One of the groups of under the scarred men went to the reception area hoping to gain control of the area and effectively use the people and tourists to blackmail the police
The leader of the group, gripping his assault rifle, pushed open the doors to the grand reception hall. The sight that greeted them was perplexing. The lavish space meant to be bustling with guests and staff was eerily empty. Not a single soul occupied the plush sofas, and the polished marble floor reflected only the dim emergency lighting.
Confused, the group leader approached the scarred man, who was now standing in the centre of the deserted reception hall. "Boss," the leader hesitated, "there's no one here. The whole place is empty."
The scarred man's forehead creased with a deep frown. "Empty? How is that possible? Did they evacuate everyone?"
The group leader shook his head, "I don't know, sir. It's like everyone vanished. Even the receptionist is gone."
The scarred man, a man accustomed to control and predictability, found himself at a loss. Through the walkie-talkie, he contacted the other group assigned to different areas of the hotel. The same unsettling report echoed through the device — emptiness, silence, and a lack of presence.
His sharp eyes scanned the grandeur of the deserted reception hall. "This doesn't make sense. Where could everyone have gone?"
One of his guards ventured an uneasy suggestion, "Maybe they caught wind of our presence and decided to evacuate the entire hotel?"
The scarred man dismissed the idea with a dismissive wave. "No, this is something else. Stay alert, everyone. We proceed with caution." The scarred man racked his brain for every possibility of how this may have occurred but couldn't find a solution. He then commanded the men to head towards the security room and try to access the camera footage to understand what happened. As the men began to head towards the security room they began to feel the presence of someone but couldn't find anyone.
They all were alert when suddenly they heard a scream. They all looked behind and saw that one of the members of the group was lying on the ground unconscious. The group, now on high alert, gathered around their fallen comrade. The dim emergency lights cast an unsettling glow on the scene, and the silence in the deserted hotel corridors seemed to amplify their anxiety.
"He's just unconscious," one of the group members announced, kneeling beside their fallen companion. "What the hell is happening here?"
The group leader, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of the unseen threat.
As the group leader turned to relay the situation to the scarred man through the walkie-talkie, a stifled scream echoed through the corridor. Another member crumpled to the ground, unconscious like the first. Panic rippled through the group, and the air of confusion escalated into sheer terror.
Frantically, the group leader shouted, "To the security room, now! Grab them, we can't stay here."
The remaining members' faces were etched with fear, they quickly hoisted their unconscious comrades and rushed towards the security room.
As they reached the security room, the group leader slammed the door shut, barricading it with a heavy cabinet. The scarred man's voice crackled through the walkie-talkie, demanding an update. The group leader, struggling to steady his breath, explained the bizarre events unfolding in the hotel.
"Boss, we don't know what's happening. Two of our guys just dropped like they were hit by something. They're alive, just unconscious. It's not safe out there."
The scarred man, on the other end, responded with a tone that betrayed his own sense of unease. "Stay put. Are you in the security room.?" asked in a demanding tone
The group leader said in fear " Yes we are in the security room, I have barricaded the door and I think we are safe here"
The scarred man's voice crackled through the walkie-talkie, demanding immediate action. "Grab the security footage and send it to me now. We need to understand what we're dealing with here."
The group leader, still in a state of high alert, nodded, acknowledging the urgency in the scarred man's tone.
As he reached for the mouse, intending to access the security footage, a sudden tension seized the room. The group leader, sensing a presence, turned around slowly. There, standing in the confined space, was a figure in a waiter's dress, face obscured by a white mask. The group leader's eyes widened with shock and realization.
Before he can react to anything the masked man arrived in front of him and punches him in the gut rendering him unconscious as well. The masked man looked behind to see the bodies of the other four people who were with the masked man unconscious as well. He looked around in the security room and found a rope which is used to tie the five of them together.
Outside the hotel, the sudden arrival of police cars and their subsequent formation around the building sent shockwaves through the group waiting anxiously. Pavan, his eyes fixed on the unfolding scene, voiced the collective confusion, "What is happening? Why is the police here? Why are they surrounding the hotel?"
The other members of the group exchanged perplexed glances, uncertainty written on their faces. Maria, always quick to assess the situation, speculated, "Maybe there's a security threat or something. They could be here for our safety."
Robert, his scepticism surfacing, retorted, "Safety? In a five-star hotel? I doubt it. Something else is going on."
Pavan, torn between curiosity and concern, decided to approach one of the police officers who was busy coordinating the perimeter. "Excuse me, officer. Can you tell us what's happening? Why are you surrounding the hotel?"
The police officer, maintaining a stern expression, responded, "I'm sorry, but for your safety, we can't disclose details at the moment. Please stay back and cooperate with the instructions."
Concern etched across their faces, they watched the police officers organize their response, creating a perimeter around the seemingly troubled hotel.
Pavan's anxiety reached a tipping point. He turned to Maria, urgency in his voice, "We need to inform the police about Danial. We haven't seen him come out, and now the police are involved. Something might have happened to him."
Maria, her brow furrowed with worry, considered Pavan's words for a moment.
She nodded, "You're right, Pavan. We can't just stand here. We need to let the police know about our friend."
Pavan approached him with a sense of urgency, "Excuse me, sir. I'm afraid that our friend is still inside the hotel. We haven't seen him come out, and with all this happening, we're worried something might have happened to him."
The commanding officer, a stern expression on his face, listened attentively. "Your friend is still inside? We can't allow anyone to enter the premises right now. It's a high-security situation."
Maria interpreted and asked the officer " What happened exactly and why is every one of the police officers surrounding the hotel? Is there someone or something in the hotel.?'
The commanding officer changed his tone and said " Back off kid don't ask many questions, we will see what we can do and as for the kid, pray he survives."
Pavan and Maria backed off.
Pavan and Maria, feeling a sense of helplessness, retreated from the police cordon. The commanding officer's stern warning lingered in their minds, emphasizing the severity of the situation. Maria, deep in thought, contemplated their options.
"We can't just leave Danial in there," Pavan muttered, frustration evident in his voice. "But what can we do with the police blocking us?"
Maria, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and concern, replied, "We have to respect the police's authority. But we can't abandon our friend. There has to be another way."
As they pondered their next move, Robert and their fellow classmates approached, sensing the distress in Pavan and Maria. Robert, ever the inquisitive one, asked, "What's going on? Why did you want to talk to the officer?"
Ignoring Robert's question, Pavan hesitated before speaking, "We haven't seen Danial come out of the hotel, and now the police are involved. Something might have happened to him. But the officer wouldn't tell us anything."
At that moment, Maria's thoughts took a turn. She knew she had a secret identity as the granddaughter of a Grandmaster, a figure with influence and resources. A part of her was tempted to use this status to force the police to let them in. However, a deeper sense of responsibility and respect for the law held her back.
Robert's face fell when he heard Danial's name. He scoffed, "Danial, huh? It's his fault that he didn't exit the hotel in time. He should have been smart enough and moved out rather than coming with us and brazenly lying."
Pavan, angered by Robert's accusatory tone, shook his head. "This is not the time for blame, Robert. We need to figure out what's happening inside, and Danial might be in trouble."
Maria, trying to diffuse the tension, spoke in a comforting tone, "Let the police do its work. The only thing we can do is wait and hope for the best. Arguing won't help anyone right now."
As they stood on the periphery, the atmosphere around them grew more tense. The police maintained their strict control over the situation, preventing anyone from entering the hotel. The uncertainty in the air was palpable.
Meanwhile, inside the hotel, the scarred man's impatience grew. He waited for the security footage from his team, but the delay was testing his temper. Taking the walkie-talkie, he barked, "Where is the footage, and what the hell are you doing?"
He awaited a response, but all that greeted him was the static of the walkie-talkie. Frowning, he switched the channel to another team and demanded, "Find out what happened to team 1 and do it fast. I need answers."
As the team from the upper floors received the scarred man's command, they swiftly made their way to the staircase, their senses heightened by the mysterious events unfolding in the hotel. The air was thick with tension, and each step seemed to echo through the silent corridors.
Just as they reached the stairs, a loud noise reverberated from one of the nearby rooms, causing the team to halt abruptly. Instinctively, they took tactical positions, their guns trained on the door. The dim emergency lights flickered ominously as they approached the room, a sense of anticipation hanging in the air.
With silent hand signals, the team communicated their plan to breach the room and held their positions. The tension reached its peak as they prepared for the unknown threat within. Before they could execute their plan, the door swung open abruptly, revealing an unexpected sight.
A girl stood before them, bathed in the glow of her phone's flashlight. Her attire, a cute and vibrant dress, seemed to defy the grim atmosphere of the deserted hotel. Strands of her damp hair framed her face, hinting at recent exposure to water, and the short skirt accentuated her gracefully sculpted legs.
Her beauty was ethereal, a stark contrast to the tense and uncertain surroundings. The soft light from her phone created a halo effect around her, enhancing the allure of her presence. Her eyes, an enigmatic blend of curiosity and innocence, met the gaze of the armed men before her.
The team found themselves momentarily captivated by her unexpected appearance. She exuded an aura of tranquillity, standing in stark contradiction to the chaos that had unfolded throughout the hotel. The team members exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of how to react to this unforeseen encounter.
Her lips curved into a faint smile as she spoke, "What's going on? Why are you all so serious?" The team, caught off guard by her unexpected appearance, struggled to find words as they remained locked in a momentary standstill.
The team leader, his instincts on high alert, maintained a steely gaze as he raised his gun and pointed it at the girl. The unexpected encounter had shifted the dynamics of the situation, and the tension in the air was palpable. The girl, shocked and on the verge of screaming, was silenced by a subtle gesture from the team leader, who gestured with his finger to shut up.
The girl, realizing the gravity of the situation, obediently closed her mouth and raised her hands in a sign of surrender. The team leader, his gun still trained on her, moved behind her, using his imposing presence to guide her toward the exit. His voice, deep and commanding, cut through the silence, "Move quietly, otherwise I will riddle your body with holes."
Terrified, the girl nodded aggressively, her eyes wide with fear, and began to walk towards the door. The team leader followed closely, the gun serving as a stark reminder of the authority he held at that moment. The dim emergency lights cast eerie shadows as they navigated the deserted corridors, the silence broken only by the muffled footsteps of the captor and captive.
As they reached the staircase, the team leader, still vigilant, felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The other members of the team, attuned to the energies around them as martial artists, also sensed an additional presence. They exchanged quick glances, communicating silently as they remained on guard.
At the end of the corridor, Danial saw that this group had taken a girl hostage and frowned heavily.
Danial, concealed by the shadows, carefully observed the unfolding scene. The invisible cloak granted by his "Invisible Shadow" skill proved invaluable in situations like these, but the presence of the captive girl complicated matters.
Danial thought " Thanks to the " Invisible Shadow " skill that I learned in the Academy I can move quietly in the shadows without being noticed. But now I can't attack them as they have a girl captured and treated as a hostage. One wrong move and they might use the girl to force my hand or worse shoot her."
Danial knew he had to act quickly otherwise the situation will become more dangerous.
The team leader, maintaining a firm grip on the girl's arm, continued guiding her towards the rendezvous point with a sense of purpose. As they walked, the team leader pressed a button on his communicator, activating a direct line to the scarred man.
"Sir, we have found a girl, and now we have taken her captive," the team leader reported.
The scarred man's voice crackled through the communicator, his expression unreadable, "Is there no one else besides her?"
The team leader scanned the dimly lit corridor and the girl beside him before responding, "Negative, the entire floor seems empty."
The scarred man took a deep breath, his scarred forehead furrowing in contemplation. After a moment's pause, he issued a directive, "Bring her in. We can use her as a hostage to fulfil our mission."
The team leader nodded in acknowledgement and terminated the communication. The girl, her eyes wide with fear, had overheard the exchange and, in a desperate plea, addressed the team leader, "Please don't take me in. My father will give you a lot of money if you spare me and leave me alone."
The team leader, his gaze unwavering, responded in a gruff tone, "Your father's money won't change our mission. You're coming with us, and your safety depends on your cooperation. Make a wrong move, and you won't like the consequences."
Danial heard this and instantly knew that if he didn't act now then the girl's life would be in danger.
Danial moved out of the shadows and appeared at the end of the corridor opposite the team leader. The team leader sensed some movement and looked over to see a masked man standing at the end of the corridor with his hands behind his back appearing confident. The lackeys also saw this and instantly pointed their guns at Danial,
The team leader's face darkened as he glared at the masked man standing defiantly at the end of the corridor. The atmosphere tensed, the cold silence broken only by the dim hum of emergency lights and the occasional creaking of the deserted hotel.
In a threatening tone, the team leader demanded, "Who are you, and what business do you have here?" His eyes narrowed as he studied the masked man, trying to discern any sign of vulnerability or fear.
The masked man, unmoving, maintained his confident stance. The leader's lackeys, their fingers twitching on the triggers of their guns, remained vigilant, ready to unleash a barrage of bullets at the slightest provocation.
Undeterred by the looming threat, the masked man finally spoke, his voice muffled by the white mask concealing his face, "I'm here to ensure the safety of this young lady." He gestured towards the captive girl, whose wide eyes flickered with a mix of confusion and hope.
The team leader scoffed, his grip on the girl tightening. "Safety? This is none of your concern. Raise your hands and drop to the ground; otherwise, we won't hesitate to shoot you down."
Danial realised what he had done. He was scared to shit from the inside. He was screaming from the inside as his mind raced with erratic thoughts t " Why did I come out of the shadow, I could have done it after they went with the girl and now they have their guns pointing at me.
What the fuck am I gonna do now, I should have waited for the Special Ops team to arrive. Shit shit shit!!"
The team leader saw that the masked man was unaffected by the threat so he shot a bullet near the masked man's legs.
The echoing sound of the gunshot lingered in the tense air as the bullet grazed the floor near the masked man's legs. The girl, held captive by the team leader, trembled with fear, her wide eyes fixed on the masked figure standing defiantly at the end of the corridor.
The team leader, maintaining a steely gaze, expected the masked man to crumble under the threat of violence. However, to his surprise, the masked man remained unyielding, as if the gunshot had no effect on him. The lackeys, their fingers still on the triggers, exchanged uneasy glances, sensing an unpredictability in the air.
Danial almost shat his pants and saw that the bullet was a couple of inches away from his toes. If the leader hadn't missed, he would be walking without toes. Danial's heart was beating heavily and he composed himself. He knew that any sign of weakness and the leader would not hesitate to shoot.
His confidence inflicted fear into the leader which is an advantage to him. Danial looked directly into the leader's eyes with confidence and hostility."
In a deep, threatening voice that cut through the silence, the masked man spoke, "I will say it again: raise your hands and drop to the ground, otherwise, we will shoot you down."
The team leader, now slightly unsettled by the masked man's unwavering demeanour, scoffed, "You're out of your mind if you think we'll submit to your threats. We have the guns, and we have the advantage."
The masked man, unmoved by the bravado, calmly responded, "I think you misunderstood. I will not willingly comply with you. I am not here to negotiate; I am here to take you down."
The moment Danial moved the leader started shooting at Danial.
As the leader's bullets whizzed through the air, Danial swiftly manoeuvred, his movements a graceful dance between life and death. The Water Flowing technique allowed him to evade the onslaught of bullets with near-perfect precision. He closed the distance between him and the team leader in a split second.
With a powerful surge, Danial lunged forward, his fist connecting with the leader's gut. The impact sent the leader sprawling backwards, his grip on the captive girl released involuntarily. The lackeys, witnessing their leader incapacitated, momentarily hesitated in their gunfire.
Seizing the opportunity, Danial grabbed the girl and pulled her behind the protective cover of the corridor walls. Bullets ricocheted off the solid surface as the lackeys continued their barrage. The girl, feeling the intensity of the situation, clung to Danial, her heart pounding in sync with the chaos around them.
Danial, shielding the girl from the hail of bullets, assessed their options. The advantage of surprise had given him a momentary upper hand, but the lackeys were regaining their composure. He knew he had to act strategically to ensure their safety.
As the chaos of bullets echoed through the corridor, the girl found herself in the unexpected embrace of the masked man. His strong, reassuring grip provided a stark contrast to the danger surrounding them. At that moment, an inexplicable sense of security washed over her, and she felt an undeniable connection with the mysterious figure who had come to her rescue.
Her heart raced not only from the adrenaline of the situation but also from the newfound emotions stirring within her. As she shyly put her head down, she sensed the comforting warmth of the masked man's hands on her back. It was a gesture that spoke volumes amidst the chaos – a silent reassurance that they were in this together.
In the midst of the gunfire, the girl dared to look into the masked man's eyes. Amid the anonymity of the white mask, she found a pair of eyes that radiated calmness and determination. It was a gaze that, despite the circumstances, brought a sense of peace to her turbulent emotions. Her cheeks were bright red as she hadn't been in such close proximity with the opposite gender.
Danial was aware of the thoughts the girl was having and was waiting for an opportunity.
As the last echo of gunfire faded away and the lackeys began the process of reloading their weapons, Danial seized the opportunity. Activating the "Iron Fists" skill, his hands glowed with a powerful hue of bronze, signifying enhanced strength and striking capability.
With swift and precise movements, Danial lunged towards the lackeys.
The lackeys' faces were filled with fear as they saw the masked man rushing towards them. Abandoning their guns, they attempted to fight the masked man barehanded. The masked man, with each strike to the face, knocked everybody out one by one.
His movements were a blur, a display of martial prowess that left the lackeys helpless in the face of overwhelming strength. The corridor, once echoing with gunfire, was now filled with the sounds of bodies hitting the ground.