As the curious crowd began to disperse, two strange figures walked slowly along the street.
One was tall and sturdy, the other short and thin. Both were dressed identically: gray cloth robes, round caps, and dark sunglasses that concealed their eyes and expressions. What made them stand out even more was the long, cloth-wrapped object they carried between them, its shape indistinguishable.
The two men walked in perfect sync until they reached the scorched battlefield left by the lightning strike. There, they stopped.
"There are clear signs of a fight," the thin man said suddenly.
"Yes," the sturdier one nodded. "And not just any fight—a true master was involved."
Both men were martial experts themselves. The damage in the area, though subtle to ordinary eyes, was obvious to them. The thin man, though blind, had senses far sharper than most.
"Hey, let me check that person over there," the sturdy man said, moving toward the blackened figure of Fire Cloud. As soon as he got a closer look, his face paled.
"Ahh!!" he cried out, his voice trembling with shock.
"Brother, what is it?" the thin man asked, turning his head sharply.
"Go! We need to leave now! The farther we are from here, the better!" the sturdy man shouted, his tone urgent.
"What's going on, brother?"
"That man… he's the Ultimate Killer, Fire Cloud Evil God—and he's been beaten nearly to death!"
Hearing that, the thin man's face turned ashen. Without another word, the two fled, abandoning the scene in fear.
Meanwhile, Fenric had arrived at a grand casino.
This wasn't just any casino—it was the largest and most opulent den of vice in all of SH City. Beyond gambling, the establishment boasted a dance hall, restaurants, and other luxurious facilities.
It also served as the headquarters of the Axe Gang.
Fenric walked through the casino's main doors. Inside, the atmosphere was lively and chaotic—well-dressed men and women moved through the bustling space, while the shouts of gamblers alternated between joy and despair.
To the left of the casino stood a guarded gate, manned by four Axe Gang enforcers.
Fenric headed straight for it without hesitation.
"Hey, kid, the gambling tables are over there. This place is off-limits!" one of the guards barked.
Fenric merely flicked his finger.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!
All four guards were instantly sent flying backward, collapsing in a heap.
Without slowing his stride, Fenric entered the restricted area.
After traversing a long corridor, Fenric stepped into a spacious hall.
Inside, several Axe Gang members in black suits were burning incense before a massive statue of Emperor Guan.
(Note: Guan Yu, a real general from the late Eastern Han dynasty and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He was famed for loyalty, righteousness, and martial prowess.)
Fenric's sudden intrusion immediately drew everyone's attention.
"Who the hell are you!?"
A lackey stepped forward, shouting, "This is Axe Gang territory! If you don't want to die, get out—!"
Before he could finish, he let out a scream and was hurled across the hall with a single wave of Fenric's hand.
This brazen act inside their own headquarters was like striking a hornet's nest.
Chaos erupted.
Suddenly, the sound of countless guns being cocked filled the air. Axe Gang members pulled out pistols, surrounding Fenric in a deadly circle.
"You dare cause trouble for the Axe Gang?! You're courting death! Kill him!" a fat man with a scarred face roared.
This man was the Second Master of the Axe Gang.
In the original storyline, he met his end after a disastrous encounter in the Pig Sty Alley, but here he was—ready to fight.
At his command, a barrage of gunfire erupted.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
But instead of falling, Fenric stood unmoved.
To everyone's horror, the bullets stopped mid-air, suspended inches from his body as if frozen by some invisible force.
The hall went silent.
People stumbled backward, terror etched on their faces.
"What… what the hell is this?!" someone whispered, trembling.
Even the Second Master's face turned pale.
Clink! Clink!
Fenric casually waved his hand, and all the bullets dropped to the ground with a crisp metallic sound.
Then, with another flick of his hand, every single gang member blocking his path was flung aside like ragdolls, crashing into walls and furniture, leaving a clear path for him.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The sound of slow applause echoed through the hall.
From the shadows beside the Guan Yu statue, a young man emerged. He had slick, greasy hair, a pale face, and a grin that revealed pitch-black teeth.
"Impressive," the man said as he approached Fenric. "Your Excellency truly has skill."
This was none other than Brother Sum, the ruthless leader of the Axe Gang.
"I don't know how we might have offended you," Brother Sum said with an uncharacteristic bow, "but on behalf of the Axe Gang, I sincerely apologize!"
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he spoke, his instincts screaming that the man before him was no ordinary fighter. Even guns couldn't touch him—he was a monster!
"Are you the leader of the Axe Gang?" Fenric asked lightly.
"Yes, that's me," Brother Sum replied, bowing even lower.
"Good. My name is Shura," Fenric said. "I've come to join the Axe Gang. What do you say?"
The hall went silent. Brother Sum stared at Fenric in disbelief. A man this powerful wanted to join them?
Fenric smiled faintly. "Relax. I'm not here to take your position. You remain the leader. I'll be the Second Master. Any objections?"
"No… no objections!" Brother Sum blurted, his voice filled with relief. "All members of the Axe Gang, welcome Mr. Shura! From now on, he is the Second Master of the Axe Gang!"
The fat Second Master didn't dare to say a word. He knew his life depended on silence.
As for the Samsaras hidden among the gang members, their faces stiffened when they heard Fenric's alias.
Shura.
They lowered their heads even lower, pretending not to notice, silently praying not to draw his attention.