Just then, a gruff voice rang out.
"Jane! Didn't you say you wanted to join the Mountain Lion Gang? Now's your chance to prove it!"
"Take him down and I'll sing your praises to the boss—get you a spot as one of the gang's top enforcers!"
Jane's expression shifted. This guy—calling her now? Realized he couldn't handle it alone and suddenly remembered her?
Like hell she was getting involved. She wasn't like those raiders with Hollow-corroded brains. What made him think she could handle that guy?
Most of the raiders were already down. If she jumped in now, she'd be alone with no backup.
Her, against the masked man?
What a joke.
These thoughts flickered by in an instant, but Jane didn't stop moving. She was just about to get a clearer look at the situation when a sudden alarm went off in her mind.
Danger!
With a flick, the blades under her boots sprang out. She kicked her legs sideways, using the blades to grind to a halt.
Still tilted from her momentum, Jane hadn't yet regained her balance when a flash of black light streaked past her eyes and slammed into the wall beside her.
Bang—!
The deafening crash rang out. Jane's eyes widened as she stared blankly at the spiderweb-like cracks spreading across the wall, centered around a long black blade.
Most of the weapon was embedded deep in the wall. A sizzling buzz filled the air as currents of electricity danced across the hilt.
That was the technique Zane used to boost his blade's speed.
Jane took a step back, swallowing hard.
She knew the underground black market's buildings were constructed with reinforced materials to withstand incidents like this and avoid being taken over by different vendors.
If it had been an ordinary building, it would've collapsed instantly.
And if that strike had hit a person...
She didn't even want to imagine it.
She turned, her gaze locking onto the bizarre yet striking mask. Through one of its holes, she met a pair of deep, unreadable eyes.
A warning.
That gaze was a warning.
"I didn't plan to attack... He probably saw how fast I was moving and thought I was joining the fight..."
"I just want to get out of here."
Seeing that the masked man had turned his attention away, Jane muttered to herself.
Damn that little boss. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have gotten dragged into this mess.
Unbelievable.
She was at a complete loss.
Her mind settled, Jane began to weigh her options.
Should she just stay put, or try to slip away?
She couldn't read what the masked man was thinking.
As she mulled it over, a troubled look crossed her face.
After some hesitation, she decided not to make any sudden moves.
She glanced at the cheering Little Bangboo in the distance, trying to gauge the masked man's temperament.
Suddenly, her ears twitched. She turned to glance behind her.
Was that... the boss?
At that moment, the battle was drawing to a close.
"Idiot."
Zane kicked the small boss lying on the ground, his expression calm. This whole scuffle didn't need to be such a hassle.
But this fool just had to fan the flames.
Ruined his mood and wasted his time.
"Sir, you've already beaten him. Isn't it time to cool it?"
"This is the underground black market—we have our own rules. You've gone too far."
"Besides, these guys are my friend's representatives today. Sure, they're just small fry, but they still represent us, don't they?"
A voice came from behind. Zane turned to see two figures approaching the wrecked tea stand.
One wore a formal uniform.
The other was dressed like a raider—helmeted, carrying a strange pack on his back, two short knives at his waist, and a long curved blade in hand.
"Cool it? You mean... they tried to rob me, and I'm supposed to just let it go?"
Zane raised an eyebrow.
The uniformed man frowned, his tone cold with irritation.
"What else do you want?"
"I know you're strong, but you've already made your point. Let it end here."
"Cross the line in the underground black market, and you'll regret it."
He spread his hands, unimpressed. To him, Zane was just another powerful customer in the black market.
And if you come here, you follow its hidden rules.
The three bosses are the rules.
And right now, two of them were present.
"Kid, take that ugly thing and scram. Don't make me use force."
The oddly dressed raider said coldly.
If Zane hadn't shown such overwhelming strength, this guy who dared lay hands on the bosses' men wouldn't have walked away.
"Heh... so that's how the rules work, huh..."
Zane gave a dry laugh. And to think he believed what Qingyi told him—that this place was all about peaceful trade.
Turns out it was just survival of the fittest. Big fish eat the small ones, and whoever throws the hardest punch makes the rules.
"Hey, little guy, don't go over there..."
By the wall, Jane saw Panta waddling toward the two and hurried to stop him—but he ignored her completely.
"Mm-hmm mm-mm! (If you touch the boss, you have to pay!)"
"Mm-mm mm! (That wasn't enough!)"
With tiny arms on his hips, Panta looked up and shouted at the raider with the curved blade.
He didn't understand the situation—just that these two were picking on Zane, his boss.
"Where'd this ugly thing come from, yapping away?"
A flash of cold light streaked past. Panta stepped back, looking at the cut on his hand, where his inner components were now exposed. His ears twitched.
The raider sheathed his blade and gave Panta a contemptuous look before turning away.
Panta dropped his hands, clearly angry, and was about to retaliate. The cannon inside his back stirred—
Then he seemed to remember something.
He stopped, turned, and scurried over to Zane.
Once he reached his boss, Panta tilted his head, confused. Why did Zane's eyes feel so cold?
Whatever. First things first—time to tattle.
"Mm-hmm! (Boss, look!)"
"Mm-mm mm! (I got bullied!)"
Panta looked up and complained. Zane gave a slight smile, crouched down, and patted his head to comfort him.
Beside him, strands of blue and red light began to gather.
"Kid, take your ugly pet and get lost. You're not welcome in the underground black market."
Hearing the raider's words, Zane stood and looked at him.
His eyes were like ancient ice—utterly frigid.
He raised his hand, elemental energy swirling in each palm.
"You're asking for it."
The spectators had no idea what he was about to do, but they all saw the power building in his hands.
In the next instant, the elemental energy exploded.
Then—
BOOM!!!!!!!!!!