It was for a brief moment, but Christian still felt his back drenched in sweat!
… It was because the reason his expression faltered wasn't due to Damian, but because of one of the bodyguards!
It was because he was someone who had touched essence… it was because Christian could innately feel how the bodyguard was stronger than him!
The first setback… the first hurdle after the smooth going of the plan, felt heavy for Christian as he wondered what he should do!
… No, before that, did he notice the change in his expression?
Was he able to see through his newly made concealment technique due to the suddenness of the situation and his inexperience?
"So, you were the one who replaced the old driver for today?"
While many things were going through his mind, Christian, who was suddenly being asked by Damian, who had his eyes narrowed and was scrutinizing him, felt himself nearly losing control once again… even if for a different reason! Still, he clenched his hand and was able to calm himself slightly before replying.
"Yes, I came in to fill in Mr. David's place. I'm called Chris Wrath."
Damian hummed in response and stayed silent at first before entering the car, clicking his tongue. He was sure something was wrong with this driver, but because he didn't know what exactly, and because he remembered the personal file that had seemed too clean, he decided to let him finish his work for today and fire him afterward.
As for it being injustice, if there was actually nothing wrong with him? That was naturally none of his business; he had never cared about these things in the first place!
Christian closed the door after Damian entered and went to his driving seat.
When he saw the one who had trained in essence enter the same car and sit beside him, he wanted to curse his luck… but endured instead, as it seemed the bodyguard likely hadn't noticed anything. Otherwise, he wouldn't have stayed silent like that, right?
Christian started driving immediately, and while doing so, he wondered how he had missed the existence of this bodyguard.
It was after a short time of mulling it over that he arrived at an answer… it was because no one knew of his existence… that he was no ordinary bodyguard.
Then, what did that mean? Was it that this man had too much time and no money, so he started working as a bodyguard?
Christian was 99.99% sure that was not the case. There could only be one conclusion… this bodyguard came through the Infinitel company and the Ashvale family!
He hadn't been able to find any records of it because it wasn't arranged through a call or the internet, so it didn't leave any trace. Moreover, this particular bodyguard should have been working for some time already, long before Christian started eavesdropping on all the Ashvale family members and Infinitel personnel!
Having already understood the crux of the problem and how the information through Iris was not absolute, something he already knew, Christian, without becoming angry or losing his composure over being put in this situation, began thinking about the solution.
He stole a few glances at the man beside him, in his late thirties, wearing a black suit, and arrived at an answer pretty quickly.
He didn't feel that the man beside him was at a level where he could resist a bullet to the head, after all.
He was even unable to see through his low-level concealment technique, which was still only at level two.
So, as long as he aimed properly and was fast enough to catch the man by surprise, preventing him from dodging, since those trained in essence techniques had quick reflexes, then it would be a done deal!
But why did he immediately decide on killing?
… It was because he didn't have another choice.
If he could incapacitate the bodyguard, then kill Damian, that could've been an option. But unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to do that. And his own life, which could be threatened by even a second of hesitation, was naturally far more important than the man's.
And if he made a move against Damian, this bodyguard would intervene. And Christian was certain that if the bodyguard interfered, he would die… Or maybe not, as with his Danger Awareness skill, his precious unassigned points, and a little luck, he could pull it off. But was this the kind of situation he wanted to risk? Absolutely not!
Then, was it possible to convince him? That's too a big no!
Because the bodyguard, a man who had already trained in essence techniques and had become something superior to normal people, at least in the eyes of the ancient families. Was still protecting someone he should likely consider beneath him.
What did that mean? It meant his loyalty likely lay elsewhere... it lays with the one who ordered him to guard Damian. So, could someone like that be negotiated with? Christian didn't think so.
Then should he bail out? That was a possibility, but could he really do that? Even more impossible! After all, even his sister and Eva had been unable to change his mind!
Moreover, through whom could he have possibly come? The Ashvale family. A family that sold their daughter and had no qualms about doing whatever it took to achieve their goals.
The person beside him should also understand what kind of man Damian was, yet he was still fulfilling his mission. That made him, if not worse, at least on the same level as Damian… a piece of trash.
Christian, having thoroughly considered everything, arrived at his decision and continued driving.
He couldn't help but silently praise Eva and his sister for insisting that he practice firearms, even if just a little, and bring them along, as one never knew what might happen.
And arriving at this kind of situation, Christian felt it… no matter how much one thinks they're prepared, it's never enough.
He swore to himself that from now on, he would be more cautious.
Then, he refocused on his current task, on the upcoming ambush and how he was going to execute it, as when the time came, every second would count. He couldn't afford to hesitate or be indecisive.
As soon as he arrived at the destination for Damian's meeting and took a brief moment for rest, he discreetly checked to ensure that Brian had followed his instructions.
Having already received reports from Iris and Brian, Christian surveyed the completed work with his own eyes, satisfied that his plan was at least going smoothly on this front.
Though he'd been forced to engage in a conversation or two during Damian's meeting, he felt confident he'd handled them well.
Finally, when it was time to return, Christian shifted his focus, channeling his full attention and concentration.
The moment for his operation… for everything to start was drawing near, after all.
As Christian drove, he glanced at the fidgeting Brian, sitting beside Damian. He hoped Brian would act naturally, but his suspicious behavior… darting eyes, unnatural body language, stood out even to Christian's untrained eyes.
Christian couldn't help but wonder how Brian had managed to work as a spy for so long without being discovered.
… Of course, he didn't consider the nature of Brian's work or the state he'd been in when he first began this undercover work.
When they reached the halfway point between the company and the meeting place, with no signal to cancel the plan from him, Christian finally heard Iris's soft voice in his earphone.
[Operation commencing.]
Instantly, Christian noticed the car in front of him begin to slow down.
His plan was simple: isolate Damian from as many people as possible and then make his move. But how could he do that when there were always so many people around him?
The only solution seemed to be on the road, while they were moving.
Even then, with two or at least one car accompanying them, and a bodyguard now riding in the same vehicle, after the last failed attempt Damian did on him, there were still too many obstacles.
Then, he had to get rid of these two accompanying cars, right? But how?
If something happened to the car the bodyguards were in, they could all stop and wait until the problem was resolved before continuing. So, his propose of isolating Damian will not be fulfilled.
Then, how could he isolate him?
Eva's idea was to make Damian get rid of those around him himself.
That's when they considered Damian's way of thinking.
When there's a short meeting outside the company, but not far, and he only brought one car because it's less of a hassle, what would happen if, on the way back, something happened to the other car halfway?
"Just start moving, it's not that far anyway, there's no need for waiting."
… That's the kind of response they'd get from him!