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The sea was calm that morning, with only the sound of waves gently lapping against the wooden sides of a small fishing boat. Two islanders sat inside, their rough hands busy mending nets while their mouths carried on the usual idle chatter of men who had spent their lives on the water.
"Hey, big brother, did you hear the news?" one asked, his voice half excited, half fearful. "Something extraordinary happened back home. Tokyo… our capital… it's been destroyed. They say at the time, two Transformers—ten thousand meters tall—were fighting right in the middle of the city! And the U.S. Seventh Fleet was crushed like tofu during the battle."
"Ten thousand meters?" his companion scoffed. "That's absurd. Sounds like someone's been drinking too much sake. Maybe they were big, but that tall? No way."
"I don't know," the younger one insisted. "Some say one of them even wielded a hundred-thousand-meter-long sword, big enough to split the whole island in two!"
The older fisherman burst out laughing. "Flamboyant lies, boy. Don't be fooled so easily. People exaggerate when they're afraid."
"Still," the younger muttered, shivering slightly despite the warm air, "how could something that terrifying really happen in our world?"
"Don't trouble your small brain with matters that don't concern us," the older man said firmly. "We're fishermen, not soldiers. Let the big nations and their armies worry about monsters and robots. We just need to fish, earn our money, and enjoy life. Speaking of which…" He smirked, lowering his voice. "That widow in the village—my father has had his eye on her for a long time."
The younger fisherman's eyes gleamed. "Big brother, will you take me with you? Maybe we can share…" He swallowed audibly, his tone dripping with hunger not for food, but for something darker.
"Of course," the elder said with a wicked chuckle. "It's more fun when we play together."
"Thank you, big brother! …Wait," he paused, squinting at the water ahead. "What's that floating over there? Looks like… ten bodies?"
"People?" The older man leaned forward, suddenly alert. "Quick, pull them in. Let's see what the sea has brought us. Maybe valuables, maybe women."
They hurriedly cast their net, dragging the figures closer.
The younger one peered down. "It's a man. He's still holding some kind of shields. Strange, like he doesn't even know how to let go."
"A man, huh? Then he's useless. Throw him back in to feed the fish. Don't waste our time."
But before they could act, one of the bodies twitched. The man's eyes snapped open, sharp and alive, startling them. He coughed violently, spitting out seawater again and again until his lungs were free.
"B-Big brother!" the younger fisherman stammered, backing away. "H-he's alive!"
"Alive?" the elder sneered. "All the better. We'll feed him to the fish while he's still kicking!" He grabbed an iron rod from the side of the boat and marched forward.
The man—Jack—straightened slowly, water dripping from his clothes, his eyes narrowing into a cold grin. "Feed me to the fish? Hah. Not a bad idea. But maybe…" His voice dropped, laced with menace. "…maybe I'll throw you in instead."
"You brat, courting death!" the two fishermen roared, rushing him together.
Jack moved like a predator. "Reckless fools." He seized one man by the throat with an iron grip, lifting him off his feet, while his leg shot out to smash the other squarely in the crotch.
A sickening crunch echoed across the deck, followed by a strangled scream that carried over the waves.
The man in Jack's grasp kicked helplessly, but Jack slammed him down onto the boards with bone-rattling force. "Now you," Jack growled, "can feed the fish."
His eyes flicked to the side, spotting a long iron chain hanging from the railing. He yanked it free, coiling it around the two men with ruthless efficiency, binding them together like fish caught in a net.
"Sir, please! Forgive us!" the younger one begged, tears streaming down his face. "We didn't know who you were. We made a mistake. Have mercy!"
"Yes, yes, we're sorry! Spare us, we'll do anything!" the elder added, trembling.
Jack's smile was cold and merciless. "Oh, I'll let you go all right… straight into the sea. A fair punishment, don't you think?" With a single brutal kick, he sent both of them tumbling overboard, their screams cutting through the air before the ocean swallowed them whole.
"Sir! Please! Please—!" Their voices grew fainter, then disappeared beneath the crashing waves.
Jack tightened the chain around his wrist, his expression unreadable. Then, without hesitation, he strode to the helm of the boat, ignited the engine, and pushed it to full throttle. The fishing boat roared to life, cutting across the waters like a beast unchained, leaving only white foam in its wake.
---
Meanwhile, in Guangzhou, a grand villa sat in heavy silence. The television blared with grim news, CCAV anchors delivering reports in solemn tones.
"…The battle between two kilometer-high Transformers has caused devastation beyond measure. Hong Kong has become a city of metal, while the capitals of seven countries have been reduced to ruins. According to incomplete statistics, casualties include fifteen million dead and nine million missing. Direct economic losses exceed nine trillion U.S. dollars. This has become the most catastrophic disaster the world has suffered since World War II. Nations worldwide have now united to hunt down Transformers…"
On the sofa, Su Yueming leaned back weakly, her face pale. "Tessa, stop watching. You won't find any useful information on television."
Tessa sat stiffly, her eyes bloodshot from crying, her fists clenched tight. "But there's still no word about Jack. He'll be fine, right? He has to be fine… Elder sister, say it's true."
Su Yueming forced a smile, though her heart was heavy. "Of course he's fine. That bastard is probably off somewhere, enjoying himself while we worry."
"Then why hasn't he come back to us?" Tears slid down Tessa's cheeks, her voice breaking.
"This…" Su Yueming faltered, unable to explain.
"I only have him…" Tessa whispered, her tears falling like rain.
Su Yueming reached out, hugging her tightly. "You still have me. I'll always stay with you."
"Wuu… elder sister…"
Before Su Yueming could comfort her further, a voice called from the window. "Mistress! Mistress!"
It was Crosshairs.
Su Yueming wiped her eyes quickly and asked, "What is it?"
"Good news! Great news!" Crosshairs' voice trembled with excitement. "The boss is alive—he's alive! He just contacted me!"
"Really? Truly?" Tessa gasped, her despair instantly replaced by hope.
Su Yueming's expression lit up with relief. "I knew it! I knew it! That hateful man—when I see him, I'll give him a piece of my mind for making us suffer like this."
"Where is he now?" Tessa asked urgently.
"He's waiting at the Great Wall for you," Crosshairs answered.
"The Great Wall? What's that man doing all the way there?" Su Yueming muttered, half annoyed, half relieved.
"He said he wants to see the Great Wall together," Crosshairs explained, though even he looked confused.
Tessa leapt to her feet. "Elder sister, let's go! Quickly, we have to go right away!"
Su Yueming chuckled softly, teasing, "Look at you, so impatient."
"Hmph, like you're not anxious too," Tessa shot back, her lips curling into the faintest smile despite her tears.
"You little brat…" Su Yueming's cheeks flushed red.
"Hee hee, elder sister, you're blushing! How embarrassing."
"You wicked girl!" Su Yueming laughed, reaching out to pinch Tessa's cheeks.
"Ah! I'm sorry! I was wrong! Ow, ow, that hurts!" Tessa squealed, laughing through the pain.
---
At the Great Wall, the morning sun rose slowly, bathing the ancient stones in golden light. In a blockhouse overlooking the vast expanse, a lone figure stood wearing sunglasses, his silhouette sharp against the dawn.
Jack gazed at the horizon, his expression unreadable. The crimson sun reflected in his lenses, and a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Magnificent," he murmured. "Truly poetic."
He let out a small chuckle, quoting quietly, "To climb the Great Wall is to be a true man…" Then, shaking his head, he muttered, "Damn," under his breath, stretching his arms with a weary sigh.
"Boss! I finally found you!"
The voice cut through the still morning air. Jack turned, his sharp eyes softening as he saw Crosshairs approaching, carrying Su Yueming and Tessa.
"Jack!" Tessa cried, her voice filled with joy.
"Tessa!" Jack answered, his voice just as warm.
Crosshairs set the two women down, and before either could speak, Tessa rushed forward. She threw herself into Jack's arms, clutching him tightly as if she would never let go.
"You're alive… thank goodness, you're alive!" she sobbed.
Jack wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, the dawn light falling upon them as if the heavens themselves blessed the reunion.