The kicked guard swore that when this masked man stepped out of the carriage, he had been fully prepared to fight at any moment. But the speed of the other's kick was too fast... So before he could react, he was already sent flying.
The guard's screams drew the attention of passersby. Soon after, the onlookers scattered in panic, afraid that the brawl might spill over and harm them.
A few others hid in nearby alleyways, secretly watching as Capim's subordinates got beaten up.
After one guard was kicked away, the other four immediately drew their batons and charged.
Odis seized the moment, lunging forward and slamming into another guard, sending him flying as well.
Then, he blocked the remaining guards' batons with his cane while his free hand formed a claw-like shape, striking one guard's chin with such force, that the man collapsed unconscious on the spot.
Odis swiftly took down the other two guards with precise elbow strikes and knee attacks.
By then, Beck, who had been behind him, finally reacted. The coachman had already 'thoughtfully' vacated the driver's seat, so Beck quickly took his place.
Odis turned his head and said to him, "Give me the blade."
Beck hurriedly opened a leather case, retrieved the weapon inside, and handed it to the 'Leader' while thinking:
'This is insane. Just two people dare to storm Capim's headquarters. No, it's the Leader who's bold enough to charge straight into Capim's villa like this!'
Odis took the blade and strode toward the wrought-iron gate. With a single swing, the black-painted iron bars were effortlessly severed. After a few more slashes, he cut through the inner latch and kicked the gate open.
Then, without looking, he tossed the blade backward and it fell right into the weapon case.
With the gate now open, Odis swaggered inside without hesitation...
....
Meanwhile, the slightly plump Capim had just arrived in the dining room...
Wearing a warm smile, he enthusiastically greeted his three guests, "Ma'am Katy, tonight we have your favorite caviar, as well as roasted spring chicken specially prepared for you."
Katy, whose face was marked by an old scar, and was dressed in a thin shirt, remained silent, only nodding slightly in response.
Next, Harras, a stern-faced man with a white wig, entered the dining room and gave a slight nod to each guest. He was the leader of the royal family's Beyonders, a Sequence 6 'Judge' of the 'Arbiter' Pathway.
Seated further down the table, the prematurely aged Parker returned Harras' nod.
Once Harras took his seat and unfolded his napkin, dinner officially began...
At that moment, the antique clock hanging in the hall struck exactly 7:23.
*Bang!* *Bang!*
Just as the servants began serving the dishes, gunshots rang out from outside.
Capim froze, but Harras and the others continued eating undisturbed.
A subordinate rushed in: "Boss–"
Capim tugged at his napkin irritably, "How many times must I say it? Call me Sir! Sir!"
"Right, Boss," the subordinate said urgently, "There's an intruder! He says he wants to see you."
Capim raised an eyebrow and said, "Kill him. Don't disturb our dinner."
"We… we're trying," the subordinate stammered, "But… it's proving difficult."
Harras paused, his knife and fork hovering mid-air as if listening carefully. Then he said, "He's here for you. Go handle it."
His spiritual intuition detected no threat, so he assumed this was just another gang conflict... nothing worth their intervention.
Capim nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, of course."
He tossed his napkin aside and hurried into the hallway. Through the corridor window, he saw a masked young man kick one of his vicious guard dogs into the air.
And not far behind the masked intruder stood an imposing-looking carriage...
*Bang!*
One of Capim's men fired at the trespasser, but then something unbelievable happened... With a mere flick of his cane, the masked man somehow changed the course of the bullet, and it stuck harmlessly to the weapon's surface.
Capim was no ordinary human trafficker. He immediately realized that the intruder was a Beyonder...
He quickly ordered a subordinate to inform Harras, "Tell Mr. Harras that the intruder has Extraordinary abilities."
Then, forcing a smile, Capim called out, "Sir, I hear you were looking for me?"
Odis glanced at the plump figure in the corridor window and said, "Capim?"
Capim raised a hand, signaling his men to hold their fire, "That's me."
"This afternoon, you took one of my men," Odis said, "I'm here to retrieve him."
Capim's smile vanished, "You're the 'Leader'? Byron's boss?"
That afternoon, under Harras' guidance, they had captured a private detective at the dockside warehouse. Capim had been ready to shoot the man on the spot, but Byron had shouted that he'd already informed the 'Leader'.
Capim had never heard of any 'Leader', but just as he was about to pull the trigger, Harras stopped him...
Mr. Harras did know of the 'Leader'... Apparently, he was a figure of significant influence. Killing his subordinate could bring trouble and even draw the 'Leader's' attention to their "business".
So Harras personally interrogated Byron. Finding that the man possessed no critical information, he instructed Capim to lock him up. When the 'Leader' came to claim him, they'd issue a warning before releasing him.
The masked Odis chuckled and replied, "I am 'Leader', but I'm not his boss."
At this point, Parker emerged from the dining room. Upon hearing the intruder was the 'Leader', he lingered in the hallway, letting Capim handle the situation.
Capim coughed a few times before sneering, "Mr. Leader, curiosity kills. You shouldn't have sent someone to investigate my affairs."
"To be precise, I didn't send Byron," Odis replied, "I only promised to keep him alive."
This answer surprised both Parker and Capim...
Capim dug his fingers into his own face, "Are you trying to weasel out of this?"
Ignoring the question, Odis simply said, "Release him. Now."
Parker, who was familiar with the Mysticism Research Society, glanced at the 'Sacred Emblem of Steam and Machinery' on the carriage and waved at Capim, giving him a silent order to do as the man said.
Then, he began to cough violently.
Parker knew the 'Leader' was affiliated with the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery. Since this wasn't an active investigation, it was best to release the man and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Capim's face was now red from scratching, yet he only clawed harder as he looked at one of his subordinates, "Let him go– *cough*."
Soon, Byron, who had been beaten black and blue, was brought out by two of Capim's men. When the bruised detective saw the Leader's mask, he finally exhaled in relief.
Then, Parker's hoarse voice rang out as he pointed at Capim's face, "Your face–!"
Capim's relentless scratching had covered his skin in bloody gashes. The wounds swelled rapidly, the skin turning semi-transparent, revealing a faint yellow fluid beneath.
*Clang!*
From the dining room came the sound of metal cutlery hitting the floor, followed by chaotic commotion.
Parker, who seemed to have suddenly come down with a severe cold, drew his pistol and aimed it at the 'Leader', rasping, "What did you do to us?"
Odis' mind raced... then clicked into sudden realization:
'What are the odds that today is the day Klein makes his move?'