Killer’s Diary

Ep.6 Fatal Confrontation

“Target: white suit, long-haired female,” came the voice of my teammate, Charon, through the wireless earpiece.

“Copy that,” I replied.

“Zone C clear,” came the familiar yet unfamiliar voice through the earpiece, sounding deeper and calmer than usual.

“Peacock, stand by for immediate report.” Su Shuyu was on this mission too—or rather, Peacock, her operational codename. Technically, this was an S-level assignment beyond her rank. But given her exceptional performance, Instructor Wu had specially permitted her participation for accelerated training.

Positioned on the rooftop opposite the target building, I'd been waiting for an hour. My breathing was deliberately slow and shallow. My cheek pressed against the cold metal of the sniper rifle, I stared intently through the scope's crosshairs, just as I always did. My index finger rested lightly on the trigger guard, ready to fire at a moment's notice.

The target was Jing Mu, heir to the Jing Group, who had recently returned from studying abroad. Limited intelligence was available. Jing Mu maintained extremely high security, always accompanied by a female bodyguard at critical events. The media had never captured the bodyguard's true appearance.

The Jing Group monopolized nearly all bioproducts and the food service industry in Country A. Recent rumors suggested the elderly chairman was gravely ill. Jing Mu had returned from Country B specifically to manage potential internal turmoil following the chairman's passing. Whoever ordered us to act, we simply followed the mission.

“Target preparing to exit the room, moving toward a designated position.” A woman with sharp features and piercing eyes, clad in a new Gucci fall/winter suit, came into view.

“Report surrounding the security situation.”

“One personal bodyguard confirmed. Fifteen additional disguised bodyguards were detected.”

“Zone C clear,” Su Shuyu reported. This operation had two sniper positions. If I failed, the target would proceed to the second sniper point during their vehicle departure—where Su Shuyu would take the shot, with Charon's team providing cover.

“Copy.”

“What's happening?” Charon bellowed over the channel. Through my sniper scope, the crowd around the target erupted into chaos. The disguised bodyguards rapidly converged, forming an impenetrable human wall around the subject.

“Not our people,” someone reported over the radio.

I swiftly adjusted my position, searching for a possible opening to fire. Yes, now. My finger tensed over the trigger, the muzzle locked on target, when suddenly a female bodyguard appeared in my field of view. Her piercing gaze locked onto my scope, making my heart lurch.

She spotted me.

“No, wait... it's...” Through the scope, I recognized the woman who'd invaded my sight.

“Charon!”

“What's going on over there! Who's Charon?” Charon called urgently over the radio.

No time to think. I kept my eyes glued to the scope. Charon's hand! She was signaling me! It was the exclusive hand gesture of the Firebirds.

“Withdraw! Everyone withdraw immediately! There's a trap!” I bellowed into the channel.

Simultaneously, I scrambled to adjust my firing angle, swiveling the muzzle toward Sector B. This mission was going south.

Seconds later, from my vantage point, a blinding white light flared in a window of another building. Not natural reflection—it was a scope! Another sniper nearby.

And this direction wasn't aimed at Jing Mu. The muzzle was pointed directly at our second sniper's position, like an icy blade suspended over Su Shuyu's head, ready to fall at any moment. The sheer terror made cold sweat break out on my palms.

“Su Su, be careful! There's a sniper at your ten o'clock position, targeting you. I'll cover you.”

What the hell was going on? Why was he waiting? Why Su Shuyu?

Years of training kept fear from consuming my reason. A second's hesitation would bring Su Shuyu closer to death. My body, now muscle memory, swiftly aimed at the unknown sniper and pulled the trigger.

Just missed.

“Everyone retreat!” Charon bellowed over the channel.

I only hit the unknown sniper's hand. That shot immediately alerted Jing Mu's security detail. All bodyguards pulled out their phones, scanned the surroundings, and escorted Jing Mu in an orderly fashion. Meanwhile, the sniper I'd wounded quickly retreated. Seeing him move, I swiftly gathered my gear and left via elevator.

“Copy that,” the familiar voice crackled over the radio, instantly easing my tension.

“What the hell is going on with this mission? How could there be snipers targeting Su Shuyu?” I struggled to suppress my anger.

Su Shuyu seemed stunned by the scene at the dinner table. She'd never heard me speak so loudly to Su Yi before.

“Su Su, here's the fish you love,” Su Yi pretended not to hear, smiling as he reached to serve his daughter.

" Everyone, enjoy your meal." I slammed down my chopsticks and turned to leave.

“I'll handle this matter. You only need to complete the task I assigned. You have no right to question me,” Su Yi's smile vanished as he turned to address Ye Zimu.

I'm just a stray dog you took in, Su Yi, but Su Shuyu is your biological daughter. Someone is clearly targeting you, potentially endangering your daughter, yet you show no reaction whatsoever. Sitting on the sofa in the room, I gazed at the moon outside the window, feeling a tinge of unease.

“Mumu, why are you upset? Here, have some candy.” Su Shuyu returned to the room, smiling as she held out a piece of candy.

“I know you're worried about me.”

I looked at her.

“I'm not a child anymore. I'm the one who will inherit the group someday. Dad was actually worried about me just now too. He's just not good at expressing it.”

“And with you here, I know you'll always protect me, right?”

Su Shuyu wrapped her arms around mine, resting her head gently on my shoulder.

“Of course.” I reached out to ruffle the adorable girl's hair beside me.

Moonlight streamed through the window into the room. The moon was truly beautiful. How I wished this moment could last forever.