The Crimson Game Chapter 13

The man waved his knife, licking his lips. "What do I need? We want ALL your items. And that little girl too. How about it? Deal?" He followed with a lecherous laugh.

Though separated by the iron plate, Tank heard everything clearly behind me.

He yelled hoarsely: "You bastard! Got the balls to fight me man-to-man? I'll turn you into ground meat!"

The provocation clearly didn't work on this guy.

He licked his lips again. "Cut the crap. Either you die, or you do what I just said!"

I steadied myself, then slowly crouched down and made some strange hand signals toward Tank, who could only see through a small gap.

The man grew furious. "What are you doing?! You think I don't exist?! Then DIE!"

The creep charged at me with his knife raised.

In a split second, I grabbed a handful of thick dust from the shelf and blew it into his face.

The man covered his eyes and screamed: "AAH—"

Before his scream ended, a sharp metal pole dropped from above and impaled his chest.

The man froze, looking down at his chest.

The pole kept his body upright even as he died, suspended in place.

"Tank! I wasn't sure you'd understand!" I looked up at Tank, whose body was half-dangling in the air.

Following my hand signals during my distraction, Tank had stacked storage boxes, grabbed the metal pole, and climbed onto the shelf.

"Of course I got it! Good thing you gave me the plan, Jake, or... WHOA—"

Before finishing his sentence, his massive body lost balance and fell straight toward me.

Being used as Tank's human cushion... cough...

I really did feel like I'd been run over by a tank. My organs felt completely flattened.

Tank scrambled up and helped me to my feet.

"Oops! Sorry about that, Jake! I lost my footing! Hehe, you okay?"

Hearing his "hehe" pissed me off.

But given his excellent performance just now, I didn't hold it against him.

I caught my breath and glared at him. "Let's get the girl first."

The girl was stuck on the other side of the shelf.

Behind her was a wall, and the gap was too narrow—not even the girl could squeeze through, let alone Tank.

The girl had mustered her courage to climb up the shelf.

Coming down, her legs shook with nerves, and the clutter on the shelf gave her no foothold.

Tank walked over and patted his shoulder. "Girl, step on my shoulders. Tank'll get you down."

The girl's face was tense, but after a moment's hesitation, she stepped up.

Just as she was figuring out her next move, her legs buckled and she nearly fell.

I quickly reached out to help.

But Tank was faster. His hands steadied her securely, catching her in a princess carry.

I awkwardly touched my nose.

Guess I was unnecessary here.

"Check this guy's bag. See if he has anything we need."

"Urn and protective face mask," Tank said, looking down with a bitter smile. When he looked up again, his expression showed determination.