The bull-masked bandit dragged Mathias out through the back door.
Perhaps the woman in blue was too confident, or maybe there was a mistake in their coordination with the police, as there weren’t many officers guarding the street behind.
Only four uniformed men and eight officers were watching from both sides, allowing the bull-masked bandit and Mathias to easily escape and even seize a police car to flee.
Along the way, the bull-masked bandit reached into his bag and pulled out a handful of diamonds, along with several pounds of gold bars from the jewelry store, scattering them on the street.
This caused quite a commotion among the crowd, delaying the pursuing military and police. By the time Judith and Kameron arrived with reinforcements, the police car had already vanished without a trace.
An hour later, the police found the car in an underground parking lot, but there was no sign of the bull-masked bandit or Mathias.
Despite the police deploying personnel and reviewing surveillance footage, the bull-masked bandit or Mathias remained elusive, as if they had vanished into thin air. The police intensified their search efforts.
Two hours after the incident, in an alley not far from Woodsea, a rainwater manhole cover was moved aside, and out emerged the bull-masked bandit and Mathias.
As soon as they landed on solid ground, they gasped for air. But before long, Mathias raised his left hand, revealing a military dagger.
The blade aimed for the bull-masked bandit’s neck.
Instinctively, the bull-masked bandit bent down to dodge the strike. Then he pressed forward, channeling his energy into his shoulder and back, crashing into Mathias with a force that seemed to penetrate through him.
It produced a heavy and suffocating sound.
Mathias’ expression changed drastically. His robust frame of over 160 pounds was lifted off his feet. Unable to suppress the metallic taste rising in his throat, he opened his mouth and spat blood.
Bright red splattered onto the ground.
But Mathias was not one to give up easily. Despite bleeding from his mouth, he managed a grim smile tinged with defiance. With a blood-stained hand, he grabbed hold of the bull-masked bandit’s shoulder blade.
As he fell backward, he pulled hard and hooked his leg around him. Both men tumbled to the ground once more.
Meanwhile, the military dagger landed on the bull-masked bandit’s chest.
“You’re not Bull!”
Mathias’ voice deepened as he questioned, “Who are you really? Take off your mask.”
Both men slowly sat up before standing again.
In the wind blowing through the alley, the bull-masked bandit could sense an intense killing intent emanating from Mathias.
The bull-masked bandit coughed a few times and then laughed nonchalantly, “Oh? You figured it out? I thought you’d be too tense to notice until I took off my mask!”
“But whoever I am doesn’t matter. Your knife shouldn’t be pointed at me. If it weren’t for me, you’d be dead by now.”
“Besides, your knife isn’t faster than my gun.”
The bull-masked bandit responded lazily while casually waving a gun in his left hand.
Mathias’ expression shifted slightly as he looked down to find that his opponent had drawn a gun and aimed it at his groin. One shot could leave him severely injured if not dead. He smirked coldly,
“You’re quite shameless.”
The bull-masked bandit shrugged indifferently. “If I weren’t shameless, how would I have taken down that old man and saved you?”
“Move your weapon away and take off your mask. I’ll do likewise. Wearing these things only makes us targets for the police.”
With that said, he tucked away his gun first before removing his mask to reveal a handsome face underneath.
Mathias was taken aback. “It’s you!”
It was Darnell who claimed to be a robber.
Darnell chuckled, “Of course, it’s me. Did you think your buddy in a bull mask could save you?”
Mathias took a deep breath. It made sense. Although his brother was formidable too, he couldn’t possibly stand against that old man. But then, another thought struck him as he raised his dagger again.
“You wore Bull’s clothes and mask-where is he? Did you kill him?”
“If I killed him, I wouldn’t save you.”
Darnell glanced discontentedly at Mathias’ dagger. “I merely knocked him out. He’s lying unharmed in the vault. At worst, he’ll be arrested by police.”
“But that’s ten times better than losing limbs.” He added with frustration, “My plan was to knock him out and impersonate him to capture you all.”
“Then I would become a hero, adored by young women and rewarded with millions.”
He then sighed in frustration, “But instead, I ended up being a robber. Oh, how miserable my fate is.”
Mathias’ mouth dropped slightly in surprise as he realized his mind was struggling to keep up. No, it wasn’t just that. The pain from the recent events made his head throb even more. After a long pause, he finally managed to say, “You could have just removed your mask to show you’re not a robber. That way, you wouldn’t be wanted by the police.”
“Why did you defeat the old man and get me out of there?”
Mathias was genuinely puzzled by Darnell’s actions. The risk he had taken to save him was monumental.
Darnell exhaled deeply, pulling out a tissue to wipe away the sweat. “It’s simple. I’m a pragmatic person.”
“I didn’t have the chance to be a hero by capturing you, so I’ll settle for saving you. You’re a notorious thief with money. Saving you will still bring me a decent reward.”
“Of course, there’s another reason. I find you lot far more likable than that old man in grey.”
Mathias didn’t respond. Instead, he fixed his sharp gaze on Darnell.
He stared intently for a full three minutes before suddenly bursting into laughter. He sheathed his military dagger and removed the pig mask, revealing a strong, defined face full of pride. He then extended his hand to Darnell. “I owe you my life today. When the opportunity arises, I will repay you tenfold.”
He offered Darnell a sincere expression. “Let’s formally introduce ourselves. I’m Mathias Webley.”
Darnell smiled and shook his hand. “Darnell Halford.”
“Darnell, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Mathias and Darnell shook hands firmly, sunlight streaming through the walls to cast sharp shadows across Mathias’ chiseled features.
His eyes radiated a captivating intensity, even more so than his military dagger. “Today has really been the worst luck.”
“Not only did I get betrayed and ambushed, but five of my brothers were also severely injured, and I’ve become a target for everyone.”
He appeared remarkably optimistic. “But I still want to thank this encounter. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met you, Darnell. I’m also grateful for the old man and his crew.”
“Without them, we might have been enemies. But enough of that. The debt of gratitude is noted, and when the chance arises, I will repay it.”
“If you ever need my assistance, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Darnell chuckled lightly, “You’re too kind, Mathias. I was hoping for a reward, but after what you just said, I’d feel guilty asking for ten or twenty thousand.”
“Alright then, let’s consider this a friendship. Change your clothes and leave quickly. You need to get your injuries treated before thinking about saving your brothers.”
“The police didn’t take my life today, and they won’t get another chance to do so.”
Mathias wore a determined expression. “Though I’m injured, I won’t abandon my five brothers.”
“Tonight, I will take them out of Whiteville.”
“In a few days, I’ll return to make that old man in grey pay, a hundredfold!”
Darnell quickly reminded him, “And don’t forget about Steve.”
Mathias paused for a moment, then laughed out loud, “You remember every word I say!”
Darnell was quite earnest. “No, Steve is also my enemy. If I can use this opportunity to take him down, I certainly won’t miss it.”
The wariness in Mathias’ eyes evaporated, replaced by a hint of admiration. He gave a thumbs-up. “Mr. Halford, you’re straightforward and manly.”
“Alright, I promise you. I’ll come back and make sure to give Steve a few extra bullets to help you vent your frustrations.”
Darnell clapped his hands with a grin. “Thanks! Now, enough of this. Hurry and change your clothes. The police will be here soon.”
As they spoke, Darnell walked over to a trash bin and pulled out a backpack that Garrett had bought during their escape.
It contained clothes meant to disguise them, including two outfits, caps, and water. He quickly changed into one set himself.
“Mr. Halford, you really think of everything,” Mathias remarked.
He then quickly switched into a tracksuit, transforming his appearance and adding an air of elegance.
After putting on the sunglasses Darnell had given him, he looked entirely different from his previous image in the jewelry store. He turned to Darnell once more, expressing his gratitude. “Mr. Halford, thank you.”
“Never mind. Let’s get you moving before it gets dark.”
Darnell tossed the bag he had taken from the bull-masked bandit to him, chuckling as he said, “This is what he was carrying. I used it for disguise, but I didn’t check what was inside. Now it’s back where it belongs.”
“Just make sure to hide it somewhere. Carrying it around is inconvenient and may attract unwanted attention.”
He hadn’t looked inside, but judging by the visible diamonds, the bag was likely filled with valuables.
Mathias accepted the bag, stuffing it into the backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. As he began to back away, he smiled at Darnell. “Darnell, take care.”
Darnell waved vigorously. “Goodbye.”
Mathias quickly vanished from Darnell’s sight. Just as Darnell was about to turn back towards Woodsea to sleep, a voice echoed ominously.
“Give me one good reason. Why did you let him go? Based on what you say, I’ll decide whether or not to report you.”
Kendra stepped out from the side of the alley.