Chapter: 1436

In her past, Norah's organization was a renowned assassination group that also ran covert mercenary operations. She had often accompanied them on missions.

Her group had often competed with Kellan's. They had crossed paths numerous times.

The familiarity of her voice took Kellan by surprise.

"Rose? You are still alive?"

Hadn't Dark Night, the renowned mercenary team, vanished from the world? And here was Rose, a pivotal member, standing before him.

Rumors had circulated that another member, Night Cat, was also still active.

"Oh, you still remember me."

Norah, not wearing her usual dark gold mask adorned with a rose, stood exposed before Kellan.

Kellan remembered the attempts he had made on her life.

Dark Night, with powerhouses like Rose and Night Cat, had once dominated the mercenary scene, suppressing rival teams and monopolizing contracts. How could they not bear a grudge against them?

Both Rose and Night Cat were women who had proved themselves beyond compare, igniting a fierce envy among their peers. This envy made them prime targets within the mercenary community, and they had survived numerous assassination attempts from various organizations, none of which had been successful.

Kellan instinctively stepped back, a flicker of fear visible in his eyes. Rose's prowess was well-known, and it was no surprise that the guards outside hadn't raised an alarmshe likely had neutralized them all silently.

He realized the gravity of the situation; he had already lost seven men since her arrival, and it seemed Rose's abilities had only strengthened.

“Why are you here looking for me? Why harm my men?"

He clenched his pistol. Although Rose was outnumbered, his chances of winning against her were slim.

No, he had to admit that his chances of winning were merely a long shot.

“You've kidnapped people you shouldn't have," Norah retorted, drawing her pistol but not rushing to mention her personal connection to the hostages to keep Kellan in the dark about their significance to her.

Revealing vulnerabilities first in this game meant Losing.

Kellan scanned the area, his eyes landing on the four tied-up individuals.

"Are they why you're here?"

He had overheard Bernice's cries but had not connected Norah with Rose, thinking Bernice's shouts were out of fear.

Norah's eyes narrowed, her gun aimed steadily at Kellan's head. "Now that you know, what will you do? It's been years since we last met. Have you gotten any smarter?"

Kellan's expression darkened. He was loath to forfeit the mission's lucrative reward, but the loss of his men weighed heavily on him.

Another death, especially his own, was unacceptable.