Chapter 441 - I Think I'm In Love

After some time, Carter was called by the continuous loud bangs. Hence, he rushed in that direction. As he did so, he grunted upon feeling the striking pain in his other leg. 'Ugh…!' He clenched his teeth, sucking air through it as he instinctively sprang to the other side.

Since Carter's move was abrupt, he bumped into a huge vase causing it to shatter. Thanks to his cargo pants, it protected him from inflicting wounds from the pieces of the vase. Still, his palm felt the sting as a piece pierced through it.

Fortunately, the shooting noises were enough cover so neither Owen nor Ryan heard the shattering of the vase. After all, there were things being broken inside the living room as Owen lost his mind and was shooting randomly.

"This is nothing," As the loud bangs were continuing in the background, Carter groped his palm with his other hand. Both his hands trembled, "Ah!" Through his gritted teeth, Carter let out a faint grunt as he pulled out the glass wedged in his palm.

Blood immediately trickled down from it. 'This is nothing compared to the damages I inflicted earlier.' He thought internally, searching through his pockets for the last piece of bandage. Immediately, he tended to his real wound.

Although it might seem impossible, the earlier 'fake wounds' were enough to numb him a little. Although he didn't inflict wounds from it, they were painful. The pain was real, and this small real wound was nothing compared to that.

Despite all the ruckus going on, Carter was quick to count the times of the bangs. Not that he got them correctly, but at least, he could have a guess when Owen would run out of ammo and needed to reload.

In his perspective, if Owen's strategy was to shoot randomly to narrow down the position Ryan was in, the latter on the other hand, had a completely different nature. Ryan was not the risky type, he was mostly specialized as a sniper.

Therefore, if Carter took their habits in consideration, Ryan would take the short second that Owen would need to change ammo or to take out his pistol while he does so. Ryan would need to take him down, if not, Owen would get him easily in the next round.

Carter was certain Ryan was well-aware of that. That if Ryan failed this one opportunity, there would be no escape and he would be out of the game.

Soon, Carter got up. This time, he took liberal light steps while taking caution from a lost bullet. Still, no matter how careful he was, he was shot again in the shoulder. If this continued on, he would bleed out.

However, Carter knew it wouldn't last long and the game would end soon. If Ryan failed, both of them would fall in the hands of Owen -- it would be a double kill as his target was Ryan. But, if he managed to take down Owen, Carter would take the chance and take Ryan down.

Not that he still wanted to be the victor, but by doing this, his message would pass on. After all, this might be a game, but it was designed to have a real battle experience where they have to lay their lives on it.

A great training, if they asked him. Nevertheless, this would be an unforgettable feeling for Carter as it brought back memories from the past. Memories that still lingered on at the back of his head, inciting fear and excitement at the same time.

Shortly after, Carter reached the living area. He crouched his way in, hearing the cocking of a rifle from Ryan's direction. Within a fraction of a second, Owen finally ran out of ammo. "Ah, sh*t!" He cursed, followed by footsteps as he ran to the side, firing back with his pistol recklessly.

However, this time around, Ryan was the one shooting him until he got his ankle. "Sh*t!" Once again, the impatient Owen cursed as he needed to change magazine. Unfortunately, before he could do so, he felt a striking pain in his chest.

"One man down." Once Paul's voice went through their earpiece, Carter sprung in Ryan's position. 

This time around, Carter didn't take out his rifle. Instead, he grabbed the fake knife he was carrying. In a fraction of second, Carter placed the fake knife on Ryan's nape. "Another man down. Congratulations, Carter."

Upon hearing Paul's remarks, Carter finally removed his visor and so did Ryan. The three of them glanced at each other before they started laughing as if nothing happened.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

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"Interesting, isn't it?" The side of her lips curved into a smug grin, explaining how she manipulated Carter to follow her instructions that led to his win.

Meanwhile, Matthew was just staring at her in amusement. Who would have thought that this lady here managed to do something despite having him around? What's more amusing was that Matthew didn't even notice!

Therefore, he could not help but listen and watch her admiringly. 'She's truly different and interesting… just like what I admire in a person.' He thought internally, staring at Zoey bearing zero emotion which contradicted his thoughts.

"Aren't I a genius?" Zoey's figure twinkled, crossing her arms while her hand propped her chin. "Don't I give the radiance of intelligence and beauty?" She proudly questioned what sounded as if she wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.

"Mhmm…" Matthew hummed in a low tune, nodding his head lightly as he agreed with her. "You are." He said, his gaze traveled across her face which made her feel a little conscious.

"What?" Zoey asked cautiously, leaning her head back for no reason.

"I'm thinking…" He paused, purposely triggering her to ask what he was about to say. 

"Thinking, of…?" As expected, Zoey repeated in a questioning tone. "Oh, come on, Mr. Landlord! Just don't stop at a cliffhanger!" She complained, impatient as her anxiety was slightly getting triggered about what he wanted to say.

"How to make you stay." Without further ado, Matthew answered as he suddenly inched closer to her. ��I think I'm in love.." He added, yet, bearing the same tone which nonetheless, made her let out a series of coughs.