Chapter 32: Ambush

"So, these smugglers really do have their own mine."

A group of people hid in the shadows, carefully observing the silent mining site in the distance. After a while, Higgins spoke up: "Let's go. Because of the insect swarm, this mine should have been abandoned by those smugglers. Let's head in and see if we can find any clues."

With that, he took the lead and walked toward the mine. Seeing this, Leon and Danika exchanged a glance, then followed him with Cole and the others.

Upon entering the site, metal equipment scattered across the ground was visible everywhere. Just as Higgins had said, the mine was indeed abandoned.

At that moment, the blonde man walking in the lead asked seemingly offhandedly, "Come to think of it, Leon, your professional ability is physical enhancement, right?"

Leon frowned slightly, wondering why the man was bringing this up now. "More or less." This was information already on file at the Public Security Bureau; there was no reason to hide it. However, Higgins' sudden inquiry made him feel a sense of wariness. Furthermore, Leon had never fully trusted Higgins; the man’s behavior had always been suspicious. He figured Danika must have noticed it too, though he didn't know why she had chosen to accept this mission regardless.

"Is that so..." Higgins paused for a moment, muttering to himself, "That's good."

The moment he finished speaking, the blonde man suddenly dashed forward. At the same time, several gunshots rang out. Leon, having sensed something amiss, rolled behind a piece of scattered metal equipment the moment he heard the noise.

The gunfire soon ceased.

"Captain? Cole?" Leon called out tentatively. Hearing their responses, he let out a sigh of relief. It hadn't reached the worst-case scenario yet.

*So, is Marcus really planning to silence us?*
*...No, if he didn't want us to know, there would have been no need to send us to capture the smugglers in the first place.*

Leon’s thoughts raced. He recalled the bandit who had died inside the Public Security Bureau.

*So... are we being used as bait? Is there someone else behind these smugglers?*

If that were the case, it would explain why Danika chose to leave the city despite knowing something was wrong.

Before Leon could dwell on it further, Higgins' voice, laced with annoyance, echoed through the mine. "I told you there was no need to set an ambush. With that woman Danika here, these trash wouldn't be of any use. And why are you the only one here? Where is Razor?"

A strange, unfamiliar voice replied with dissatisfaction, "If you hadn't alerted them, they would have been riddled with holes by now. Razor said he had other business to attend to, and I alone am enough."

Leon peeked out to assess the situation and saw Higgins standing with a scrawny, oil-stained middle-aged man, looking somber.

Suddenly, several screams erupted from somewhere, and Danika emerged from the shadows. She sighed with a hint of fatigue. "So it really was you, Higgins."

Seeing that the ambushing enemies had been dealt with by Danika, Leon stepped out and stood beside her. Hearing Danika's words, Higgins’ expression turned cold, shedding his previous gentle facade. "You knew I was trouble and you still agreed to come out of the city with me? Isn't that a bit too arrogant? Or perhaps... you think you can rest easy with that kid's help?" He gestured toward Leon.

Leon hadn't expected the conversation to shift to him.

Not expecting a response, Higgins turned his head and quickly briefed the scrawny man on Leon’s intel: "That kid is a new member of Danika's squad and a professional as well. His ability is physical enhancement."

The scrawny man dismissed this with a wave of his hand. "Just two brutes relying on muscle; how much trouble can they cause?"

Upon hearing their exchange, Danika turned her gaze to the scrawny man beside Higgins. "Are you the 'Artisan' among those smugglers?"

Realizing his identity had been exposed, the scrawny man looked intrigued. "You know I'm the 'Artisan' and you're not running away?"

Hearing this, Leon sensed something was off. The "Artisan" was not what he had expected; it wasn't just a research-based profession.

"Raymond, enough talk. Finish them off quickly."

At Higgins' urging, the man called Raymond looked impatient. "I know. Do you really think I'd let them get away when I'm prepared?"

Just then, Danika rushed forward like a gale, leaving only a single sentence behind: "That one is mine, Leon. You take care of Higgins. Be careful, his profession is 'Esper,' and his ability is telekinesis."

Without a moment's hesitation, Leon lunged toward the blonde man like a hungry tiger. Seeing this, Higgins furrowed his brows and cast a cold, sharp glance at Raymond.

*Tsk... that guy Razor... I'm afraid I won't be able to finish what the master asked today.*

Suppressing his irritation, the blonde man took a deep breath and looked at the pure white figure already closing in on him. Higgins had reviewed Leon's file and knew his ability was physical enhancement... along with some long-range techniques. But the man had been acting strangely since this morning, which left Higgins feeling vaguely uneasy.

As he mentally recalled the intelligence on Leon, the dirt in front of him suddenly surged toward him like a river.

*Kun-Style: Earth River Vehicle.*

Faced with this, Higgins’ expression remained unchanged as he coldly spat out four words: "Child's play."

An instant later, the mudflow that threatened to engulf him was split in two by an invisible force. Immediately after, Leon felt as if his chest had been struck by a heavy hammer, sending him flying backward uncontrollably.

Seeing his attack land, Higgins looked on coldly. "Kid, don't think that—"

Before he could finish, he saw Leon, who had been sent flying, quickly scramble to his feet.

*?*

Something was wrong. Higgins knew the strength of his own attacks; a standard physical enhancement ability should have resulted in the opponent coughing up blood or at least being left winded and breathless for a while. How was the kid on the other side acting as if nothing had happened?

The anomalies cast a shadow over Higgins' heart.

On the other side, although Leon felt a dull ache in his chest, he was actually fine. Looking at the attributes and skill proficiencies on his panel, his eyes began to brighten.

It seemed... he was a little stronger than he had imagined.