Before delving into the events that set the ill-fated course three years ago, let's examine the state of affairs on this continent.
The continent was divided into three regions and comprises seventeen nations. Of these, four are isolated by sea from the mainland, while two regions neighbor each other and consist of thirteen nations locked in continuous conflict.
Reginald's country was situated at the boundary between these two regions. Twenty years ago, due to political strife, the ruling powers were overthrown, and the country had since been under provisional military rule.
Without a structured government, the nation remained in a state of instability and unrest.
Similarly, many neighboring countries experienced frequent outbreaks of civil war and financial crises, creating an extremely precarious situation.
In this turbulent international landscape, crime had flourished, and the crime rate is alarmingly high.
At the top of the list of international fugitives was none other than Arabella.
With her vast terrorist organization and complex ties to numerous international criminal factions, she had become the very axis of the global underworld.
Removing this axis and breaking the union of international criminal forces had become the urgent priority for all nations.
Thus, three years ago, the military and police forces of multiple nations launched a covert operation known as "Tumor," a deep-cover infiltration plan. Since each country sent only their elite operatives, no one could know who was undercover among them.
Thus began a grand, enduring siege between black and white, evil and justice, in full force.
The road leading to the village was rough and uneven, with five or six jeeps swaying unsteadily as they drove.
Children ran along the fields by the roadside, many of them bare-bottomed, playing wildly in the open land. Their laughter echoed far and wide, in that carefree time of life untouched by sorrow.
After taking seven or eight turns, they finally reached an open area—a row of settlements by the water, lined with men fully armed and ready.
The jeeps stopped one by one in the center, and the men who disembarked were all burly, with stern expressions and formidable builds.
They were silent, their movements synchronized, each equipped with heavy weaponry. Their demeanor and gaze exuded a potent aura of lethal intent—they were all highly trained experts.
From the central vehicle, a tall man stepped down first, dressed in black tactical gear, with strikingly handsome features. His expression was icy, his gaze as cold as an ice sculpture.
Following him was a young woman who hopped down smartly, stomping her foot after getting out, trying to shake the dirt off her shoes.
A group approached them, led by someone named Boyar, a local native leader. He occupied large swathes of farmland to grow poppies and produce drugs, a tyrant of sorts.
With a broad smile, he extended his hand toward the man in black, greeting him warmly, "I've long heard of Master Unknown's reputation. Seeing you today, you are indeed youthful and dignified."
The man's gaze remained cold. He looked down indifferently at Boyar's extended hand, showing no reaction.
Boyar smiled awkwardly, withdrawing his hand, thinking to himself: Rumor has it that Master Unknown is approachable; what nonsense.
Outwardly still smiling, he squinted at the woman behind the man, sizing her up and finding her unremarkable, wondering why Master Unknown would choose a woman neither seductive nor particularly attractive to serve him.
Still, since she was brought along, she must be favored. If he could establish a good relationship, he might be able to influence Master Unknown through her.
When Boyar's gaze met hers, she was looking right back at him.
A faint smile curved at the corners of her lips, her eyes bending into crescent shapes as she smiled—a look both open and unapologetic, as though she didn't mind the man walking ahead of her in the slightest.
Boyar was taken aback, suddenly finding her intriguing.
The look in her smile was alluring. No wonder she could accompany Master Unknown; she must be skilled in bed, though to what extent he couldn't guess.
Boyar led them into the village, leaving only a few confidants inside while the rest stood guard outside.
The man in black walked ahead, with a few confidants behind and the woman in the middle, seemingly the protected one.
Boyar stole a glance, noting that Master Unknown seemed to regard the woman highly.
Inside, Boyar greeted with a smile, "Master Unknown—please, take a seat here."
The man in black strode toward the chair Boyar had indicated, but upon reaching it, he did not sit. Instead, he stood tall, as straight and unmoving as a tree. Behind him, several trusted aides formed a ring around the table, their eyes sharp and bodies tense, ready for anything.
It was the woman who unceremoniously took a seat.
Boyar was stunned. What did this mean?
Seeing Boyar's surprise, the woman tilted her head and smiled brightly, "Why aren't you sitting?"
If Boyar didn't understand the situation by now, he'd have wasted his years in the underworld.
A row of towering men stood while the sole woman sat. What did it mean? She was the one in charge.
"Master Unknown?" Boyar ventured hesitantly.
"Yes?"
The woman responded crisply.
Boyar nearly collapsed into his chair, unable to hide his shock; this was entirely unexpected.
The notorious Master Unknown, feared by both the underworld and law enforcement, was actually a woman.
"Boyar, let's talk business," Arabella began with a smile, always straightforward when discussing deals. Business—a buy and a sell—demands nothing less than decisiveness and efficiency.
Boyar steadied himself, leaning forward as they began their negotiation.
After their conversation, Boyar was completely convinced of Arabella's prowess.
He had been stuck for ages, unable to break through the southern route, yet Arabella handled it with just one phone call. She even arranged the drug deal herself, taking no commission for acting as the intermediary.
She had only one request—to use his route.
To the east, W country's government forces were stationed, and that was precisely whom Arabella intended to target this time.
A nearby narrow path lay hidden within the mountains, its terrain steep and treacherous. Few would consider using it, yet Arabella had set her sights on it.
Arabella was a desperado, dangerous to deal with, yet doing business with her promised enormous profits. In the face of such benefits, no one could resist the temptation.
Boyar agreed to the deal.
With the negotiation concluded, Arabella stood up and smiled at Boyar, "Then please have your men clear the path now."
Boyar was stunned. What did this mean? Give it up now? Just like that, ready to fight?
He opened his mouth slightly, glancing outside reflexively. Arabella's men were all elite fighters, but there were only about twenty or thirty of them.
Although the eastern forces were a temporary government detachment, not regular troops, they still had hundreds of men and a few armored tanks, with considerable firepower.
He thought Arabella would at least go back to regroup and prepare properly before coming. But just like that, she planned to charge forward?
"Speed is of the essence in warfare."
Since he had agreed to the deal, Boyar kept his word.
Arabella's name was well-known, so he had no fear of her backing out of the promised drug deal afterwards.
Out of their cooperative relationship, he not only withdrew the eastern defense line but also called in some men to assist Arabella, adding extra support.
Arabella politely declined, waving her hand and saying, "This matter doesn't need to involve you."
And so, Boyar simply watched as Arabella led her people away.
Since that day, he hadn't seen Arabella again, as she hadn't returned the same way.
The sky was overcast that day, a thunderstorm approaching, pressing down with low atmospheric pressure, making it hard to breathe. The eastern front was aflame, explosions and fire flashing sporadically from tank shell detonations.
Boyar stood at the highest point of the settlement, gazing into the distance. He waited until the commotion gradually faded, and the mountain beyond fell back into complete silence.
Later, he heard the news: Arabella had ambushed the garrison, annihilated them, and crossed the Bay, returning to her stronghold.
His drug deal went smoothly, the goods supplied by the largest drug lord in the south. No one had ever seen this lord's face; he was known only by the alias "AE," with no further details.
For a small-time player like him, getting a connection like this was a rare stroke of fortune. He knew it was Arabella who had paved the way for him.
Regarding Arabella, Boyar finally understood why both the underworld and the authorities feared her so much.
That woman—she was unfathomable, terrifying. If he could be her friend, he'd never want her as an enemy.
