Chapter 243: The Disappearing Bandit

Chapter 243: The Disappearing Bandit

Xiao Yu stood frozen in place like a statue.

Even the endless influx of data about ‘the Fixer’ – his skills and techniques – couldn’t snap him out of his trance.

Thirty days… the system’s time limit!

Imagine the kind of criminals and cases you’d face if this went on for more than twenty days!

Picture the dangers lurking during an investigation!

Just then… Bang!

A gunshot echoed at the bank’s entrance, jolting Xiao Yu awake.

Turning around, he saw a masked bandit emerging from the bank.

With outrageous arrogance, the bandit shouted, “Bring us water and food! If we don’t see anything within half an hour, we’ll start killing!”

Xiao Yu sneered.

How could the bandit dare to shout outside like that? Was he not afraid of being shot by the police?

The explanation was simple – inside the bank was another accomplice and eight hostages. The police couldn’t risk engaging him.

For the safety of the hostages, the police had no choice but to watch his audacity for now.

They even had to send someone inside with the supplies.

But who would go in?

With the bandit’s brutality, if the supplier faltered, they wouldn’t come back alive.

This task was a death sentence; a sacrifice was inevitable.

But…

Zeng Lei, the head of the Provincial Department, asked, “Who will go?”

Dozens of police officers immediately raised their hands without hesitation.

Xiao Yu remained calm as he observed them.

“Not afraid of dying?” he wondered.

Surely, everyone fears death.

But few could claim they didn’t.

Yet, their profession was that of a policeman!

“I’ll go,” Xiao Yu said.

It wasn’t recklessness or a death wish.

Armed with system skills and abilities, his means of self-preservation were plentiful.

With full surveillance in place, dying was nearly impossible.

There was no need for needless sacrifice…

“Bullsh*t!”

Zeng Lei frowned and scolded Xiao Yu, “We’re not dead yet – it’s none of your business, kid, to show off!”

Though it sounded harsh, it was really a way to protect a junior.

Xiao Yu was someone even Big Boss had high hopes for.

If something went wrong, he’d be left with no one to blame!

“What, Boss? Are you trying to hold me back from progressing?”

Xiao Yu gave Zeng Lei a half-smirk.

The onlookers were silent…

“Damn, is this guy such a fool that he can’t even take a slight insult?”

Zeng Lei wasn’t angry, but his gaze at Xiao Yu was uncertain.

After all, to sit at the head of the Provincial Department, his mind couldn’t be that weak, could it?

He wondered: What is this kid up to?

After a long pause, Zeng Lei coldly asked, “What’s your reason?”

“Six first-class merits – is that enough?” Xiao Yu replied nonchalantly.

Silence fell over the scene.

This wasn’t just for show.

It was a complete demonstration of his overwhelming ability and prowess!

“Exactly what are you trying to do?” Zeng Lei asked, his face mixed with confusion.

“I want to observe up close,” Xiao Yu responded, his expression turning icy. “Aren’t they… terrorists?”

Without a moment’s hesitation.

Zeng Lei patted Xiao Yu’s shoulder and said, “Come back and I’ll buy you a drink!”

Someone from the side had already readied two large bags – one filled with mineral water, the other with food.

Grabbing the supplies, Xiao Yu turned and headed toward the bank’s entrance…

Almost at the doorway, a person emerged from inside the bank.

A bandit!

“Freeze!”

He aimed a homemade pistol at Xiao Yu and bellowed, “Drop the supplies and strip!”

Xiao Yu thought, …

What’s with the stripping? Do you want to humiliate me in public?

He obediently set down the two bags of food.

First his shirt, then his trousers and shoes.

By the end, he was left wearing nothing but a pair of underwear.

His physique was the epitome of strength – well-toned muscles in perfect proportion.

His masculine beauty was on full display.

Anyone who saw his perfect form couldn’t help but think, ‘Isn’t it better to be a model than a cop?’

Xiao Yu clung to the sole pair of underwear he had.

That was the last vestige of his manly dignity.

“Bring the supplies inside!” the bandit roared.

Xiao Yu let out a sigh of relief as he picked up the supplies and walked toward the bandit.

Thank goodness, my dignity is intact!

…

With a gun pressed to his head, Xiao Yu stepped into the bank’s lobby.

He scanned the area.

Eight hostages huddled in a corner with their hands over their heads, and a corpse lay in the center of the hall.

Xiao Yu frowned.

Where was the other bandit?

A strict bandit barked, “Hey, drop the supplies and crouch over there!”

Xiao Yu knelt down calmly to set the supplies aside.

He obeyed silently as he moved closer to the group of hostages.

Four male hostages and three female hostages?

Among the three women, two were bank tellers.

Xiao Yu’s eyes carefully scanned the scene.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from a corner in the bank.

The second bandit!

Short in stature, masked, and clutching a homemade pistol, he stepped forward and then quickly retreated.

Xiao Yu: ???

What’s wrong with this bandit? There was something off in his gaze.

How could one describe it?

Fear!

What was he truly terrified of?

Even pulling off a bank heist and killing should not leave one trembling, right?

Xiao Yu was puzzled; something just didn’t add up.

The masked bandit, carrying two food bags, joined his partner and sat down.

He lifted the mask from his nose and started eating straight from one of the bags.

Meanwhile, the other bandit stood motionless, holding his pistol aimed at the hostages.

Xiao Yu lowered his head and continued to observe both bandits.

With continued observation, he noticed that the bandit holding the gun, who was pointing it at the hostages, seemed increasingly off.

His eyes weren’t just fearful – they were downright terrified.

It was as if he were a startled quail.

Were those the eyes of a murderer?

Suddenly… Xiao Yu considered a possibility.

Could it be that this man… isn’t a bandit?

He might not even be a man at all – he could be a woman.

Wangdie’s Nose never lies!

The thought made Xiao Yu’s heart skip a beat.

If this person wasn’t a bandit, then where was the other one?

He withdrew his gaze and looked over at the hostages.

The faces of four male hostages were pale with terror.

Among the three female hostages, one bank teller was so frightened she almost wet herself.

Another female teller meekly looked down.

Was the other bandit disguised as an ordinary civilian?

No – that civilian’s fear on her face was genuine.

Xiao Yu narrowed his eyes.

If we assume the armed man isn’t a bandit, then where is the other one?!