Nightmare Assault

Under the night, inside an inconspicuous black car, there was a small burst of flame. It revealed a scarred face. The facial features were sharp, especially the pair of eyes that was hidden in the dark. The middle-aged man lit up a match to light the cigarette on his lips.

After taking a deep drag of the smoke, the middle-aged man threw away the extinguished match. The crackling of the cigarette was amplified in the dark and small space. He leaned on the chair. He was alone in the car. An old black-and-white phone was placed before him.

The middle-aged man took out a phone card from his side pocket and plugged it into the phone. After he switched on the phone, he had to wait for it to activate. He clicked into the contact list. There was only one recorded number. The number sat there waiting… like an elder who had lost his ability to move.

He took a deep breath and called the number. After waiting for a while, the call was connected.

“He said yes.” Before the other party could say anything, the middle-aged man said, “I’ve contacted the people inside. I believe with them there, Miss will be fine.”

Heavy breathing came from the other side. The middle-aged man frowned. He could sense the coldness from his breathing. “It has been a while… since the appearance of such a person.” Finally, someone spoke. However, the voice was unusually cool. It was mixed with static. It sounded more like a digitally-doctored voice. It was even, chill and had no emotions.

“Yes.” The middle-aged man answered respectfully, “Based on the news we had, Deep Red is deeply interested in him. They have tried to approach him in the nightmare.” He paused, “More than once.

“But, please don’t worry. This time, we are very well-prepared. Miss…”

“Gong Zhe,” The other party suddenly said. The middle-aged man paused. He subconsciously sat up straight, like a general facing his emperor. The muscles of his upper body bulged, filling up the suit. He was far more powerful than Jiang Cheng thought.

“Keep an eye on this man.” The voice continued, “No matter the price, do not let him be corrupted by Deep Red. If necessary…” Several seconds later, the robotic voice showed emotions when he said, “You can give up Meng Meng.”

Gong Zhe’s pupils trembled. He opened his mouth to say something, but he was not given the chance.

“We are running out of time,” The voice sighed, “We cannot suffer… such a loss.”

The middle-aged man lowered his head and nodded. “Understood.” His voice was coarse. Without any ceremony, the call ended.

The phone card was removed, and the middle-aged man’s world returned to silence. He sat in the car alone. Many broken memories with fire and blood surged out of his mind. He was one of the survivors of that incident, similar to the person on the other end of the line. Therefore… they knew how scary the people they needed to face were.

He slowly raised his arm. The exquisite sleeve with golden thread slid down his wrist. As his muscles bulged, the centipede-like scar on his arm seemed to come alive. Not many people knew of his past, just like no one knew that the scar started at his wrist and extended to his heart. The slash almost cut him in half.

It was the phone vibration that interrupted his thoughts. Naturally, it was not from the old phone. It was from the new phone in his pocket. He took out the phone. The number that showed up moved him. He answered the call. Before he spoke, he heard an explosive roar, “Uncle Gong, where is that little bastard now?

“Get away from me!” Xia Meng shouted. The shout was not directed at him but at someone near her. He could hear other people’s voices in the background. The middle-aged man had to smile. When he left, he locked Xia Meng in the car and told his people to guard her. He told them not to let her out. However, it seemed like the girl still managed to trick her way out. Of course, it was more likely that she had threatened them.

The first thing she did after escaping was to seek revenge on Jiang Cheng. What a pair…

The middle-aged man sighed.

“Today, I’m going to skin him and pull out his nerves to use as a jumping rope!” Xia Meng cursed. Ever since she met Jiang Cheng, her luck went downhill. She had been scammed so many times. She would never forgive him.

“Alright.” The middle-aged man consoled him, “Wait for me. I’ll hurry over. I have something to discuss with you.” Then, he added in a more serious tone, “This is not our territory. If you really cause any big trouble…”

The girl ended the call.

The middle-aged man held the phone. He didn’t know if he wanted to call back or not. He looked awkward.

In the end, the black car drove away and entered the endless traffic. Soon, it disappeared.

…

“Doctor,” Fatty stretched his neck to stare at Jiang Cheng, “Eat slowly. No one is going to fight you for the food.”

Jiang Cheng was about to enter the nightmare again, and he would face the unknown Deep Red. Fatty cooked each meal like it was the last for the Doctor. Fatty didn’t skimp on the Doctor’s ‘last meals’.

The Doctor didn’t stand on ceremony. He snapped off a leg from the crab and threw it to Fatty.

“Doctor,” Fatty picked up the crab leg with embarrassment. He held it but didn’t eat it. “You should eat first. I… I will eat later.”

Jiang Cheng looked up. With a prawn in his mouth, he mumbled, “Who said that was for you?”

Fatty was startled as he looked at the crab leg.

“Help me peel off the shell.” Jiang Cheng ordered, “So I can eat faster.”

Fatty, “...”

After that, Fatty cleaned up the kitchen. He didn’t have the mood to clean up the messy office.

After all, it was unknown if the owner would return alive or not.

“Doctor,” Fatty swirled the cup in his hand and asked, “Has that man contacted you?”