Building a Conglomerate in Another World-Chapter 260 : The Sudden Attack

The sharp crack of a gunshot shattered the air, sending a ripple of panic through the grand banquet hall. The sound echoed off the ornate wooden beams, the initial moment of silence stretching unbearably before chaos erupted.

Matthew Hesh's instincts took over in an instant. His Secret Service detail, positioned strategically throughout the hall, sprang into action. Agents swarmed around him, forming a protective barrier as another gunshot rang out.

"Get down!" one of the agents barked, shoving Matthew behind an overturned banquet table. Amber gasped, instinctively shielding Sophia in her arms as another agent grabbed Maverick and pulled him to safety.

Screams filled the hall. Dignitaries scrambled for cover, upending chairs and spilling plates of half-eaten food onto the polished floor. The Emperor's personal guard moved swiftly, forming a defensive line around Yoshihito. The young emperor was ushered away by his retainers, disappearing behind a set of massive wooden doors as the palace security locked them shut.

A third gunshot—this time closer.

The attack wasn't over.

Matthew pressed his back against the table, his heart pounding. His mind raced. Was it The Order? Foreign radicals? Or rogue factions within Japan itself?

"Where's the shooter?" he barked at one of his agents.

"Unknown, sir!" the agent replied, his gun drawn as he scanned the room. "We're trying to pinpoint the source!"

The attack was coordinated, that much was clear. The shots had come from multiple directions—possibly more than one gunman. Yet the palace had been heavily guarded, and every guest had been meticulously screened before entering.

So how had they gotten in?

Another shot rang out, this time hitting a gilded pillar mere feet from where Matthew crouched. He flinched as splinters rained down.

Across the hall, the Emperor of China's guards had drawn their weapons, their faces rigid with focus. The King of Korea was being hurried out by his retinue, their robes flowing behind them as they rushed toward the side exits. The British Prime Minister and other Western leaders had been pulled into a defensive formation by their own guards, all armed and prepared for the worst.

It was chaos.

Matthew's breath caught as he turned to Amber, who was huddled behind a thick stone column, gripping Sophia tightly. Maverick sat beside her, his face pale but calm as an agent shielded them.

"Are you okay?" Matthew called.

Amber met his eyes and gave a quick nod, though fear flickered beneath her calm facade. She tightened her hold on Sophia. "We're fine. Stay down!"

But Matthew knew he couldn't just stay down.

A loud crack split the air—this time, not from a gunshot, but from a shattering window.

"Above!" someone yelled.

Matthew looked up. A dark figure perched along the wooden rafters, their silhouette barely visible against the dim lighting. The shooter had positioned themselves above the banquet hall, using the traditional architecture to stay hidden.

Matthew's agents immediately opened fire, their bullets tearing into the rafters. The assassin moved with alarming speed, dropping from the beams in a blur. They landed on a side balcony, rolling to their feet before bolting toward an open corridor.

"Take them down!" one of Matthew's agents roared.

A group of Japanese guards surged forward, swords drawn. The assassin twisted mid-run, raising a short-barreled rifle and firing two more shots—both striking one of the guards square in the chest. The man fell instantly.

"Damn it!" Matthew hissed.

The assassin was trying to escape.

Matthew didn't think—he moved.

Against the protests of his agents, he sprinted forward, dodging overturned tables and stumbling dignitaries. Collins, who had been a few feet away when the attack began, was already in pursuit.

The assassin turned a corner, disappearing down a long corridor leading deeper into the palace.

"Secure the banquet hall!" Matthew ordered before following.

Collins and two agents stayed on his heels. The palace guards joined them, their heavy boots pounding against the polished floors as they chased after the gunman.

The assassin was fast. But they weren't invincible.

The corridor opened into an open courtyard, the cold night air hitting Matthew's face as he emerged outside. The assassin was already halfway across, heading toward a row of ornate wooden gates.

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Matthew skidded to a stop, reaching for the revolver at his side. His agents raised their weapons.

"Stop!" Collins shouted.

The assassin ignored them, vaulting over a low stone railing. They landed with cat-like grace, barely breaking stride.

Matthew fired. The gun kicked in his grip.

The shot missed by inches, striking a stone lantern beside the assassin's path. They hesitated for half a second—just enough time for Collins to take aim.

A loud bang echoed through the courtyard.

The assassin jerked violently mid-run, stumbling forward before collapsing onto the cobblestone path.

For a moment, everything was still.

Then, cautiously, Matthew and his men approached.

The assassin lay motionless, their weapon clattering to the ground. Blood pooled beneath them, soaking into the cold stone. Their face was covered by a dark mask, their identity hidden.

Collins nudged the rifle away with his boot before crouching down. He reached for the mask, then hesitated.

"You ready for this?" he muttered.

Matthew exhaled, steeling himself. "Do it."

Collins pulled the mask away.

Beneath it was a Japanese man, young—no older than twenty-five. His eyes, though glassy with death, still burned with something fierce. Something unwavering.

A fanatic.

Matthew stared down at the body, his mind racing.

Who was he? A rogue nationalist? A foreign agent? Or something worse?

Collins stood, reloading his gun. "What now?"

Matthew looked back toward the palace, where smoke from gunfire still lingered in the cold night air.

"We find out who sent him," he said grimly. "And we make sure there aren't any more."

By the time Matthew returned, the situation had been contained. The guests had been escorted to safer locations, and Japanese officials were already swarming the palace, investigating the attack.

The Emperor was safe. So were the foreign dignitaries.

Amber was still holding Sophia tightly, relief washing over her when she saw Matthew walk in unscathed. Maverick ran up to him, latching onto his leg.

"Daddy, what happened?" the boy asked, eyes wide.

Matthew knelt, ruffling Maverick's hair. "Just some bad people trying to ruin a good night. But they didn't win."

Amber exhaled. "Is it over?"

Matthew glanced around the shattered hall, then at the officials murmuring among themselves.

"For tonight," he said. "But something tells me this isn't the last time we'll see trouble."

Amber swallowed hard. "And what happens next?"

Matthew set his jaw.

"We find out who's behind this," he said. "And we put an end to it."

As the night stretched on, one thing was clear:

This was no ordinary attack.

And whoever was behind it—they weren't done yet.