Hyena, who had been waiting outside the laboratory for a long time, suddenly heard footsteps. A figure approached them carrying a huge box.
"Boss Hyena, I got it!"
Wild Dog hadn't left through the front entrance at all—he'd escaped through a laboratory window. His movements had been completely concealed, never attracting the attention of the security guard on duty.
After seeing the mechanical tentacles, Hyena excitedly patted Wild Dog's shoulder.
"Excellent! You'll be working directly under me from now on!"
Now that he had the mechanical tentacles, he could finally use them to expand his power.
"Tell the others to come back—let's get out of here!"
Hyena took Wild Dog and the others and loaded the mechanical tentacles into their car.
Back in the laboratory, the gangsters who'd been notified already knew the prize had been claimed first, which left them very disappointed. They headed back with blank expressions on their faces.
Just as the gangsters were retracing their route, the security guard on duty came out and bumped into them head-on.
"Who are you? How did you get in?"
The security guard raised his shotgun and pointed it at several thugs. He hadn't expected anyone to break in, and he had to be sure of the situation.
"All hands up!"
The security guard activated the alarm system, and warning bells began blaring throughout the laboratory, which shocked the Hyena Gang members still outside.
In the chaos of the alarms, one of the gangsters panicked and pulled his trigger, shooting at the security guard. The guard also fired back at the criminals. His shotgun ejected a spray of pellets, covering the gangsters in a deadly cloud.
The outcome was predictable. As a security guard, he was equipped with body armor that could defend well against the cheap pistols the gangsters carried. But since the criminals had no protection, they could only duck and weave when facing the shotgun's assault.
The next day, news that Dr. Otto's laboratory had been robbed spread throughout New York. Fortunately, the artificial sun's key equipment had already been transferred to the Osborn Group, so the Osborn Group didn't suffer major losses.
"My experimental mechanical tentacles were stolen. It must have been those guys!"
Dr. Otto looked at the police in front of him with a serious expression. There had been a theft in his laboratory, and the mechanical tentacles he'd made specifically for the artificial sun experiment were missing.
"Alright, Mr. Otto, we'll track down your mechanical tentacles as soon as possible."
The police officer taking the report nodded in response.
For Dr. Otto, mechanical tentacles could be manufactured again at any time, but he didn't want anyone using his invention for evil purposes. He understood the power of mechanical tentacles better than anyone—the precise operation and tremendous strength of the mechanical arms could easily tear apart a car if fully utilized.
These had originally been made for his artificial sun experiment, but now they'd likely become murder weapons in the hands of those thieves.
What worried him even more was that there were safety chips at the top and back of the mechanical tentacles. If those guys accidentally destroyed the chips, then whoever was equipped with the mechanical tentacles would be controlled by them and might do dangerous things.
"If the mechanical tentacles are equipped by those thieves, they might threaten other people!"
Dr. Otto warned. There had been many visitors from around the world in New York recently. If the guy who stole the mechanical tentacles was allowed to cause trouble, it could affect other people's lives and safety.
This statement changed the police officer's calm expression. If it was really like Dr. Otto said, this matter would have to be handed over to the chief.
While Dr. Otto was giving his statement at the police station, Marcus was wandering around New York, searching for something interesting through his powerful perception.
"Hmm? These octopus claws..."
Four octopus-like appendages suddenly appeared in his perception, but they were located in a bar full of gangsters.
"So these are the mechanical tentacles stolen from Otto?"
Marcus walked over with interest, his form becoming lighter and fainter as he moved forward. By the time he reached the bar, Marcus's shadow was completely invisible.
Looking at the bar's familiar exterior, Marcus recognized it.
"Interesting—the world really is small. I can run into them here again."
Looking at the celebrating Wild Dog, Marcus spoke softly, but Wild Dog, who hadn't noticed anything, was surrounded by many gangsters, dancing wildly and gulping down wine from his glass.
"Wild Dog, you're so lucky! You actually became Boss Hyena's right-hand man like that."
"Mad Dog, I got there purely through skill—you know my thieving abilities!"
Wild Dog was talking with a man named Mad Dog, and both their eyes occasionally drifted toward the most luxurious private room in the bar. They were both looking forward to Hyena's appearance and wanted to see what kind of performance the boss would give now that he was equipped with mechanical tentacles.
Soon, the music in the bar faded away, and all the lights focused on the private room. This spectacle made the bar fall quiet.
A man with a scarred face and four flexible mechanical tentacles behind him emerged.
"Listen up, everyone! From today, the Hyena Gang declares war on the other gangs. I want all of New York to be mine!"
As soon as those words left his mouth, cheers erupted in the bar. The Hyena Gang was about to expand, and they would become Boss Hyena's most loyal subordinates.
But before that, they all focused on the mechanical tentacles on Hyena's back.
"Boss Hyena, can you show us the power of those metal claws?"
Someone shouted. He really wanted to see what kind of power these mechanical tentacles—which Hyena took so seriously—could unleash.
Hyena didn't refuse his subordinate's request. He took this opportunity to let everyone see the power of the mechanical tentacles.
With a thought, Hyena's body floated in the air, supported by two mechanical tentacles, while the other two grabbed metal tables and chairs around them and crushed them into metal balls.
"See that? Mechanical tentacles can crush metal into balls. Forget these tables and chairs—even a car could be torn apart by me!"
Looking at the mechanical tentacles on Hyena's back, Wild Dog's feelings suddenly became very complicated.
"It would be great if I was the one equipped with those mechanical tentacles."
With those tentacles, he could be the boss too. Never mind a few guns—he could easily get hundreds of guns. Then he'd be the real king of New York!
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