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The car was camouflaged with the surrounding environment again so the poachers wouldn't spot them.

"How could you tell they were lying to you?" Arnest leaned forward to get a better grip on the steering wheel.

"The dastard was wearing a band made of organic Puron. Claimed he stole it." Hyde sucked his teeth. "an expensive item like that can't be poached that easily. It was custom-made. He most likely sought out a specific jeweler to handle the dangers of it to show out for his matrimony."

"You're right. So what are you going to do?"

"Find out where they're taking Enzo's employees, confront them head-on, and kill them all."

"You... You're going to kill them?" Harper stammered. "Do you have to go that far?"

"It's a matter of respect, wench. You know nothing." Arnest snapped.

"I have zero tolerance for people who intend to deceive me." Hyde rested his head against the seat. He began rolling his shoulders slowly to loosen them.

"Even if so, it's not right!"

"Does it look like I care about what's right or wrong?"

"Of course you don't," Harper seethed.

"Exactly. So sit back and zip it. You're next."

Harper bit her lip and crossed her arms. There was no reasoning with him. Hyde was absolutely impossible to handle.

They all remained in the car for the drive for another 30 minutes before they arrived at a small town lit up with bright colored lights. The buildings were an old Western style, with neon-lit signs advertising the shops.

It was very rustic. The people that roamed the streets looked prepped for any fight.

A town full of poachers. That's what it was. Everyone carried themselves as if they dared others to cross them. Even the women, despite wearing beautiful dresses, wore pistols on their belts.

They walked dirt roads with combat boots of all types.

They followed the pickup truck to a saloon and parked across the road from it. Hyde was the first person to step out, and the other two followed closely.

"Wow... this place is beautiful," Harper admitted. She admired the lighting and the homey feeling she got from all the decorations. Although the town was pretty old, they did a great job keeping up with modern trends, adding just the right amount of it.

"This place was built using stolen money." Arnest scoffed.

"It doesn't change my opinion. I still think it's pretty." Harper puffed. Why couldn't he just let her enjoy something for once?

"I've seen better." Arnest whistled when a woman with cleavage showing while wearing a tight dress walked by.

"Stay focused, Arnest." Hyde rolled his eyes. They pushed through the double doors and walked into the saloon. It reeked of cigar smoke and alcohol. The smell was bringing on another headache for Harper.

Many men were inside either drinking with their friends or gambling on the tables while playing cards. Others were watching an upbeat piano performance on a small stage at the other end of the building.

"You see the man you're looking for?" Arnest examined the interior carefully.

"Over there." Hyde locked his eyes on the man with a thick black beard. The man walked into another room hidden by the stage.

"Let's go after him," Arnest took a step forward. But Hyde's arm blocked him from going any further.

"No. Wait here."

"You want us to wait? Why are you so hesitant?"

"I want this to go as smoothly as possible. I still don't see the person we're supposed to retrieve." Hyde sauntered over to a table and took a seat. "I've no time for foolish games. When we see Enzo's lackey, we will strike. In the meantime..."

Hyde whipped out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, before motioning for the two to sit with him.

Harper scrunched her nose in disgust. She absolutely despised the smell of alcohol and cigarettes. It was already hard breathing without an oxygen mask in this town.

That was something she still wanted to figure out. Were certain provinces in Westona free of toxic fumes in the air? Never in her life had she taken off her mask outside of buildings.

This was all so brand new to her.

The Facilities warned people born and raised in the capital to never discard their oxygen masks. Perhaps she was fine now, but the effects of the fumes would irritate her later.

"What are you thinking about?"

Harper blinked when Hyde nudged her with his foot. "Huh?"

"Sit." Hyde blew out a puff of smoke and drummed his finger on the table. The tapping sound was slow. It intimidated her.

She obediently placed herself in the chair across from him, right next to Arnest.

"How are we supposed to know what the guy even looks like?" Harper mustered up the courage to ask.

"I'll know when I see him."

"Do you even know what exactly you're looking for?"

Hyde sucked his teeth and leaned his elbow against the tabletop. "It's none of your concern."

"Of course it is! Yanpu's life is on the line!"

"And so is yours..." Hyde smiled. "But don't worry your pea brain about it. You're going to wait here and act natural. You can do that one thing, right? Compared to all your failures to comply with my orders, this should be an easy task."

"There's nothing natural about this." I motioned between me and him.

"Hmm... I guess you're right." He puffed out another cloud of smoke. "But best believe I'll throw you on this table, cut your neck open, and rip out your vocal cords if you slip up."

A shiver went down her spine. Harper closed her mouth and swallowed. His blood-red eyes were still set on her, making her lips quiver. "I take it that you agree with me. Those lips are sealed shut now."

The saloon doors burst open, and a tan-skinned man with long curly black hair that fell to his waist strolled in. He was very tall, the same height as Hyde.

He briefly glanced at Harper, and she let a gasp escape her when she saw his eyes. His pupils were a golden color with a shade of brown.

And his features were very sharp. The man was dressed in brown slacks and a golden dress shirt. But the folds of his collar and shoulders were wrinkled, showing a sign of physical strain.

He was a very good-looking man.

As he walked by, two shorter men, dressed the same way as the poachers they ran into the night before, greeted him. The handsome-haired man returned the favor by bowing his head and following them to the bar.

The wicked grin on Hyde's face was enough to let her know that he spotted the target.

"What are you going to do?" Arnest bit his lip in apprehension.

Hyde replied by standing up. However, the moment he turned around, another man dressed in leather bumped into him, spilling all of his drink into Hyde's shirt.

"Oy. Watch where yer goin' dimwit." The man cursed. He shoved Hyde back roughly. Hyde kept his balance, and his eyes began to glow.

"An apology would suffice. I'm giving you 5 seconds." Hyde brushed his shirt before rolling his wrists. Then his hands trailed down to his holster and his fingers glazed over the handle of one of his blades.

"Ye want me to apologize?" The man scoffed. "For what? Allowing ye to walk into me?"

"You touched me." Hyde spat. "3 seconds left... before I put your head on display for the entire town to see."

The man lowered his head and shifted his gaze down Hyde's attire. Then a hard simper spread across his face.

"My, my..." The man in leather crossed his arms. His chest puffed out haughtily. "If it ain't Hyde, the Overseer's grave mistake to Cryston. Those eyes are all too familiar."

Grave mistake to Cryston? Harper narrowed her eyes on the two.

Why was this random Poacher bringing the entire planet into this?

"And... who are you?" Hyde remarked.

"Ye don't remember me?" The man jeered.

"I meet so many people. Those of no use to me don't stay in my head."

"Wow. I'm hurt." The man faked a frown. "After all we have been through, ye don't remember me. Ye don't remember how much of a pain in the arse ye were."

"I'm not going to pretend I'm sorry."

"Well, shite." He placed his hands on his hips. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Charles. Charles Kobra. Ye seriously don't remember me?"

"Nope. Nor do I care." Hyde looked over his shoulder to search for the curly-haired man at the bar. He wasn't there anymore. Instead, he and two other poachers were walking into the other room.

"I used to poach them goods from the facility. Business has been bad in the last decade. Ain't got no good cash in heavens knows how long. Them capital dwellers only care about organic shite now. Nothing about machinery like they used to."

"Out of my way."

"Oy, at least let me buy ye a drink before ye leave. In exchange for that nasty stain." Charles reached for Hyde's shirt.

"No." Hyde slapped his hand away.

"What? Yer too good to be offered a drink from a poacher?" Charles teased and flicked Hyde on the forehead. "Pretty boys like ye deserve to go back to the capital, where ye belong."

The reaction was quick. In seconds, Hyde latched onto Charles's arm, turned him around, and slammed his front onto the table.

"OW! AGH!" Charles seethed.

"I warned you once. Don't touch me."

"Since when did ye servicemen start gettin' so violent while off duty?"

"So ignorant." Hyde snapped. "A commoner would know that I quit my serviceman career years ago. Or maybe you're just stupid."

He tightened his hold, and Charles began to shed tears while grunting some more.

"Stay out of my way. Or else." Hyde dragged Charles off the table and shoved him toward the bar. He stumbled and smacked his jaw against the hard surface, knocking a tooth loose.

The chatter around the room diminished. Everyone's eyes were set on Hyde. Harper noticed the looks of distraught written on their faces.

Hyde casually brushed his long hair back and let out a sigh. "Piece of shite made me drop my cigarette."

Harper twiddled her fingers nervously, hoping to stay out of his wrath. His eyes eventually locked with hers, and her frown widened. "Come with me."

Hyde dragged her up by her arm firmly, earning a small yelp in response. Then he dragged her toward the door of the back room.

A man guarding the door held a hand up, preventing them from going any further. "Can't ye read? 'Says Authorized Personnel Only."

"Step Aside." Hyde's tone was authoritative. It was taking everything in him to control his wrath after confronting Charles. At this point, he wanted to take what he came for.

The man narrowed his eyes and stood his ground. "Beat it, I said. Ain't no one comin' through this door without my say so."

"Suit yourself." Hyde drew his blade and slashed it across the guard's neck, catching both him and Harper off guard. She jumped back and screeched in horror when the man folded over and smacked onto the wooden floors.

The man placed his hand on his neck and spat out blood.

Hyde tilted his sword, letting the rest of the red droplets fall next to his feet. "Oh no. It seems that you can't say anything. So I guess..." Hyde stepped over his body. "That means we can go, right?"

Harper felt weak in the knees. There was no compassion or any sign of care in Hyde's red pupils. He was able to hurt others so easily without reasoning, and that terrified her.

"Are you looking to join him, Vixen?" Hyde teased her. "Let's go."

Harper stepped over his body, throwing an apologetic look his way. She was only doing what she was ordered until Bomb came to find her.

They walked into the other room and began down a long hallway. Both of them were quiet. But so many questions were burning inside of Harper.

"You're... insane." She felt like crumbling to the ground and just crying over this whole situation.

"Thank you," Hyde smirked arrogantly.

"It's not a compliment. You're absolutely crazy."

"I've heard worse."

"Is this all just a sick joke to you? Ruining people's lives is just a game! Is there really not an ounce of remorse inside of you?"

Harper stopped walking and Hyde noticed. He halted not too long after and turned to face her.

"I don't concern myself over people who don't deserve it."

"Who are you to say who deserves what!" Harper heaved. "You're just a rebel rogue that preys on the innocent for fun! If anyone deserves the worst, it's you! Dastard!"

"You're acting quite bold today..."

"I hope you die. No. I hope Bomb finds you and tortures you in the most cruel and disgusting way, and I hope the pain isn't enough to kill you. I hope—"

"Are you finished?" Hyde yawned. "I'm not that fond of listening to people cursing me. Do it behind my back. I don't have the time to wait here to listen to you saying it."

He continued walking in the direction they were headed. "Let's go, Vixen."

"No."

"No?" Hyde raised his voice as a warning.

"That's not even my name, you monster."

"As if I give a shite what your real name is. If you don't bring your arse here you'd better prepare for what's to come." Hyde jeered. "Believe me, it won't be pretty."

"It's Harper."

"Shite."

"I'm not going." Harper crossed her arms. She was exhausted. Harper knew what would occur once they stepped into one of those rooms filled with Poachers.

Hyde was going to kill them all. And she didn't think she could stomach the sight of more blood.

"Maybe I've been too lenient with you." Hyde stomped back over to her. Harper felt her stomach twist more the closer he got. She backed away, but Hyde didn't let her get far.

Swiftly, he shoved her into one of the walls and pressed his sword against her neck.

"Wait—"

"I'm tired of warning you. So let's just end this here and now."

"Hyde! Wait!"

"I'm not a man of patience,"

"You are so... so..." Harper clenched her fists.

"Choose your next words wisely, as they mean your life. I'm not the one with a blade to the neck."

"I'm asking you nicely."

"Asking nicely?" Hyde scoffed. "Spare the bullshite. Asking nicely and defying orders don't go hand in hand. Are you that dumb?"

"I'm tired."

"Maybe a little excitement will keep you awake."

"Of you killing senselessly."

"Oh. Well, let me just put my sword away and waltz in there with puppy dog eyes, requesting that those good-for-nothing poachers hand the target over!" Hyde snorted sarcastically.

"A Foolish woman you are."

"I'm asking you nicely. Please let me just stay here." Harper bit her lip nervously. "I don't think I can continue to stay composed if you keep acting this way."

"You'll stay composed so long as I command it."

"Hyde."

"I said n—" Hyde stopped his sentence the moment he felt Harper resting her forehead against his front.

She didn't say or do anything. There was no whining or crying. It was just the action of her leaning on him that silenced him.

His mind went blank. It was an unfamiliar experience for him. No one in the last 10 years had rejected his orders in such a vile way.

Her actions were suspicious. But he sensed a soft genuine intention somewhere within her movement. For the first time in many years, he didn't feel threatened.

He didn't have any assurance of whether this woman was doing this to hurt him or not. He was at a loss. What exactly was she up to?

"I won't give you permission to stay here." Hyde put away his sword. "That's final."

"Hyde..."

"If you don't want to see anything, close your eyes. It's such a simple solution."

"I won't run away."

"I know you won't." Hyde spat. "It doesn't change my mind. Let's go."

"I hate you."

"Join the club." Hyde chortled and sauntered toward two big doors at the very end. Before he reached the doorknob, he felt a sharp pain all over his front.

The pain was so impactful that Hyde dropped to his knees and placed a hand on his stomach. His grunts were loud and his pants were heavy.

Harper's eyes widened when she saw. This was her chance to escape, to run and get help. Or it was the perfect time to take his weapons and do away with him.

Whatever pain he was going through didn't matter. She would be free of his control.

Which route should she go? Kill him or get help?

"UGH!" Hyde roared and hunched against the wall.

Harper rushed over to him to grab his weapon, but when he turned over and sat down, she saw tears welling up in his eyes. As they fell, she froze in place.

He was crying. Was the pain unbearable for him? What exactly was happening to him?

Harper, without thinking, dropped next to him and began looking for any signs of physical damage. Just like when she was in the lab, his eyes were glowing brightly and he was gritting his teeth.

"What's wrong?" Harper grabbed onto his arm and brought it away from his stomach. "Hyde! You have to tell me what's wrong!"

"Get away!" Hyde shoved her and rested his back against the wall. Harper noticed the scar on his neck was glowing too.

"Oh my gosh." Harper crawled back over to him to examine it. Despite his threatening glare, she began to unbutton his shirt and take a closer look. Her finger accidentally glazed against the scar.

It looked like the light within it followed the movement and trailed further down his abdomen. Hyde growled and coughed in response. "Oh my gosh. I'm sorry!" Harper pressed him against the wall. "I don't know how to help you!"

If she had been at the lab, she would've had the right equipment to do so. He was howling like he was dying.

"Wait here! I'll get Arnest!" Harper announced, but Hyde hunched his shoulders to try and sit up. "I won't run away!" She said again, hoping he would understand.

"Don't." Hyde clasped onto her arm, holding her firmly.

"You need medical attention!"

"I... don't..."

"Can Arnest help? Are you going to die?"

"No..." Hyde breathed heavily.

"Don't die on me!" Harper panicked, and Hyde rolled his eyes. Harper wiped his tears away, trying to hold in hers in the process. "Take deep breaths."

She remembered that trying to keep a steady pace of breathing helped when you were in any kind of pain. More oxygen was needed to help soothe the mind.

"Shite..." Hyde grumbled.

"Do it, Hyde!" Harper whined. "After me... hoo... hoo... ha."

"I'm not... doing that..." Hyde refused.

"It'll help!"

Hyde studied her for a moment as she continued teaching him breathing exercises. Eventually, he gave in and copied her.

After about 10 minutes, the pain in his torso began to subside slowly. The glow in his eyes dimmed. The light in his scar faded, leaving Harper to wonder why the heck it started glowing in the first place.

When Hyde felt stable, he pushed himself up. He supported himself against the wall.

"H-Hyde, I don't think you should stand yet—"

"Release me." Hyde barked.

"I should get Arnest, to make sure you're okay!"

"I'm fine."

"You weren't a moment ago!"

"Do you ever shut up?"

Harper was taken aback by his response. She was just helping him out only a few minutes before. Why was he hostile again?

She was genuinely worried about his well-being, and it was like a light switch went off and he changed into a jerk.