Chapter 7 Counterattack
On the streets of L City's East District, several members of The Iron Gauntlet were checking passersby.
Suddenly, three gunmen rushed out from a nearby alley and opened fire on The Iron Gauntlet members.
In less than ten seconds, those Iron Gauntlet members were riddled with bullets.
In a sewer in the East District.
The sewer was mysteriously blocked. When a maintenance worker cleared the clogged pipe, he was horrified to discover nine bodies of Iron Gauntlet members stuffed inside.
At a hotel in the East District.
A burst of intense gunfire came from a room. When a server pushed open the door, they found all nineteen Gregory family members dining inside had been shot dead, slumped over the table.
...
In a trash pile at the L City East District stadium, sixteen bodies of Iron Gauntlet members were discovered.
At Milton West Apartments, fifty-two Gregory family members were shot dead.
At a church, Duke's newly assembled hundred-man Iron Blood Company was completely wiped out.
...
Similar incidents occurred no less than thirty times in L City's East District within a single day.
In just seventeen hours.
The Gregory family lost over five hundred people!
The Iron Gauntlet was completely uprooted, with no survivors.
Yesterday, Duke's men were everywhere—blocking roads, searching, blocking bridges.
Arrogant and making a big show of force.
But today, those people had all disappeared.
Everything was cold and deserted, looking quite desolate.
When Gregory family members did appear, they moved in groups of dozens, fully armed.
For a while, Duke Gregory became the laughingstock of the entire city.
At this moment, in the hall of the Gregory Villa.
Commander Raymond Carter was reporting the situation to Duke with an ugly expression.
"...Iron Blood Company, ninety-two men, seven remaining; Assault Company, one hundred men, six remaining; Second Company, ninety-five men, thirty-five remaining; Iron Gauntlet members, none left. Of the eight hundred men sent out yesterday, only three hundred sixty-nine remain today; however, after yesterday's engagement, we also killed six of Victor's men, achieving decent results..."
At this point, someone nearby couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Duke's expression grew even darker as he slammed his fist on the table.
"Shut up!"
"We lost hundreds of men, and they only lost six, and you're telling me that's decent?"
"Are you fucking kidding me?!"
Raymond quickly lowered his head, silently enduring Duke's rage.
Someone nearby tried to explain, "Mr. Gregory, Victor is too cunning! He never confronts us directly..."
"Bullshit!"
Duke roared, "If I were Victor, I'd do the same thing! But that's not an excuse for your incompetence!"
Though angry, Duke hadn't lost his mind.
He knew Victor was wearing down his forces.
The enemy was hidden while they were exposed!
If this continued, Victor would eventually consume all his forces.
"Albert, I'm giving you five hundred men! Go hunt down Victor. He may be able to use guerrilla tactics, but his wife and children can't. Go after his family, force him to show himself. I want to see if he can protect that many people!"
"But father, we... still haven't found where Victor's wife and children are hiding."
"What? A whole day has passed, we've lost over five hundred men, and now you're telling me you haven't even found where Victor is hiding? You bunch of good-for-nothings, what the hell have you been doing?!"
Everyone remained silent.
Duke flew into a rage, but after the anger passed, he felt a deep sense of fear.
After thinking for a moment, Duke spoke, "Right now, we can only put our hopes in the dark web. Albert, go post a huge bounty on the dark web for information about Victor. Remember, huge! As long as the money is enough, I believe no one can resist the temptation of money."
"Yes!"
...
In the backyard at dusk, the charcoal fire crackled.
Anna held a cotton candy, happily running around the table. Ivan sat nearby, disassembling a handgun with movements too skilled for a child.
Sophia looked up, and her face immediately darkened.
"Ivan."
Ivan froze. "Mom, I'm just looking."
"Put it down."
"...Fine." Ivan reluctantly pushed the gun away.
Victor sat in front of the grill, the firelight reflecting on his profile. His expression was so calm it was as if nothing had happened, quietly flipping the steak with unhurried movements.
Yet the entire East District was practically drowning in blood at this moment.
Zack walked over with several men, pulling out a map.
It clearly marked the defense layout of Duke Gregory's estate.
Victor's next target was Duke's headquarters.
But just then, a voice came through Victor's wireless earpiece.
"General Jennings, the distinguished guest, has arrived."
Zack was still pointing at the marks on the map, explaining his deployment to Victor.
But Victor raised his hand, interrupting:
"Zack!"
"What is it?"
"Take Sophia, Ivan, and Anna to the basement!"
"General Jennings..."
Though Victor said nothing more, from his serious expression, Zack already had his answer.
"Go to the basement. Now."
"The fish took the bait?"
"Yes. Abandon Plan A! Activate Plan B!"
"Yes!" Without hesitation, Zack immediately picked up Anna and Ivan, running toward the house. "Mrs. Jennings, please come with me!"
Sophia immediately looked at Victor.
Victor gave her a reassuring look. "Go."
"Victor! Be careful." Though somewhat worried, Sophia chose to trust him and quickly followed Zack into the house.
A few seconds later, Zack ran back.
"General Jennings, they're all in the basement. Absolutely safe."
"OK." Victor looked calmly toward the fence. "Let's go, to the car. Let him see I'm here."
Victor's vehicle was a specially modified jeep, currently parked on the nearby lawn.
The entire body was made of bulletproof glass and alloy steel plates—even armor-piercing rounds would have difficulty penetrating it.
As soon as he got in the car.
Gunfire erupted outside.
Countless bullets poured down.
Like a torrential rain.
Dense and violent, falling on the lawn.
The lawn was like paper, instantly riddled with holes, dirt flying everywhere.
The green lawn turned into a pitted, muddy field in an instant.
The gate was rammed open.
Raymond Carter led over a hundred fully armed soldiers, swarming in.
He immediately spotted Victor and Zack sitting in the car, so he quickly had his men surround the vehicle.
"Victor! Your time has come!"
Victor's expression remained calm, ignoring him.
Then Raymond spoke into his headset, "Albert, we found Victor. He's in the car, now surrounded by our men!"
Victor and Zack exchanged glances, both showing knowing smiles.
They were waiting for Albert!
Victor knew that if he didn't show himself, Albert wouldn't appear!
Sure enough.
Shortly after Raymond's message, Albert appeared outside the gate.
His military boots trampled the soft, muddy lawn as he walked into the yard with a mocking smile.
When he saw Victor and Zack surrounded in the car by his men, he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Victor! You have this day too? Why don't you get out and accept your death! Do you think this tin can will protect you?"
