Chapter 164: The Last Hunt [ 2 ]

Inside a reinforced underground garage beneath the luxurious private residence in Zenith City’s western district, Damian Visconti stood beside a black armored vehicle, watching several hired Awakeners load equipment into the waiting convoy.

Three identical vehicles occupied the garage, each equipped with reinforced windows, Mana-resistant plating, and specialized defensive systems designed to withstand attacks from powerful Awakeners.

Their engines were already running, and the heavy security shutters covering the garage entrance had been raised in preparation for departure.

Damian adjusted the cuffs of his expensive black shirt before turning toward the middle-aged man standing beside him.

"How much longer?" Damian demanded, his expression impatient.

"Everything is prepared, Mr. Visconti," the man answered, checking his communication device. "The aircraft is waiting at the private transport facility, and the flight crew has received instructions to depart immediately upon your arrival."

"And our route?" Damian asked, glancing toward the vehicles.

"The western expressway, followed by the industrial bypass," the subordinate replied. "We’ve arranged for additional security along the final approach. There shouldn’t be any difficulties."

Damian frowned at the reassurance.

He had heard similar promises throughout the past several weeks, yet the people he’d hired had repeatedly failed to eliminate the expedition survivors.

Now two important facilities had been attacked, several employees had disappeared, and his financial arrangements were rapidly becoming compromised.

He wasn’t particularly concerned about abandoning Zenith City. His wealth extended far beyond its borders, and he possessed enough connections to establish himself elsewhere.

What infuriated him was the possibility of losing the Palladium Tree.

"Once we’re airborne, contact our remaining intermediaries," Damian instructed, lowering his voice. "I want the operation reorganized somewhere these people can’t interfere with it."

The subordinate bowed slightly. "Understood, sir."

Damian approached the central vehicle, where a tall Awakener wearing dark combat armor stood beside the passenger door.

The man’s broad shoulders and scarred face gave him an intimidating appearance, while the enormous sword strapped across his back suggested considerable physical strength.

"You’re responsible for my protection until we reach the aircraft," Damian told him, examining the man carefully. "If anyone attempts to interfere, eliminate them."

The Awakener inclined his head. "As long as the agreed payment is honored, Mr. Visconti, nobody will get near you."

Damian gave a satisfied nod before entering the vehicle.

Moments later, the convoy departed.

---

Several kilometers away, Jet stood on the rooftop of an abandoned maintenance building overlooking the western industrial bypass.

The surrounding district had once served as an important manufacturing center, but much of its infrastructure had been abandoned following the changes brought about by the First Red Moon.

Enormous warehouses lined the broad roads, their weathered walls covered with faded company markings.

Rusting cranes stood above deserted loading yards, while damaged sections of elevated railway tracks stretched between empty industrial buildings.

Jet had arrived earlier that afternoon after Adesewa instructed him to position himself near one of the possible escape routes.

At the time, nobody had confirmed whether Damian would actually use the western bypass.

However, its connection to the private transport facility made it an obvious possibility.

Jet examined the road below before checking his communication device.

There had been no updates for several minutes.

He wasn’t particularly worried about the silence. Marcus was monitoring several possible routes, while Adesewa coordinated the operations against the remaining members of Damian’s organization.

Still, Jet couldn’t help feeling impatient.

After everything that had happened, the thought of Damian escaping without consequences was difficult to accept.

His phone suddenly vibrated.

Jet immediately answered.

"Jet, where are you?" Marcus asked, his voice unusually urgent.

"I’m still near the western industrial bypass," Jet replied, stepping closer to the rooftop’s edge. "Has something happened?"

"We’ve confirmed that Visconti has left his residence," Marcus explained. "Three armored vehicles departed approximately six minutes ago. They’re traveling west, and their current route suggests they’re heading toward the private transport facility."

Jet’s expression sharpened.

"Are you certain he’s inside one of them?" Jet asked.

"We haven’t confirmed which vehicle he’s using," Marcus admitted. "But the convoy departed directly from his residence, and several known security contractors are accompanying it."

Jet looked toward the distant expressway.

"How far away are they?" Jet asked.

"Approximately fifteen kilometers from your position," Marcus answered. "Depending on traffic and their speed, they could reach the industrial bypass fairly soon."

Jet nodded slowly.

"Inform Captain Adesewa," Jet instructed. "I’ll remain here and watch the road."

"I’ve already contacted her," Marcus replied. "She’s dealing with another situation, but she should be calling you shortly."

The communication ended.

Jet lowered his phone and examined the surrounding streets.

Fifteen kilometers.

At the convoy’s current speed, he wouldn’t have much time to prepare.

---

Inside a partially demolished commercial complex in Zenith City’s southern district, Adesewa stood amid shattered concrete and broken furniture, facing a heavily armored Awakener whose enormous weapon had already destroyed several supporting pillars.

The man was one of Damian’s remaining hired fighters, a powerful combatant assigned to delay anyone attempting to pursue the fleeing mastermind.

Several injured mercenaries lay scattered across the floor behind him.

Adesewa’s dark-gold Divine Rune markings extended along her arms and neck, while the double-headed leopard associated with Agassou glimmered beneath the damaged edges of her armor.

"You’ve caused enough trouble," Adesewa declared, stepping over a fractured section of flooring. "Surrender, and you might leave this building alive."

The armored man laughed, tightening his grip around the enormous hammer resting against his shoulder.

"You’re Adesewa, aren’t you?" he asked, revealing a mouthful of crooked teeth. "I’ve heard plenty about you. Apparently, you’re worth quite a fortune."

Adesewa regarded him coldly.

"Then whoever hired you should’ve offered more," Adesewa replied.

The man roared and charged.

His hammer descended with tremendous force, smashing through the concrete floor where Adesewa had been standing.

However, she had already moved.

Agassou’s Authority allowed her to manipulate the relationship between hunter and quarry, making her pursuit increasingly difficult to escape once she’d established her target.

Adesewa appeared beside the man’s exposed flank and struck him with a fist.

The impact sent him staggering through a damaged partition.

Before he could recover, her communication device vibrated.

Adesewa glanced at the incoming notification.

Marcus had confirmed Damian’s departure.

Her expression darkened.

She couldn’t abandon the fight immediately. The Awakener before her remained dangerous, and several of her allies were still securing the surrounding complex.

Nevertheless, she knew someone was already positioned near Damian’s likely escape route.

Adesewa activated her communication device.

---

Jet answered almost immediately.

"Captain, Marcus told me about the convoy," Jet reported, keeping his eyes on the road below.

"I know," Adesewa replied, her breathing controlled despite the distant sounds of destruction behind her. "Listen carefully, Jet. Visconti is traveling with several hired Awakeners, and we haven’t established how powerful they are."

Jet frowned slightly. "Are you coming?"

"As soon as I finish dealing with the situation here," Adesewa answered. "But I can’t leave immediately. One of his remaining fighters is attempting to prevent us from pursuing."

A heavy crash sounded through the receiver.

Jet straightened.

"Captain, are you all right?" Jet asked.

"I’m fine," Adesewa replied firmly. "Focus on what I’m telling you. Your objective is to identify the convoy and prevent Visconti from disappearing until support arrives."

Jet looked toward the western expressway.

"And if he reaches the aircraft before you arrive?" Jet asked.

Adesewa remained silent for a moment.

"Then you’ll need to delay him," she answered. "But don’t attempt to fight every escort alone. We don’t know their ranks, their Divine Runes, or how much preparation they’ve made."

Jet understood her concerns.

Damian possessed enormous financial resources, and the guards accompanying him were unlikely to be ordinary security personnel.

Nevertheless, allowing him to escape wasn’t an acceptable outcome.

"I can intercept the convoy," Jet offered, his expression determined. "If I disable one of the vehicles, they’ll have to stop."

"Only if you can do so without putting yourself in unnecessary danger," Adesewa warned. "Your job isn’t to defeat his entire security detail. Keep him from reaching that aircraft until we can reinforce you."

Jet nodded.

"Understood, Captain," Jet answered.

"And Jet," Adesewa added, her voice becoming more serious, "remember what we discussed this morning. Don’t let your anger make you careless."

Jet thought briefly of Inez sitting in the living room with her white plush fox.

"I won’t," Jet promised.

The communication ended.

Jet remained on the rooftop for several moments, considering the approaching confrontation.

His current strength was far greater than it had been when he first awakened.

Jet opened his System inventory and retrieved the Ironbound Castellan Axe.

The heavy axe appeared in his hand, its familiar weight settling comfortably against his palm.

He examined the weapon before returning it to his inventory. The Vorpal Blade remained secured horizontally behind his waist, ready to be drawn whenever necessary.

For the moment, he preferred to keep his hands free.

Jet moved toward the opposite side of the rooftop, where the building overlooked a broad stretch of road connecting the expressway to the industrial bypass.

Several abandoned cargo vehicles occupied the roadside, and an enormous concrete barrier separated the traffic lanes from a deserted loading yard.

The location offered several advantages.

There were no pedestrians nearby, and the surrounding buildings appeared unoccupied. The road was wide enough to accommodate the convoy, but the adjoining industrial structures limited the number of directions the vehicles could take if forced to stop.

Jet examined the area carefully, considering where he could intercept the vehicles without endangering anyone else.

His communication device vibrated again.

This time, Marcus had sent an updated location.

The convoy had left the expressway. It was approaching the industrial bypass.

Jet raised his head. Far beyond the abandoned warehouses, three black armored vehicles emerged onto the broad road, traveling in a tight formation.

Their reinforced bodies reflected the afternoon sunlight as they accelerated toward the deserted manufacturing district.

Jet watched them approach, his expression becoming increasingly serious. Somewhere inside those vehicles was Damian Visconti.

The young man who had ordered the assassination campaign, financed the attacks against the expedition survivors, and threatened the people Jet cared about.

Jet stepped toward the edge of the rooftop. He didn’t know which vehicle carried Damian, nor how many powerful Awakeners were protecting him.

But he knew one thing. The convoy couldn’t be allowed to reach its destination.

Jet bent his knees slightly, gathering Mana throughout his body as the Asura Physique responded to his will.

Then he launched himself from the rooftop toward the road below.

The interception had begun.