing it directly in front of him like this, this speed still made him feel somewhat astonished.
And, how should I put it.
He always felt that Croissant didn't seem to be in much danger.
There was no basis for this feeling, but that's just what he thought. Although on the surface, Croissant's smile was awkward, and her actions and details showed the girl was under duress, Li Lin just felt she actually had the confidence to escape from that group of men in black.
"…I'll go out to negotiate. Wait for my signal."
And while Li Lin was lost in thought, Texas decisively removed the key, opened the car door herself, walked out, and closed the car door behind her.
"Ah, Texas, I know you. Penguin Logistics' best driver. And also a renowned Vanguard."
Watching Texas's slender figure, a slightly taller man emerged from the group of black-clothed men opposite, crossing his arms and smiling cheerfully at the girl who wasn't even half his height.
"If your Penguin Logistics can abide by your motto, then we can mind our own business. But recently, you've crossed the line a bit. You're just a logistics company, just do your delivery job. I know you're very capable fighters, but don't forget, you're not the only ones in this Lungmen."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Taking out a women's cigarette from her pocket, lighting it, putting it to her lips, and taking a drag, Texas exhaled a puff of smoke, squinting as she looked up at the tall man.
"Penguin Logistics never interferes with other corporations' or organizations' so-called confidential files or other related types of things. We also rarely do things that cross the line. And when we do, you won't realize it was us."
"Still playing dumb? Then I'll be blunt. The Lazarus File is not something you can handle." The tall man frowned slightly in disgust looking at Texas who was puffing clouds. "You received the lesson this afternoon, right? If you know what's good for you, let go quickly. To put it bluntly, we're all just working stiffs. There are many people watching from behind the scenes."
"…Lazarus File? What's that? Some kind of plan document?"
Casually extinguishing the cigarette, Texas looked puzzledly at Croissant and the tall man, her tail twitching slightly in confusion.
…
"Hey, Prophet."
Watching Texas interacting with those men in black, Exusiai reached out and poked Li Lin's waist, whispering in his ear:
"How about it? Prophet? Feeling a bit nervous encountering such a scene for the first time?"
"Not very nervous."
Li Lin twisted his waist, putting a little distance between himself and Exusiai, looking at the frowning group engaged in conversation, and said in a low voice:
"I feel like neither Croissant nor Texas seems particularly nervous. Besides, if they really encountered danger, Texas, as the driver, should have driven us away immediately, instead of getting out to confront them."
"Eh? But isn't it normal to disregard everything for a friend?"
"If it's truly for a friend, remembering it and seeking revenge later is normal. I don't think professionals would act emotionally in this kind of deeply ambushed situation. Unless…"
"Unless?"
"Unless there's a crushing disparity in strength between the two sides."
"Ahaha~ Something like that."
Looking at Texas who wasn't losing ground at all facing the tall man, Exusiai said quite proudly:
"Don't underestimate our organization just because it looks small; everyone is an elite. Besides, many things have happened recently, this is also an opportunity, taking the chance to find the people stirring trouble behind the scenes is also something we need to do. And I also believe Croissant and Texas can handle these people. But right now, we also have things we need to do."
"What things?"
"Remember those hidden people? Lock onto them, minimize the danger."
Exusiai sighed in Li Lin's ear, aiming the firearm remotely from within the car compartment towards those locations emitting an uneasy aura.
"Don't think too much. Texas and Croissant have their own ways. We also have our ways."
The soft body behind him transmitted a reassuring voice. Her hand steadily hooked onto the trigger of the sniper rifle.
"…"
The smell of apple pie is so strong.
"I trust you."
Holding Li Lin's waist, Exusiai rested her head on his, holding the firearm steady to aim, and murmured in a low voice.
"I trust you unconditionally, just like trusting my own siblings, my own parents."
Although the posture was intimate, for some reason, there were no profane thoughts. Accompanied by these low, almost self-suggesting words, Li Lin clearly saw the halo above Exusiai's head gradually emit an increasingly hazy and brilliant light, and her gaze also became sharper, as if wanting to pierce through the pitch-black night, tightly fixing on the darkness-filled tall building.
And seemingly afraid Li Lin would run away, she grasped Li Lin's palm with her not-so-large hand, using a strange lifting gesture aimed at the night outside, her voice becoming increasingly ethereal and murmuring, making Li Lin's mind feel somewhat dazed.
"I have unreserved trust in you, I have absolute confidence in you."
The girl spoke slowly, releasing the safety catch of the firearm.
Accompanied by the sound of the spring mechanism operating, this seemingly cumbersome firearm gradually outlined an inexplicable aura.
"And you will lead us out of hardship, lead us away from the land of strife. So Prophet, now please tell me, tell me this future. Reveal to me those who oppose us."
"…You mean report their positions?"
"Mmm~~~ Yes. How does it feel?"
The girl with the fluorescent light halo above her head said grinningly from behind.
"Then can you not be so formal? It sounds, how should I put it, kinda weird."
"Then choose a way you like. For the apple pie? Long live Penguin Logistics?"
"No, just talking normally like a human is fine. And please don't trust me that much, my luck has always been pretty bad."
"It's okay, I trust you, just like I trust myself."
"So can you stop talking like that?"
Smelling the subtle scent of apple pie near his nose, Li Lin squinted, looking at the surrounding locations emitting somewhat strange auras.
Although it was magical, Li Lin could just feel that these positions were most suitable for ambushing, and there were definitely people ambushing. Just like the intense killing intent often felt from overhead when playing those games back then, he could also sense the positions of those people.
Several stood on various tall buildings, several also stood by the base of walls and at alley entrances. Although shrouded in the night, he could still sense figures holding crossbows lurking in ambush spots around those buildings. Their movements weren't professional, to the point their bodies would be exposed outside the shadows. And for the few who didn't show themselves, their positions could be locked onto through observation.
It was as simple as Americans hunting turkeys in the countryside.
"…Thirteen people, quite a crowd."
After Li Lin reported the positions, Exusiai looked at those sneaky figures and smiled slightly.
"After locking on, the rest is just waiting for Texas and Croissant's signal. If things go smoothly, we can still make it back in time for dessert."
"Is that so? I feel the atmosphere is a bit off though."
Looking at the negotiation scene where the atmosphere seemed to be gradually intensifying, Li Lin felt that according to his luck, this matter probably wouldn't end in a way acceptable to everyone.