Lucas Reeve was not a bloodthirsty person.
But for the souls of Jessica and the other three to be forcibly taken away right under his nose, and then to be led to such a hidden base by an unfamiliar spirit, Lucas Reeve could actually guess most of the story.
Base... Mafia... Cries for help...
Either a person was imprisoned within this Mafia base—the source of the soul that had transmitted the message to him—or the Mafia hoped to use this method to attract more tourists to capture as test subjects.
However,
Lucas Reeve was more inclined to believe the former.
After all,
the latter option seemed a bit superfluous.
Firstly, only he and Ceobe could hear the cries for help; normal people couldn't hear them at all. This wasn't due to their own strength, but was related to their level of existence. Of course, if Patriot were here, he would probably be able to hear it too. After all, Patriot was a pure-blooded Wendigo, whose level of existence had long transcended that of ordinary Terrans, placing him in the category of a "superhuman."
Moreover,
if they just wanted to lure people in as test subjects, this Mafia known as [Wolf Fang] wouldn't need to go to such great lengths. With their status as one of the ruling families, they could easily snatch countless ordinary people from the mobile cities or the small, remote towns under their jurisdiction to serve as test subjects.
So, Lucas Reeve was actually more inclined to believe the former.
They had abducted Jessica and the other three to make him rescue the source of the voice. After all, if nothing unexpected had happened, he probably wouldn't have chosen to stay and would have already left this place.
However,
since there was no malice, Lucas Reeve's heart relaxed slightly. Furthermore, since his soul and Jessica's were already highly fused, Jessica's soul contained his spiritual power. Therefore, as long as Lucas Reeve deliberately sensed it, he could easily perceive the location and current state of Jessica's soul, even without the guidance of the spirit.
Her condition was normal.
In fact, her soul strength had even slightly increased, which meant the other party truly had no ill intentions and just wanted to use this slightly crude method to get him to come and save them.
Nevertheless, Lucas Reeve still felt very uncomfortable.
As for these Mafia guards, he had no grudge against them. If they hadn't taken the initiative to attack or chosen to kill him immediately, but had instead tried to drive him away, he probably wouldn't have dealt a fatal blow, just knocking them out would have been enough. But from the very beginning, they wanted to capture him to serve as a test subject and harvest his organs. Who knew how many people they had killed over the years.
So, Lucas Reeve showed no mercy.
He used his forging hammer to effortlessly smash their heads in.
However,
due to the cameras installed at the entrance,
the alarm had sounded the moment he killed the first person. Along with the piercing alarm, more and more Mafia members charged out. But Lucas Reeve was completely unafraid. He took a deep breath, swapped the small hammer for Jessica's [Fire-Lightning Cloud], and using his breathing technique, charged into the crowd, fighting one against a hundred.
Ceobe and Lisa were not idle either.
Seeing a fight, Ceobe was incredibly excited. Ever since living at Jessica's house, Ceobe seemed to be gradually changing from wild to domesticated, losing her aggressiveness. But now, she finally had a chance. She excitedly pulled out the various precious spears and hand-axes that Jessica had custom-made for her from her back and went into throwing mode.
Lisa didn't have much combat experience.
She hid at the very back, firing her pistol.
————————
On the other side.
Franka's mental world.
"Huh?"
Franka looked at the familiar surroundings, but for some reason, she had a very strange feeling in her heart.
She was currently wearing a swimsuit, sitting on the green grass by the lake, holding her phone and taking beautiful selfies. Franka's figure was simply too explosive. She was enchanting and charming, her 'powerful' assets in front seeming as if they would break free from their confines at any moment. Her crystal-clear skin was whiter than snow. Her perfectly rounded thighs were crossed, exuding the unique allure of a mature woman.
Her snow-white feet were like lotus roots, or perhaps the most expensive jade. She gently stirred the crystal-clear lake surface with her small feet. The only thing that lacked aesthetic beauty was the few ugly Originium crystals on her thigh. In the past, she might have cared, but now she was used to it. As long as it wasn't life-threatening, it was fine.
And in the lake,
Jessica, Ceobe, Magallan, and Lisa had already changed into their prepared swimsuits and were playing freely in the clear water. Water splashed, glittering under the sun, and the vitality of youth was in full bloom.
Franka was a little puzzled.
Her small feet, which had been stirring the water, stopped, and she looked dazed.
Swimsuit?
Did I bring a swimsuit?
This state was like suddenly waking up, not remembering the details of the dream very clearly.
In Franka's memory, her group had encountered a 100% fatal Originium Storm under Magallan's jinx. Fortunately, with Lucas Reeve's help, they turned disaster into fortune and didn't collectively get a game over.
After that, they followed Magallan up the mountain to find the legendary 'Netherworld River'. It seemed this was the Netherworld River. The water was much clearer than imagined. After Magallan collected a few barrels for analysis, the group started playing in the water on their own.
After all, living in a mobile city, although there were swimming pools and man-made rivers, they were artificial and far less vibrant than a naturally formed lake.
For some reason,
Franka felt that there were many strange things.
But she couldn't quite put her finger on it at the moment.
Just then, the sound of footsteps beside her made Franka stop thinking. She turned her head slightly, and a strong, handsome male figure appeared before her.
Lucas Reeve was wearing nothing but a pair of swimming trunks.
His upper body, with its almost perfect eight-pack abs and chest muscles that looked as if they had been sculpted by the most professional artisan, was reflected in Franka's eyes under the sunlight. Having just swum, his body was still wet. Water droplets slid down his sculpture-like, flawless muscles. Under the refraction of the sun, the water droplets clinging to Lucas Reeve's body seemed to reflect light. Some droplets also slid down from his chiseled, angular features, along his masculine Adam's apple and collarbone.
Franka dazedly swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
Her heart seemed to start beating uncontrollably.
She had never been in a relationship. Even though she was no longer young and was incredibly experienced from all sorts of books, what good was theory?
In fact, she had never even been this face-to-face with a man before.
For a moment,
Franka, who was usually fond of joking and had a carefree demeanor, actually blushed for the first time. Out of nervousness, her rounded thighs rubbed against each other slightly. Her mind recalled the scene from several months ago when Lucas Reeve had saved her, holding her tightly in his arms as he rushed out of the explosion. Although he was using Jessica's body at the time,
but...
that strong scent of male hormones still reached Franka's nose.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."
Lucas Reeve's eyes roamed up and down Franka's body, then he clicked his tongue.
"I never noticed before, but Little Franka has such an amazing figure. Even better than I imagined."
Lucas Reeve's handsome face showed a hint of frivolity. He took the initiative to sit next to Franka, and their thighs even touched. The sensation of skin against skin made Franka instinctively move aside.
"What are you doing!"
"Saying such frivolous things like a street punk. If you were a stranger, I would have already punched you!"
Franka, for a moment, was like an angry little fox, even trying to show her might in front of Lucas Reeve.
Lucas Reeve chuckled, "Hahaha~ It's because you're beautiful. After all, even though I'm a spirit, I'm still a man."
"Hmph! If you keep being so glib, I'll tell Jessica!!"
"Hahaha, I don't care."
For some reason,
this version of Lucas Reeve felt a little unfamiliar to Franka.
It seemed that in her memory, the Lucas Reeve of the past was not like this.
Strange?
Franka remembered her experience in Bolívar.
Could it be another illusion?
No....
Impossible.
In the Bolívar illusion, she had no idea she was in an illusion.
Franka pinched her thigh hard.
It hurt...
It didn't feel like a dream.
Franka quietly glanced at Jessica, who was playing in the water with Ceobe and Lisa in the distance.
Could it be....
This is Lucas Reeve's true nature?
"Little Franka, is there anyone you like?"
Lucas Reeve's casual question made Franka's face flush red in an instant.
"No!!"
"You're not even good at lying. Did you use to have a crush on me? Actually, I quite like you too. Now that I have a physical body, why don't we...."
"No need. I don't like you! Don't be so full of yourself."
Franka's voice was cold, and because she was agitated, it was a little louder, attracting the attention of the others playing in the water nearby.
Lucas Reeve's flippant demeanor made Franka feel a wave of discomfort, and her impression of him plummeted. Franka didn't like this kind of flippant, slick punk personality at all.
She hadn't expected Lucas Reeve's inner nature to be like this. She was a little disappointed. She had indeed been a little smitten with him before, but what she liked was his calmness, his depth, his unflappable demeanor—a feeling like that of a senior master, not this punk personality.
It seems she'll have to remind Jessica when she gets the chance.
Franka walked to the side and put on her clothes. She was no longer in the mood to play in the water.
However, as she sat there, she fell into deep thought again.
Wait a minute...
How could Lucas Reeve's personality change so quickly?
And.
Franka had met many punk-like characters with the same personality. Such people couldn't even pretend to be deep, let alone actually be it.
But Lucas Reeve's current personality was completely different from the one in her memory.
An illusion?
Forget it...
Who cares if it's an illusion.
If it really is an illusion, based on experience, the real Lucas Reeve will probably come to save me soon.
However, she waited until dark, and the real Lucas Reeve still hadn't come. So much time had passed, which meant... she wasn't in an illusion. This was reality!!
According to the original plan, everyone set up tents and had a picnic under the stars in the forest. Lucas Reeve was laughing and joking with Jessica, Lisa, Ceobe, and the others, and would occasionally sneak over to chat with her when Jessica wasn't looking.
But Franka was still a little unconvinced.
She couldn't believe that the person she had been infatuated with in the past actually had a nature she despised so much—a glib tongue.
She knew full well that illusions were based on what she already knew. In other words, as long as she took the initiative to bring up things her real self knew nothing about, flaws would soon appear.
Franka asked Lucas Reeve many, many things she didn't know.
However, Lucas Reeve answered them all fluently.
This made Franka completely give up hope.
This was indeed reality.
Sigh....
The next day,
everyone returned to Columbia on a private jet. This trip was very happy for the others, but not for Franka, because she had seen through Lucas Reeve's true colors. It was exactly the same as the trashy romance novel she had read not long ago.
Franka just couldn't understand why the female lead in that book would fall head over heels for the male lead who acted like a flippant punk. Anyway, Franka didn't like it; in fact, it made her sick.
Later, after returning to Columbia,
with Jessica's encouragement, Franka decided to fulfill her childhood dream.
To debut!!
And, as a good sister, Jessica naturally supported her wholeheartedly.
With the resources of Raythean Industries piled on, coupled with Franka's own looks and figure, as well as her strong physical fitness and learning ability, she became an instant hit.
Even, out of respect for Raythean Industries, the most famous director in Columbia eagerly invited her to be the female lead. With her outstanding acting skills, the movie was a huge success, and she herself won the Best Newcomer Award and the Best Actress of the Year Award that year.
Later, even without the resources of Raythean Industries, Franka's acting career went smoothly. As she became busier, she rarely had time to reunite with Jessica. Jessica, due to her family's background, entered the upper management of Raythean Industries after Raythean Medica grew stronger. Being busy all year round, she couldn't even meet Franka once a year. Their good sister, Liskarm, also left Columbia three years later to return to her hometown and fulfill her own dream.
Later on, it seemed Jessica and Lucas Reeve also had some conflicts and chose to part ways.
All of a sudden,
Franka was alone again.
Ten years later,
Franka, now in her thirties, was at the peak of her career.
But she had never married. Even though she was surrounded by countless wealthy families and successful pursuers who could line up from Columbia to Siracusa, Franka still yearned for the Lucas Reeve in her memories.
Living in the tallest building in Yan, hundreds of meters high,
Franka, in a hotel room that cost hundreds of thousands a night, held a glass of red wine in one hand and looked wistfully into the distance.
Even after ten years, Lucas Reeve's deep eyes were still imprinted in Franka's heart.
Sigh...
Even though she had achieved success and fulfilled her dream,
she was all alone, far from being as happy as she was at Blacksteel Worldwide.
I really want to go back to those days...
Franka sighed. How she wished this was all a dream....
Unfortunately, it wasn't.
Life cannot be redone.
——————————
Reality.
Inside the laboratory.
Just as the patriarch of the [Wolf Fang] Mafia was about to leave the lab,
suddenly,
the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.
"Boss!! Boss!! Bad news!!"
"There's a man and two little girls fighting their way in from outside!!!"
The patriarch was stunned for a moment, then replied coldly.
"Just take care of them. There are only three of them, and two are just little girls. Why are you telling me?"
"But..."
The subordinate hesitated, not knowing if he should say it.
"What is it?!"
"But.... that man has already killed several hundred people!!! He's about to break through!!!"
Patriarch: "???"
And in the corner of the laboratory, the doll Little Moti, who had cast a concealment ability on itself, breathed a sigh of relief.
*Are we about to be saved?*