Chapter 147: Captured

A2’s entrance was truly breathtaking. With just a single strike, she shattered the front line of the coalition forces; all defenses were rendered meaningless before her. Even Xie Liu, watching from the edge of the battlefield, felt a jolt of terror. While her strength was still a fair distance behind that of Ace and Wendy, in Xie Liu’s estimation, it was at least fifty times the human limit.

Being ten times as strong was enough to send a truck flying, so one could only imagine what fifty times meant. The A2 before him was a perfect illustration of that level of power. She was a powerhouse on par with Wendy and Ace, exerting absolute martial dominance. If her weakness could not be found, the battle would end in a lopsided slaughter.

"The Alliance’s special forces are not to be underestimated," Xie Liu remarked with a sigh. Before him, Xue Feng wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. Seeing Xie Liu’s gaze shift toward A2, Xue Feng sneered triumphantly. "How about that? Have you witnessed the power of my superior? Do you still intend to resist?"

"She is very strong," Xie Liu did not refute Xue Feng; it was the truth, and there was no point in arguing. "I am indeed no match for her. To be precise, she and I are simply not in the same league."

"But don’t be too happy just yet. Remember, it was Ace who fell to me." Xie Liu lowered his blade. At this point, Xue Feng posed no threat; the prolonged battle had exhausted his stamina, whereas Xie Liu was different. His recovery abilities were astonishing; he could fight all night without issue.

The strongest special operative, Ace, had never denied his defeat by Xie Liu. It was precisely after that battle at the Hokkaido branch that the legendary Ace had gone silent, reportedly seeking an opportunity to become even stronger.

"You..." Xue Feng’s expression was ghastly. Ace was the god within the hearts of all special operatives, the object of their worship, for he alone had managed to slaughter Tier 9 superhumans in the Fantasy City. In his most famous campaign, Ace had killed over thirty Tier 9 superhumans, earning him the crown of an S-rank special operative. The fact that he had been defeated by Xie Liu was something many simply could not accept.

Xie Liu ignored Xue Feng’s posturing, his gaze fixed solemnly on A2 in the heart of the battlefield. Her presence was too dazzling; her strength had entered the ranks of top-tier powerhouses. The personnel from Fantasy City currently on the field stood no chance against her.

Xie Liu reached behind his back to touch the sniper rifle hidden in his guitar case. He hadn’t discarded the weapon throughout the previous fighting. His only hope lay in the Tier 7 bullets, but he hadn't brought any. He still had two Tier 6 rounds, but their power was far inferior to the "End-of-Days" Tier 7 ammunition and would not be enough to secure a victory.

Seeing Xie Liu lost in thought, Xue Feng began to contemplate retreating. He knew he was no match for Xie Liu, and with A2 now on the field, there was no longer any need to waste his energy here.

Xie Liu sensed Xue Feng’s intent but made no move to stop him; it would have been highly unrealistic to try. Instead, he was debating whether to intervene and assist the two phalanx commanders of the Catastrophe Legion.

"Based on my current strength, helping them would be futile. My best option is to hold my position here, wait for an opportunity, and put a bullet in her." With that thought, Xie Liu began assembling his rifle. Xue Feng had already retreated, and Xie Liu knew no one would disturb him for a while.

Once assembled, Xie Liu pulled a Tier 6 bullet from his pocket and chambered it.

A2 was unaware that a sniper had secretly taken aim at her from not far away, and even if she had known, she wouldn't have cared. Her targets were the two Tier 9 superhumans before her. Dragging her long white blade, she walked across the shattered battlefield toward the two commanders.

"I didn't want to do this, but I don't have time to play with you anymore." A2 stopped before them and raised her sword. "You are worthy warriors; I will grant you a decent death."

The two men remained in a defensive stance, their bodies refusing to obey as they watched A2 approach. Just as the blade began to descend, a cold glint flashed. A2 whipped her head around, her left hand flicking out a pitch-black light that collided head-on with a projectile flying toward her.

*Boom!*

The object struck by the black light exploded instantly. Fire and shockwaves erupted, scattering outward, yet the force remained undiminished, surging in all directions. The ground at A2’s feet was churned up by the immense impact, but as the shockwaves neared her, they seemed to encounter something terrifying, veering away to either side.

The wind lifted her silver hair, and a look of doubt appeared in her emerald right eye.

"Tier 6 bullet."

As her lips parted, the flames and dust cleared. The black light she had flicked away revealed itself: a rapidly spinning *tachi* made of obsidian-like metal. After the fire dissipated, the blade spun in the air a few more times before coming to a slow halt.

A2 maintained her throwing stance. As the blade stopped spinning, she clenched her left hand, and the black sword flew back into her grip as if pulled by an invisible force.

Xie Liu’s expression darkened instantly. This probing shot had confirmed that while A2’s strength might not quite equal Ace’s, they were on the same level.

*Black Covenant.* Xie Liu knew the origin of that short black blade. It was forged entirely from "Dark Iron" from the Hidden Realm, utilizing advanced reticulated spatial structures. The interior of the blade was hollow to reduce weight, yet it still weighed three hundred kilograms.

*Black Covenant* was a renowned weapon that had passed through three owners. The first two had met unfortunate ends, but in A2’s hands, the blade shone with brilliance.

"Come out. I know it’s you, Dead Eye." A2 sheathed the *Black Covenant*, temporarily ignoring the two crumbling phalanx commanders, and looked toward the distance where Xie Liu was walking toward her, cradling his sniper rifle.

"I’ve heard your name for a long time, but this is the first time we’ve met." A2 looked Xie Liu up and down for a long moment, then nodded. "You’re not bad. No wonder 2B lost to you, and that blockhead Ace fell for your tricks too."

Xie Liu shrugged helplessly. "I had no choice; I was just trying to survive."

"Is it really as simple as just surviving?" A2 turned to lock eyes with him. She rarely paid attention to men, and this was the first person other than Ace to pique her interest.

"I don’t believe you were just trying to survive. I find it strange—you are clearly capable of such excellence, so why settle for mediocrity?" She was referring to his performance after the Hokkaido campaign. Defeating Ace was an achievement that could have brought him instant fame anywhere, yet Xie Liu had chosen not to.

"I just hate trouble," Xie Liu said, smoothing things over with his usual glibness. "Hey, do me a favor, will you? How about you spare those two?"

A2 was stunned by the sudden request. After a long moment, she reacted, saying dully, "Do you have any idea what you're asking?"

"I do," Xie Liu said, spreading his hands. "I’m begging you to show mercy."

"Are you trying to be funny?" A2 looked at him blankly, feeling unable to keep up with his train of thought. Xie Liu, however, remained earnest. "I think I can try to persuade you. Can't you give me a chance?"

Perhaps because she had never encountered someone as shameless as Xie Liu, a strange smile flickered on A2’s face. "Fine. I’ll give you that chance. Ten seconds. If you can't persuade me, I’ll kill one. Then I’ll give you another ten seconds; if you still can't persuade me, I’ll kill the other."

"Huh? Ten seconds?" Xie Liu froze. He had no prepared reason to persuade her; he had only been trying to stall for time.

"Ten, nine..."

"Wait, you're starting already?"

"Eight, seven..."

"Don't do this! Let me think!"

"Six, five..."

"Let me organize my thoughts!"

"Four, three..."

"Are you messing with me?"

"Two, one!" A2 raised her sword.

"If you dare touch him, the Catastrophe Legion won't let you off!" Xie Liu’s mind went blank, and he shouted the first thing that came to him. A2’s blade paused slightly, then she shook her head. "Threats don't work on me."

*Thwack!*

The white blade swung down, and the head of one of the phalanx commanders soared into the air. Blood splattered—a Tier 9 powerhouse had fallen.

Xie Liu clenched his fists. A2’s personality was completely different from Ace’s. Ace was powerful, but he was a fool governed by knightly virtues. A2 was different. Xie Liu could feel that there hadn't been a hint of hesitation in her eyes when she swung her blade. In other words, once she made up her mind, she would not be swayed by anyone’s words.

"Fine! Ten more seconds, right?" Xie Liu calmed down. This was an enemy who could not be fooled by word games. He became serious, his gaze shifting to the last remaining phalanx commander, who had collapsed to the ground in terror after seeing his comrade fall. It wasn't that they weren't strong; it was that their opponent was simply too powerful.

"You understand your situation well," A2 smiled slightly. "Ten, nine..."

This time, Xie Liu didn't rush to speak. He glared at A2 with a sullen face, thinking rapidly. What could possibly move her?

"Eight, seven, six, five..." Time ticked away. Xie Liu felt sweat beading on his forehead. The last commander stared at him desperately; it was impossible for him to escape, and his only hope lay in this hunter, whose background he didn't even know.

"Four, three, two, one!" A2 reached the end of her count and raised her blade.

"Wait!" Xie Liu shouted. "I have a great secret to tell you."

"What secret? Just say it." A2’s blade didn't fall. Xie Liu breathed a slight sigh of relief. "Since it's a secret, I can't let just anyone hear it. How about you let him go, and then I’ll tell you?"

"What if I let him go and you don't tell me?" A2 clearly didn't trust him. She glanced at the pale man kneeling on the ground, then chuckled. "I have an idea. Dead Eye, you take his place."

"This woman is really hard to handle," Xie Liu gritted his teeth, though he kept his face impassive. He offered a slight smile. "Since a beauty like you has taken an interest in me, why not?"

"In that case..." A2 lowered her white blade and pointed at Xie Liu, telling the kneeling commander, "Go back and tell your superiors that I am taking this man with me."

As soon as she finished, Xie Liu felt himself grabbed by someone, and they whisked away from the spot at breakneck speed.

"So fast!" Xie Liu exclaimed, looking at A2, who had appeared beside him to carry him off. A2 turned her head and smiled at him. "Thanks for the compliment, but that alone won't be enough to save your life."

"I have to take one more person with me." Xie Liu pointed to Wang Qi, who was hiding behind a large rock in the distance. A2 signaled for two B-rank operatives to bring Wang Qi over.

"We’re pulling out." Once back at her camp, A2 issued the order. A B-rank operative asked, "My lady, are we not taking this branch?"

"It’s no use. Even if we took it now and killed everyone here, it wouldn't matter. Their reinforcements have arrived; we cannot hold this place. We missed our chance last night." A2 threw Xie Liu aside, looking somewhat frustrated.

"But at least I brought back someone interesting." She looked at Xie Liu, who was sitting to the side blowing bubbles with his saliva.

"Now, can you tell me your secret?"