Chapter 25: Saved

“Head…” Hearing Rod’s words, Sambik and the others around him were deeply moved. With trembling voices, they shouted—even rough men like Kambi and Sambik couldn’t help but be moved at this moment! The sheer conviction hidden in those simple words could be clearly felt! Though his voice was weak, it was filled with dominance and determination, piercing their hearts and stirring them deeply. Their previously despairing hearts, nourished by those words, sprang to life like barren land touched by rain, brimming with fighting spirit and hope.

Looking at Rod’s back, standing protectively in front of them and shielding them from the attackers, they realized for the first time how tall a person’s back could be, and how formidable a single individual could be! Tears in their eyes, they were filled with fighting spirit once again, determined to fight to the death.

The onlookers around them were also moved. Seeing Rod in a miserable state, barely able to stand without the support of his sword, his body trembling and ready to collapse at any moment, with a streak of blood trickling from his mouth yet his gaze remaining fiercely sharp—everyone felt a sense of dread.

What kind of belief could make a man so strong and stubborn? What kind of determination could make him speak such domineering words? No one could imagine.

Even Vent and the others who rushed forward and arrived at Rod’s side were moved by his words. They stopped in their tracks.

“Hmph… Arrogant! Keep being arrogant. Today, I’ll fulfill your wish. If you want to be a hero, I won’t stop you!” After hesitating for a moment, Vent sneered sharply. That expression made his already vile face even more despicable.

“Kill him!” With a loud shout, he charged at Rod first, his sword emitting a chilling coldness as it aimed straight at Rod’s chest.

Feeling that coldness, sensing death approaching, Rod didn’t blink. A scornful smirk still graced his lips. He knew he couldn’t avoid it now. Being able to stand at all despite the pain was already remarkable. If he couldn’t escape, he would face it head-on! Sometimes, avoidance was more terrifying than death.

“Head…” A roar was heard. Seeing this, Jim and the others, who knew Rod’s situation well, screamed heartbreakingly as they rushed toward him at full speed.
“Hehe, Brado, you can die now! Don’t worry, they’ll go down with you!” Vente paid no attention to Jim and the others at all, speaking with contemptuous arrogance.
In just an instant, the long sword reached Rod’s chest, poised to pierce through him with unstoppable force. Everyone held their breath; the scene was eerily quiet, except for Jim and the others’ mournful screams.
Watching Vente laugh arrogantly across from him and the excited smiles of his accomplices, Rod smiled slightly. It seemed he realized many things in that moment—life and death were but a matter of thought. Eighteen years later, he would be a hero again. What was there to fear? He kept his eyes open, unblinking, as he watched what would happen next.
“Who dares touch my brother?” A fierce roar, like a thunderclap, suddenly rang out at the most critical moment, shattering the calm atmosphere.
Immediately afterward, everyone saw darkness before their eyes. A figure flashed past and appeared in front of Rod in an instant. With a clear clang, a white long sword was flung into the air, tracing a brilliant arc before falling behind them.
“Anyone who touches my brother dies!” Everything happened so suddenly that it wasn’t until the dust settled that everyone could see what had happened. There were no screams or splashes of blood as expected. The sword hadn’t pierced Rod’s body but had landed on the floor behind him!
At this moment, another figure appeared in front of Rod. Clad in green robes, he held a sword over five feet long and shielded Rod with fierce anger. The man was about six feet tall, burly, with a cold expression and a murderous gaze directed at the group before him. In front of him, Vente lay pale on the ground, blood dripping from his lips.
“Head… how are you?” Calls and chaotic footsteps followed. No one noticed that hundreds of members had appeared around them. Each of them stared fiercely at Carter’s group. If looks could kill, Carter and his men would have been killed countless times by now.
At that moment, everyone rushed toward Rod’s location.

“The Reaper Scythe Squad…” No one knew who first cried out in the crowd. Instantly, the word spread like lightning throughout the area, reaching every ear clearly.
Their expressions changed in horror as the Reaper Scythe Squad appeared at the most critical moment. Seeing these people show up, the onlookers realized that things were about to get serious.
As for Carter’s men, upon seeing the arrival of the Reaper Scythe Squad, their faces turned ashen. Filled with extreme resentment and frustration, they watched as their seemingly successful plan took such a dramatic turn in an instant! If they had acted faster, Brado would have been dead for sure. Once he died, the Reaper Scythe Squad would no longer be a threat. These people had only come together for profit and survival; they weren’t a tightly knit team. Brado could be considered their leader and core figure—only he could control these guys! If Brado died, the consequences were obvious. None of them were humble or obedient; each was arrogant and self-important, refusing to acknowledge anyone else. The end result would be fragmentation.
It was precisely because of this understanding that Carter dared to launch a deadly attack on Rod without hesitation! He wasn’t worried about any retaliation from the Reaper Scythe Squad later, because by then they would already be in trouble themselves.
But now, the situation was completely different. These people had appeared too quickly and had even saved Brado! The outcome was entirely different now! Everything that had happened before would be exposed, and Brado’s condition and injuries would only fuel even more anger and resentment among them. His plans had failed, and he knew he would face the most terrifying retaliation! As long as Brado was alive, the Reaper Scythe Squad would stick together! Their strength was undeniable, and it was obvious what kind of aftermath would follow if they decided to retaliate.
“Boss, are you okay?” Pointing his sword at the man collapsed on the ground, the newcomer quickly turned to Rod behind him and asked anxiously.
At that moment, Rod was standing unsteadily, holding his sword with one hand and using it to prop himself up. He stood there trembling, still wearing that familiar smile on his lips. Yet his face was pale, his eyes slightly blurred, showing signs of weakness and exhaustion, along with that fresh streak of blood, which was a shocking sight.
“Brother Kerode, how did you get here? Hehe, that curly-haired kid!” Taking a deep breath, Rod spoke in a weak voice.

Indeed, it was Kero De. It was he who saved him at the most critical moment just now, helping him withstand that deadly strike from that bastard Went.
“How could I not come? Damn these bastards! Today, I’m going to settle accounts with you all!” Only after seeing Rod was unharmed did he breathe a sigh of relief. Yet Rod’s weak appearance still caused Kero De great pain. He turned and glared fiercely at Carter and his gang, his eyes brimming with rage, almost spewing flames.
“Boss, are you… are you okay? Damn these sons of bitches! I’ll kill you all!” In the meantime, Curly and his men also arrived at Rod’s side. After asking anxiously and seeing his condition, they roared in fury.
“Damn, kill these guys! Aveng the boss!” Soon, the others joined in.
At a glance, almost all members of his first squad had arrived, along with a few from the second and third squads. Skorah was also among them!
“Boss, how do you feel?” Skorah stepped in to calm the chaos and asked Rod with a complex expression.
“I’m fine, pretty much okay! Heh, I came in time; otherwise…” Rod said with a faint bitter smile. It had indeed been extremely critical just now.
“As long as you’re not dead, that’s good. Curly, take him aside to rest. Leave this to me! Today, we’ll wipe out Camp 11!” He approached Rod, his face grim, radiating icy killing intent. He gently wiped the blood from Rod’s mouth before turning to Curly with a cold gaze.
After all, Nightingale used to be a renowned assassin. Such killing intent wasn’t something to be taken lightly. Even veteran mercenaries who had fought in countless battles were stunned by this aura, this killing intent, and this coldness.
“Mm!” Curly swallowed hard and replied reluctantly. The feeling of having his throat squeezed made it hard for him to speak. He inwardly sighed—so that’s what Nightingale was like. How had he never realized? Thankfully, he hadn’t offended him before; otherwise, he wouldn’t know where he’d be now.

“Nightingale…” Seeing Nightingale’s appearance, Rod also spoke anxiously, “Don’t hurt the innocent!” Rod naturally wouldn’t show mercy to Carter and his group, but the others were different—they were all innocent people. Rod knew that once Nightingale said something, she would definitely do it; if she said she would massacre Camp 11, she wouldn’t leave a single survivor! He didn’t want to see such an act. There must be those responsible for the crimes, and innocent people shouldn’t be dragged into it.