Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 429

Chapter 429 The Underground Stronghold

“I’m not leaving. I haven’t found him yet, and I’m not going anywhere without him.”

Finished

Tatiana gritted her teeth, her voice dripping with a stubborn resolve. When she had initially left Jasper to seek help, she hadn’t gone far before regret seized her. On her way back to him, she had stumbled into this group. A conflict nearly erupted until she realized these weren’t the hunters–they were a tactical police unit stationed in the region.

They had followed her back, prepared to extract Jasper, only to find the site abandoned.

“Don’t be reckless. This area is extremely dangerous,” the commanding officer urged. “The enemy is equipped with military–grade hardware that civilians can’t contest. For your own safety, you must evacuate immediately. I’ll detail one of my men to escort you back.”

Tatiana composed herself and shook her head. Several officers looked ready to argue, but her next words silenced them.

“I killed ten of them. They aren’t going to let this go.”

Ten men. Eight from the night before, and the two from their initial encounter. The officers stared at her in stunned silence. Looking at the slender woman before them, they found the claim hard to swallow.

She let out a long, weary breath. “Follow me.”

She led them to several locations, pointing out the hidden corpses. Seeing the bodies, the officers‘ dismissal vanished, replaced by shock and a new, wary respect.

“We’re both members of a high–end marksman club,” she explained coolly. “My aim is true, and I have an extensive background in herbal pharmacology. This forest happens to be teeming with toxic flora.”

She detailed the tactical takedowns without holding back. The officers were floored. They had spent half a month deployed in these woods just to locate the perimeter of the enemy’s headquarters. Because they were uncertain of the enemy’s numbers and firepower, they hadn’t dared to make a move.

And yet, two stray tourists had wiped out ten men? And one of those tourists was this seemingly delicate

woman?

Ignoring their bewilderment, Tatiana pressed her advantage. “I know this terrain better than any of you now. My senses–smell and hearing–are far more acute than average. I can help. Furthermore, I’m a doctor. This place is full of venomous snakes and poisonous plants; without me, your team is at a much higher risk of casualties.”

She laid out her utility with surgical precision. Even the team leader began to waver.

“I won’t be a burden,” she promised. “I just need to find him and bring him home. He is important–vital, actually. If he dies here, the economic fallout in Hindersville would be catastrophic.”

To secure their cooperation, she finally disclosed Jasper’s identity. The captain immediately understood the political and economic gravity of the situation.

“Fine,” the captain relented. “You stay with us. Niuzi, give her a sidearm. Do you know how to use it?”

MJ

20:45 Fri, Jan 9 M.

Chapter 429 The Underground Stronghold

Finishert

Relief washed over her. She took the weapon, aimed, and fired in one fluid motion. A bird dropped from the canopy.

“Impressive shooting,” someone muttered.

“You flatter me,” she replied, her voice void of vanity.

And so, she became a temporary member of the squad. Time was of the essence, and they set out immediately. With Tatiana leading the way through the complex terrain, their pace nearly doubled.

Meanwhile, in an underground base.

A man lay strapped to a metal surgical bed. It was Jasper. His leg wound had been crudely treated, barely enough to keep him from bleeding out. Several men stood around him.

One man with a scarred, milky eye stared down at him with predatory malice. “This is the one who took out ten of our men?”

The former security captain lowered his head, sweating. “Yes, sir.”

“Useless! One man slaughtered ten of you? What am I paying you for?” The captain didn’t dare breathe a word in response.

The one–eyed man circled Jasper, his expression unreadable. “Wake him up.”

A bucket of icy water was splashed over Jasper’s face. He gasped, coughing as he jerked awake.

“Ah, he lives.”

Jasper blinked, taking in the unfamiliar, grim faces and the oppressive environment. He realized instantly that he had been captured. These people were not interested in mercy.

“What’s your name? How did you get here? And more importantly… how did you kill my men?” One man taking down ten professionals–even incompetent ones–was an anomaly.

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