Chapter 114 God of Vengeance

In a suburban area outside Seoul, the seven individuals chose this location to await 13's return. The environment was indeed pleasant; behind a serene grove lay a small lake. It was already night when they departed; the moon in the sky reflected upon the placid water's surface. The luminous moonlight was more cherished than the scorching sun, for it possessed such gentleness...

Zhen Xian stood alone by the lakeside, observing the scene before her, her mood calming. It seemed as though all unpleasantries were forgotten. She recalled being the economic pillar of South Korea just yesterday, yet today she had become a fugitive. The world appeared to change too rapidly, almost too fast for her to adapt. The sensation of losing much of what she possessed was not agreeable. Had a person with a more fragile psyche experienced her life, perhaps they would have succumbed to madness?

She crouched by the water's edge, her finger tapping lightly, sending a ripple across the tranquil lake surface, which then returned to silence.

She glanced at the hem of her once-white skirt, now the color of the night itself. Slowly sitting down, she hadn't intended to disturb the tranquility, but the skirt required cleansing.

Placing the skirt hem gently upon the water, the ripples dispersed without pattern.

Gently removing the stains, Zhen Xian's face revealed a smile upon seeing they could be washed away.

"Young Mistress, we are fugitives, not on an excursion. If you cherish cleanliness so much, you should have prepared spare clothes before coming out..." The nearby 24 interjected with cold sarcasm. Tasked with protecting Zhen Xian, she could only follow closely now. Meanwhile, 1 and the others rested within the woods.

She didn't comprehend why 1 had made such arrangements, knowing full well their relationship was like fire and water...

"I am not as pampered as you imagine. It's just..." Zhen Xian felt slightly indignant, "It's just that he likes this skirt. If it gets soiled, he will be displeased."

24's heart jolted again; whenever she heard anything concerning "him" from Zhen Xian's lips, she lost control of her emotions.

"You don't understand him at all..." 24 lowered her head heavily.

"His origins, his background, his past. You know nothing of him? By what right do you claim 'he will be displeased'?" 24 whispered contemptuously.

"Perhaps it is just as you say..." Zhen Xian ceased her actions, "But he is a very easily understood person. As rudimentary as a child. He laughs when happy, cries when angered. He dislikes concealing his emotions. When he loves someone, he loves for a lifetime..."

For reasons unknown, 24 only perceived a sense of melancholy in her words.

"Actually, it isn't me he loves..." Zhen Xian gazed towards the lake's far end, "He loves only a woman who greatly resembles me. Perhaps the resemblance is truly profound, so he often mistakes me for her. 13 genuinely loves her deeply... even willing to sacrifice his life for her. Yet, he no longer has this opportunity. That woman seems to have perished. Thus, he attempts to fulfill his unfinished responsibilities through me. Perhaps this is my poignant fate?!"

Zhen Xian trembled with a smile, a single droplet fell onto the placid lake surface, spreading the most beautiful ripple.

"I cannot control it... Even knowing I am merely a substitute, I still love him. As long as he remains by my side. Substitute or myself. None of that matters anymore. Being able to see his gentle gaze. I am already profoundly content." Zhen Xian embraced her arms. As she faced away from 24, 24 couldn't discern Zhen Xian's expression at that moment. But it must have been the most blissful smile...

"Actually, you are not as detestable as I imagined..." 24 murmured softly.

Zhen Xian did not hear her words.

"Alright, let us depart. 13's signal is very close; he should be arriving here soon..." 24 noticed the flashing point on her helmet display.

"Mm!" Zhen Xian stood up.

Returning to the group, 1 and 36 also noticed the signal. Strangely, however, the signal's movement speed was somewhat slow.

Instinctively, 1 and 36 raised their firearms; 24 mirrored the action. This likely highlighted the difference between soldiers and civilians; vigilance was a condition for survival.

Not far off, a dark figure slowly materialized from the night curtain. The distinct four blue eyes served as the best identification. Everyone finally lowered their weapons again. On 13's back was another person, perhaps the reason for 13's reduced speed. Though the light was poor, Zhen Xian recognized Zheng Xuan. His small backpack was exceedingly familiar to her; she remembered gifting it to him on his tenth birthday.

On 13's broad back, Zheng Xuan seemed deeply asleep. The journey's jolting hadn't woken him. Perhaps the experiences of the past few days had truly exhausted him...

"Only Zheng Xuan returned? What about the others?" Zhen Xian asked with concern as 13 approached.

However, 13 remained silent. Due to the combat suit, Zhen Xian couldn't see 13's expression, but she detected something amiss. She rushed to 13's side.

The night returned to stillness. Zhen Xian was speechless, her pupils dilating violently. She covered her mouth with one hand, her trembling body collapsing to the ground. The unusual reaction drew everyone towards 13.

A boy with delicate features rested quietly on 13's back. His expression was so serene...

Yet, several bullet holes marred his white student shirt; blood blossomed like red flowers upon the fabric. Blood still slowly trickled from his mouth...

"Ah!!!" Zhen Xian roared in anguish, snatching the gradually cooling body from 13's back, holding it incredibly tight in her embrace.

"Open your eyes! Open your eyes! Weren't you always most obedient to your sister? I command you to open your eyes! Sister swears never to be angry with you again. Absolutely won't hit you, won't scold you. Whatever you wish, I will never object again! Just say one word to sister..." Zhen Xian's body trembled violently. No one knew the depth of the bond between these two. Due to their fathers' relationship, Zhen Xian and Zheng Xuan had been like siblings without blood ties since childhood. Recalling all the past moments felt like yesterday; they could still roughhouse in the room, Zheng Xuan would still draw on her face while she slept...

"I apologize..." 13 uttered softly, "By the time I arrived, the others were already dead. Zheng Xuan had also been shot. I administered first aid, but the bullet pierced his lung lobes. He was still alive on the way back on my shoulders... I apologize..."

"I don't believe it..." Zhen Xian shook her head tremulously, "How could they do it? They were just children! Just children who understood nothing!"

Abruptly standing up from the ground, Zhen Xian grabbed the COOL-FIRE 5 from 13's hand; the excessively heavy firearm was impossible to lift. Zhen Xian collapsed to the ground again along with the weapon. Yet, even so, she struggled to drag herself forward...

"Those bastards! I want vengeance, I want vengeance!" Zhen Xian gritted her teeth, experiencing such hatred for the first time.

"Enough..." A pair of warm arms embraced Zhen Xian from behind, "Please don't be like this?"

"Zheng Xuan... he... Zheng Xuan is still just a child!!!" Dropping the firearm, Zhen Xian leaned weakly into the embrace of the arms' owner.

Without words, everyone remained silent. What was needed at this moment was merely quietude...

Three hours later...

Everyone stood before a grave, personally constructed by Zhen Xian for Zheng Xuan. Her slender fingers were now wrapped in bandages, some showing through with red. Regarding Zhen Xian's outburst, 13 had only watched silently.

"I want them to pay the price!" Zhen Xian clenched her fists, ignoring the pain from her injuries.

"Could you please calm down?" 24 spoke with genuine concern, "In our current state, we cannot engage with them excessively. Actions can only commence after everyone has recuperated."

"I am very calm now," Zhen Xian stated firmly, "I want Japan utterly destroyed as a nation. Every inch of their land stained with their cruel blood. Make them regret killing our people!"

Someone once said the most terrifying thing is an angered woman. This likely described the current Zhen Xian.

"Given the current situation, even driving the Japanese army out of Korea is an exceedingly difficult 'project'. Inflicting damage upon their homeland would require divine assistance, unless..." 36 articulated the reality.

"We have it!" Zhen Xian turned to face everyone, her gaze resolute, "We have a 'god'! The god of the network—Snake! Utilizing it can render Japan truly naked. And Snake's final form is... capable of controlling all systems connected to the network. With it, South Korea can decimate all aspects of their civilian life and military affairs. Then initiate a simultaneous launch from global missile systems. Even without nuclear warheads, it would be sufficient to sink their small islands a hundred times over!"

Hearing Zhen Xian's words, everyone couldn't help but shudder; this was likely the most insane plan anyone had ever heard.

Ignoring everyone's bewildered gazes, Zhen Xian walked past the crowd towards the distance...

"What do you intend to do?" 13 grasped Zhen Xian's hanging arm.

"Follow me, I will take you to meet South Korea's 'god'!" Zhen Xian's voice was so gentle...