Chapter 142 Wrong Turn



The wind brushed past them as they raced towards the small hill looming in the distance. With each passing moment, their speed intensified, carrying them closer to their destination. As they ventured further, the landscape transformed into a dense expanse of trees, engulfing them in a natural merging of white and green.

"Be careful!" Vincent's voice echoed urgently through the radio as he abruptly tapped the break , the screeching of tracks against the snowy terrain filling the air.

Swiftly, he get off his snowmobile, driven by a nagging intuition that something was amiss. His eyes narrowed as he inspected a seemingly innocent patch of snow, though his heightened senses whispered a different tale.

With caution, he tapped the snow with his boots, but it crumbled, unveiling a treacherous trap hidden below. A wicked arrangement of jagged wooden spikes lurked, ready to strike and kill anyone unlucky enough to walk on top of it.

Nathan, alarmed by Vincent's discovery, quickly get off his own vehicle to join him in assessing the peculiar trap. With caution etched on his face, he approached the exposed hole, his gaze scanning the menacing arrangement of sharpened wooden spikes. 

As he examined the trap, his keen eyes caught a glimpse of dried blood staining the wickedly sharp wooden spikes. It sent a shiver down his spine, a grim reminder that this sinister contraption had claimed numerous lives before

"Those sick bastards!" Nathan exclaimed, his voice laced with anger and disgust as he surveyed the grisly remnants of blood and flesh that had frozen in the cold.

"We should make them pay , buddy!" Nathan declared , his eyes gleaming with anger.

Vincent regarded his friend's intense  desire for justice, a flicker of contemplation crossing his own face. Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind—he could easily kill those bastards but this could also be a chance  to shape Nathan's character, because he knew that his bestfriend have no experience yet in killing .

"Alright, but this time, I want you to take the lead on this operation. I'll be there by your side, watching from the sidelines," Vincent said, his eyes locked firmly with Nathan's.

In that moment, Nathan understood the deeper significance of Vincent's decision. It wasn't just about hunting down those responsible—it was about him being tempered.

With a nod of gratitude and acknowledgment, Nathan accepted the challenge. Vincent's trust in him was not to be taken lightly. It was an opportunity for him to step up.

"Wait for us here ", Vincent, taking charge, instructed the guides to remain at the base, ensuring their silence with a generous sum of 5000 USD each. They had initially contemplated calling for outside assistance, but Vincent knew that it was unnecessary .

"Let's go," 

Nathan proceeded to track them, his heightened senses sharpened by the 15% of his unlocked Adrenaline manipulation abilities. With his enhanced perception, he could perceive details that surpassed those of ordinary humans. The terrain they ventured into had become rugged, demanding their utmost agility and resilience. 

"Those things are close," Vincent muttered under his breath, his senses alert to the faint scent of blood that lingered in the air. Despite his awareness of their proximity, he chose not to disclose this information to Nathan. Instead, he silently trailed behind him, maintaining a steady pace and following his lead.

Vincent's confidence in his own abilities reassured him that he could intervene if the situation called for it.

"I see a cottage," Nathan said urgently, swiftly seeking cover behind a nearby tree. Vincent followed suit, their movements synchronized.

"What's your plan?" 

"I'll handle them, buddy," Nathan replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. He reached into his bag, pulling out a silver case that piqued Vincent's curiosity.

"What's that?" Vincent questioned, his eyes drawn to the mysterious case.

"My secret weapon, Viny and Nate" Nathan chuckled, opening the case to reveal two intricately designed silver .45 caliber pistols, adorned with mesmerizing wolf patterns. They exuded a cool and captivating aura that made Nathan look like a special agent.

"Where did you get those?" Vincent couldn't help but be captivated by their beauty.

"Master William gifted them to me," Nathan boasted, relishing in the thrill of possessing such remarkable firearms.

"Wait, William didn't give me anything when I finished training with him!" he exclaimed, feeling a pang of betrayal. It seemed William had shown favoritism.

"Buddy, you don't need a gun," Nathan rolled his eyes playfully, aware of Vincent's skills that transcended the need for conventional weaponry.

"Yeah, but he should have given me something," Vincent sighed, though his disappointment was laced with amusement.

Their shared laughter reverberated in the air, a momentary release of tension.

"Go get them, Nathan. I'll be right here, watching," Vincent said, tapping his best friend's shoulder in a gesture of encouragement.

Nathan nodded with determination, his gaze fixed on the cottage. Unlike Vincent, he had received comprehensive training from William on how to effectively utilize firearms in combat. With a steady and purposeful stride, he made his way towards the cottage, his mind focused on the skills and techniques instilled in him by his mentor.

"I need to prove my worth," Nathan muttered to himself, acknowledging his inner struggle. While he had projected a façade of toughness in front of Vincent, deep down, he knew that he needed to become stronger to truly be an equal part of his best friend's life. 

He proceeded cautiously towards the cottage, utilizing the old barrels as cover, all the while scanning his surroundings for any potential traps.

Meanwhile, Vincent's focus sharpened, honing his vision and sense of smell. He maintained a watchful eye on Nathan's progress, ready to intervene at a moment's notice should his best friend find himself in danger. While he wanted Nathan to learn from this experience, his utmost priority remained ensuring his friend's safety and well-being.

As Nathan huddled in one of the barrels, he heard a distinct footstep approaching from inside. Reacting swiftly, he sought cover, his heart pounding with anticipation. Peering through the crevices, he caught a glimpse of two individuals with horribly disfigured faces. A shiver ran down his spine as he took in their ugly appearance.

"Shit, they look really scary " 

"I can kill them with my gun, but that would raise an alarm," he whispered to himself, realizing that using a firearm might not be the most strategic option in this situation. Determined to maintain stealth, he retrieved a knife from his pocket, readying himself for a close-quarters encounter.

But the thought of taking another life filled him with momentary unease, causing him to question his actions.

"Don't be soft ! Think of them as monsters, not as human. They deserved to die" Nathan reassured himself, battling conflicting emotions. He grappled with the weight of taking a life, but understood that this people are evil men that need to be killed.

With a slow and careful movement, he silently maneuvered behind the deformed individuals, preparing to take action .

"One, two, three! "he counted in his mind, summoning his courage as he bolted toward the two individuals with unwavering determination.

Thud!

Unfortunately ,the sound of his footsteps in the snow caught their attention, causing them to turn and face him. To his surprise, their twisted and disfigured faces twisted into sinister grins instead of being shocked, as if they were relishing the prospect of another victim falling into their clutches.

Nathan's heart raced, but he refused to let fear paralyze him. He knew he had to press forward, his resolve unwavering.

Drawing upon the skills he had learned from William, he unleashed a swift and precise attack, aiming directly for the head of one of the abominations. However, to his surprise, the grotesque individual displayed an unexpected agility, effortlessly evading his strike. In a sudden and brutal counterattack, Nathan felt a powerful blow land in his stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

BAM!

Staggering backward, he fought to regain his composure and steady his breath

"Adrenaline Manipulation!" Vincent exclaimed, his voice laced with surprise and concern. It became evident to him that these individuals possessed the same ability that Nathan had unlocked.  But it was too early for him to intervene. 

Recognizing the need for a change in strategy, Nathan swiftly drew his gun, aiming to gain the upper hand in the intense confrontation. Without hesitation, he squeezed the trigger, unleashing a barrage of bullets towards the two individuals.

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

However, his attempts to eliminate them were thwarted as they swiftly sought cover, evading the projectiles with their reflexes and agility.

"Bastards! " Nathan exclaimed, his frustration mounting as he heard additional footsteps approaching from inside the house. His instincts warned him that if one of them carried a firearm like his own, his already challenging situation would escalate to an even greater level of danger.

With a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins, his mind raced, considering his options. He knew that he had to act swiftly and decisively to regain control of the situation.

With the realization that the odds were stacked against them, he swiftly made a critical decision. He weighed the risks and potential outcomes, recognizing that a direct confrontation could be detrimental to their survival. In a split-second calculation, he resolved to change tactics and opt for a strategic retreat.

Without hesitation, he sprinted towards the cover of the nearby trees, relying on his agility and the surrounding environment to shield him from immediate danger. 

While Nathan made his swift retreat and sought cover among the trees, Vincent opted for a different approach. Utilizing his heightened abilities and keen instincts, he swiftly jumped on top of a nearby tree, positioning himself at a vantage point that provided a panoramic view of his surroundings.