Chapter 5: Surrounded

In truth, Joseph had never forgotten Lucy over all these years. His hard work was always aimed at giving Lucy a better home. He had always been waiting for the day they could reunite. If, when that day came, Lucy had a family, he would protect them. If she didn’t, no matter how she looked, he would rekindle their relationship. Now he was the feared Reaper, the Son of Hell. But he never imagined that the woman he loved, who bore his daughter, would be treated so abominably. Holding Tangna and berating himself, Joseph suddenly realized something was wrong. He took out his satellite phone again. “Beelzebub! Get over here and bring the best medical personnel! If anything happens to my daughter, you know the consequences!” Beelzebub immediately responded with utmost respect. “Report, Reaper... Mr. Joseph, we’re all ready. They’ll arrive at the designated location shortly!” Joseph nodded with narrowed eyes. Beelzebub was capable; despite being a ruthless killer, she was quick-witted in critical moments. He wouldn’t keep useless people around. Ten seconds after hanging up, Joseph heard the sound of approaching vehicles. Realizing the threat, he knew these were enemies. Indeed, voices soon followed from a distance. “Listen up inside! We’re the FBI! Surrender now, and we might let you live!” FBI? Joseph chuckled coldly. “Is the FBI only good for harassing civilians? Now that it’s over, you show up. Where were you when my daughter was being tormented?” Seeing the severed heads on the fence, the FBI agents trembled in fear, unable to hear Joseph’s words clearly. They began to surround the compound. The negotiator continued, “You’ve killed so many! Surrender now! Don’t think your reputation scares us. We’re not afraid!” Joseph sneered, “Do you think you can challenge me? Just the FBI? Do you think I fear you?” The negotiator, undeterred, replied, “Then prepare to die! We’ve surrounded you!” He was about to give the order to attack when they heard numerous helicopters overhead. “What’s going on? This is Los Angeles! Why are there so many helicopters?” “Who are they? The mayor didn’t mention helicopter reinforcements!” A woman in a tight suit, with striking white hair and crimson eyes, descended from the helicopters. She was stunning but had an eerie, cursed look. If a succubus existed, she would look like this. She smiled at the negotiator, “Is that how you talk to our Reaper? Oh, I mean Mr. Joseph.” She gestured, and countless dark cannons appeared in the sky—at least a hundred. “Now, who’s surrounded?” These cannons weren’t for show. Black-clad, masked figures descended from the helicopters, armed with advanced technology and weapons superior to the FBI’s. They were Joseph’s Hell assassins, each equipped with gear that could transform into weapons, making them nearly invincible. Seeing the disparity in weaponry, the FBI agents panicked. The lead agent tried to maintain composure. “This is Los Angeles! We’re the rulers here!” Azazel, from a high vantage point, laughed. “You rule Los Angeles? Then we rule humanity!” Before the agent could retort, a sinister man appeared. “Joseph, let’s not waste time. These people disrespected you. Let’s kill them.” Tall and pale, Belial looked non-threatening, but the FBI agents sensed he was dangerous. Hearing the threat, they nearly collapsed in fear. Fortunately, Joseph intervened. “No. We need them for negotiations. My daughter suffered, and no one intervened?” “Yes, sir!” Joseph handed Tangna to Azazel. “Take my daughter to the high-tech hospital with 009 and Beelzebub. If she suffers, it’s your fault, and I’ll kill you.” Azazel nodded, “Mr. Joseph, where are you going?” Joseph, eyes narrowing, looked into the distance. “I’m going to rescue my woman. No one has dared defy me like this in a long time!” Azazel shivered. Though Joseph was smiling, he seemed more terrifying than ever. Clearly, Joseph was about to unleash a massacre. Belial was excited, and Azazel, too, showed a gleeful anticipation of the impending bloodshed. “Yes, sir!”