Xiao Feng looked at the group of brash, overbearing thugs before him and let out a theatrical laugh. "You bastards clearly need to be taught a lesson you won't soon forget."
"You think just because you're an Esper we'd be afraid of you? There's more of us than bullets in your gun. Brothers—open fire!"
But Xiao Feng did not retreat. Instead, he charged forward into the hail of bullets. In a moment like this, he couldn't afford to evade—not when there were innocents around who might be caught in the crossfire. He had no choice but to meet the barrage head-on.
Rice and Lin, knowing well Xiao Feng's unique regenerative ability, made no move to stop him. Against a rabble like this, they needn't even lift a finger.
Suddenly, the confined tavern exploded into chaos as the thunder of gunfire filled the air.
Screams rang out. Patrons dove for cover, some brave—or foolish—enough to peek from behind overturned tables. They saw the black-clad youth riddled with bullets, each impact bursting forth in crimson blooms.
In that frozen moment, the tavern watched in stunned silence as Xiao Feng, his body perforated and bleeding, drew his obsidian alloy blade with eerie calm. Then, without mercy, he slashed at the gunmen's wrists, severing every hand that dared hold a weapon. Xiao Feng didn't enjoy killing—but he believed in consequences.
From the first gunshot to the last severed hand, mere seconds passed. Blood painted the floor in wide strokes.
And then—the unthinkable. Xiao Feng's bullet-riddled body began to knit itself back together. Wounds closed. Bullets clattered to the ground like spent casings.
Behind him, Rice and Lin followed leisurely. Rice, ever sarcastic, muttered, "You idiots really picked the wrong man to mess with. What a shame—you were born without eyes in your heads."
Lin said nothing, hands stuffed casually into his pockets. He was far colder. Had it been him, the floor would be soaked in more than blood.
Xiao Feng, meanwhile, glanced ruefully down at his torn combat gear. "Goddamn it. This was brand new…"
"You're rich now," Rice replied. "Maybe it's time you invested in some real armor."
"Not a bad idea," Xiao Feng mused.
Rice chimed in with a grin. "I saw a slick black set the other day—would suit you. Only about 100,000 credits. How about you buy us each a set while you're at it?"
Xiao Feng thought it over. If Lin and Rice had joined him earlier, taking down that D-class beast would have been far easier. He nodded. "Fine. I'll have Glass make one for each of us."
Rice slid into the driver's seat with a laugh. "So, shall we head back?"
Xiao Feng glanced at the dark sky. "It's late. Better to rest here tonight. I didn't just run into a D-class boar—I crossed paths with a venomous C-class three-eyed red serpent. Nearly got swallowed whole. Who knows what else might be lurking out there. We stay the night. Move at dawn."
"But there's nowhere to sleep in this zone," Rice protested.
"Oh, there's a place," Xiao Feng said with a sly smile. "The question is—are you brave enough to go?"
"Where to?" Lin asked, intrigued.
Xiao Feng opened the car door and slid into the driver's seat. "Hop in. I'll show you."
With curiosity piqued, Lin and Rice climbed into the armored SUV. Moments later, the powerful vehicle roared to life and spun out of sight in a cloud of dust.
Xiao Feng brought the car to a halt outside the Sector 57 Alliance military barracks.
Rice and Lin immediately understood. They laughed.
"This is insane," Rice said, still grinning. "Are we really doing this?"
"You in or out?"
"Of course we're in."
They climbed out and disappeared inside. Half an hour later, Xiao Feng was fast asleep atop a junior sergeant's soft military cot.
Lin and Rice, evidently not yet sated, had somehow procured a bottle of whiskey each and resumed drinking.
But midway through their drunken revelry, the door creaked open and someone stumbled in.
"I want to file a report! I need to report a crime—"
It was the ringleader of the thugs, his bulky frame unmistakable. Spotting Lin and Rice, he froze.
"You two?!"
Lin turned to him, expression unreadable. "Why not us? Weren't you just saying something about a report?"
"N-no... never mind!" the thug stammered and bolted.
As for the Alliance soldiers, Xiao Feng's group hadn't harmed them. They were merely tied up and tossed into a corner—bruised, swollen, but alive, and utterly silent.
Xiao Feng, exhausted from his battle with the D-class beast, slept soundly through the night.
Their choice to commandeer an Alliance military barracks had been nothing short of audacious. But then again, Alliance facilities were always the most comfortable, well-stocked with food and warmth.
The next morning, Xiao Feng rose, ate a simple meal, refueled the SUV, and released the soldiers.
As the vehicle sped off, the soldiers left behind could only breathe a collective sigh of relief.
"Who the hell were those three?"
"They're lunatics—every one of them!"
"Didn't you see that car? They're definitely someone important!"
"Stop talking and get moving—we need to report this—"
Just then, a man with the rank of Second Sergeant stormed in and slapped each of them in turn.
"Report?! You want to get yourselves court-martialed? This never happened. Understand? Anyone who opens their mouth—I'll put a bullet in it."
"Yes, sir. Brilliant call, sir."
"Captain's right…"
And with that, they all limped back to bed, nursing their wounds in silence.
···
Back in Godor City, Xiao Feng had matters to attend to. First, he sold the E-class crystal for 100,000 credits. Then he placed an order for three suits of combat armor from Glass, the city's top arms dealer. No stock was available, but delivery was promised within three days—no issue.
Afterward, Xiao Feng took Rice to visit his cousin, Pierre.
"What're we doing here?" Rice asked, eyeing the house suspiciously. "I've had more than enough of that bastard."
Xiao Feng merely smiled. "We've got some business. I need a favor from Pierre."