Chapter 497
In the blink of an eye, dozens of figures that had surrounded Ashton were now sprawled on the ground, their formidable aura shattered like glass.
The leader of the ambush, stricken with horror, realized he could not discharge his firearm in the gas-laden sewer. In a moment of desperation, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a small vial filled with green gas, hurling it behind him before turning to flee, heedless of the safety of his subordinates. However, Ashton had already noticed his move. The moment the vial was thrown, Ashton sprinted forward and caught it deftly, preventing it from shattering on the ground.
With the same fluid motion, he kicked a steel rod lying at his feet toward the fleeing figure. The rod spun elegantly through the air and struck the man’s knee with unerring precision, causing him to lose his balance and tumble to the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, Ashton advanced, pressing the steel rod in his hand against the man’s throat, and asked with a smirk, “Ready to talk?”
At a disadvantage, the masked leader of the group, who had maintained a composed demeanor, suddenly displayed sheer terror as he felt Ashton’s steel rod threaten his throat.
Despite the pain in his knee, he dropped to the ground, pleading for mercy. “Please, spare me! I’m just a hired hand! I was forced into this!”
Ashton gave a wry smile. “Oh, you can talk? I thought your group was mute!”
With a forceful kick, Ashton sent the man tumbling to the ground. He brandished the vial and leaned in menacingly. “You get one chance. Tell me what this is. Lie to me, and I’ll test its effects on you,” Ashton threatened.
The leader, with the vial almost in his mouth, shook uncontrollably from fear.
He hurriedly said, “It’s a toxin that our leader has been experimenting with! It causes severe heat and hallucinations when inhaled, leaving the victim unable to move. As it progresses, the skin rots, and muscles dissolve, leaving the victim with no strength—even to commit suicide. The pain and despair are unbearable until death comes. And the worst part? There’s no antidote—even our leader doesn’t have one!”
Ashton felt a chill run through him, his face turning stern. He slapped the mask from the man’s face, nearly forcing the vial into his mouth.
But then, he paused, thinking of Milena, who was still missing. Containing his rage, he demanded, “A woman came here last night. You must have seen her. Where is she now?”
Faced with a dreadful threat, the masked leader quickly confessed, “Yes, a woman broke in last night. We saw her, but she was too quick to catch. We trapped her in a narrow passage, and our leader just ordered us to use this gas to take her out!” He quickly added, “Please, it’s another team’s mission! Don’t take it out on me!”
Ashton’s fury erupted. He pulled the team leader to his feet and shouted, “Lead me to her now, or I swear you’ll swallow this toxin!”
Terrified, the leader nodded frantically, covering his mouth as he grimaced from his knee pain. He hobbled down a side tunnel, with Ashton following closely.
Upon arrival, Ashton’s heart sank as he found the area deserted except for a broken vial similar to his, lying near the entrance. The gas had been released, and the assailants had fled. Milena was in dire peril.