A moment ago.

    "Don''t kill us!"

    "Mama..."

    "Nooo!"

    The people had been gathered by the terrorists in the entertainment zone. Some had escaped, but there were still about seventy people in this place.

    There were five people with guns watching the hostage. The other terrorists were preparing their weapons to find the rest.

    "The mule is not among them, sir."

    "How is the situation outside?"

    "A few of our members on the outside have said that the mule is not among the people who manage to run away."

    "In that case, continue to monitor the situation. Team A and B will go with me to search the entire mall. We can''t let the mule escape."

    "Got it."

    They started moving in an organized manner, which was much different from what people expected from a terrorist group.

    The first team was searching for every store on the left side, while the second team took care of the right side. However, they remained on the first floor, probably trying to search the second floor after they reached the end of the first floor.

    ...

    On the opposite side, Vina was hiding inside the store, asking, "What should we do, Master? At a time like this, we have to help each other."

    "Oh? It''s rather surprising for those words to come out of your mouth. Normally, you are only thinking about your own safety."

    "..." Vina couldn''t answer him. She still remembered the excuse Clovis gave to defeat them in the competition. And she couldn''t really refute that claim either.@@@@

    "..." Ran frowned. "Correction. We need an immediate response. I have spotted someone who is at least Tier 3... No, he might be a Tier 4."

    "Sorry, say again?"

    "I repeat. I found a Tier 4 terrorist. We don''t really have any options... We might need to retaliate." Ran then turned to Jacksie, saying, "What''s your affinity?"

    "Muscle."

    "Tsk. In that case, I will be the bait since I can avoid their bullets. Once I lure them enough, you eliminate them as quickly as possible. Be careful of Tier 4."

    Jacksie couldn''t see that far away, but Ran seemed to have Brain Affinity, which sharpened his senses. It was no wonder he could spot them.

    Still, this action looked reckless. "But... won''t the hostages be harmed? I think it''s better to retreat from here."

    "They are searching one store after another. It''s clear that they are trying to find someone. If we retreat to the opposite side, they will get more people and there is a higher chance that they will eliminate those people. Although this sounds ruthless, it''s better to abandon the captured people and prioritize the safety of the people who haven''t gotten caught yet.

    If we wait for the police, it will be too late. From their movement, the terrorists are elites."

    Jacksie fell silent. If there were fifty hostages and fifty more that had yet to be found, Ran wanted to sacrifice the first fifty hostages to save the other fifty. Jacksie''s original plan was to retreat and let them take all one hundred people. And if the terrorist really killed the hostages, Ran''s plan was much better than his.

    Jacksie took a deep breath to gather his resolve. "What should I do?"

    "Hide there." Jacksie pointed at the first floor''s store. "I will be the bait and let them chase me. If possible, take care of the right side. Once you show yourself, I will take care of the left side. Do you have any armor?"

    "I didn''t bring it with me."

    "Let''s go to the store. There should be armor that can withstand Tier 2 bullets in the shop."

    "Got it."

    While they were talking, the person behind the call changed. His voice was deep and heavy, saying, "This is from the SWD anti-terrorism. We have sent our finest to your side. You have to wait for them."

    "We will lure them to the opposite side. Your squad can ambush from the opposite side where they gather the hostages. We can''t let them take any more hostages," Ran replied while rushing to the shop. It seemed that the clash was imminent.