110- birth of the equalizer
It was just after 8:00 PM when Robert McCall closed the book in front of him.
He shook his neck, which was stiff from sitting still for so long. It had been a while since he read for such an extended period.
But because he had only a few dozen pages left after yesterday's session, he decided to stay a bit longer at Lautner's diner tonight.
"Lautner, give me another coffee."
Robert put the book away and smiled, waving at the owner.
He had been living in seclusion in Boston for several years since his retirement.
Back in the day, Robert—a former Special Forces operative—was a legend.
Near the end of his military service, due to his outstanding performance, he was recruited by a US intelligence agency.
For the next decade or so, he served the agency faithfully.
During that time, Robert dismantled numerous drug cartels and criminal organizations, and assassinated many foreign dignitaries and enemies of the state.
However, at the peak of his career and physical prime, Robert chose to retire abruptly.
The reason was his wife of many years. She was diagnosed with cancer, and by the time they found it, it was terminal.
To care for her, Robert called in many favors and completely burned bridges with his superiors.
Ultimately, he got his wish and retired early.
He and his wife moved to Boston, where she had lived for a long time during her childhood, and started a quiet life.
Sadly, his wife passed away not long after.
Robert fell into a deep depression for a long time.
Until he remembered one of the regrets she had mentioned before she died.
She regretted not finishing the list of 100 classic novels she wanted to read—to experience the insights of literary giants on life, fate, and humanity.
To fulfill his wife's wish...
Robert, who had dropped out of high school to join the army and spent his life surrounded by guns and violence, picked up books in his forties.
In the past few years, Robert went from struggling to read a page or two...
To sitting quietly for hours, absorbed in the text.
He had spent years finishing over ninety of the classics his wife had selected.
During this process, Robert discovered something.
Not only had he fallen in love with reading, but he—who previously had little concept of good and evil beyond orders—began to reflect on his past actions.
He started to enjoy life and treat his friends, neighbors, and even strangers with kindness.
Hearing the call, Lautner looked up at Robert sitting in the corner.
He knew Robert well. The man was a regular.
Although he didn't come every day, he was there at least three or four times a week.
This had been going on for over six months.
"Coming right up," Lautner replied with a smile.
After 8:00 PM, the diner was usually empty. Lautner could relax a bit. He didn't need to stand behind the counter constantly prepping food.
"Here. A latte."
"Drinking too much black coffee at night isn't good for sleep."
Robert paused, looking at the genuine smile and concern on the owner's face as he personally delivered the cup.
He squeezed out a smile and nodded. "Thanks, Lautner."
He took a sip and raised the cup. "Tastes great."
Lautner laughed heartily at the praise. He looked older than Robert and patted him on the shoulder.
"Alright, old friend."
"Let me know if you need anything else."
"Will do."
Lautner walked back behind the counter in a good mood.
Seeing there were two other tables occupied besides Robert's, he decided to treat those regulars to a free coffee as well.
But just then...
Screeching brakes were heard outside.
Moments later, a group of six or seven burly men with beards and fierce faces stormed into the diner.
"Wel... Welcome."
Lautner recognized instantly that these men were trouble.
But as the owner, he had to try. He forced a smile to greet them.
The leader was Slavi's henchman, Vishniak.
As soon as he entered, he looked around.
After scanning the few customers, Vishniak walked straight to the counter where Lautner stood.
Bang!
He kicked over a nearby chair and sat down heavily.
The sound of the chair hitting the floor startled Robert.
He frowned at Vishniak and his crew but didn't react further.
Lautner flinched at Vishniak's violence. He looked at the menacing thugs with fear, wondering how he had offended them.
"Hey!"
Vishniak stared Lautner down until the older white man was trembling.
Seemingly satisfied with the fear he caused, he asked, "Did that hooker, Teri, come here tonight?"
"Teri?!"
Lautner knew who Teri was. A poor teenage girl...
She was about the same age as his eldest granddaughter.
So, even knowing her profession, Lautner had never judged her or treated her differently.
Realizing these men were here to cause trouble for her, Lautner shook his head quickly.
"Teri? She hasn't been here for days."
"Really?"
Vishniak didn't believe him. He knew she hadn't come the previous days.
But today, she had specifically requested time out to eat here.
Lautner, stared down by the thugs behind Vishniak, stammered, "Really. She really hasn't been here for days."
Vishniak glanced around the shop and frowned.
There were no surveillance cameras, so he couldn't verify anything with footage.
He snorted coldly and signaled his men.
Instantly, two thugs vaulted over the counter.
"You..."
"What are you doing?"
The two thugs grabbed Lautner from both sides, dragging him out.
Pots, pans, and cups behind the counter crashed to the floor.
The few remaining customers, who had been watching nervously, panicked.
One table got up and ran out the door immediately.
The other table was more honest; they threw a $20 bill on the table before fleeing.
Only Robert remained in the corner. He watched with a frown, neither fleeing nor interfering.
"Behave yourself. Come back with us. We have some questions for you."
"If you can't answer them, you're going to regret it."
"No!"
"Please, I really don't know anything!"
Ignoring Lautner's struggles, they dragged him out by force.
Vishniak stood up. Seeing that someone in the corner hadn't run away, he sneered.
He looked at Robert, who stared back expressionless.
Vishniak snorted and drew a finger across his throat in a threatening gesture.
Then, he turned and walked out of the diner.
Left alone in the shop, Robert watched the group leave, his brow furrowed in silence.
No one knew that a dormant, top-tier special agent was watching.
After witnessing the brutality of the mob...
This time, not for a teenage girl, but for a middle-aged diner owner...
The Equalizer was preparing to come out of retirement to deliver justice.
Chapter 111- tracked by plane, discovered
Seeing the entrance to the Interstate highway ahead, a smile finally appeared on Hunter's face.
He didn't know yet that, despite his interference...
Robert McCall was preparing to come out of retirement not for Teri, but for Lautner, the diner owner who had been kidnapped by the Russian mob.
Hunter only knew one thing: once he got Teri onto the highway...
With his [Driving Lv 4] and his modified motorcycle...
He should be able to shake off any pursuit and escape safely in no time.
"Hold on tight. I'm speeding up once we hit the highway."
Hunter turned his head slightly and shouted to Teri.
Teri didn't speak, but her tightening grip on his arms was answer enough.
Vroom!
The motorcycle merged onto the Interstate.
As the distance from downtown Boston increased, Hunter twisted the throttle, pushing the bike faster and faster.
70... 80... 100... 120 mph.
Soon, the speedometer climbed past 120.
The wind howled around them.
It was June, early summer.
Hunter, with his enhanced physique, was fine. But Teri, wearing only a flimsy, revealing top and a short skirt, quickly felt the chill biting into her skin.
Unconsciously, her arms tightened around Hunter's waist.
Her whole body pressed firmly against his back.
Hunter felt it immediately.
Since it was summer, despite his heavy disguise, his clothes were light—just a thin shirt with flashy patterns.
Through the thin fabric, he could clearly feel the softness pressed against him.
But he didn't have time to enjoy the sensation.
A buzzing sound came from the sky.
Hunter instinctively looked up and to the side. Several hundred meters behind them, in the air...
A small plane was decelerating, banking toward the highway.
Over the past few months, to level up his [Reading] skill, Hunter had subscribed to numerous magazines and newspapers.
One of them was specialized in general aviation and private aircraft.
So, Hunter recognized the plane instantly.
It was a Cessna 172, one of the most popular small aircraft in the US.
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk was a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing aircraft produced by the Cessna Aircraft Company since 1956.
It was the first in the Cessna lineup to feature tricycle landing gear.
Because of its low cost and reliability, the 172 was the most produced aircraft in history.
In the US, there were reportedly over 100,000 in private hands.
A brand-new model with modern avionics and GPS cost around $200,000.
Older models could be found for $70,000-$80,000.
On the used market, a plane over a decade old might sell for as little as $10,000-$20,000.
And because the Cessna 172 required very little runway to take off and land...
Many farmers in the US bought them, modified them, and used them for agricultural purposes.
So, initially, Hunter didn't suspect it was targeting him.
But they hadn't fully left the Greater Boston area yet.
Unease gnawed at him.
He pushed the bike harder.
The speed spiked to over 150 mph.
Traffic on the Interstate was moderate.
This highway led to Albany, the capital of New York State, over 200 kilometers away.
Albany was a major inland port on the Hudson River and connected to the Great Lakes. It was a hub for road, rail, and air transport.
Hunter planned to flee there with Teri.
Once in Albany, they could take a train or switch to a car to head back to Los Angeles.
Flying was out of the question.
The US had no national ID card, so passports, driver's licenses, or Green Cards were used.
But federal databases weren't always linked, making fake IDs viable.
However, Hunter doubted Teri had any ID on her.
And even if she did...
Buying a plane ticket to LA would be like broadcasting their destination to the Russian mob.
Buzz!
As Hunter sped away from Boston, the drone of the plane overhead didn't fade.
On the contrary, the plane—which should have been much faster than his bike—seemed to intentionally slow down.
It circled and hovered near them, biting onto their trail like a bulldog.
Hunter kept looking up.
Finally, a dark suspicion formed in his mind.
To verify it...
Seeing an exit ramp ahead, Hunter abandoned his original plan without hesitation.
He swerved off the highway.
Driving north along smaller backroads for over ten kilometers, the familiar buzz remained overhead.
Hunter noticed that as they left the highway lights behind...
The Cessna 172 dropped even lower. It was now flying only 30-40 meters above the ground, matching their pace.
"Damn it. I underestimated them."
Hunter's heart sank. He realized the plane almost certainly belonged to the Russian mob controlling Teri.
They must have a scanner on board tracking her implant.
His bike was fast, but unless he dealt with the eye in the sky...
They would track him relentlessly until the ground team caught up.
Hunter knew that once the pursuit vehicles hit the open highway, catching up was only a matter of time.
His motorcycle had a 12-liter tank. Cars had tanks holding 50-100 liters.
He couldn't outrun a plane and a convoy forever.
"No. I have to take that plane down first."
Hearing the engine noise grow louder above him...
Hunter's eyes turned cold. A plan formed in his mind.
He slowed down deliberately, scanning the dark landscape for a more secluded side road.
Chapter 112- shooting down the plane, escape
What's wrong?"
Teri quickly noticed the bike was slowing down.
Hunter didn't answer. The moment he stopped the bike...
Blocking Teri's view with his body, he pulled out the Armalite AR-15 he had bought in Boston.
"We're being watched. That plane has been following us the whole way."
Hunter got off the bike and placed the rifle case on the ground.
He opened it quickly, assembled the rifle, and attached the scope.
Teri's face went pale.
Her plump body trembled with fear.
"Is it Slavi's people?"
Having been controlled by the Russian mob for years, she had picked up bits and pieces of information about their capabilities.
Hunter ignored her. In the past few days, he had familiarized himself with the new rifle.
He expertly mounted the high-powered scope onto the rail.
"Alright, buddy. It's all on you today."
After spending over $20,000 on the weapon, Hunter didn't regret buying the scope and accessories that cost ten times more than the base gun.
He slapped a 25-round magazine of 7.62mm ammo into the mag well.
Holding the rifle, he looked up at the sky.
After leaving the Interstate, the backroads had poor lighting.
To keep tracking them, the Cessna 172 had dropped lower and lower.
Especially after Hunter swerved onto this secluded dirt road.
The plane dropped even further.
It was now only 30-40 meters above the ground.
Perhaps surprised by Hunter's sudden stop...
The plane, flying at a constant speed, overshot them by several hundred meters.
Realizing they had lost the target, the pilot banked hard, circling back to search.
"Go over there and lie down. Don't come out until I call you."
Hunter pointed to a shallow depression near the road.
Seeing the assault rifle in his hands, Teri was terrified.
She scrambled off the bike clumsily.
Glancing fearfully at the gun, she followed his order and crouched in the ditch.
Hunter watched her out of the corner of his eye but didn't correct her posture.
He raised the rifle, his eyes locked on the plane overhead.
With physical strength double that of an average man, he handled the AR-15's recoil effortlessly.
Safety off. He aimed at the sky.
Locking onto the plane, he peered through the scope set to 3x magnification.
The small aircraft was descending again, dangerously close to the ground—less than 30 meters.
He pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Three shots. All hit the plane, but none hit the fuel tank.
Second shot, third shot—same result.
Hunter frowned. With [Shooting Lv 4], he hit stationary targets within 100 meters with 100% accuracy.
Even at 200 meters, his hit rate was over 95%.
But hitting the fuel tank of a moving aircraft while tracking it in the dark proved difficult. He was hitting the fuselage, but missing the critical component.
"Not good!"
The gunshots startled the pilot.
The plane immediately pulled up, trying to climb to a safer altitude.
"Damn it!"
Hunter cursed silently. He gave up on the fuel tank.
Aiming at the cockpit windshield, he squeezed the trigger rapidly.
Bang... Bang... Bang...
Shot after shot rang out.
With the aid of [Shooting Lv 4] and his superhuman visual tracking...
Bullets slammed into the aircraft one after another.
Several holes appeared in the cockpit glass.
Finally, just as Hunter was about to empty the magazine...
The plane, which had climbed over a hundred meters, shuddered violently in the air.
Then, as if losing control, it nosedived toward the ground.
Moments later, the nose pulled up slightly—someone was trying to regain control.
But it was too late.
The plane wobbled, glided northwest for a few hundred meters, and crashed.
Boom!
An explosion lit up the night sky.
A smile appeared on Hunter's face.
"Lv 4 Shooting might not be enough to hit a dime on a moving target..."
"But hitting a plane-sized object? I can do that all day."
"Bad luck for you guys."
He quickly stored the rifle and case back into his Personal Inventory.
He looked at Teri, who was huddled in the ditch, trembling with her back to him.
He couldn't be bothered to explain the gun. If she asked, he'd lie and say he threw it away.
"Teri, come back!" he shouted.
Hearing his voice, Teri cautiously raised her head from the ditch.
She saw Hunter back on the bike, ready to go.
"Hurry up!"
"I shot the plane down. The people tracking you will definitely come to check the crash site."
"We have maybe 15 or 20 minutes. If we move fast, we can escape safely."
Teri stared at the flames in the distance and heard the secondary explosions.
She didn't know how Hunter shot down a plane in the dark.
But having such a mysterious and capable protector...
Teri suddenly felt a surge of confidence about escaping her hellish life.
She scrambled to get up. But trying to climb out of the shallow pit, she misstepped.
"Ah!"
She cried out in pain.
Hunter looked over, surprised. He noticed she was wearing high heels—terrible for running.
Teri had been intentionally ruining her looks by overeating to avoid clients, making her figure quite plump.
She wasn't exactly athletic.
Seeing this, Hunter got off the bike.
He pulled her out of the ditch and helped her onto the seat.
"Hold tight. I'm speeding up again."
Teri wrapped her arms tightly around him from behind.
The engine roared to life.
They sped away from the backroad, but didn't return to the highway immediately. Instead, they continued forward.
Following road signs, they drove for over twenty minutes before merging onto another Interstate highway at a different junction.
More than an hour later...
They arrived in Springfield, Massachusetts (not Illinois, context correction below), over 100 kilometers from Boston.
Chapter 113- in Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts. At a motel.
Hunter ignored the knowing smile of the motel owner upon seeing him with Teri, who was still dressed in provocative clothing.
Taking the key, he led Teri to the room indicated by the room number.
"Phew!"
"We should be safe now."
Springfield was about 150-160 kilometers from Boston.
After Hunter shot down the Russian mob's Cessna 172...
They hadn't been tracked again.
At least Hunter, who had been constantly checking the rear and surrounding vehicles, was sure no tail had followed them.
He took off his motorcycle helmet and set it aside.
Thanks to the helmet, the motel owner hadn't seen Hunter's face.
Teri, still wearing her helmet, walked somewhat sluggishly into the room.
Clearly, she hadn't fully recovered from the shock.
Hunter wasn't surprised. While his back was turned to close the door...
He retrieved two supermarket ready-meals from his Personal Inventory. He had bought them during his shopping spree in Boston to replenish energy if needed.
Items stored in the Inventory retained their state from the moment they were put in.
So, although Hunter had bought these meals a while ago...
They looked fresh and were even still warm.
Hunter skillfully peeled off the production date stickers.
Then, he placed them on the table.
"Hey, I'm going to take a shower first."
"You haven't eaten dinner yet, right? There's food on the table."
"Just supermarket ready-meals."
"Considering the time, you can't be too picky. Just eat something."
Teri was still in a daze and didn't answer.
Hunter didn't press her.
He walked quickly to the small en-suite bathroom. He needed to wash off the heavy makeup and hair dye he used for his disguise.
As usual, he used cold water, which he preferred.
It took him twenty minutes to scrub the cosmetics from his face and wash the colorful dye from his hair.
Fortunately, the dye was temporary and water-soluble. Hunter couldn't stand the hippie look any longer than necessary.
After showering, Hunter dried himself off.
He put on a clean pair of boxers from his Inventory and walked out of the bathroom.
The room wasn't large; most American motel rooms were standard size.
When Hunter came out, he saw Teri sitting at the table, eating. She had taken off her helmet.
She was eating slowly. Her eyes were red; she had obviously been crying.
Hearing him, Teri looked up. She had finished most of one meal.
Their eyes met. Hunter clearly saw complex emotions in her gaze.
Teri was silent for a long time before whispering, "Thank you."
Hunter nodded with a smile, not intending to discuss the rescue further.
After all, he didn't know Teri well before this.
They had only "known" each other for three or four days.
And their acquaintance was mixed with misunderstandings and unspoken events.
That night at Moscow Nights...
Hunter had been a bit annoyed by her misunderstanding, so he had been rougher with her than usual.
The fact that she couldn't make it to the diner the next day was proof of his intensity.
"Go take a shower. It's late."
"I'll go out nearby later and see if I can buy you some clothes."
"That outfit is too conspicuous."
Teri understood what he meant and blushed.
Her clothes were indeed revealing. After several failed escape attempts...
And after the tracking chip was surgically implanted...
Teri had realized escape was hopeless.
She had fallen into despair and self-destruction.
She binge-ate sweets, stopped exercising, and abused her body.
Consequently, she stopped caring about the identity she once resisted and the revealing clothes she used to refuse wearing.
"Thank you!"
Teri whispered her thanks again, lowering her eyes, afraid to meet his gaze.
Her eyes drifted from his handsome face... to his toned, muscular body.
Instantly, her blush deepened.
Who knows what the girl was thinking?
Teri stood up hurriedly and said, "I'll go shower then."
She walked toward the bathroom, limping slightly from her earlier misstep.
Once the door closed, Hunter retrieved items from his Inventory.
Two sets of women's clothes and a pair of sneakers.
Days ago, when he decided to do his "good deed," he had bought clothes in Teri's size.
He intended them for her disguise during the escape.
He hadn't expected to use them here.
As for the size... there was no worry.
After all, that night at Moscow Nights...
They had engaged in "deep interaction" and extremely intimate contact.
Hunter had also shopped with Mia before, so he knew how to judge women's sizes.
Hearing the sound of running water from the bathroom...
Hunter had to admit, women took longer to shower than men.
If he hadn't needed to scrub off his disguise, he wouldn't have taken so long either.
Teri was still in there.
Hunter finished one meal. Still feeling hungry...
He took out two more portions and finished them both.
He even swept the room for bugs or cameras.
Nearly half an hour passed before the water stopped.
And it took another ten minutes for Teri to come out.
Motels didn't provide hairdryers.
So, when the bathroom door opened...
Teri walked out wrapped in a bath towel, drying her hair with another towel.
Hunter, who was reading a local newspaper on the sofa, looked up instinctively.
His eyes lit up.
He had to admit... Teri without makeup was striking.
Despite her slight plumpness from binge-eating...
Her bare face was beautiful.
Seeing Teri wrapped in a towel, exposing her fair shoulders, collarbones, arms, and legs...
Hunter admitted he was aroused.
Seemingly noticing the intense desire in his eyes...
Teri, fresh from the shower, blushed again.
She was shy, but she forced herself to look at Hunter.
Her hand stopped drying her hair.
"Thank you!"
"Even now, I don't know who you are or why you saved me."
"But you pulled me out of that hell."
"I have no money. I have nothing to repay you with."
"Only this... if you like..."
Teri couldn't finish the sentence.
But fighting her shyness, she slowly loosened the towel around her clean body.
Hearing the young Asian man's breathing suddenly grow heavy...
Teri closed her eyes and walked slowly toward him.