【Interstellar Contract Magician】Ruyuanke

"This is my last job, and I don't want anything to go wrong." I whispered to Nightingale, my tone low and firm, even though it looked relaxed on the surface.

Nightingale glanced at me with a hint of concern in his eyes, but he said nothing more. He knew that I had made my decision.

"Don't worry, despite the risks, our plan is thorough enough." His voice was calm, yet incredibly powerful. His calm confidence made me relax a little, but the tension in my heart still persisted.

After a short silence, Nightingale drove the hovercraft into the designated location for the mission—a seemingly unremarkable warehouse area. There was no one around, the lights on both sides of the street were dim, and the air was filled with an oppressive atmosphere.

I opened my computer and confirmed the mission details, my eyes flickering slightly. "The target item is inside. Extract, deliver. No other variables." I muttered to myself, but the uneasiness in my heart still couldn't be completely dispelled.

"Remember, retreat after getting the things." Nightingale's voice came with a calm tone, "Don't let things get out of control." When he said this, his eyes were still calm, but the deep alertness made me understand that his whole body was ready to deal with any emergency at any time.

I nodded, took a deep breath, reached out and took the carefully adjusted weapon, gripped it slightly, and felt the coolness coming from the gun body.

Nightingale suddenly turned around and looked at me with a deep gaze. "This is your last job. After it's over, no matter what, remember to give yourself a proper ending."

I froze, my eyes looking at him with a complex expression. What did "a suitable ending" mean? Did he know the decision I was about to face? Should I leave here and pursue the freedom I desired, or stay in this bustling empire and continue playing this endless game?

"Don't worry, I know." I pursed my lips, trying my best to hide my inner turmoil.

Without saying much, we emerged from the car in tacit understanding and quickly approached our target location. The air around us was unusually silent, as if even time had stood still. With every step, I could feel my heartbeat quicken, and even my breathing became more rapid. Nightingale walked ahead of me, her fingers lightly touching the pistol handle at her waist, her eyes alert.

The warehouse door was open. It was pitch black inside, only a faint light filtering through a distant window barely illuminating the shadows before me. I reached out and opened my computer, confirming the item's exact location. After a few seconds, I caught my breath and began to walk forward. My heart beat faster with each step.

Suddenly, I heard soft footsteps behind me. I turned back instantly, my eyes alert, my fingers already touching my weapon. "Nightingale!" I whispered, glancing around warily.

Nightingale turned around quickly, a murderous look flashing in his eyes. "It's okay," he said, his eyes still calm. "Just an outsider."

At that moment, several cold lights suddenly lit up from the shadows within the warehouse, and several figures rapidly approached us. I immediately tightened my grip on my weapon, ready for any unexpected situation.

"Do it!" Nightingale ordered in a low voice, without any hesitation in her tone.

And just like that, the first shot rang out. In that instant, the air seemed to freeze. The mingling of fire and gunfire formed a frenzied scene, shattering the tranquility of the warehouse and disrupting the perfectly executed process I had anticipated. An accident? Of course, not entirely. I'd long known that missions like these always carry unforeseen risks, risks that can never be completely avoided. And now, at that very moment, I faced the most direct challenge.

The target was not far away, but just as we were about to successfully retrieve it, several figures suddenly emerged from the shadows, clearly enemies hiding in the darkness. They were swift and sharp, clearly having undergone special training.

Without a second's hesitation, I pulled the trigger and aimed precisely at my first target. The gunshot echoed in the empty warehouse, and the enemy stumbled and fell, clearly not expecting our quick reaction.

"Don't waste time!" Nightingale's voice rang out in my ears. He had already drawn his two pistols, his movements as clean and sharp as ever. Muzzle flashes flew everywhere, and every shot hit the target accurately. Whether it was a sneak attack from behind or a head-on confrontation, he could handle it calmly.

"It seems this guest is no ordinary one." I sneered, glancing at a few rapidly falling figures, then quickly aiming at the new enemy. Every shot I fired carried clear killing intent.

The enemy clearly hadn't anticipated our quick response, and their formation began to disarray. In a matter of seconds, the air in the warehouse was filled with tension and the smell of blood. Many of the enemy began to fall, leaving behind blood and broken limbs, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense.

At this moment, an unexpected voice suddenly rang out from the farthest part of the warehouse: "Do it—don't leave anyone alive!"

I frowned. The tone of his words didn't belong to those people just now. It was obvious that there was a commander behind the scenes. It really wasn't simple. It seemed that this situation was more complicated than expected.

"Prepare to face the strongest enemy." Nightingale said lightly, with a hint of calm alertness in his tone, as if everything was under his control.

I nodded. Despite some inner turmoil, I quickly adjusted my breathing and held my breath. In such an environment, the slightest mistake could mean fatal consequences.

Suddenly, a door in the distance was flung open, and a group of well-equipped soldiers, wearing distinctive uniforms and insignia, rushed in. At that moment, I finally realized that today's mission was far more complicated than I had expected - they were not just ordinary pirates, there seemed to be a more powerful force behind them.

"Nightingale!" I lowered my voice, practically gritting my teeth, "The target isn't just objects anymore. It looks like we're in big trouble."

Nightingale's gaze was no longer as calm as before. A hint of intense fighting spirit flashed in his eyes: "It seems that today's mission needs to be accelerated."

As Nightingale finished speaking, the gunfire in the warehouse became more intense, and the air was filled with anxiety and determination.

Time passes by second by second, the enemy's number is increasing, and we have not much escape route behind us. This is a fight between time and life and death.

My coordination with Nightingale grew stronger. Every bullet was crucial to our survival. The enemy gradually realized we were no mere mercenaries, and their tactics became more sophisticated, intensifying our confrontation.

As the battle dragged on, I gradually felt the strain on my stamina. Despite pushing my weapon and tactical skills to the limit, the strain on my body was gradually becoming apparent. Enemies were increasing in number, their attacks intensifying, and the tense atmosphere forced me to speed up my reactions and adjust my movements.

Even so, I still maintained a deliberate outward composure, not wanting to reveal my true strength too soon. The sooner I exposed myself, the greater the subsequent risks, especially in this mission, where the unknown enemies were clearly not the only ones in front of me.

Nightingale's gaze flickered across the battlefield. He clearly noticed my condition, but he didn't ask any further questions. After all, he knew that in this environment, everyone had to hold onto their cards. Revealing too much was like putting your life and death in the hands of others.

"Left, clear the path!" Nightingale's voice sounded in my ears.

I quickly adjusted the angle, and the water gun's beam accurately hit the enemy's cover, forcing them back further. At the same time, I felt a chill on my back, and instinctively dodged to the side, then raised my hand to counterattack, hitting the enemy who had sneaked up behind me.

"Can you still hold on?" Nightingale asked in a low voice during the battle. His voice was still calm, but with a hint of imperceptible concern.

"Of course." I gritted my teeth and responded, trying to keep my tone as relaxed as possible. "Don't underestimate me."

Nightingale scoffed, clearly not entirely convinced, but he didn't say anything more, simply continuing to focus on dealing with the enemy before him. His movements remained precise and efficient, as if completely unaffected by the rhythm of the battle.

The tacit understanding between us never needed any further explanation. Retaining strength was a strategy, and he understood its significance.

As time went on, the enemy's attacks became more and more fierce. I could feel my body gradually protesting, and each time I raised my gun and fired, it took more effort. But I forced myself to keep my breathing steady and focus on every detail, not letting my fatigue show.

If I just hold on a little longer, things will turn around. This is the only belief I can rely on.

Finally, with a precise coordination, we successfully cleared out the surrounding enemies. Silence gradually returned to the warehouse, and the enemy reinforcements in the distance seemed to be temporarily delayed.

Nightingale glanced at me, a faint smile on her lips: "Kid, it seems you are still useful."

I didn't respond, but just lowered my head to adjust my breathing, my fingers trembling slightly as I gripped the weapon tightly to hide my fatigue.

"Can't stay long, let's go."

Nightingale's tone was concise and decisive. As the battle drew to a close, the surrounding environment began to become more complex, and the situation was quietly changing.

I quickly sheathed my weapon and began to follow Nightingale toward the exit. The air was thick with the lingering smoke of battle, and the blood and debris on the ground made the warehouse look unusually desolate and eerie. Through the shattered windows, I could see the patrolling City Mechs approaching at an accelerated pace, clearly having sensed something was amiss.

We cannot stay here for long and must evacuate as soon as possible.

Nightingale led the way, his steps light and swift, making almost no sound. His figure moved through the dim corridor like a ghost, and I followed closely behind, trying to remain unnoticed. We dared not stop, nor make any unnecessary noise, relying solely on the dim light and the complex surroundings for cover.

Just then, we heard footsteps from behind. It seemed like enemy reinforcements were approaching. As the sound approached, our retreat route was forced to narrow. Nightingale calmly scanned the surroundings and made a quick decision: "There's a vent on the left. Quick!"

He said this, turning left without hesitation. I followed him, my heart racing as I realized time was running out. If we didn't disappear soon, we might be trapped here, in even greater danger.

We finally reached the vent after passing through the corridor. Nightingale quickly pulled open the vent cover, supporting herself with one hand and motioning to me with the other: "Hurry!"

He immediately got in. The air in the ventilation duct was damp and stuffy, but at least it could temporarily free us from pursuit. Nightingale followed closely behind, quickly closing the cover, keeping her breathing low, and listening carefully to the movements outside.

"Keep going." Nightingale whispered with some urgency.

We quickly passed through the narrow passage, the exit gradually becoming apparent. With each step forward, I could feel my pace quickening and my awareness becoming more focused. At this moment, all my vigilance and rationality were reminding me that we were running out of time.

Finally, a small exit opened at the other end of the vent, and we finally stopped. Nightingale poked his head out, quickly scanned the surroundings, and after confirming there were no enemy ambushes, he gestured, "Hurry, don't stop."

I nodded and followed him carefully through several alleys. Finally, we arrived at an abandoned warehouse area and relaxed our guard a little. Nightingale then paused for a moment to adjust his breathing.

"Well done." Nightingale turned her head and said lightly.

I gasped slightly: "You are not bad either."

A hint of helpless smile flashed in his eyes: "Don't be too happy too soon. The troubles that follow have just begun."

I nodded silently. This battle was far from over. However, at least for now, we were temporarily safe.