Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 524 - 503: Showdown

Chapter 524: Chapter 503: Showdown

After dawn, the consequences will be severe.

But even if the sky collapses, Gao Yi must act.

Yuri stepping out in the dead of night only adds chaos to an already turbulent situation. The KGB’s deputy director had just sacrificed himself to make a point and is now still fighting for his life in the hospital. Director Nikolai watches on as the tigers clash, while Yelinsay is attempting to hammer the final nails into Ludelins’ coffin. Meanwhile, Ludelins instructs his trusted aides to seize the chance for a desperate counterattack.

And that’s not the worst of it. Yuri has already killed four people in one night, all of whom were senior members of the KGB. Regardless of Yuri’s identity, the KGB won’t let such actions pass—after all, even rabbits mourn their kin.

What’s even more shocking is the tragedy that befell Solevsky’s entire family—no survivors. As one of Russia’s renowned billionaires and a close ally of the President, his death can only be described as a political earthquake.

Those in the know are trying to discern the President’s next steps, while those in the dark wonder if Moscow is on the verge of upheaval.

Moscow now feels like a storm’s epicenter, yet amidst the turbulence, Gao Yi’s group remains eerily calm.

"Three Makarov PM pistols, three GSh-18 pistols. Make your choice."

Gao Yi is extremely particular about handguns. If he switches weapons, his accuracy would suffer anyway, making the change essentially irrelevant.

As expected, Sith opted for a GSh-18 pistol. Xinfeng picked a Makarov PM, while Yuri stuck with his stolen Raven pistol. He had no intention of switching guns, not even bothering to take extra magazines.

"Two for you?"

At this moment, Lucy’s skills were set to prove invaluable. Naturally, Lucy prefers dual pistols. After examining her options, she settled on two GSh-18 pistols.

If negotiations are to happen at a restaurant, handguns are more practical than rifles.

There were six AK-74 rifles provided, along with one SVD and one T-5000 sniper rifle that Luo Changyou thoughtfully sent over.

Fearing Gao Yi’s firepower might be insufficient, Luo added two sniper rifles on top of the arsenal. Unfortunately, Feng Biao wasn’t present, leaving Gao Yi unsure if anyone could make effective use of them.

"Sniper rifles... does anyone use them?"

Gao Yi wasn’t familiar enough with his group’s skills, nor did he know who excelled at handling sniper rifles.

Sith picked up an AK-74, checking the magazines by knocking each one twice. Upon hearing Gao Yi’s question, he replied in a low voice, "Sniper rifles are pointless, but I’ll carry one just in case—I’ll use the SVD."

Xinfeng, with composure, said, "Then I’ll use the T-5000."

Gao Yi grabbed a cheap plastic-handled hammer, testing its weight by tossing and catching it, then switched to a round-headed wooden-handled hammer in his left hand.

Yuri frowned and said in a low voice, "I know your reputation, but I wonder—against ordinary people, a hammer might be fine. But facing the world’s toughest fighters and best marksmen—if you insist on using a hammer, isn’t that, perhaps... excessively reckless?"

Gao Yi set both hammers down and picked up the smallest Octagonal Hammer.

The downside of the Octagonal Hammer was its weight; even the smallest size felt heavy. However, its advantages included being forged as one solid piece, ensuring durability. Additionally, its evenly weighted hammerhead provided better balance and smoother swings.

He then reached for a pointed geological hammer, sighing with admiration. "Look at their thoroughness. They even brought so many hammers before dawn. I wonder where they sourced them from."

Yuri furrowed his brow and asked, "Just hammers? Are you seriously not considering taking at least a gun?"

"No need. Do you think Glakov would wear a bullet-proof vest? He certainly wouldn’t come alone. But would his people don helmets and vests?"

Yuri shook his head and replied, "Glakov won’t bring too many people, nor will he come alone. I’m sure he’ll leave his base before receiving any orders."

"Orders?"

"Directives forbidding him from retaliating against me, preventing unapproved outings, enhancing vigilance—things akin to warnings rather than commands."

Yuri and Glakov were undesirable company to many, but no one could stop their mutual pursuit. Yuri not only knew Glakov would come but also predicted how he’d arrive.

Yuri exhaled and remarked, "He won’t wear a helmet and vest when meeting me because he knows I won’t either. Yet Glakov isn’t foolish; he doesn’t care much for dignity. He will bring several men—some with bullet-proof vests but without helmets."

"Then it’s settled—a hammer will suffice."

Gao Yi tucked the smallest Octagonal Hammer into his sleeve but found he couldn’t completely conceal the hammerhead. Reluctantly, he secured it in his belt under his clothes.

The Golden Gourd Hammer was better—more balanced and easier to carry and hide.

Standing up and inspecting himself, feeling quite satisfied, Gao Yi commented again, "I’m ready now. Why must we meet at midnight? Can’t we have breakfast instead?"

"The White Swan Restaurant doesn’t serve breakfast. They don’t open until eleven."

Gao Yi pulled the hammer from his belt and said, "Then we wait. Meeting at the restaurant outweighs the timing. But at midnight, won’t we risk an ambush?"

"Yes, but I guarantee your safety because Glakov is coming to see me. This is a personal vendetta—our personal choice. Generally, others won’t intervene."

With Yuri’s assurance, Gao Yi had few worries left.

Yuri and Glakov might consider their encounter mutual pursuit. To Gao Yi, it was merely someone seeking their own demise. As long as he wasn’t overwhelmed by scores of guns aimed at his head during that meal, Gao Yi would face any odds—undaunted and ready to swing his hammer.

As always, even if a so-called immortal arrived, it’d still be settled with one strike.

For now, it seemed Lucy was the only one confident in him. Beyond Lucy, not a single person believed Gao Yi could resolve every problem with a hammer.

Waiting felt excruciatingly long. Just then, Dani’s call interrupted the silence.

"Things don’t look right—six cars have arrived and surrounded the White Swan Restaurant. Six men exited, but judging from the cars, there must be at least a dozen of them."

"This many people—military uniforms or civilian clothes?"

"Civilian."

Dani had arrived early at the White Swan Restaurant to stake it out, but Glakov’s men had already arrived.

Gao Yi glanced at Yuri, who pondered briefly before exhaling and nodding. "No problem—Glakov will definitely attend. His men are only here to ensure we haven’t set a trap, ensuring the meeting happens in a relatively fair environment."

"Fair? You call this fair? Sending scouting parties with six cars and a dozen men? By the time the meeting starts, wouldn’t they bring dozens more and surround the restaurant, leaving us nowhere to escape?"

Being on enemy turf left Gao Yi somewhat exasperated. After venting, Yuri shook his head and replied, "No. Glakov doesn’t want to scare me away; he just doesn’t want my people ambushing him. Rest assured—when the time comes, he won’t bring too many men or surround the restaurant. If I go alone, he’ll come alone. If I bring two people, he’ll bring two as well. But if you actually kill Glakov, you’ll face retaliation from many more people."

Yuri showed no fear; he simply stared at Gao Yi and added, "So, this won’t be simple."

Indeed, it wouldn’t be simple. At this point, everything was speculation; nobody could predict the actual outcome.

A moment later, as dawn broke, Dani called again.

"Another car arrived. Someone who looks important got out, paced around the restaurant entrance, then returned to the car. I couldn’t make out his features, but everyone around him seemed to show great respect. He had six men, all in civilian clothes. They’ve noticed me—damn, one of them pointed me out. But they didn’t make any further moves."

Gao Yi checked the time: eight in the morning.

Yuri calmly stated, "That’s just a greeting—to let you know they’re aware of your presence. No intention to drive you away or take you out—just a greeting."

"I know—classic Russian arrogance."

Dani’s voice sounded rather resigned.

Their message was simple: We know you’re here and what you’re doing, but we don’t care. Go ahead and keep watching.

Arrogant, yes, but also a display of confidence.

Yuri turned to Gao Yi. "That’s Glakov. He’s arrived early; I believe he’s worried about receiving orders to stay at his base. He wouldn’t disobey directives, so he left before such instructions could be issued."

To make this meeting happen, Glakov didn’t hesitate to arrive four to five hours early. Now, Gao Yi felt Glakov’s desire to kill Yuri might outweigh Yuri’s desire to kill him.

What followed was simply waiting—Glakov and many men parked near the meeting point, while Gao Yi and Yuri waited comfortably at the hotel.

Gao Yi even took a bath, had a hearty breakfast, and rested for several hours.

At eleven o’clock, the group prepared to set off.

There was no point trying to infiltrate the restaurant beforehand. Glakov had deliberately set the meeting for noon to ensure Yuri couldn’t arrange an ambush.

This was all out in the open—nothing hidden or concealed.

Glakov could wait near the restaurant, but Gao Yi’s team couldn’t linger nearby, fearing stray bullets. If Glakov broke protocol and had his men unload a few rounds into Yuri’s vehicle, the meeting would be over before it began.

After circling the area a few times, the group returned to the restaurant entrance at 11:55. By then, Glakov, who’d been waiting all morning, exited his car first and stood to one side of the restaurant’s entrance.

Glakov was confident he wouldn’t be targeted by stray bullets and showed himself first to assure Yuri there was no cause for concern—this vendetta wouldn’t be resolved through underhanded gunfire, especially as Glakov himself was now exposed to potential snipers.

Yuri sneered coldly, "He’s nothing if not confident! Let’s get out."

Gao Yi, Yuri, and Lucy stepped out of the vehicle and approached the restaurant. Seeing Yuri, Glakov promptly turned and entered the building without hesitation.

Glakov had brought many men, but as Yuri predicted, only two followed him—one opened the door while the other trailed behind him. The rest remained outside, casting sharp gazes at Gao Yi’s trio.

This perfect setup felt almost too good to be true. Gao Yi couldn’t help but wonder if there was a hidden trap—if every target cooperated so effortlessly, wouldn’t an assassin’s job be too easy?