What happened to the Delta Force? It turned into Arknights!

Almost instinctively, Ines lowered her eyelids, her thick eyelashes forming a fine veil that instantly concealed all the turbulent emotions surging within her eyes—surprise, disbelief, and even a hint of apprehension she herself was unwilling to admit. When she raised her eyes again, only her usual coldness, tinged with a touch of mockery, remained in her deep red pupils.

It was as if that moment of distraction had never happened.

She even subtly tugged at the corner of her mouth, outlining a near-perfect, playful, and aloof curve.

"Ah."

A very soft, ambiguous chuckle escaped from her nostrils. She slightly turned her head, avoiding Han Fei's scrutinizing gaze, her eyes seemingly casually landing on the shadows of the distant ruins. Her voice regained its previous calmness, even carrying a hint of deliberate languor.

"That's...an unpleasant confidence, Mr. Han Fei."

Only she knew that, hidden beneath her sleeve, her clenched fists were so tight that her nails almost pierced her skin. The momentary palpitation she had felt just moments before was perfectly sealed away deep within her body, leaving not a trace.

"uh-huh?"

Han Fei raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curving his lips, and said, "Forgot what you're supposed to call me again?"

Ines bit her lip and said, "Don't go too far."

Seeing their reactions, Remy became interested and asked, "Oh? So, what were you whispering to her just now?"

"It's just teaching the spoils how to put them in the right place," Han Fei waved his hand, looking at Remy An casually. "It's nothing important."

Ines's gaze darted back and forth between Han Fei and Remian. Her keen observation made her realize that there was a somewhat ambiguous relationship between Han Fei and the two girls, which was not as simple as a boss and employee relationship.

For a fleeting moment, she wanted to stir things up again.

But with Texas's warning still ringing in her ears, Ines decisively abandoned the plan.

Don't flirt, or the sword will fall.

But her silence was something Ines found hard to bear.

At the very least, she couldn't let this guy flirt with her like that anymore, otherwise, Ines really couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't be able to resist punching him one day.

After a suffocating silence, Ines took a deep breath of air thick with the smell of gunpowder and dust, as if trying to suppress her surging anger. Her voice, taut like a drawn bowstring, rang out clearly:

“I am your guide, not your possession.”

Upon hearing this, Han Fei turned his head, his gaze landing on her tense face with amusement, a familiar, infuriating smile playing on his lips.

"of course."

His tone was relaxed, but his words were like the sharp edge of a knife: "But before becoming a guide, you are first and foremost my prisoner, that's beyond question, isn't it?"

The word "prisoner" was like a poisoned needle, precisely piercing Ines's most sensitive nerve. She felt that the string of reason in her mind, under Han Fei's precise prodding time and time again, was already groaning under unbearable pressure.

Her fair hands, hanging by her sides, clenched tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force, before she forced herself to slowly loosen them.

Suddenly, Ines took another deep breath, raised her eyes, and a cold flame burned in her deep red pupils, piercing straight at Han Fei. Her voice was not loud, but each word was clear, carrying a sharp edge, a forced composure born of being pushed to the brink:

"Mr. Han Fei—"

She deliberately emphasized the title "Sir," like a shield thrown out to smash the word "Master" that the other party had repeatedly thrown out.

"—If you still expect us to maintain the most basic 'cooperative' relationship," she deliberately emphasized the word "cooperative," "then I suggest you restrain your 'refined interest' in provoking others' anger."

She slightly raised her beautifully shaped chin, her tone carrying a hint of cold, almost threatening rationality:

"A calm guide and a guide whose reason has been consumed by rage... the outcome for your journey on this land will likely be drastically different."

"I think you're a smart person, you should be able to understand the pros and cons involved?"

Seeing Ines's expression, Han Fei knew it was time to stop.

At least for now, we can't keep provoking them.

Otherwise, Ines should have really exploded at him.

So Han Fei gave Ines a way out, nodding in agreement and saying, "What you said makes sense."

Upon hearing this, Ines breathed a sigh of relief—she was actually worried that Han Fei would insist on calling her master regardless of the consequences.

Being defeated and captured is already an unpleasant and even humiliating thing. If, on top of that, simply becoming a guide is not enough, but having to call him master is also unacceptable. Ines would rather die than accept defeat.

Remien silently observed everything, and she clearly realized that Han Fei probably didn't just want Ines to be a guide.

They may have made some even more outrageous demands, otherwise, why would Ines have reacted so strongly?

This was actually beyond Remien's expectations. After all, Han Fei was a really nice person when she was with him, and he didn't have any particularly strange behavior or quirks.

Foot fetishism isn't particularly rare, and besides, it's a matter of mutual consent, so it's not worth mentioning.

But Remianne had no intention of stopping Han Fei. She still remembered the arrow she had just fired. Even if it wasn't Ines who shot it, her mercenaries wouldn't have acted rashly without her permission.

Under these circumstances, Han Fei's attempts to provoke Ines's rationality and his assertive behavior, constantly trying to take the lead, were all seen by Remien as nothing more than venting her anger.

He vented his anger on behalf of both Han Fei and her.

It was just verbal humiliation, nothing to be surprised about. If it were her turn, this Caprini woman pretending to be a Sarkaz wouldn't be able to be saved at all.

From Remian's perspective as a Sakota, allowing Ines to live, and only subjecting her to verbal humiliation, is already a form of tolerance.

In Lateran, such Sarkaz mercenaries would have been executed long ago.

That's why the usually gentle Remy chose to sit idly by.

As long as Han Fei doesn't actually sleep with the prisoner, Remy isn't that concerned about anything else.

Even though Remy noticed that Han Fei's eyes would occasionally wander to Ines's legs, she didn't say anything.

Foot fetish, those who know, know.

Not only Remian, but Texas and Exusiai actually had similar ideas.

It is truly an act of tolerance to let her live and only suffer verbal abuse.

The Lateran of today have no intention of showing mercy to the Sarkaz, and the Syracuse family is all about annihilation.

Not to mention anything far back, in recent years, Texas is not the only family to have been wiped out.

However, Texas did not want Han Fei to waste too much time on this woman; she was just a prisoner of war.

So she spoke up: "Boss, the mission is more important."

"Too."

Han Fei also wanted to finish this damn mission as soon as possible; the mission items were heavy and took up a lot of space.

So he casually opened the map and marked the mission location.

The 27-kilometer journey suddenly gave Han Fei a headache.

He clicked his tongue and frowned, saying, "That's really far, twenty-seven kilometers."

"Let's search all the way."

Texas, however, showed no reaction, saying calmly, "We might find something else along the way."

"It makes sense."

Han Fei casually pointed to the mission location and asked, "Over there, about twenty-seven kilometers away, what's that?"

"That is……"

Ines looked in the direction Han Fei was pointing, pondered for a moment, and then recognized it: "If you're not mistaken, that's the Valley of the Banshees."

"Most of the Sarkaz banshees live in seclusion over there, and if I remember correctly, their king might also be there."

Ines looked away and said, "Are you sure you want to go?"

"Huh?!"

Han Fei was immediately startled, thinking, "What the hell? A female demon?!"

Han Fei's only knowledge of female demons was of Logos and his mother.

I'm not really familiar with him. Logos is fine, but this guy is pretty strong. Han Fei has used him quite a bit before.

But here's the problem: at this point in time, Logos should already be at the Tower of Babel.

Therefore, the only character Han Fei remembers in the valley is Logos' mother, Ramallian Ducanfaris.

We're really not that familiar with each other.

However, upon further reflection, Han Fei relaxed a little.

Lamaren Ducanfaris – the current ruler of the Banshee Royal Court, an unfathomable and powerful figure.

Han Fei recalled that during the storm of the Kazdel civil war, this ruler of the royal court did not seem to personally intervene. However, her act of sending her own son, Logos, to Theresa's camp was itself a silent but powerful statement.

This clearly shows that she prefers to support the moderate Demon Lord Theresia rather than her warlike brother Theresis.

"Given this stance," Han Fei pondered to himself, "perhaps... there's still a sliver of a possibility of avoiding conflict?"

After all, his purpose for this trip was simple—to deliver a mission item and place it properly.

They're not here to challenge the entire Succubus Kingdom; they don't want to compete with the whole kingdom.

"Perhaps, maybe we can talk?"

A glimmer of hope ignited in his heart.

Even when facing "rat-like creatures" that cannot communicate, players have invented ways to exchange secret signals.

What's more, this is the real Terra, and we all speak the same language!

"I strongly advise against you going there."

Ines's voice interrupted Han Fei's thoughts. Her tone was pragmatic and straightforward, typical of a mercenary: "If it's just you and Miss Rupert, the risks are still manageable. You might actually be able to complete the mission."

Her gaze sharpened as she turned to the angel sisters, as if assessing two enormous sources of trouble:

“But they are a problem that cannot be ignored.” She deliberately emphasized the word “problem.” “The Banshee’s Court’s attitude is currently ambiguous. As your guide, I have a responsibility to remind you: the current Kazdel is far more chaotic and dangerous than you can imagine.”

She paused, her voice lowering, carrying a heavy sense of anticipation:

"The two kings of Kazdel have broken ties, and the rulers of the court are either siding with one side or observing from the sidelines. And you, at this most sensitive time, have led a pair of Sarkaz sisters deep into the heart of the land, heading straight for the Banshee Valley..."

Ines's eyes seemed to be fixed on an impending tragedy:

“I even suspect that you might not even make it to the Banshee Valley. The Sarkaz hyenas along the way, driven by greed and smelling the scent of ‘fat sheep,’ would be enough to tear you to pieces!”

Upon hearing this, the eyes of Remianne, Remielle, and Texas immediately focused on Han Fei.

Although they were unaware of the dangers lurking in Kazdel, their eyes held no doubt, only absolute trust in his decisions and unwavering commitment to following him.

"First, I need to correct you on one point."

Han Fei met Ines's gaze with composure, displaying an air of knowing the inside story. "You say the Banshee Royal Court's attitude is ambiguous? That assessment is inaccurate. In reality, Lady Ramalen has already clearly chosen her side—she stands with Theresia, the true Demon King of Kazdel."

He held up one finger, presenting his key argument:

"If that weren't the case, why would she personally send her heir, her own son Logos, to serve under the Demon King?"

"What are Theresa's claims?"

Han Fei's gaze seemed to pierce through people's hearts as he looked directly at Ines. "Peace, coexistence, and the future of Sarkaz shouldn't be limited to war. I think you, as a Kazdel person, understand this better than I do. Since the Banshee Queen chose Theresia, it means she is by no means a warmonger. This is where the negotiation lies!"

"Secondly,"

Han Fei raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of "you underestimate me," and said sarcastically, "Who told you we were going to fight? We're going to 'deliver goods,' understand? Does delivering a package mean we have to fight with the recipient to sign for it?"

Finally, he turned around, his gaze sweeping over the three girls with a gentle yet powerful intensity:

"As for the Sarkaz we might encounter on the road," he asked softly, "are you afraid?"

Volume 1: Chapter 138 A Chance Encounter at Night

Remian's smile was like a spring breeze, carrying a rock-solid peace and gentleness: "I chose to walk with you this far, isn't that determination clear enough?"

"That's it!"

Remule immediately chimed in, waving her little fists with boundless energy, like a little sun dispelling the gloom, "Mere Sarkaz! As long as there are enough bullets, I'll let them taste what a barrage of bullets is like!"

Texas didn't say anything, but simply took half a step forward.

Her eyes were as cold as a quenched blade, and she exuded an invisible sharpness. Her voice was deep and resolute.

"Boss, I'll be behind you. No—"

She paused slightly, then spoke with firm conviction, “I am your sharpest sword and your strongest shield. Wherever your will points, that is where my sword will strike.”

“Look, my friends trust me.”

Han Fei smirked and said confidently, "As for the dangers on the road, let them experience them. Who's afraid of who?"

"Having confidence is a good thing, but..."