Adopted Soldier

After listening to Viktor and Sora's explanation, Matthew had a basic understanding of the situation. He was on the right track and now he even had allies that he could join with as they storm the enemy base. When he voiced his desire to help, Sora told him he should talk to the leader. Matthew obviously knew who was talking about.

While walking Matthew suddenly asked, "What's that smell?" Viktor started smelling his armpit and then shook his head. Sora, on the other hand, asked, "What smell are you talking about?" 

"I'm not sure, but it smells like sulfur with some scent of strawberry. I really can't tell, it's just a weird smell overall."

"Oh, you're smelling my new concoction. Good thing you told me in advance." Sora took out a small vial then plugged it, making the smell a bit faint. "It must've opened when I was running away from you. Good thing you noticed, If you didn't notice, you and Viktor might have died."

Hearing that Matthew took some distance from Sora, while Viktor started attacking Sora while shouting, "You mad Scientist!" 

...

The three of them walked for a bit until they finally saw a group of people having some sort of meeting. In the middle of that group was a person with a prosthetic leg, this was none other than Alex's father and the former leader of a renown mercenary squad, Carlo Samarita. 

When Carlo noticed the newcomer he smiled. "Oh, Matthew it has been some time since I last saw you... It seems that you've improved quite a bit. So, may I ask what you're doing here?" Even though Carlo was showing a friendly smile, was talking nicely, while also emitting a heavy pressure that threatened Matthew. 

Still, as someone who has been in some rough patches the past year, Matthew was now a bit more experienced in such matters and wasn't as affected as he used to be. He responded to Carlo by showing a smile and saying, "I'm here with the same reason as you. I want to save Alex, so if you need an extra hand I'm willing to help." 

When Carlo heard Matthew's proposal he looked at the other party with a bit of a frown on his face, and then after a second or two Carlo's smile returned as he nodded his head. "Sure the more helping hands the better. Good thing you arrived now since we are about to storm the secret base of the legendary Shadow Mercenaries. Here's my plan." 

Carlo then told Matthew what he and the others planned to do. It was a very simple and direct plan, there wasn't too much to do. One can even argue if you could still call that a plan. Though straight and simple was something Matthew came to like nowadays. 

"Nice and simple, I like it. Of course, I'll be part of the infiltration group, right?" After hearing the plan, Matthew voiced out his opinion. 

"Truthfully I want you to be part of the distraction group, knowing your capabilities I think you're a better fit for that, than going in." Hearing Carlo's response made Matthew frown.

"Are you looking down on me? You might think my level is the same as before, but I've improved greatly since the last time you saw me. Not that I'm doubting your decisions, but I think I would be a better fit to be a part of the team that's going inside." As Matthew said his piece, the atmosphere suddenly felt a bit hostile. Seeing the boy was glaring at him made Carlo sigh. 

'Still such a kid.'

"I understand that you've improved Matthew, I could tell at one glance that you are no longer the greenhorn that you were before, but I still believe that with your abilities, you'll prove more useful as part of the distraction." 

Hearing that Carlo was still insisting that he should stay out and be a distraction made Matthew even more irritated. Leo who was sleeping on top of Matthew's backpack jumped away in fright. He and everyone else felt it, Matthew's killing intent. The moment he emitted such a thing, all of the squad members weapons were pointed at Matthew, all except Carlo who was still looking at the boy calmly. 

"I know you used to be the leader of that famed mercenary group, but now your a washup has been. Even your squad isn't up to the same standard that it used to have. So how can someone like you tell if I'm good to go or not? You're telling me that you don't question my skill, but you place me in such an insignificant position? I-" 

Before Matthew could finish what he was about to say, Carlo suddenly shouted at him. 

"Shut the f*ck up you stupid brat! I've had it up to here with your arrogance. I'm about to go in and save my son, who has been captured for over a year. I'm not about to waste this chance that I got because of some prideful overzealous brat, that doesn't even understand anything! You do understand I told you that you're a better fit for distraction than infiltration, I said that because it's the truth. Unlike Dan who is a close-quarters combat specialist, and Niel who can fight in all ranges, you are someone who is a better fit for one against many in an open field. In a tight narrow space, that's inside the enemy base, your way of fighting isn't going to hack it! So do you understand, why I told you that you aren't the best choice to go inside? If not then you don't need to follow us, if you mess up the plan I will not hesitate to kill you!" 

When Carlo got to that part of his speech, he took out his gun and pointed it at Matthew's head. At this point, the tension between the two was at an all-time high. 

"My son and his friends' lives are at stake! So either follow my orders or get the f*ck out of here!"