The next day dawned with a chilling realization. There was already a bounty on my head for terminating the life of the Sicilian mafia's patriarch. I found myself silently condemning what I have done, grappling with the weight of the consequences.
I extinguished the very source of my damnation, but it came at the cost of the life of my superior, father figure, friend, and caregiver. The weight of my actions settled heavily on my conscience as I grappled with the sacrifice made in the name of justice and redemption. The bittersweet victory left me torn between relief and profound grief for the loss of someone who had played such a significant role in my life.
Despite the knowledge that Adofo is out there, alive and moving, his absence and mysterious whereabouts leave me with a sense of detachment. Even with his existence lingering in the shadows, I struggle to find any emotional connection or reaction reflected in my demeanor.
As I immersed myself in introspection, all I encountered was a profound emptiness, intensified by the sharp ache of Adofo's abandonment.
The void left by his absence weighed heavily on my heart, amplifying the sense of loss and solitude that consumed me. What had he done to me? Well, the betrayal stirred a tempest of emotions within, leaving me adrift in a sea of confusion and heartache. My mind refuses to function, as if I've been rendered fragile, numbed to the point where breathing feels forgotten.
My eyes fixated solely on the screen, scanning through the background information of the individual I was condemned for. Each detail revealed added another layer to the complex web of circumstances that led to my current predicament. My search feels futile as I fail to uncover any information about the person who disrupted my life. The surname Gotti was entirely blocked from every server, impeding any further investigation. Frustrated, I gritted my teeth, but with no other options in sight, I turned to a different platform to gather more information that might aid me in my search for escape plan resources.
I am also keen on locating a country with minimal underworld or black market control. A third-world country seems most suitable, with my focus on nations in Southeast Asia. As I delved into my black-market records, the dim screen light cast an eerie glow in the room. Navigating the encrypted underworld platform, each entry in the global bounty hunters' database revealed chilling accounts of risk and obscurity.
With precision and caution, I maneuvered through layers of security, each keystroke a step closer to the core of the encrypted underworld. The dance of skill and stealth heightened the thrill of the chase, a delicate balance on the edge of exposure.
In a moment of intense focus, I traced my record, scrutinizing it for months on end. The weight of my deeds bore down on me as I sought validation of my latest target, the reality of my actions sinking in with each passing moment.
I shouldn't be taken aback by this turn of events. After all, I have just eliminated a man whose identity carries as much weight and significance as a neutron star. Now I understand why Adofo left me hanging.
Who would even come close and help me if I turn into John Wick 2.0?
No one would dare.
Nonetheless, the bold red confirmation code flashing on the black screen sends a jolt through me. Each pulsating letter reverberates with the risks I've dared, the boundaries I've breached, and the shadows that now cling to my soul. Despite it all, a grin breaks free from my lips, a mix of defiance and acceptance in the face of the darkness within.
Who wouldn't crack a smile? After all, my name is at the top of the highest bounty list! Hehe, this is quite an achievement, you know. But darn it, I only have forty-eight hours left. If I go over that, I might not be able to escape death.
Honestly speaking, my pulse quickens before I check my bounty, a blend of exhilaration and a subtle twinge of something else—a hint of remorse, perhaps. However, in my line of work, emotions are a luxury I cannot afford. They blur judgment, slow reflexes, and undermine effectiveness. Every mission requires clarity, precision, and detachment.
To hesitate is to invite failure, to falter is to court death.
Because in this world of shadows and secrets, sentimentality is a weakness, a vulnerability waiting to be exploited. So I must I steel myself against the pull of emotions, for they are the shackles that bind the unwary and the downfall of the unprepared.
Surviving in this unforgiving environment requires a brave heart and commitment. The deed is done, the reward obtained... My only option now is to flee the country.
In a world fraught with peril at every turn, resorting to desperate measures becomes the sole means to guarantee survival. I marvel at how my body effortlessly carried out each essential action, as if my survival instincts orchestrated every move. Astonishingly, I found myself departing the country the following morning, comfortably seated in a first-class suite aboard an aircraft. And I was taking these actions without a conscious thought.
All I knew was that I had to depart and forsake my former life.
I must.
Or else, there's no escaping death.
PHILIPPINES
The news of Ruby's excommunication sent shockwaves through the criminal underworld, sparking a frenzy of speculation and rumors. In an unexpected turn of events, The Continent placed a jaw-dropping bounty of one hundred million euros on her head. Amidst the chaos, the Sicilian Mafia caught wind of the abandoned assassin, their interest piqued by the unexpected actions of The Continent.
The enigmatic figure of Ruby, now excommunicated and hunted, became a tantalizing target for the Mafia's intricate web of power and influence. Whispers of alliances and betrayals swirled in the shadows as the underworld braced for the unfolding drama of power and deception.
"Have you heard, Signore?" a man crack his voice after nursing his drink.
"What?" a gravelly voice echoed from the corner, its weight and darkness sketched deep into his grieving eyes.
"The Mafia questioned the Continent's motive, skeptical of why they would execute their own asset."
"Do I look like a fortune-teller, Raul? Tell me straight!"
"Apologies, Signore... The child of Giuseppe was the last individual spotted with your father."
In an instant, the gentleman furrowed his brow and swiftly turned to look at the man who served him.
"Her daughter? Claire?"
"Si, Signore."
"And what does it do with the Continent and my father?"
"There's a Continent agent who's been excommunicated by the high tables- her bounty reached the world's rank of most wanted assassins. The data shows that this agent was Barone Giuseppe's child."
The man grew quiet after hearing it, then gradually let out a laugh that reverberated across the entire room. It was a mixture of both amusement and anger, resembling an unsettling melody-starting as a chuckle, yet swiftly transforming into a darker, more ominous tone.
The laughter builds quickly, rising in intensity like a musical crescendo, with sharp, disjointed bursts that appear to contradict each other. It reflects a mix of finding the situation absurdly amusing while also harboring a simmering rage just below the surface.
"Giuseppe! Vaffanculo! HAHAHA!" He mockingly yelled; eyes stared deep into a figure of a man he never expected to get into his nerves again even if it was already dead.
***
"Did you get wind of the order from the Continent?"
"Yeah, heard they put out a hefty bounty on Ruby. A hundred million. That's quite the number."
"Unbelievable. She was their prized asset. Why cut her loose now?"
"Don't know, but it's got our syndicates buzzing. A bounty that big, she must've really crossed the line."
"Crossing lines never bothered the Continent before. Something doesn't add up."
"No one walks away from the Continent, not without consequences."
"Exactly. We've seen the aftermath of their displeasure."
"So, what do we do about Ruby?"
"Keep an eye out. This isn't just a matter of a bounty; it's about uncovering why the Continent would abandon their prized asset. There's more to this than meets the eye."
Dirk's POV
I find myself deeply entrenched in this gang transaction, fully absorbed in the ongoing business, when the news of Ruby slowly seeps into my awareness. An overwhelming sense of concern floods over me like a tidal wave amidst the surrounding chaos. In the shadows, figures of hitmen and assassins engage in hushed conversations about her excommunication. Tension hangs heavy in the air as they gear up to track down her whereabouts.
"They've excommunicated Ruby. Orders are out. Find her, no matter the cost!" Another hitman shouted.
This is bad.
Others nodded with a horrendous smirk. "The hunt begins. Spread the word. Every hand is on deck for this."
The tension escalates as the hitmen equip themselves with an assortment of weapons, their features shrouded in darkness. Questions swarm my thoughts, craving resolution. My mind races through various scenarios, exploring a range of possibilities, attempting to unravel the mystery behind her abrupt downfall.
"Where's the last known location?" I interject, drawing everyone's attention as they all turn to look at me simultaneously.
Selling these new equipment and weapons took a wrong turn, but I have no other option but to press on; I must find her quickly! However, days passed without any leads. I couldn't even locate Adofo. Now, another question arises that I believe will haunt me for the rest of my days. Why would The Continent cut off connections with a valuable asset like Ruby? Who have you eliminated this time, Rubianna?
I am unable to shake off this burden, this overwhelming sense of impending doom that has descended upon my mind like a dark storm cloud. Ruby, ensnared in the crosshairs of an immense bounty, her safety now a mere mirage in the face of the lure of millions. The weight of responsibility lingers, a silent promise to safeguard her. The feeling of helplessness persists, knowing she is out there, hunted for reasons beyond her control.
Yet, I will not rest until I locate her, until I shield her from the tempest brewing around her—a tempest fueled by the greed of those blinded by the temptation of a bounty.
Hold on... does the spectrum know?