Ark Chess Player.

Modley shrugged dismissively, wiped the blood from the blade onto the corpse's clothes, and casually stepped through the metal door.

For them, completing the task within ten minutes is incredibly easy.

That's generally the case.

But the objective of this mission... is a bit unusual?

As the cautious Ron and the nonchalant Mordley stepped into the front hall, before Mordley could even remark on how nice the rich man's cell was, Ron had already frowned and raised his dagger and crossbow.

The two of them heard strange, rhythmic music accompanied by a man's deep voice.

"One, two, three, four; two, two, three, four; one more time!"

"Good job, keep going, don't let your muscles stop! Swing with me!"

"Yes, yes! That's how it's done, little Ug, you're so amazing! Everyone else, reflect on why you're not as good as a newbie."

"Wearing a military uniform on the upper body and red shorts on the lower body," Makarov, the former Ursus executive officer, shouted.

In front of him, rows of strong men lay sprawled haphazardly on sofas and the floor. Some were even pinned under weightlifting equipment, looking as if they were half-dead.

Among the crowd, only one man persisted in doing aerobics and kept up with Makarov's rhythm.

This person was none other than Edward Ugg, the target of Ron and Mordred's mission.

Ug changed into a red vest and blue tight shorts for easy movement. He was swaying along with Makarov's movements, perfectly showcasing the beauty of his muscles and bringing the art of aerobics to its extreme.

Accompanied by background music, each leg lift and arm raise exudes power and is quite imposing.

Even Ron was stunned. According to intelligence, Edward Ugg was supposed to be a frail logistics worker. However, what was presented to him now was a muscular man who had undergone a rapid fitness transformation. Although his physique was not yet up to par, his demeanor already exuded a philosophical aura.

Yes, Ug has awakened.

A passionate, masculine spirit burned within him.

After being pulled into the locker room by his mentor Makarov and going through a less-than-pleasant exchange, Ug realized one thing.

Human beings have limits.

The more obsessed one is with calculation, the more one tries to survive, the more one will ultimately be manipulated and spend the rest of one's life in fear.

Unless you surpass humanity.

Muscles are the only thing that doesn't lie!

Make a wish for muscles! Please, muscles!

"Oh? Another newcomer has arrived."

Makarov keenly sensed Ron and Mordley's presence. He narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a deep voice, "The bloodlust on you two is really strong. Hmph, I didn't expect that even after I escaped here, Ursus still wouldn't let me go."

"Very well, today I'll show you just how brave I, Makarov, really am!!"

“…Brother, I’m not here to see you, I’m here to see him.”

Ron looked annoyed and pointed at Ug, who was focused on training.

To everyone's surprise, Makarov's eyes widened, his face flushed red, and he was so angry that his clothes ripped apart, even his upper military uniform exploded into pieces. He roared, "Little Ug is my beloved! We Ursus people will never abandon our brothers! Enough talk, let's draw our swords!!"

Ron's lips twitched, and he muttered, "You Ursus people are really... simple and honest."

Chapter 288 Rest in Peace, My Friend (4K)

“I have always longed for a worthy opponent.”

"Many people have tried, but only I have succeeded."

"A sharp sword, a sharp eye."

"The stab must be quick and ruthless."

"My sword is ready."

"What about you?"

Makarov's punches were powerful and fierce, and in the blink of an eye, the luxurious prison suite in the witness hall was left in a mess.

Those muscular men who had been lying on the ground pretending to be dead just a second ago suddenly perked up and joined Makarov in issuing his fencing declaration. Ug was so surprised that he looked around and realized that everyone here was a slacker, just going through the motions and dealing with Makarov.

Ron was also surprised to find so many sparring partners in the witness box; he'd been outmaneuvered. Damn it, didn't Alexander say that only one down-on-his-luck officer was troublesome?! How was he down-on-his-luck? That punch even dented a reinforced wall!

"Why are you running? Quickly come and fight me with your sword!" Makarov shouted angrily.

Ron cursed, "You damned sword!"

"Hi!!"

In a fit of anger, Makarov lifted the barbell and removed the three 20-kilogram weight plates from each side, leaving only the barbell bar in the middle.

Ron frowned. He tried several times to raise his arm and fire a crossbow bolt, but his opponent repeatedly suppressed him.

He knew he couldn't continue like this; who knew if this superhuman Ursus man had any other tricks up his sleeve?

"Modley, hurry and help me—Modley?!"

Ron shouted, but no one answered.

The next instant, Makarov attacked with standard military-style stick fighting.

He raised his arm high, sweeping the barbell diagonally, the barbell snaking like a long snake, smashing pieces of the reinforced walls on both sides of the passage into the air. If that had hit Ron directly, he would probably have been incapacitated after about three moves.

Ron suddenly crouched down, using all the skills he had learned in the Guard Bureau over the years to avoid fatal blows. After several rolls, he retreated awkwardly along the same path, luring his opponent into a narrow passage.

"boom!!"

Makarov's barbell slammed into the wall beside Ron's cheek, sending up a cloud of dust that stained his helmet a grayish-white. Ron seized the opportunity, firing three poisoned crossbow bolts in quick succession as his opponent was retracting the barbell.

With nowhere to retreat and nowhere to hide, Makarov surprisingly chose to fight back.

True Ursus warriors always use their bodies to dominate the tower and charge in.

"Chi chi chi——"

Poisoned crossbow bolts rained down on Makarov's exposed upper body, burying him halfway in.

Makarov did not back down; he continued to swing his arms without a care, only this time he swung his fist the size of a sandbag instead of a barbell.

Ron took a deep breath and decisively chose to use his shoulder to take the hit, as this was one of the most heavily armored opponents in the Royal Guard.

Time seemed to slow down. Ron's eyes widened, his shoulders gradually deformed, and his entire body bent, his face growing increasingly terrified. Finally, like an arrow released from a bow, Ron was punched by Makarov, sending half his body spinning three times before crashing into the reinforced wall, bouncing back and forth three times before coming to a stop.

"Fuck you... Modray."

Ron watched the figure flash by at the end of his vision, feeling like he was about to fall apart, and he could no longer feel his left arm.

Modray had already slipped into the room in the passageway, quietly waiting for Ron to lure Makarov away. Only after both of them had moved deeper into the room did Modray seize the opportunity to approach Makarov's unsuspecting back.

A jet-black whip was gripped in Mordley's hand. Taking advantage of Makarov's brief moment of focus on countering Ron, he channeled Originium Arts into the whip. The black whip burned with scorching flames. Mordley leaped into the air, using the walls to his left and right, and directly looped it around Makarov's neck, pulling him backward!

"die!!"

Modley placed his feet on Makarov's shoulders, his body bent like a bowstring stretched to its fullest extent, tearing Makarov's neck backward with all his might.

Even the most physically robust person cannot resist suffocation and strangulation.

Makarov reflexively tried to fall backward, using his martial arts skills to throw the person who had bound his neck to the ground.

If his only opponent were Mordley, his operation would surely have succeeded. Unfortunately... Ron was still alive.

Ron raised his arm, and three crossbow bolts were nocked and released, all burying themselves in Makarov's left thigh.

Due to blood loss and the effects of the toxins, Makarov's backward lean turned into a kneeling position, which made it easier for Modly to strangle him.

In a sense, even if these two people have no chemistry, they are still the best partners.

The burning whip scorched Makarov's skin into a bloody crimson, then formed charred charcoal. The charcoal was then strangled by the whip, cracking and scattering carbon dust.

The former Ursus executive officer's head was now like a ripe, red fruit, ready to explode at any moment. Even though his hands were still making a last-ditch effort, the wounds kept bleeding, and the toxins were gradually taking effect in his body, making his resistance weaker and weaker.

Modley smiled, a smile hidden beneath his Guards Bureau helmet, a smile brimming with joy.

"*Ursus swear*!!"

Modley, his mind on edge, wondered if he was hallucinating. Makarov in his condition, still swearing? No, the voice wasn't coming from the front, but from behind—

"Aaaaaaaahhhhh!!"

Modley threw his head back and roared wildly, a scream so shrill and indescribable that it would frighten an infant into stopping crying.

Behind Modley, Edward Ugg picked up the barbell that had fallen to the ground and stabbed it precisely into Modley's groin.

Sharp sword, sharp eyes.

They dared not fight back against me!

Ug's eyes were filled with determination; the effects of his accelerated fitness training were quite obvious, allowing him to easily lift the barbell. Ug took a light breath and, using leverage, lifted the barbell.

what does this mean?

The picture is too beautiful, I dare not look at it.

The weakest point of his body's muscles was forcibly pushed up, causing Modre to foam at the mouth and his hands to involuntarily loosen.

Makarov didn't let the opportunity slip by. With his last bit of strength, he grabbed the other end of the whip and flung the unsteady Mordley in front of him, where he landed squarely on Ron.

It also blocked three crossbow bolts that Ron fired as he reloaded the bowstring.

Modray clutched the rain-soaked area of ​​his body, then stared wide-eyed at the three crossbow bolts embedded in his flesh, utterly horrified, unable to comprehend how the situation had been reversed so suddenly.

One second he was confident of victory, the next he lost everything.

"Edward... Ug!!"

Ron looked up, his pale face filled with anger.

"It was Alexander who ordered me to escape from prison, why did you betray us—"

“I am from Ursus.”

"what?!"

Edward Ug pulled the crossbow bolt from Makarov's chest, threw it to the ground, and stomped on it.

"We Ursus people will never abandon our brothers!"

"WTM!?"

Ron coughed up a mouthful of blood; it was an internal injury. He was so angry that his eyes rolled back and he fainted.

Ug ignored the two attackers who claimed to be on his side and turned to look at Makarov. He wasn't stupid; the reason he had fled to the witness hall was because he was afraid of being purged by the Alexander family. He would be a fool to believe them.

"Brother Ma, you..."

"Shhh."

Makarov shook his head, threw the black whip that had lost its Originium Arts effect to the ground, and pulled all three crossbow bolts out of his leg in one go.

Black blood flowed from the wound, and Makarov swayed violently. Fortunately, Ug caught him in time, preventing him from falling.

Ugh steeled his heart, grabbed Makarov's giant-like body, and helped him back to his room.

Along the way, the lazy, slacking-off guys paid tribute to them, and Ug earned their respect through his actions.

"Little Ug, why are those people looking for you?"

Makarov's voice was hoarse, clearly indicating that he had not yet recovered from the strangulation.

Ug's lips trembled as he murmured, "I used to do dirty work, dealing with data network information. The reason I'm here today is because I know something I shouldn't know. Those people... are here to deal with me."

"I see... then you... ugh!!"

Makarov clutched his chest; the crossbow bolt's venom was far more potent than he had imagined, like a thousand ants gnawing at his heart.

Ug said urgently, "Brother Ma, don't say anything! I'll go find some police officers to help you, just bear with it."

"No, don't go."

Makarov stopped Ugg, who was about to turn and leave. He shook his head and sighed, "You saw those two's clothes, didn't you? I thought... cough cough, cough, I'm fine... I thought the Guard Bureau would be a good place. I didn't expect Lungmen to be just as rotten as Ursus, rotten to the core!"

"Brother Ma, don't say anything! I'll go find a doctor for you right away, you'll be alright!" Ug looked anxiously at the blood on Makarov's body, and at his lips, which were gradually turning gray as the poison took effect.

Makarov shook his head again, but this time he held Ug's hand with slightly less force.

“Listen to me, Ug, listen to me.”

Makarov stopped Ug and said seriously, "Ug, you are different from the others outside, really different. They won't help me, they only follow my orders because they can't beat me. But you are different. You saved me, so I can't let you face danger. I will tell you some things, things that involve a lot, but that can... qualify you to negotiate with Lungmen."