Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Shadows of the Past
Olutola and his team moved swiftly through the city, their senses sharp and alert. The hunt for Zhang Wei was on, and every second counted. As the sun climbed higher, casting long shadows across the streets, Olutola's mind raced with strategies.
He and Adebayo decided to start their search at the last known location where Zhang Wei was seen. It was an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Lagos, a place notorious for illicit activities. The air was thick with tension as they approached, the building looming like a specter from a forgotten time.
"Stay sharp," Olutola whispered to Adebayo as they entered the dark, musty space.
The warehouse was eerily silent, save for the occasional creak of rusted metal. They moved cautiously, checking every corner and shadow. Olutola's senses, heightened by his system, picked up faint traces of movement. He signaled to Adebayo, who nodded and prepared for whatever lay ahead.
As they ventured deeper, they stumbled upon a group of men huddled around a table. The men looked up, their faces a mixture of surprise and hostility.
"What do you want?" one of them snarled.
Olutola stepped forward, his eyes cold and unyielding. "I'm looking for Zhang Wei. Where is he?"
The men exchanged glances, and then one of them smirked. "Why should we tell you?"
Olutola didn't hesitate. With lightning speed, he lunged forward, grabbing the smirking man by the collar and lifting him off the ground. "Because if you don't, you'll wish you had," he growled.
The man's eyes widened in fear, and he stammered, "Okay, okay! He was here a few days ago, but he left. Said he had some business in Victoria Island."
Olutola dropped the man, who fell to the ground with a thud. "Thanks for the information. Now, get lost."
The men scrambled to their feet and ran, leaving Olutola and Adebayo alone in the warehouse.
"Victoria Island, huh?" Adebayo said, scratching his head. "That's a pretty upscale area for a rogue hunter."
Olutola nodded. "Exactly. Which means he's either got connections or he's hiding in plain sight. Either way, we need to move fast."
They regrouped with Ifeoma and Ada, who had been searching other parts of the city. After sharing the new information, they decided to head to Victoria Island.
---
The team split up once they arrived on Victoria Island, each taking a different sector to cover more ground. Olutola moved through the busy streets, his eyes scanning the faces of the passersby. He checked in with his contacts, hoping to find a lead.
As he walked past a high-end café, he overheard a conversation that piqued his interest.
"Did you hear about that strange guy who's been hanging around here? Always looks like he's up to no good," a woman said to her friend.
Olutola stopped and turned to them. "Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear. Could you describe this guy?"
The woman looked him up and down before replying, "Asian, early thirties, has a scar across his left cheek. He's been seen near the old abandoned hotel at the end of the street."
Olutola thanked her and quickly made his way to the hotel. It was a dilapidated building, a stark contrast to the luxury that surrounded it. As he approached, he sensed something was off. The air was thick with an ominous energy.
He stepped inside, the floorboards creaking under his weight. The interior was dark and musty, the perfect place for someone to hide. Olutola moved cautiously, his senses on high alert. He could feel eyes on him, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up.
Suddenly, a figure darted out of the shadows, aiming a knife at him. Olutola dodged, grabbing the attacker's wrist and twisting it until the knife clattered to the floor. He spun the attacker around, pinning him against the wall.
"Where's Zhang Wei?" Olutola demanded.
The man struggled but couldn't break free. "I don't know! He doesn't tell us where he goes. We just follow orders."
Olutola tightened his grip. "Wrong answer."
Before he could press further, a cold voice echoed through the room. "Let him go, Olutola."
Olutola turned to see Zhang Wei standing at the entrance, his eyes cold and calculating. "You've caused quite a stir," Zhang Wei continued. "But this ends now."
Olutola released the man and faced Zhang Wei. "You're right. This does end now."
Zhang Wei smirked, his hand reaching for a weapon. But Olutola was faster. Channeling his system's power, he summoned a shadow soldier. The dark figure materialized beside him, its eyes glowing with an eerie light.
Zhang Wei's smirk faltered. "What the hell is that?"
Olutola didn't answer. He commanded the shadow soldier to attack. The fight was swift and brutal. Zhang Wei was skilled, but he was no match for the combined might of Olutola and his shadow soldier. Within moments, Zhang Wei was on the ground, defeated.
"Your reign of terror ends here," Olutola said, standing over him.
As the authorities arrived to take Zhang Wei away, Olutola felt a sense of satisfaction. But he knew this was just the beginning. There would be more threats, more challenges. And he was ready for them.