Chapter 145 Lock And Loaded



The wind brushed against Vincent's face as he enjoyed a sip of his hot coffee. Standing on the foothills of the majestic mountain, he reveled in the breathtaking view that stretched before him. The towering peaks kissed the heavens, their snow-capped summits glistening under the golden rays of the setting sun.

He observed the guides as they skillfully set up the camp, refraining from intervening since he trusted their expertise. While he watched them, his gaze also fell upon Nathan, who seemed lost in deep thought. He understood that what they had experienced in this afternoon was not easy to accept, but he knew that time and reflection would help Nathan come to terms with it.

"You need to be stronger, Nathan," he muttered to himself.

Then he closed his eyes to focused on sensing his surroundings. Lost in deep thought, he began to sense the energy around him. He had long been aware of his ability to absorb energy from his environment, although he had considered its efficiency to be low and not worth much attention.

However, as he stood in this cold and desolate place, he realized that the freezing energy he was absorbing was gradually strengthening and modifying his body. The frigid temperatures no longer affected him, and he could survive comfortably in this environment even if he was naked.

"This is beyond my expectation ," he couldn't help but marvel at his own adaptability. 

"But this is not enough; I still need to figure out how to create a domain." The idea of creating a domain intrigued him, and he yearned to understand more about this ability. He had sought answers from Evangeline, hoping she would shed light on the matter, but she had evaded his questions, emphasizing that the creation of a domain was a deeply instinctual process.

He realized that this was a journey he had to embark on alone, a quest of self-discovery . The prospect of unlocking such a profound ability both excited and unsettled him. He knew that when the time was right, he would uncover this hidden part of his power and shape his own domain—a unique realm that would reflect his essence.

But for now, he had no choice but to be patient and hope for the best.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the temperature on the mountain began to plummet. While Vincent was immune to the cold, he understood that not everyone possessed the same tolerance. In an effort to stay comfortable, the group sought refuge in their respective tents

"It's a good thing we brought this high-tech equipment; otherwise, we would have frozen to death out here," Nathan remarked, breaking the silence. Although he was still grappling with the sadness of recent events, he understood the need to move forward.

Vincent nodded in agreement.

"How about we play some games to pass the time?" he suggested.

A smile spread across Nathan's face as he  reached into his bag and pulled out two handheld Nintendo Switch OLED consoles.

"What game do you want to play ?" he asked.

"Let's play some NBA 2K. I've missed that game," Vincent replied.

"Are you sure, buddy? You do realize I'm a pro in that game. I almost won the yearly MyNeighborhood competition last year in my PS5 console." Nathan raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.

"Let's see about that. Challenge accepted!" Vincent laughed. 

They turned on their respective Switch consoles and delved into the game.

But Within minutes, Nathan found himself cursing in frustration as Vincent dominated the match, with a score of 160-10.

"Buddy, you must be cheating! How can you time everything so perfectly?" he exclaimed, his voice laced with annoyance.

"Damn it, I got blocked again!" he groaned, his frustration mounting. "Another steal? Are you sure you're not cheating, buddy?"

"he he he" Nathan's outburst was met with chuckles from Vincent. He couldn't help but find amusement in the situation.

With his heightened eyesight and lightning-fast reaction time, everything seemed to move in slow motion from his perspective. He could time his moves with pinpoint accuracy, giving him an undeniable advantage in the game.

He continued to enjoy his domination while Nathan grumbled and cursed, caught in the whirlwind of his impeccable gaming skills.

"Let's play another game !" After their one-sided match in 2K, Nathan decided to switch to another game he was proficient in, called HONOR.

With a renewed sense of determination, he hoped to turn the tables and prove himself against his bestfriend. However, his hopes were quickly shattered as Vincent effortlessly dodged every attack thrown his way. It was as if his game character had unlocked ultra instinct , executing seemingly impossible maneuvers and evading all assaults for an astonishing ten minutes straight.

Nathan grumbled in frustration, unable to believe the extent of Vincent's gaming prowess.

"Cheater!" he exclaimed, playfully accusing his friend of having an unfair advantage.

Vincent chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm just too good," he replied, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Just natural talent and lightning-fast reflexes."

"Buddy, I know you're cheating," Nathan said, smirking. "You can't fool me with your excuses. I bet those superpowers of yours give you an unfair advantage in the game."

Vincent laughed heartily, finally giving in. "Alright, you caught me," he admitted, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'll admit, my abilities do come in handy in more ways than one. But don't worry, I'll go easy on you next game."

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In the sky

"Prepare for landing," the pilot announced over the intercom. A group of hunters braced themselves as the helicopter hover down , the powerful rotor blades stirring up a whirlwind of dust and snow.

Jumping out of  the aircraft, the team quickly assessed their surroundings. The air was thick and cold as they advanced cautiously, their senses heightened, and their weapons at the ready.

A man wearing a white camouflaged jacket led the team. He carried a large Barrett M82 anti-material rifle.

"Lex, are you certain we can handle this guy?" Antonio spoke, his voice tinged with concern. They had been hired to eliminate a highly dangerous supernatural being, but the reward on the target's head was so huge that doubt had crept into his mind. 

Lex glanced at him, understanding his concerns. The information they had received about their target indeed painted a daunting picture. The ability to move at such incredible speeds could make their task significantly more challenging.

"I understand your doubts," Lex replied, his voice steady. "But don't worry, as long as my bullet pierces his skull, I doubt he could survive."

Lex's words hung in the air, his confidence unwavering. The team members exchanged glances, finding reassurance in his resolute demeanor. While the doubts still lingered, they knew they had to trust in Lex's expertise and godly aim.

"Just keep your guard up, everyone. And will be able to complete this mission without a problem" he cautioned, his voice resonating with authority. 

As they ascended into the snowy mountain, the air grew colder, and the terrain became increasingly treacherous. The snow-covered peaks and icy cliffs presented a formidable challenge, but the team pressed on with unwavering determination.

Lex, the skilled marksman, led the way, his eyes scanning the place for any signs of danger. He moved with the precision of seasoned hunter, his every step calculated to avoid triggering an avalanche or slipping on the icy surface. His rifle was an extension of his arm, ready to deliver deadly accuracy when needed.

Walking beside him was Rosy, a lithe and agile hunter known for her exceptional speed and agility. Her expertise lay in close-quarters combat, and her dual swords gleamed with an icy sheen, reflecting the harsh light of the snowy landscape. She navigated the treacherous terrain with grace, her every movement calculated to maintain balance and poise.

Trailing behind them were the twins, Antonio and Ava, who possessed supernatural senses and mastery over elemental magic. Antonio with his ability to control water, and Ava, who commanded the powers of wind, were formidable adversaries in their own right. Together, they formed a deadly combination, capable of unleashing devastating attacks against any supernatural threat.

"I can see the camp " Lex crouched down in a concealed position, his eyes scanning the campsite through the scope of his sniper rifle. The bitter cold seeped into his bones, but he remained focused, his breath forming small clouds in the freezing air. He knew that their target, with his heightened senses, could detect even the slightest movement or sound.

As he continued to observe the campsite, he noticed the presence of three tents in the distance. His sharp eyes scanned the area, trying to discern which tent might house their target. The wind and cold temperature had helped mask their scent, but now they faced the challenge of identifying the specific tent without alerting their adversary.

Carefully, he adjusted the magnification of his scope and observed the tents one by one. He paid attention to any signs of activity, such as movement, flickering lights, or any other indications that could lead him to their target. He also noted the size and structure of the tents, looking for any potential clues that might suggest which one housed their adversary.

As he continued his surveillance, Lex noticed a faint glimmer of light coming from the biggest tent on the far right. He focused his scope on it and saw a shadowy figure moving inside. The person seemed to be alone, which made Lex suspect that this could be their target.

Remaining cautious, he radioed his teammates, relaying his findings. The team swiftly adjusted their positions, ready to converge on the target's location once confirmed.

He maintained his observation, waiting for a crucial moment to confirm his suspicions. He tracked the movements of the figure inside the tent, analyzing his behavior and assessing the level of threat he might pose.

"Lock and loaded "