The air was thick with tension. Lucien's sharp eyes scanned the area—Red Fang had surrounded them. From rooftops to alleyways, the crimson-clad warriors stood in formation, their numbers easily exceeding two hundred.
Evelyn stiffened beside him, her instincts screaming that this was no ordinary ambush. Even Damian's usual confidence seemed to waver at the overwhelming presence of the enemy.
Lucien clicked his tongue. Too many. If we fight together, we won't make it.
His decision was instant.
"Damian," his voice was calm, but firm. "Take Evelyn and get out of here."
Evelyn's eyes snapped to him, horrified. "No. We can fight our way out together—"
"We don't have time for this." Lucien's gaze softened as he turned to her. Then, with a gentleness rarely seen, he cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin.
"I love you."
Evelyn's breath hitched. Her mind blanked. Before she could even process his words, Damian grabbed her wrist and pulled her away.
"Lucien—!!"
Her scream was drowned out by the roar of Red Fang charging forward.
Lucien exhaled slowly and rolled his shoulders. His body tensed like a predator ready to strike.
200 enemies.
His lips curled into a smirk.
"Come."
---
The first wave came fast—conventional foot soldiers, easy prey. Lucien weaved through them effortlessly, breaking necks, snapping arms, crushing ribs. Their blades never touched him.
The second wave was tougher—Red Fang Warriors, armed with enhanced weapons.
One swung a massive axe at Lucien's head. He ducked, pivoted, and slammed a knee into the warrior's ribs, cracking them instantly. Another lunged with twin daggers, but Lucien caught both wrists and twisted, forcing the blades into their owner's throat.
Bodies piled around him.
Then came the assassins.
Faster. Deadlier. They moved like phantoms, striking from blind spots.
Lucien gritted his teeth, his movements sharpening. Too many. His stamina was draining—but he didn't stop.
One by one, the assassins fell.
Until finally—
A single unshakable presence emerged.
The battlefield fell silent.
The remaining Red Fang members stepped back.
A lone figure descended from the rooftop, landing soundlessly before Lucien.
A man clad in a sleek, high-tech combat suit, his face hidden behind a distinctive mask.
Lucien's instincts screamed danger.
This was no ordinary enemy.
The Red Fang leader had arrived.
---
Lucien didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, launching a brutal assault.
The leader effortlessly dodged every strike. His movements were **calculated, precise—**as if he was reading Lucien's attacks before they happened.
Then—
A counterstrike. Fast. Unavoidable.
Lucien barely managed to block, but the sheer force sent him skidding backward.
His body screamed in protest.
Damn it... I'm running on fumes.
Yet, he refused to fall.
Lucien charged again, unleashing everything. A relentless storm of attacks.
And still—the leader remained untouchable.
Then—a devastating blow to Lucien's ribs.
His vision blurred.
Another strike—his knee buckled.
Then—a final crushing impact to his temple.
Darkness swallowed him whole.
---
Perspective Shift - Evelyn
Evelyn couldn't sit still.
Her fingers hovered over her phone, heart hammering.
Then—she called.
"Caius." Her voice was raw with desperation. "Lucien... He's—he's been taken by Red Fang."
Silence. Then—Caius cursed under his breath.
"I'm on it."
Within minutes, he had contacted his mentor and Damian.
Caius's jaw clenched.
"We're tracking their base. This mission stays off the records. No one—not even Vermilion Oath—knows about this."
Their eyes burned with a single determination.
They were getting Lucien back.
---
Perspective Shift - Lucien
Pain.
Lucien's consciousness drifted back slowly.
He opened his eyes.
Metal walls. Dim lighting.
He was restrained, his wrists bound in reinforced cuffs.
And in front of him—
The Red Fang leader.
Lucien's eyes sharpened. "What do you want?"
The masked man tilted his head slightly, as if studying him.
Then, he said "My expectations is too high isn't it?"—he removed his mask.
Lucien's breath caught. His pupils shrank.
Shock. Disbelief.
End of Chapter 57.