Chapter 215

Chapter 215 – The Dark Boundless Realm Part 70

Abra slowly regained consciousness, feeling intense pain on his face.

He moved his lips, but discovered his mouth seemed to have been taped shut. The tape was wrapped several times around his face. When he tried to open his eyes, everything was pitch black, as if covered by an opaque black cloth.

Tongue in motion, he felt several gaps where teeth had broken off, some only half intact, sticking into his gums. The inside of his mouth was rich with blood vessels; his blood hadn’t stopped flowing yet, giving a strong metallic taste.

His hands and feet seemed to be bound as well, with tight bands, as if he were tied to a chair, which he couldn’t move in a pitiful state.

Abra decided to continue pretending to be unconscious, to understand his predicament better.

As a member of a renowned family, he had considerable experience dealing with such situations; even experts at home had instructed him on how to handle kidnappings and negotiations with kidnappers. Although the Popov family had contingency plans for such emergencies, actual incidents rarely occurred. Nobody dared provoke them, and their personal bodyguards were not just for show. His team included several powerful Awakened, whom he trusted implicitly for their professionalism.

His last vivid memory was leaving the terrace with several female stars and entering the bedroom, leaving his bodyguards outside. But what about the kidnappers? Were they hiding in the bedroom?

The maid moving in and out of the room hadn’t noticed anyone entering…

Suddenly, footsteps neared him.

“He should have woken up an hour and a half ago…” a young male voice said. “The sedative should have already worn off.”

“Indeed.” Another voice, clearly altered to sound both male and female indistinctly, replied, “He might have had a problem.”

“I believe you were too rough. He lost a lot of blood. Maybe hitting his teeth caused a concussion, resulting in prolonged unconsciousness despite the sedative.” The first voice noted calmly.

There was no remorse in that tone. “It was a bad moment, and I may have unconsciously added more force… But I still exercised control. Look, his skull isn’t even cracked, and I didn’t use a weapon…”

Abra: “…”

How much strength would it take to manually crack a skull? Thank you so much for keeping my skull unbroken!

“You should have used pliers to extract his teeth instead,” the male voice continued.

Abra: “…?”

Wow, even more ruthless! Pulling all teeth out is considered light force? Are your definitions of ‘light’ a bit twisted?

“What’s the point in discussing this?” the other person said.

“True…” the male voice agreed, “Should we get a doctor?”

“No need.”

“So, how do we wake him?”

“Beat him awake.”

A bad premonition suddenly arose within Abra. Just as he was about to move to signal his awakening, a fist from the captor struck him on the face before he could react.

Bam! Abra saw stars and fell backward, his mouth taped shut, making any noise impossible besides feeble groans.

“Hmm? Did he wake up naturally, or was he faking?” the other approached, yanked off the blindfold, and asked.

“If it’s the latter, then you’re not very cautious. If you made a noise earlier, I wouldn’t have to hit you. Look, you got beaten up and can’t pretend anymore… why?”

The kidnapper crouched down, grasped Abra’s hair, forcing him to look upward. It revealed a pitch-black iron mask, a blue electronic eye locking onto him, its cold gaze piercing like that of a venomous predator.

Gui Xin tore off the tape near Abra’s mouth. He spit out a mouthful of blood, a result of the broken teeth.

“You want money? I’ll give it,” Abra whispered quickly, “Whatever amount, I’ll raise it!”

Amber watched, addressing Gui Xin, “He’s pragmatic.”

Gui Xin used his gloved fingers to indicate a number. “Your ransom is one hundred billion.”

Abra found the sum familiar; one hundred billion had been requested when Dmitri was kidnapped. Could the captors behind this be… The Shadowless?!

“Can’t manage one hundred billion,” Abra cautiously responded, “but I can collect… ”

“No. Not one hundred billion, but two hundred billion,” Gui Xin stated, “Including Dmitri’s ransom, it totals two hundred billion, none less.”

“That much…” Abra murmured, “Most of my assets are immobile — real estate, collections. Converting them is difficult. My companies don’t have the funds, maybe…”

“Not possible,” Gui Xin replied coldly, “you don’t have to pay, Abra.”

Abra stared in shock. “You want me…”

“Not your burden,” Gui Xin said, “Let the Popov family pay. I don’t need your personal fortune, just Popov family money.”

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Abra’s forehead.

Paying himself vs the Popov family differed vastly. Despite bearing the Popov surname, he could always distance himself from any wrongdoing, keeping the family pure. But if the Popovs paid for him, the family would suffer a stain. Being a bastard, and spending fortunes… was that feasible?

He immediately understood that the captors’ goal wasn’t money; they aimed to defame the Popovs.

“Want to live?” Gui Xin turned on the camera, “Now film. Apologize to the Popov family, plead for money.”

“For the media?” Abra’s voice was hoarse.

“Yes.” Gui Xin nodded.

“Are you trying to kill me?” Abra trembled, “Polina won’t forgive me. Losing face, she will punish me.”

He pleaded, “No video. Whatever money you want, I’ll provide. Anything you seek… Asking money from the Popovs will lead to my downfall. Knowing if I fail, death’s imminent, but why differ between killers?”

Abra played his cards carefully, hinting subtly, “Video ruins all—dead either way. Non-cooperation is my stance; I’ll pay myself.”

Gui Xin’s expression twisted. “Arrogant family… Believe us only after cash, am I right?”

Amber silently eyed Gui Xin, her gaze peculiar.

Abra hastily disagreed, “Absolutely not! I know you might not care about money. It’s about fame or something else… I care about staying alive!”

Gui Xin decided against further discussion. Better cooperation led to discrediting the Popovs — revealing a mogul’s humiliating compliance. But Polina’s ruthlessness overrode kidnapping fears.

Resorting to original plan—extract data and expose, the Popovs would eventually capitulate.

Gui Xin had already uploaded photos after abducting Abra, showing his bruised face. The news headline would read ‘The Shadowless Strikes Again! Abra Popov Has Been Captured!’

Gui Xin had taken Abra’s blood but hadn’t accessed his memories yet.

She signaled Amber, instructing him to guard the area while she sought a safe location to extract information.

Gui Xin turned, and Adam’s voice echoed through the earpiece, “Gui Xin, unfavorable news for you. You should see it yourself.”

Gui Xin paused, activating her communicator. A holographic interface displayed news playing at the press conference for the Popov family.

Two figures sat on the podium: Polina and Abra.

Gui Xin’s expression darkened as she glanced at the bound Abra behind her.

Polina spoke, “News reports claim my brother Abra was kidnapped. This is false. It’s a manipulation tactic employed by the Shadowless. My brother, though injured last night…”

Beside Polina sat a figure identical to Abra, standing up to speak, “Yes, I was attacked last night, but thankfully, I sustained minor injuries. The attackers were repelled by my bodyguards. Suspecting involvement by the Shadowless…”

A reporter questioned, “Is Mr. Abra’s recent photo fake, Ms. Polina?”

“Yes, it’s a fabrication,” Polina confirmed. “Possibly a fake picture or an impersonation. It’s not him.”

“But why spread such easily debunked lies?” another reporter pressed.

“It’s speculation,” Polina’s companion stated nonchalantly, “Might be a publicity stunt, low-class tactics. Still, someone has to respond.”

Reporter: “Ms. Polina, have you made any progress with the Shadowless regarding Dmitri’s rescue?”

Polina, wearing a pained expression, replied, “My son’s fate remains unknown. He might have been killed…”

On the press dais, the impostor faithfully mimicked Abra, answering queries meticulously with identical expressions and demeanors.

Bound Abra witnessed the projection and Polina’s statements on the screen. His face turned pale, pupils dilated uncontrollably, fear evident in his eyes, wetting his clothes and hair with sweat.

Gui Xin sympathetically looked at him, “See… Before disgracing the family, your sister abandoned you. Someone else took your place. Now, you’re a phantom, nonexistent and expendable.”

Amber commented bleakly, “In vain. Abra can’t access his own resources, becoming fake. Likewise, the Popovs won’t redeem him, resorting to deceit. Polina prioritizes power, no familial bonds matter.”

Panicked, Abra gazed alternately at Gui Xin and Amber, realizing entirely lost purpose.

No funds, no place in the Popovs. Polina wouldn’t save him; she’d likely make a fake Abra replace him, declaring his untimely demise—a simple strategy akin to removing several of his siblings and their stories…

Deeper consideration—Rebels sought leverage through his position. Losing status renders him useless.

“Still, a bit compliance,” Gui Xin extended her offer, “We promise survival after aiding The Shadowless.”

Abra’s eyes sparked with hope upon hearing reality.

“It’s true,” Gui Xin assured.

Had Abra’s mind not resisted with an angel-coordinated mental shield, mind control wouldn’t work.

After sealing conditions with Abra, Gui Xin stretched, emerging from seclusion, “Enough work, time to eat.”

“Amy, my thinking was narrow, missing the opportunity to capitalize,” she reflected, “I thought you’d use cruder tactics, like kidnapping another Popov.”

“Who else?” Gui Xin countered, “Second attempt clarified their selfishness and vanity. Once Polina controls media, any new abduction means failure. Except targeting Polina directly.”

“What of the two hundred billion…” Amber hesitated.

“Cold blood, no luck there,” Gui Xin dismissed. “Gather news money first, few million gained… Next steps?”

Unspoken, she left it implied.

Amber glanced at her uneasily, wondering if next target was truly Polina.