Thump, thump thump!


    The sound of knocking arose.


    "It must be the doctor!"


    Esther said as she walked toward the door, her hand gripping the gun handle hidden within her clothes.


    She had already made a call, and if it had been an ambnce, there would naturally be that distinct blue shing light and sound, yet at this moment there was neither sh nor sound, but rather an eerie silence.


    This house was one she had rented covertly.


    Ordinary people wouldn’te here.


    And those who dide were certainly not ordinary.


    Aras’s nostrils red as he sniffed a few times, then no longer looked toward the door, but focused intently on the dining table.Avent didn’t move at all.


    Danfoss hadn’t noticed anything unusual, but Pasi quickly pulled Danfoss behind her, then she herself stood in front of Emma, who was feverish and unconscious.


    Pasi had noticed something different.


    Her heart couldn’t help but race.


    However, thinking of something, Pasi looked toward Aras and Avent.


    Seeing the two of them with an indifferent expression and unmoving, she immediately rxed.


    Facing Danfoss’s puzzled look, she even smiled and shook her head.


    Esther didn’t notice any of this, his full attention was on the door!


    He was telling himself that as the only young and strong man in the room, he must protect the elderly, women, and children behind him.


    This was also what senior Edmund had told him.


    A man can cry, shed tears, kneel.


    But when family and friends need you, even if you are scared, even if your legs are shaking, you must stand up, tears and all!


    Because there are some things that once lost,


    Living is almost no different from being dead.


    Such a life is not a recipe for longevity!


    Esther firmed up his conviction, took a deep breath, and pulled open the door.


    Outside, a team dressed in bulletproof vests, wearing helmets, and holding automatic weapons stood in neat, somber rows.


    When they saw Esther open the door, everyone saluted in unison.


    "Deputy Leader!"


    "The pest infiltrating Ang City has been found."


    "Mercenary Horda, reporter Kriek, tourist Will, and that Simon."


    The one leading pointed behind him.


    Four bup sacks were lying there.


    Esther was taken aback.


    Deputy Leader?


    Hydra!


    Almost instantly, Esther realized.


    The people in front of him must be members of ’Hydra,’ invited by Aras to join.


    Explore hidden tales at empire


    He hadn’t expected that Aras would have such reliable and powerful friends.


    He could tell that these people had advanced weaponry and strict discipline—traits not possessed by ordinary powers.


    If only more such people could join!


    Then ’Hydra’ could truly be a ’Hydra’!


    Esther thought involuntarily.


    However, outwardly, he responded without showing any emotion.


    "Interrogate them and bring everything to me."


    "Yes, Deputy Leader."


    "Long live Hydra!"


    The action team leader responded respectfully, then with a low chant took his team and the bup sacks and disappeared into the night. Esther watched them vanish, a look of admiration in his eyes.


    What fine soldiers!


    It’s just a shame there are too few of them!


    And Esther, who was feeling such admiration, did not see that as the team disappeared into the darkness, more action teams in simr attire emerged. They surrounded the house, each taking up a covert position without making a sound.


    A distinguished middle-aged man sat inside a modified car parked at a street corner, a mapid out in front of him.


    This map detailed everything within a 5-kilometer radius of the detached apartment that Esther had rented.


    "’w 13,’ Judgment Chief, Deputy Leader, Boss, and a fewdies, as well as the young master, are all here."@@novelbin@@


    "The security level is insufficient!"


    "Purchase this area and rece the personnel with our own."


    "Then, excavate an underground shelter and connect it with our original base."


    The person pointed at the map, speaking indifferently.


    "Yes, sir."


    The secretary nodded, then asked softly, "’The Holy Serpent Society’ isn’t far from here... should we?"


    "’The Holy Serpent Society’?"


    "We don’t need to concern ourselves with them for now. ’w 13’ and Lady Kuya seem... uh, we’ll ask the Deputy Leader about itter. That’s not for us to worry about!"


    The middle-aged man stated.


    "Yes, sir."


    The secretary bowed and left.


    The distinguished middle-aged man pondered for a while; then, his phone rang.


    Recognizing the number, he picked up the phone with utmost respect.


    "Yes, I’ve rearranged everything already."


    "Understood, I will make sure not to disturb the lives of the leaders."


    The distinguished middle-aged man assured.


    Afterward, they discussed the detailed security n.


    Jason, standing in the shadow outside the vehicle, was taken aback.


    Aras’s friends had this much influence?


    Friends made through fights were this reliable?


    No!


    Not just reliable!


    They were fiercely loyal!


    Their demeanor was definitely not an act.


    Jason believed that Aras did not have such capabilities, or else he would not rely on a life as a Bounty Hunter and would have be the de facto ruler of Ang City by now.


    It wasn’t Aras, but the initial connection was through him...


    Could it be Aras’s mother?


    Or Aras’s grandfather?


    Jason pondered unconsciously.


    With the abilities of Aras’s mother and grandfather, managing such a force wouldn’t be a difficult thing.


    And this would be logical, for which parents or grandparents would actually feel assured by throwing their child in a city with no several backups in ce.