Chapter 19

Karin's unusual enthusiasm did not make Maggie feel uncomfortable.

On the contrary, with her simple mind, Maggie quickly adapted to the new 'residence' under Karin's enthusiasm.

Looking at Maggie's innocent appearance, Karin's gaze was filled with suspicion—having been on the streets for a long time, Karin did not believe that such innocent people still existed.

However, after watching Qin Ran, who was quickly moving various items back and forth, Karin still did not show any reaction.

"If it's an act... I'll see how long you can keep it up!"

Karin snorted inwardly and did not pay more attention to Maggie. Instead, she began to help Qin Ran move the items.

Karin had a genuine passion for these items!

Food, water, weapons!

No one understood their value better than Karin, who had lived through four months of war.

Maggie also joined the team moving the items.

Although her strength was small, she tried her best to help.

The three of them worked together, and soon all the items on the handcart, including the cart itself, were moved underground.

Neither Qin Ran nor Karin would give up such a practical tool.

"Did you empty the 'Vulture's' den?"

Karin, who had swept away all the traces of Qin Ran's path, asked.

After all, so much food and water was truly astonishing.

"Just a little more than half!"

Qin Ran did not mind Karin's caution. Even when he returned, he had been very careful, trying not to leave any traces. If he did, he would immediately cover them up and clean them. However, there might still be some oversights. At such times, having someone help check again was exactly what Qin Ran wanted.

After all, the opponent he would face next was definitely not as easy to deal with as the armed thugs before.

"Karin, we will have bigger trouble!"

Just as Karin was marveling at how a scoundrel like the 'Vulture' could have obtained so many supplies, Qin Ran spoke, detailing the situation with the rebel lieutenant.

"My God! Are you crazy?"

"Do you know what you're doing?"

"Why did you provoke a rebel officer?"

Upon hearing Qin Ran's account, Karin growled again, her emotions extremely agitated, just like when Qin Ran had decided to infiltrate the 'Vulture's' den alone.

The only difference was that Karin was now even more worried!

Even... desperate!

Even a child could understand the difference between a group of small-time hooligans and an army.

How much more so for Karin, who had almost personally witnessed the strength of the rebels?

So, without waiting for Qin Ran's response, Karin said without hesitation, "Let's go! Take some food and water, and we'll leave before dawn! Even if this place is well-hidden, we can't escape the rebels' thorough search!"

Saying this, Karin walked towards the neatly arranged cans and bottled water.

However, she had not taken two steps when Qin Ran grabbed her arm.

Karin turned her head in surprise, looking at the smiling Qin Ran.

"At a time like this, you can still smile!"

Karin said, exasperated.

"Don't worry! Things are not as bad as you think—after all, that lieutenant cannot represent all the rebels! He is just a mid-level officer!"

Qin Ran reassured Karin, his tone gentle.

Karin's attitude of not leaving Qin Ran after he provoked the rebels had made Qin Ran feel even more favorably towards her.

Karin could clearly sense the change in Qin Ran's tone.

It was no longer distant and polite. If it had been a few minutes earlier, before she knew about the trouble Qin Ran had caused, Karin would have been very happy.

But now...

Karin was only anxious!

If Qin Ran were a stranger, Karin would have left him behind and escaped alone. But Qin Ran had fought alongside her and they had gotten along well, making him a true friend!

Karin would never allow herself to abandon a friend.

Moreover, the inner stirring she had felt made her have special feelings for Qin Ran!

So, Karin was extremely anxious at this moment.

"Even a mid-level officer has hundreds of subordinates—fully armed and well-trained! They are not comparable to the 'Vulture's' kind!"

Karin's words were full of worry.

"I never underestimate my enemies! When I brought back that bag of jewels, I knew what I was doing. I have a good plan..."

Qin Ran said.

Just as Qin Ran was about to explain to Karin, his phone in his shirt pocket rang.

The white screen displayed the caller's name—

Lieutenant!

Qin Ran hung up the call without hesitation, removed the phone's battery, and then said to Karin, "That guy has noticed something is wrong with the mall! There's no time to explain. Help me prepare food and water. I need to leave for a few days. Don't worry, I'll be back safely!"

Karin's lips trembled, and she wanted to say something but ultimately said nothing.

She turned around, picked up Qin Ran's backpack, and started packing cans and bottled water.

Qin Ran, on the other hand, picked up the strange-looking 'sniper rifle,' checked it briefly, and then loaded four magazines and two pistol magazines into the backpack.

"Be careful!"

Karin said, her lips pressed together, looking at the magazines and weapons in the backpack.

"Sure!"

Qin Ran nodded.

He checked his dagger and the [M1905] on his waist one last time.

When everything was ready, he smiled at Karin again, not waiting for her response, and quickly left the hiding place, disappearing into the dawn.

Karin watched Qin Ran's disappearing back, subconsciously raising her arm.

But she ultimately let it fall weakly.

"Qin Ran will definitely come back safely!"

Maggie, who had witnessed the entire process, racked her brains to come up with this comforting phrase.

"Of course!"

Maggie's voice made Karin realize that there were others present. Immediately, she put away her inner weakness and began to act extremely tough.

"Qin Ran will definitely come back safely! He is my... ally!"

Karin paused, then said.

...

Rebel camp.

Lieutenant Saruka slammed his fist down on the table, causing the pen, file, and ashtray on the table to bounce up.

This made the adjutant standing beside him shudder.

After all, the superior officer before him was known for his ruthlessness.

He treated enemies this way.

And his own people... the same way!

As Saruka's third adjutant, he did not want to follow the path of his two predecessors.

Therefore, the adjutant stood even straighter, not moving an inch.

Saruka did not pay any attention to his adjutant; his heart was filled with anger!

"Damn! Bastard!"

Saruka, with a grim face, spat out these words through his teeth.

Upon discovering that the 'Vulture' was dead and the den's leader had changed, Saruka did not trust the new, unknown leader. So, he sent his best reconnaissance soldier to investigate.

However, the information brought back by his subordinate shocked Saruka.

The 'Vulture's' den had been completely wiped out, with no survivors!

Saruka immediately knew he had been deceived.

And the call that was hung up a few minutes ago further confirmed this.

"You, a rat in the gutter, a bug, do you think your little trick can save you? After our call, you should have quickly left the 'Vulture's' den, which was forty minutes ago. Now, it's half an hour before dawn—fifty minutes. With your legs, carrying such a heavy load, where could you have run to?"

The anger in his heart did not make Saruka lose his reason. He carefully calculated.

Then, he directly ordered his adjutant, "After dawn, send all my subordinates out. Using the Sixth Avenue Mall as the starting point, search all places within a twenty-kilometer radius where someone could hide..."

Ring, ring, ring!

Before Saruka could finish, his phone rang again.

'Vulture'!

The name was displayed on the screen.

"Initiate tracking!"

Saruka immediately stopped speaking and shouted at his adjutant.

The adjutant quickly walked to the tracking device on the side of the room and began operating it.

In fact, he had been waiting here to track the target.

The adjutant was very confident in the military tracking equipment. In less than ten seconds, he could lock onto the target's position!

He had even thought about how to show off his skills to impress his superior.

But... the call was not answered.

And it had triggered Saruka's anger!

Facing Saruka's anger, the adjutant was terrified and cursed the target a thousand times.

Now, the opportunity was here again!

The adjutant would not be careless.

He could imagine that if he failed again, he would definitely be shot by the enraged Saruka.

Faced with the danger to his life, the adjutant completed the equipment setup in an excellent state.

In less than two seconds!

Seeing the adjutant give him the OK sign, Saruka answered the call.

"You liar!"

As soon as the call was connected, Saruka's deep roar echoed through the earpiece to Qin Ran's ears.

"Lieutenant, what are you talking about?"

Qin Ran, running, asked in a feigned innocent tone.

"Damn liar, do you think you can escape?"

Saruka's voice was cold and filled with murderous intent.

"Respected Lieutenant, do you still want your jewels?"

Qin Ran responded, his voice leisurely and slightly mocking.

Immediately, the other end of the line fell silent.

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