Chapter 121: Sloan's Fate Was Already Sealed
Just over ten minutes before Cross and the Assassin Brotherhood members turned on each other.
After Fox gave the Assassin Brotherhood headquarters the heads up, Chris, along with a recharged Wesley, left the shooting range, ready to test their skills against this assassin organization.
However, the moment they stepped out of the shooting range, Fox and Wesley spotted the assassin tailing them.
"Is that... someone Sloan sent?"
Fox said uncertainly; she could tell the guy's vibe was very much like someone from the Brotherhood, but she'd never seen him before.
Wesley also sensed something was off about this person. After Fox's heads up, he realized this guy's aura was very similar to Fox's, both carrying that cold, deadly intent.
Then Wesley looked at Chris, waiting for his teacher to make the call.
Chris looked at the man with the chilling presence. He had, of course, noticed this person watching them ages ago.
However, thinking that Wesley had finished his training and they were about to hit the Brotherhood headquarters, there was no need to take out their scout.
After all, having this guy report back to the Brotherhood could also up the difficulty for Wesley, balancing out the playing field.
Otherwise, Wesley, having scored a legendary weapon, would totally violate the spirit of fair play.
But now that Wesley had spotted the guy through his own abilities, Chris naturally couldn't pretend not to see him and force Wesley to let him go.
After all, detecting enemy surveillance was Wesley's own skill.
So Chris shrugged, signaling Wesley to handle it himself.
Wesley, seeing the assassin still on his phone, completely unaware he'd been made, didn't hesitate. He drew his gun and sent a bullet flying.
The scout, standing behind the corner of the building, had an excellent position. He could effectively observe Chris and the others' movements while also preventing himself from getting directly hit if things went south.
To prevent any chance of Fox betraying them, his angle was even more tucked in.
Based on what he knew about Fox, the curve of her bullets wouldn't be able to reach him at all.
Unfortunately, he clearly hadn't expected Wesley to master the curved bullet technique, and an advanced version at that, in such a short time.
So the moment the gun fired, the bullet flew at an insanely exaggerated angle, hitting the man's throat in a 270-degree arc.
He was mid-sentence when he made a choking sound, and a few seconds later, he passed out from blood loss. He'd be dead soon.
On the other end of the phone, Sloan, realizing his operative had run into trouble, quickly hung up.
Then Sloan realized he couldn't salvage the biggest flaw in his plan: Wesley wasn't dead.
His original plan was to have someone kill Wesley beforehand, or separate Wesley from Chris and the others.
Only then could he keep deceiving Cross, making him the main strike force against Chris.
But due to this scout's sudden death, his plan clearly couldn't proceed.
Furthermore, if Cross discovered that Wesley was alive and kicking, the situation would become even worse for Sloan.
So after thinking briefly, Sloan decided to activate his backup plan.
Take out Cross first, then find a way to kill the kid Fate had ordered eliminated.
After all, from Sloan's perspective, Chris posed no real danger to him. They'd never even met, so Chris couldn't possibly want him dead.
But Cross, on the other hand, clearly wanted to kill him, even after he'd told him that Fate had already forgiven him.
So in Sloan's view, Cross posed the biggest threat to him, and naturally, Cross had to go first.
Therefore, Sloan dialed the Butcher's number, as previously discussed with him and the others.
After a brief silence, seeing the Butcher hang up, Sloan knew the Butcher got the message.
However, even at this point, Sloan still couldn't relax.
He then started packing his prepared escape gear, wanting to get out of this dangerous place.
As someone who'd personally watched Cross become the organization's top assassin, Sloan knew this guy's abilities all too well.
Back when Fate hadn't truly revealed itself, and Sloan had started doubting the organization's principles, he'd never questioned Cross's identity as Fate's enforcer.
This was simply because Sloan had genuinely witnessed Cross's almost supernatural marksmanship.
Making bullets curve was the hallmark of a super assassin, something Sloan himself could do.
But making bullets curve into an almost complete circle was something Sloan had never even heard of, let alone seen.
It was precisely for this reason that after seeing the circular arc bullets fired by Cross, Sloan had more than once wondered whether his actions were sacrilege.
Because in Sloan's understanding at the time, unless guided by a deity, such a circular bullet, defying physics, was basically an insult to modern science.
Unfortunately, Cross later discovered Sloan's shady operations, directly backing him into a corner where he couldn't clear his name, leaving him no choice but to go all-in on the wrong path.
And now that Fate had manifested, it also confirmed Sloan's theory: Cross was indeed someone favored by Fate.
Therefore, Sloan didn't even consider the possibility of the other organization members killing Cross.
He now only wanted to grab the wealth he'd been stashing away and then enjoy his retirement years.
As for the rewards promised by Fate, he wasn't going to chase them anymore.
Having lived most of his life, Sloan understood one truth: only what you have in your hands is real.
So, to avoid dying at Cross's hands or anyone else's, Sloan grabbed the plane ticket he'd prepared long ago, along with some cash, and headed for the secret passage.
Before leaving, Sloan fumbled for his lighter, then thought better of it and tossed the item onto his office desk, not taking it with him.
After witnessing Fate's manifestation, he now held Fate in reverence, completely believing that he, a mere mortal, couldn't burn down Fate's vessel in the mortal world.
The moment he stepped out of his office, Sloan heard gunshots coming from the textile factory. Knowing that Cross was engaging with the organization members, he didn't hesitate, turning and walking in another direction.
However, Sloan perhaps hadn't considered that the moment he accepted Fate's revelation, he'd already lost the power to choose.
At this moment, after confirming that Sloan was recklessly trying to escape, no longer honoring the deal he'd made with her, Fate also displayed her power.
Although the Fate of this world didn't follow the same path as Death from the Final Destination universe, as a fellow concept of Destiny, she clearly had her own methods.
For example, these super assassins, who appeared under her guidance, could be said to be the perfect instruments for executing Fate's will.
Moreover, there was even one whom Fate considered the most loyal and excellent agent here, making it even easier for Fate to deal with Sloan, this traitor.
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