Chapter 86: Paris Scenery
Squelch!
Mason drove the blade all the way through, severing the muscles and tendons in Rex's shoulder, completely disabling both of his arms. Rex went berserk, using his core strength to surge up from the ground.
Mason's hands were still buried deep in his shoulders. He twisted them slightly, and Rex collapsed to his knees in excruciating agony.
"Don't move—it'll hurt more if you struggle!"
"Ugh...ugh..."
Rex gasped for breath, his body trembling violently. The sensation of being impaled and having the blades twisted in his wounds was more intense than any pain he had ever experienced.
He now deeply regretted not using nanomites to suppress his pain receptors in the cerebral cortex, so he wouldn't have to endure this torment.
However, what to do with Rex next presented Mason with a dilemma. Killing him was out of the question—he needed him alive to complete the mission.
But if he let his guard down, who knew what kind of advanced technology this guy had hidden? Would he suddenly inject some compound and turn the tables?
"Take off your helmet."
"I was severely injured in the explosion and need this to survive," Rex gasped, speaking through labored breaths.
Mason didn't respond, only slightly rotating his hands.
"Ah...it hurts! Stop, stop!" Rex cried out, but without any apparent signal, with a metallic clang, the metal helmet on his head slowly opened, revealing his lead-gray, scarred skull.
The helmet was ingeniously designed, divided into several components. The breathing apparatus was separate, while the nano-reagents he'd been injecting were stored elsewhere inside the helmet.
Mason removed the helmet, leaving only the breathing device. Without it, Rex had no hope of mounting a comeback.
"It's a shame this isn't a permanent assignment, otherwise I'd definitely study Rex's nanotechnology to see if I could safely enhance my current abilities." Mason still felt some regret.
"I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to return to this world again." Although the overall technological level of this world wasn't particularly advanced, Rex's nanotechnology was essentially groundbreaking. If he could study it thoroughly, it would definitely help improve his own capabilities.
Mason remembered reading in the employee handbook that couriers who reached a certain level could pay a price to return to worlds they had previously visited.
However, looking at his pitiful trainee status, all of that was still too far away. His immediate priority was to diligently complete his missions.
He made a call, and after a while, an aircraft landed on the mountaintop, and a white figure descended from it.
It was Storm Shadow.
"You found him?" Mason asked with a smile.
The darkness between Storm Shadow's eyes had dissipated, and he nodded. "From now on, he'll never have the chance to deceive anyone again!"
With Storm Shadow's skills, getting close to the President of the United States would be extremely difficult, but if the President wanted to get close to Storm Shadow, it would be incredibly easy.
With a calculated ambush on an unsuspecting target, it would be difficult for Zartan not to fall into the trap. His strength lay in disguise and deception, and once that facade was torn away, he had no chance against Storm Shadow.
However, what Mason found strange was that after Zartan's death, the plot of G.I. Joe: Retaliation should have been completely derailed by his actions.
With Storm Shadow's defection and his capture of the COBRA Commander, the sequel's storyline could no longer proceed due to the loss of key players. Such a significant change had occurred, yet why hadn't he received any rewards for altering the plot?
He tried inquiring through his interface, but his question disappeared without a response for a long time.
In truth, unless absolutely necessary, Mason was reluctant to drastically change plot trajectories. He'd already experienced the terrifying power of the butterfly effect.
Even a small influence could steer events in an unknown direction, let alone such a massive change, which could affect the entire world's trajectory.
If he were to return to this world for another mission, without foreknowledge, the difficulty would be exponentially greater.
Of course, he wouldn't hesitate when necessary—completing the mission was the primary objective. Only by surviving this time could he consider the future.
He was simply approaching plot changes rationally, neither timid nor reckless.
"Let's go—we need to leave here first," Mason ordered Storm Shadow. "There's a hidden facility on this island. We'll clear it out when we have time."
Storm Shadow nodded, and he escorted Ana as they departed.
Paris.
The entire city was still reeling from the aftermath of the terrorist attack. Businesses on the streets were much quieter, and protesters, volunteers from various governments, and reconstruction workers were all mixed together throughout the city.
"According to reports, with support from multiple governments, we have captured the mastermind behind the Paris attacks—James McCullen of MARS Industries—and his interrogation is currently underway..."
Louis Bar.
Scarlett sat listlessly at the bar, idly nursing her drink. Her eyes were unfocused, staring blankly at the counter in front of her.
Having captured McCullen and secured the entire Arctic base, G.I. Joe had achieved a major victory. Now they were in the crucial final cleanup phase, but Scarlett felt utterly depressed and had taken leave to escape.
"Where did Mason go?" She exhaled a breath laden with alcohol, her eyes glazed. The more she investigated, the more mysterious Mason seemed, and in a short time, she was becoming increasingly obsessed.
"Beautiful lady, may I have the honor of buying you a drink?" A smooth voice came from beside her. Scarlett was irritated and didn't even lift her head, only scoffing.
"Get lost!"
"Alright, since you don't want a drink, how about I show you around Paris?" the voice persisted.
"Hey, buddy, Paris has been devastated—what scenery is there to see? Who taught you such a cliché pickup line?" The bartender, wiping glasses, interjected as business was slow.
The red-haired beauty in front of him was indeed very attractive, with fair skin and delicate features. The freckles on her cheeks didn't detract from her beauty but instead added a touch of youthful charm.
Since she'd entered, the harassment and advances had been nearly constant. Everyone could tell the beautiful woman was in a foul mood, and the men present naturally sought her attention, hoping to offer her some comfort in various ways...
Physically speaking.
But then something happened that completely surprised the bartender. The red-haired beauty, whom he considered unattainable, turned her head, her eyes sparkling, and a smile that could melt steel appeared on her lips.
"Let's go—don't waste this beautiful night..."
[Support Goal: 500 PS → +1 Chapter]
[Support Goal: 10 Reviews → +1 Chapter]
Your review helps the story grow.
P2treon DarkFoxx (25+ chapters ahead)