After discovering the dungeon entrance, things became much easier. Raymond Brooks helped translate some detailed questions, such as whether there was an ambush below or any bombs. After confirming that there was only a hostage inside the dungeon, Joey quickly went down, and before long, came back up supporting someone.

A young man who looked very haggard kept repeating to those around him, “Are you here to save me? Are you here to save me?”

Raymond Brooks swallowed and said, “He’s asking if you’re here to save him.”

“Yes, we’re here to save him. Tell him to calm down.”

Raymond Brooks was very envious of this young man, so he said with emotion, “They really are here to save you. You’re safe now.”

The young man was instantly overjoyed, and he began to make the sign of the cross over his chest repeatedly, thanking God.

Raymond Brooks felt that this young man was a bit clueless. At a time like this, shouldn’t he be thanking the people who actually saved him?

Sure enough, Captain waved his hand impatiently and said, “Joey, get this idiot to the car. We’ll take the drug dealer’s car and get out of here first.”

Joey quickly helped the young man out, while Captain stayed behind. He looked at Raymond Brooks, his expression somewhat complicated.

Raymond Brooks couldn’t help but take a step back, looking nervous as he said, “You saved me, you’re my lifesavers. I would never betray you. Also, I’m Chinese—if you kill me, it’ll be a big problem for you. Please don’t hurt me. I swear I’ll never tell the police about you. I promise!”

Captain shrugged and said, “I believe you don’t want to betray us, but the drug dealers and the police will be here soon. No matter whose hands you fall into, whether you talk or not won’t be up to you. And I firmly believe only dead men tell no tales. So if you don’t want to die, you’d better come up with a way to convince me, fast.”

He had to find a solution that both sides could accept—one that would keep him alive and also put Captain and the others at ease.

Raymond Brooks almost immediately thought of an idea. The ancestors had long ago come up with a mature solution for this kind of situation—anyone who’s read a few books should know.

A pledge of loyalty, just make a pledge.

Raymond Brooks glanced at Sanchez, then took a deep breath and said in a low voice, “I’ll kill him! That way I’ll never give you up. Is that good enough?”

Captain thought for a moment, then nodded and said, “You’ve come up with a good solution. Hold on, I need to record this as evidence…”

Holding a gun in his right hand and raising his phone with his left to aim at Raymond Brooks, Captain said in a deep voice, “Alright, go ahead.”

Raymond Brooks was in turmoil. He didn’t want to kill anyone, but the situation left him no choice.

Raymond Brooks bent down and picked up a gun from the hand of a dead kidnapper.

A Glock 17, another Glock 17.

This was the first time Raymond Brooks had ever touched a real gun, the first time he’d ever held one in his hand.

Seeing Raymond Brooks’s actions, Sanchez started to panic, then screamed hoarsely, “What are you doing? You want to—”

Before Sanchez could shout anything more, Raymond Brooks suddenly raised the gun and aimed at Sanchez.

The Glock 17 has a trigger safety—if there’s a bullet in the chamber, you just pull the trigger. Very convenient. So after aiming at Sanchez’s chest, Raymond Brooks immediately pulled the trigger.

A gunshot rang out. Sanchez’s screams stopped abruptly, and he began to writhe in pain.

Looking at the man who had almost gotten him killed, this heartless kidnapper, Raymond Brooks felt only anger and hatred. Then he thought, since he’d already fired, he might as well shoot a few more times.

So Raymond Brooks raised the gun, aimed at Sanchez’s head, and pulled the trigger again.

Bang, bang—two shots, both hitting Sanchez in the head.

It must be said, there’s a reason the Glock 17 sells so well. It’s ugly, but the aim is excellent, the grip feels great, and it’s very comfortable to shoot. Even someone like Raymond Brooks, who had never touched a gun before, could shoot accurately with it.

The first time in his life holding a gun, the first time firing one, and his first shot killed a man. But Raymond Brooks felt no guilt, no fear, and no psychological burden at all. Being able to personally kill a drug dealer and kidnapper ringleader filled him with the joy and satisfaction of revenge.

Letting out a light breath, Raymond Brooks put the gun down, turned to Captain, and said, “Is that enough now?”

Chapter 3: First Time on Stage

Let the person who caused the problem come up with the solution themselves—no, let the problem solve itself, leaving no room for error. Captain really played this well.

He didn’t know who Captain and the others really were, or where their boundaries lay, but so far, Raymond Brooks was still alive, which meant these people did have some kind of bottom line.

But Raymond Brooks was still very nervous, because what Captain said made sense: only dead men tell no tales. So even after making his pledge, it still depended on whether Captain was willing to accept it.

Captain put away his phone, nodded at Raymond Brooks, and said in a deep voice, “You’ve passed.”

Raymond Brooks felt a huge sense of relief, and couldn’t help but let out a long breath.

“Thank you, thank you all, thank you so much.”