Chapter 2

Within the country, right beside Mendorra, south of Nimbulus.

An unlicensed van drove out of an abandoned factory area and sped toward the suburbs. Besides the driver, three tattooed men and a young girl about the age of four were in the vehicle.

At this time, the little girl's face was pale, her big eyes were full of endless fear, and she was trembling slightly.

The man with a scar on his face looked at the bald man. "Bob, how do you handle things! I told you to watch the little girl, and you didn't even know she had a phone with her?!"

"She's so young! I didn't expect her mom to give her a mobile phone!"

"Be more alert next time!" The scarred man responded. "Thankfully, we noticed it early. Otherwise, the four of us will be in big trouble if someone really comes for her!"

"Got it, Larry!" Bob nodded hard.

"Larry, who on earth wants this little girl? The pay is so generous! It's not an ordinary person, right?" Another guy with a buzz cut, Dave, asked.

"Don't ask things you shouldn't ask. Just do your task well!" Larry answered coldly. An obvious look of fear flashed in his eyes as if the other party's identity frightened him.

"I was only curious. Then Larry, do you know why they want us to kidnap this kid?" Dave added.

"I heard it's for a heart transplant surgery for another little girl!" Larry nodded lightly.

Dave gasped. "Damn! That cruel? So this girl is dying for sure?"

"What do you think?" Larry glanced at him.

"Whatever!" Dave shrugged.

When Riley heard their conversation, she burst into tears. "I won't die. D-Daddy will come and save me…"

"Since when do you have a dad?" Larry turned to her and asked.

"You're an illegitimate child, and even your mom doesn't know who your dad is!"

"I'm not! I have a daddy…" Riley continued crying. "Y-You're a bunch of bad guys! M-My daddy will definitely not let you go…"

"Hehe. Even if you have a dad, he probably died long ago. Otherwise, why hasn't he come to see you for so many years?"

"Daddy…is not dead. He'll come to save me…" Riley shook her head hard. "Daddy will come…"

"Then when do you think your dad will come and save you? Tomorrow? The day after tomorrow?" Bob grinned.

"It's such a shame that your surgery is tonight. After tonight, you won't get to see your dad even if he comes!"

"N-No! I'll get to see daddy…" Riley cried out loud.

"Alright, stop teasing her!" Larry said and looked at the driver, "Simon, find a place where there's no surveillance to switch to another car before leaving!"

"Got it, Larry!" Simon nodded.

…

At one o'clock in the afternoon, a military four-wheel drive stopped at the gate of the abandoned factory south of Nimbulus. Before the car even stopped, Howard, who was full of murderous intent, kicked the car door open and rushed into the factory area.

An hour earlier, he and Yoel had just arrived at the Mendorra Military Airport when they received a message from Carbonemys informing them that Riley's phone number was not in Mendorra but in an industrial park on the outskirts of Nimbulus, Mendorra's neighboring city. Hence, the two drove a military four-wheel vehicle from Mendorra to Nimbulus.

"Are you sure the last message from Riley's phone came from here?" Howard glanced around and turned to look at Yoel behind him.

In the entire factory hall, except for a few old sofas and a few scrapped mechanical equipment, no one was there.

"Confirm!" Yoel nodded. "The accuracy of the military tracker is indisputable!"

Howard frowned and quickly walked to the door of a room inside. Then, he raised his hand and waved. The entire door panel burst instantly, and sawdust flew.

After seeing the pile of broken mobile phone parts on the ground, a massive murderous intent burst out from Howard again.

It was apparent that they were one step too late!

Yoel, who was standing behind him, shuddered uncontrollably! He knew that the city of Nimbulus was about to experience a major disaster! Whenever Commander Lincoln was angered, corpses would pile up!

Only he knew best how terrifying this marshal was. The name "Commander Lincoln" alone was enough to make billions of soldiers go crazy and in awe!

The godsent hero, the pride of the nation!

Three years ago, Howard was only twenty-two when he became a legend in the battalion, a figure no one could compare to! Alone, he defeated the powerful commanders of the Ten Kingdoms, making him known as the God of War!

Howard was ordered to keep watch in the Western Region, and then he formed the Blood Shadow Force. His might subdued the surrounding countries, and anyone that heard his name would be terrified!

Two years ago, Howard accepted a new position and took charge of a mysterious organization—The Shadow Sect. His duty was to eliminate and punish the evil to maintain order!

Three months ago, the enemy country on the western front was plotting chaos, leading the Blood Shadow Force to attack them directly. They beheaded the enemy commander, and only ten thousand of the millions of soldiers survived!

"Get to the bottom of this!" Howard ordered after calming himself down. "Get someone to coordinate with the Nimbulus Police Station and check all suspicious vehicles entering and leaving this area from the time I received Riley's news until now! Tell them that I must get an answer in half an hour!"

"Yes, sir!" Yoel nodded and made a call.

"When will the Judge arrive?" Howard asked when Yoel hung up.

The Judge he mentioned was one of the Five Blades of Shadow Sect! The Shadow Sect was split by geographical location. As the territory was divided into five districts, each district would be under the responsibility of the respective Blade!

"When I called him, he was on a mission out of town, and he said he would come immediately. If there's no accident, he should be here before evening!" Yoel replied.

"Mm!" Howard nodded lightly.

"Marshal, where should we go now?" Yoel asked when the two got into the car again.

After giving it a thought, Howard answered, "Have someone locate Talia. She might know who took Riley!"

"Okay!"

Then, Yoel sent out a text. Five minutes later, Yoel's text notification sounded. He read the message and said hesitantly, "Marshal, we've located Talia."

"Spill it!" Howard ordered.

"She's at the Nimbulus Grand Universal Hotel now," Yoel added after taking a deep breath.

"Huh?!" Howard turned to Yoel and frowned.

"Maybe she's just running errands…" Yoel took a deep breath again.

"Start the car!" Howard lit a cigarette and took a deep breath. His gaze was cold, and he appeared gloomy. Yoel stepped on the gas, and the vehicle accelerated.