Chapter 4 (Revised Edition)

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YN was keenly self-aware. After wandering for so long, she finally decided to stay within the Shadow Squad’s current base of operations, moving only within its boundaries.

On the very same day, just before noon, as the Shadow Squad had just arrived at the base, another special operations task force assigned alongside them also arrived.

Shadow-9527 informed YN that this special operations team was called the “141 Special Forces.” Unlike the privately contracted mercenaries of Shadow Company, the 141 Special Forces were a legitimate military unit under the United Nations.

YN had been manipulated and forced into this situation. She held no interest in why a private mercenary group and the formal military would cooperate. Her only thought was to return swiftly to the Shadow Company’s base in America. The cleaning crew back there must be worried about her, and she herself fretted over whether she would lose pay.

It was only the beginning of the month; if she didn’t work for a week, she would lose $2,500 in wages. This thought sent her into a mental turmoil as she idly traced circles in the dirt with a stick.

Shadow-9527 was inspecting his tactical gear nearby. Catching a glimpse of YN crouched, drawing circles with a stick, he seemed to see through her thoughts: “Don’t worry. I’ve already sent a message to the base for you, and I’ve told the cleaning crew there what to say. While we’re on the mission, you just wait here for our return.”

“Will I still get docked my pay?” That was the core concern for YN.

Shadow-9527 could be reliable at times but also a bit sly: “Go ask the ‘boss.’ He makes the final call.”

Indeed, that was true. Even if the finance department wanted to dock her $2,500, as long as the boss said otherwise, no one could touch her Franklin!

YN’s worried expression softened slightly. She stood up, deciding to clarify this “will I lose pay” issue with Graves before the mission started. Otherwise, once he got busy, she wouldn’t know where to find him.

•

The Shadow Squad was easily identifiable, clad entirely in black. As the commander, Graves surely stood at the forefront among them.

So, under cover of darkness, YN stealthily slipped behind Shadow-9527.

His arm was tugged gently; looking down, he found YN. He gave her an inquiring look.

“I’m... looking for... the boss,” YN mouthed in response.

Boss?

Shadow-9527 was momentarily puzzled, then recalled that the “boss” YN referred to was Graves—an idea he had previously suggested to her.

Members of both the Shadow Squad and the 141 Special Forces were introducing themselves and getting acquainted. They would soon undertake coordinated actions under the same mission.

Peeking from behind Shadow-9527, YN curiously observed the four members of the 141 Special Forces on the opposite side.

Their attire and equipment were less uniform compared to the Shadow Squad’s. Although all special forces, each dressed and equipped according to personal preferences and habits.

One, two, three, four...

YN counted their numbers quietly.

Only four people had arrived?

Instinctively, YN thought—if anything happened, wouldn’t it be total annihilation?

The mission hadn’t even started yet; she struggled to keep her thoughts from drifting into dark places.

YN’s gaze lingered on two members wearing skull-patterned masks—a tall and a short figure.

The tall man’s tactical vest bore the British flag, while the short woman’s vest displayed the bright red flag with five stars...

YN stared at the emblematic five-starred flag on the tactical vest, momentarily captivated.

This petite special forces soldier was Chinese!

Among the 141 Special Forces team members on this mission, only these two wore identical combat uniforms, with their tactical gear arrangement and weapon choices exactly the same.

YN couldn’t take her eyes off them, and for the rare time, she smiled genuinely—such a tender, devoted couple! They must adore each other deeply.

Just seeing how the short one spoke while the tall one lowered his head to listen attentively was already sweet enough for YN. She couldn’t imagine how they fought side by side on the battlefield or behaved in private.

What a perfect couple! A toast to their love.

Unconsciously enchanted by this pair, YN found her hands grasping Shadow-9527’s arm tightly.

At that moment, Graves noticed YN’s glowing, smiling face peeking from behind Shadow-9527.

Who was she looking at?

Sensing Graves’ calm gaze, Shadow-9527 quickly used his free hand to pry YN’s crab-like hands from his arm.

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He swore he’d never drink Coca-Cola again in his life!

“Stop laughing, Graves is watching you!” Shadow-9527 warned YN through gritted teeth.

She was indulging in the couple’s sweetness—please, no mention of the Reaper... or rather, no mention of the boss dog.

Reaper?!

That word suddenly flashed in YN’s mind, and a heavy blow struck her thoughts.

She wiped the smile off her face and abruptly shifted her gaze from the skull-masked couple to Graves.

“Shadow units, listen up. After the mission, eliminate every last one of them. Not a single survivor.”

Graves’ most classified order echoed word for word in YN’s mind.

After the mission, they... were to kill comrades they once fought alongside?

At the thought, YN’s expression became evasive. She withdrew her hands from Shadow-9527’s arm, letting them hang weakly by her sides.

•

“King covers the earth tiger.”

Later, the short figure wearing the skull mask—Apple Dog—approached YN with a lively step. After giving YN a bright wink, she said this phrase.

Although her face was entirely covered by the terrifying skull mask, YN could feel her kindness and cheerful mood, along with her captivating accent.

“S-sorry... I... I don’t know it,” YN replied, clearly unable to respond to what was obviously a secret greeting meant to quickly build rapport. Her head bowed, her voice tinged with disappointment and unease.

YN dared not look at this fellow countrywoman in skull mask.

Apple Dog frowned, hand on chin, pondering.

It shouldn’t be like this—a cute girl, obviously Chinese! How could she not know the phrase?

“Chicken stew with mushrooms,” Apple Dog continued without asking further. “Remember that?”

YN nodded, silently memorizing that “King covers the earth tiger” corresponded to “Chicken stew with mushrooms.”

“I’m Apple Dog. What’s your name?”

Apple Dog’s voice was light and cheerful, making YN feel as if bathed in spring sunshine. Standing by her side, YN inexplicably felt soft and warm, like wrapped in a plush blanket.

“Doggy, I’m YN. I’m... Russian.” YN found Apple Dog’s name adorable, reminding her of a bright red apple on Christmas Eve and a loyal big dog standing guard. So she instinctively called her “Doggy.”

YN glanced at Apple Dog several times. Her bloodline was ancient Eastern, but she had never returned to her true homeland.

“No matter where you’re from, you’re a ‘descendant of the dragon,’” Apple Dog said with a smile, not offended by YN’s nickname, offering a comforting warmth.

As their chat grew lively, Apple Dog’s radio crackled with a hoarse British accent: “Calling Dog.”

YN’s cheeks flushed shyly. They truly loved each other. Calling her “Doggy” wasn’t wrong at all.

“Someone... is looking for you.”

YN glanced at Apple Dog again, noticing the voice came from a “collar” worn around her neck.

Because the skull mask and collar were both pitch black, YN had to look several times before noticing.

Suddenly, YN recalled that her boss, Graves, also wore a similar “collar” around his neck.

When Graves handed YN a Coca-Cola, she had glimpsed the black collar around his neck. His piercing blue eyes blinked at her like a playful little dog.

YN thought he looked like a cute puppy wagging its tail at its owner.

Good boy, Graves. She imagined gently stroking his head like a puppy and speaking softly to him.

Of course, this was only a thought she dared keep inside. Graves was handsome with golden-brown hair and a scar on his right cheek that added to his mystique.

YN looked again, truly seeing Graves’ face.

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She was overthinking. This ruthless mercenary leader and an adorable puppy wagging its tail? Impossible to associate them.

She had no intention of offending Graves. After all, the salary paid to her by Shadow Company came from this man’s ruthless deeds.

So, YN planted a seed in her heart: besides fearing Graves instinctively, she must respect him. After all, he was the boss who paid her monthly wages.

•

Sensing YN’s gaze lingering on her neck, Apple Dog shrugged and lifted her tactical throat mic slightly, letting YN look more closely.

She said with a hint of helplessness, “This is a ‘token of affection’ from my dog who suffers from separation anxiety. When I’m out of his sight even briefly, he gets terribly anxious.”

Apple Dog didn’t elaborate on the separation anxiety and token of affection. Judging by the tactical gear, everyone knew she and Ghost were a couple.

YN knew there was no real helplessness—only sweetness.

When Apple Dog mentioned “separation anxiety” and “token of affection” upon hearing his voice, the intense love shining in her eyes made YN feel as if she were drifting in a pink bubble of love.

Such wonderful love—how lucky they were.

Fellow countrywomen meeting, Apple Dog, eager to chat more with YN, was hurriedly pulled away by Ghost’s urging, bidding a quick farewell and rushing back to the 141 Special Forces camp.

Apple Dog was not truly helpless; helpless was YN, who suddenly felt a pang of melancholy.

Turning back toward the Shadow Squad camp, YN encountered Graves waiting for her.

“B-boss...”

Graves noticed YN’s stammer and her forlorn expression—clearly reflecting on the secret order he had given.

This man hated betrayal above all.

Like sand in his eyes—any bit of betrayal was intolerable.

“Already making new friends, YN?” Graves stood at the table, cleaning and inspecting his weapon.

After arriving at the camp, he changed clothes. His original all-black combat uniform replaced by a blue denim shirt and matching jeans, less intimidating, somewhat approachable.

This was an open-air temporary supply depot with many military materials. A large camouflage net, supported at four corners, formed a canopy. Unlike the canopy, sunlight filtered through the mesh like scattered starlight.

After speaking, Graves resumed cleaning his gun, absorbed in the task.

YN noticed many spots of starlight fell across Graves’ face, making him appear even more enigmatic, flickering in and out of shadow.

Though reluctant to interact with Graves, YN responded, “Yes, boss, I have made new friends.”

Graves suddenly questioned whether he was meddling too much.

From the moment he first saw her, he kept noticing her. His mind involuntarily recalled her heart-wrenching tears.

He knew the first few tears were forced, but later she truly grew more sorrowful...

Now recalling it, he couldn’t help but wonder if a vast ocean hid in her eyes.

Otherwise, why would she cry so easily? Tears appearing in droplets or in floods, one after another.

His mind always pictured her pale cheeks streaked with tear marks. Each tear, though no blade, felt like a wound to his own flesh.

Unable to tolerate Graves’ constant Coca-Cola offerings three times a day, Shadow-9527 finally confessed:

“Good friend Graves, I swear on my life, YN and I are just good friends.”

Shadow-9527 wanted to reconcile with YN quickly because he knew she was easy to appease.

And since he was on a mission, if he didn’t resolve this quickly, he feared if anything happened to him, YN would cry remembering him, angry and unreconciled.

Thus, under Shadow-1’s threat, Shadow-9527 “sold her out” without YN’s knowledge.