Chapter 90: You Picked a Flower |
The one assigned to execute the mission targeting Guan Shan's weakness was Worker Bee Five.
Li Li's understanding of their own organization could be considered thorough. In the eyes of "Death Hive," Guan Shan's only weakness was Shen Dinghua, the girl with whom he had a very close relationship.
Given that they had a mole within the Special Security Group, they would certainly obtain the Group’s various observation reports and psychological analyses regarding Guan Shan. This seemingly cold-blooded and ruthless figure, who killed as easily as breathing and was even more violent than the “Death Hive” itself, had no other attachments. The only person he cared about was this girl, who was a year younger than him and had grown up with him.
In both the reports and throughout Guan Shan's life, Shen Dinghua played a significant role. Hence, from every perspective, her importance to Guan Shan was undeniable. Most critically, she was just an ordinary person. This meant she was very easy to control. If they could capture Shen Dinghua, it would be equivalent to holding Guan Shan's lifeline.
This was the other plan of the "Death Hive."
Of course, this plan was based on two premises: first, that the main forces of the Special Security Group had been diverted elsewhere by the "Death Hive," and second, that Guan Shan was not by Shen Dinghua's side. When these two conditions were met, it was time for Worker Bee Five to act.
Why Worker Bee Five? It wasn't that the "Death Hive" was underestimating their opponent, but rather that the first four Worker Bees had already been killed by Guan Shan…
Given time, when the handover happened, the current Worker Bee Five, if still alive, would become the next Worker Bee One.
As for the Drone Bees, they all had their respective tasks. The only two available ones went to hunt Guan Shan, resulting in one dying on the spot and the other being kept as a pet.
Furthermore, as Li Li mentioned, Worker Bees were merely mass-produced tools for the "Death Hive." Given enough time, they could be replaced. If this one died, so what? If they could find an opportunity to control Guan Shan, it would be a huge gain.
"There are three Special Security Group members: two stationed at Guan Shan's house and one monitoring Shen Dinghua's house..."
Worker Bee Five hid in the shadows, frowning with confusion, "The protection around Shen Dinghua is so minimal?"
While Guan Shan was out, two people were guarding his house, but only one person was stationed at Shen Dinghua's house, and they were all ordinary people???
Worker Bee Five began to suspect that his mission might be too simple.
"But it doesn't make sense. Shen Dinghua's relationship with Guan Shan is so obvious. Why wouldn't the Special Security Group assign more people to protect her?"
"Could it be that I haven't searched the area thoroughly enough? Is there an ambush?"
Suspicious, Worker Bee Five conducted a more meticulous search of the surrounding area.
He had a button-like energy level detector modified by the "Death Hive," which was more extensive and sensitive than the standard detectors of the Special Security Group. As long as there was an Esper within a hundred meters, he could detect it.
Of course, the Special Security Group had the capability to create such extensive detectors. Still, they had to issue a large number of detectors for annual Esper surveys, ensuring quantity before quality.
Publicly available detectors only needed to detect face-to-face interactions.
But even after expanding his search to a radius of a thousand meters, Worker Bee Five didn't find anything.
"Is there really no one?"
Remaining vigilant, Worker Bee Five kept his detector on and started his mission.
Having done all the necessary preparations, there was no need to delay any further. The longer he waited, the more likely something could go wrong. Naturally, a quick resolution was best.
Worker Bee Five pitied the clueless girl inside the house. Soon, she would be used as a bargaining chip to force her boyfriend into becoming a lackey of the "Death Hive."
"Tsk tsk... But don't worry, for the sake of ensuring Guan Shan's cooperation, your personal safety will be more secure than under the Special Security Group's protection."
Worker Bee Five even found time to joke about the Special Security Group.
First, he sneaked behind the two guards at Guan Shan's house and snapped his fingers, causing them to faint instantly, blood trickling from their ears.
His ability was "sound control."
Unlike "word magic," which required language to activate, Worker Bee Five's power was triggered by sounds made by his body.
For instance, snapping fingers, clapping, stomping, etc. Different actions had different effects.
Under normal circumstances, he used snapping fingers. The intensity of the sound could produce varying results.
Moderate sound caused unconsciousness, while a maximum force snap near someone's ear could induce brain hemorrhage, causing instant death.
It was a simple yet highly effective power.
"Perfect for kidnapping."
Worker Bee Five used the same method to knock out the watcher at Shen Dinghua's house.
Then, he climbed over the wall into Shen Dinghua's house, eyeing the carefully tended, evidently valuable flowers and plants in the yard. He plucked a flower maliciously, crushing its petals into a ball before scattering them.
While examining the fallen petals, he heard a soft, wary voice from upstairs, "Who are you?"
Worker Bee Five looked up to see his target, Shen Dinghua, opening a window on the second floor and looking down.
He was struck by her beauty, even more attractive than in the photos. No, she was utterly captivating.
She was like a delicate night-blooming cereus swaying in the breeze, beautiful yet fragile.
What a pity... she had to become a bargaining chip. Worker Bee Five dared not defy the orders of the Drone Bee. He grinned, "You don't need to know who I am. I'm just a Worker Bee here to deliver you to the queen."
He raised his hand, ready to snap his fingers.
Shen Dinghua's eyes shifted to the crushed petals on the ground, then she smiled slightly, "You picked a flower."
Worker Bee Five sensed something odd in her demeanor but didn't dwell on it. He shrugged, "Yes, I picked a flower, and then I crushed it."
Shen Dinghua said, "So, there's one less flower in my garden."
Yes, if you pick one, there’s one less, right? Worker Bee Five felt perplexed, starting to think the girl might not be entirely sane.
Shen Dinghua rested her chin on her hands, looking down from the windowsill, "I don't like it when something is missing from my belongings. So, I need a new flower to plant in the same spot."
Was this a spoiled princess throwing a tantrum? Worker Bee Five sneered, "There's no new flower here. Instead of worrying about your garden, shouldn't you worry about yourself?"
Shen Dinghua gave a sweet smile, "But isn't there a ready-made one right here?"