William estimated that it would only take a few minutes for the four cars to reach his position. He looked around and saw a seven- to eight-meter-high dirt mound about a few dozen meters away. This mound overlooked the only road into the mining site. After calculating the shooting angle, William quickly ran towards it.
He sprinted up the mound, found a good position, and checked his ammunition, placing the remaining four magazines within easy reach.
Not long after he was ready, the four cars sped towards him. William aimed at the first car with his AK and opened fire. He emptied the 30-round magazine in about six or seven seconds. With his strength amplified to five or six times that of a normal person, the AK's recoil was easily managed, and he fired it like a machine gun.
The first car was riddled with bullets in seconds, with blood mist spraying from inside. At less than 20 meters, the AK's firepower was at its peak, and the bullets penetrated the windows and doors easily, making the people inside jerk like puppets before falling still.
William quickly reloaded and aimed at the last car, about 30 meters away, and fired again. The clattering of bullets hitting the car continued until, after about ten shots, the car exploded with a loud bang, sending flames skyward.
Meanwhile, the two middle cars swerved wildly to avoid the wreckage and came to a halt. William, with bullets still in his AK, aimed at the driver of the third car and fired, shattering the windshield and creating a mist of blood as the two people in the front seats were hit.
The people in the second car scrambled out, seeking cover behind the vehicle. Only ten seconds had passed, and William quickly reloaded his third magazine. Seeing that he couldn't shoot at those hiding behind the second car from his current angle, he turned and retreated down the mound. At a distance of 20 meters, he could sense their every move with his mental power.
William ran several dozen meters, flanking the group from the side. He aimed at two exposed individuals and fired controlled bursts.
The two men slumped over the car, blood streaming from their mouths. Now, only two men remained from the second car, while two injured men from the third car lay by its side, struggling to breathe.
William calculated that he had 24 rounds left in his AK and one spare magazine. It was enough. He aimed at the fuel tank of the third car and fired in short bursts, the bullets striking the area around the tank. The two injured men panicked, crawling desperately away but were quickly shot in the back by William.
At a distance of over 60 meters, short-range firearms posed no threat to him. William stood up, reloaded his last magazine, and fired at the second car's fuel tank. He shot one round, then waited a few seconds before firing another, trying to scare the remaining two men into exposing themselves.
The tactic worked. After seeing their comrades gunned down, one man broke under the pressure and dashed out from behind the car, only to be shot in the back by William. The remaining man trembled uncontrollably, urinating himself in fear. To add to his terror, William fired another shot into the dead man's body and continued shooting at the fuel tank.
William was puzzled after his eighth shot. "Why hasn't the tank exploded yet? Aren't fuel tanks supposed to blow up after a few shots?"
"Wait! I surrender, I surrender!" the last man shouted, throwing his gun aside.
"Raise your hands and come out," William commanded.
After a few seconds with no movement, William shot the car's rear bumper. This final shot shattered the man's nerve, and he emerged with his hands up, trembling.
As the man approached within a dozen meters, William confirmed he was unarmed. He holstered his AK and walked over.
"Name?" William asked.
"My... my name is Luke. Don't kill me, please. I've only been with this gang for three days. I haven't done anything bad," Luke stammered.
William didn't believe a word. His mental power detected a hidden dagger in Luke's sleeve. The gun Luke threw away was a modified M1911. Keeping a safe distance, William said, "Lie on the ground, now."
Luke, who was waiting for William to come closer, hesitated. William, sensing his intent, shot the ground near Luke's feet, making him lie down and place his hands over his head.
William walked over, picked up the discarded M1911, and inspected it. The gun was well-modified, with a longer barrel and extended grip, finished in a matte silver. It felt comfortable in his hand. The magazine was full, indicating Luke had been too scared to fire.
William reloaded the M1911, wiped down his AK with a cloth, removed the magazine, and tossed it into the burning car. Throughout, he monitored Luke, who had contemplated running but ultimately stayed put.
William approached Luke, smiling. "Can you tell me about this gun? It has the Nighthawk logo on it. This modification must have cost a lot. You don't look like a low-level grunt."
Luke, seeing William examine his gun, said reluctantly, "It was a gift from my father on my twentieth birthday. His signature is on it."
William found an inscription on the gun's side: "May luck always be with you, my child. Murad."
William pulled out a photo of Ginny and showed it to Luke. "Do you know this girl?"
Cursing his luck, Luke realized this man was here because his gang had kidnapped someone important to him. Looking at the photo, Luke shook his head. William pressed the M1911's firing pin with his thumb, producing a clicking sound.
"I'll count to three. If you don't know, I'll shoot. Think carefully; you have three seconds."
Terrified, Luke screamed, "Wait, please wait! I'll give you money. I have millions in Switzerland. It's all yours if you spare me."
Ignoring the plea, William began, "One."
Luke, panicked, looked at the photo again and shouted, "Wait! I've seen the other girl. I saw her!"
William stopped, looking at the photo of Ginny's cousin, Amanda. "Where did you see her?"
Luke, sensing hope, carefully replied, "Promise you won't kill me if I tell you. I swear I saw her this morning when I went to see my brother."
"Where?"
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