Among the remaining six opposing players, four possessed Nen abilities.
Unfortunately for them, Xiang Nan barged straight into their formation.
And with the instant killing of the Extinction 4 Team Leader—the pink‐haired woman—they lost their linchpin.
Moreover, they never anticipated it would end up like this.
Standing beside the van, Franklin witnessed a spectacular slaughter.
He saw that after their companion's death, Xiang Nan, as if provoked by his teammate's death, became genuinely enraged!
Faced with these so‐called Nameless Town members, Xiang Nan showed no mercy. The three throwing knives launched with the flutter of his coat, though few in number, instantly shattered the morale of the six survivors.
Immediately, the three weakest were killed on the spot.
As for the remaining three, between Xiang Nan's swift martial assaults and the strange abilities of those peculiar gloves, the battle's balance tipped within moments.
Altogether… It took less than two minutes.
That was the true gulf between a genuine master and average Nen users.
Franklin's expression remained as usual.
Xiang Nan's mindset was exceedingly clear. Merely from his displayed combat prowess and cunning, Franklin was thoroughly surprised.
Xiang Nan's tactic was obviously to eliminate the weaker ones first. Though the first three had little threat, they could still create minor diversions, stalling time and letting the remaining three—actual Nen users—gather themselves.
Everyone understood that once a few Nen users began properly displaying their powers and cooperating, the situation could become complicated. Nen battles often hinged on unexpected abilities, sometimes capable of bypassing raw power differences—troublesome indeed.
And for the group's current precarious mission, time was of the essence; a swift victory was paramount.
Franklin himself could have accomplished such a scene. If not for that "mysterious protective power" covering them, his own Nen ability might have wiped out these so‐called trash even faster.
Of course, his style was different from Xiang Nan's: as an Emitter, Franklin specialized in ranged attacks, but as a member of the Troupe, his close‐combat was hardly something most Nen users could match.
…They were too weak.
Those Nameless Town individuals fell short on all fronts…
Nevertheless, what piqued Franklin's curiosity was: what exactly was that organization called "Nameless Town"? Why did it appear that, though they belonged to the same group, these members could just as easily kill each other or turn on their own?
Curious indeed…
"Seems it wasn't mere coincidence he could threaten Machi… a man like this, ending up working for underground security?"
"His past can't be simple."
Franklin mused.
"Huh?"
Soon, Franklin noticed something: Xiang Nan, having killed all enemies, hadn't immediately returned to the van.
Instead, he was crouched atop one of the Nameless Town corpses, his back toward Franklin, seemingly doing something. From time to time, Xiang Nan's hands rose, holding medical equipment.
"…He's a doctor?"
Franklin guessed.
After a brief while, Xiang Nan finally stood.
Wiping blood from his face, he strolled back to the vehicle, hands in pockets.
He needed to treat Dylan's injuries, so the van got handed off to another driver.
"More ambushes lie ahead… now that we're exposed."
Xiang Nan said gravely while operating on Dylan's wound: "We can't travel by land. The mafia's people and that wealthy Howell family's private troops have already sealed off the subsequent roads. At this rate… not to mention a day, even a month might not be enough to leave this country safely."
"What do you mean?"
Franklin eyed him. "How can you be sure of enemy movements?"
"Just now, that person told me."
Xiang Nan replied calmly, referring naturally to the enemy player he'd just interrogated.
"He confessed on the spot? How do you know he wasn't lying?"
"He wouldn't lie… you can be certain the intel is genuine."
Xiang Nan's remark made Franklin's heart stir.
Shalnark's group was still wreaking havoc in Glam Gas Land, so even if the local gang plus the wealthy man's forces wanted to close the entire city, the main body of troops would likely be drawn away. They wouldn't be able to commit as much manpower to chase them. Breaking out might still be doable with Xiang Nan and Franklin's combined strength.
But Xiang Nan quietly observed:
"…The real trouble isn't those hoodlums, but the wealthy scion's influence. The person you Troupe folks 'double‐crossed' this time is a globally famous billionaire. Don't underestimate the leverage of someone at that level."
He eased off the red gloves from his hands. Gazing at Franklin, Xiang Nan phoned Shalnark.
Meanwhile, Dylan's abdominal wound was stitched closed.
Xiang Nan then had the van veer off the highway, hiding in a patch of woods.
The call connected.
On the other end, amidst gunfire and chaotic noise, Shalnark's voice came: "Seventeen?"
"The plan's changing."
Xiang Nan relayed the situation, recounting what had happened.
"…But if we can't go by land, we haven't prepared for that."
Shalnark hesitated.
"We took the job. We'll still ensure the cargo gets delivered to Meteor City. Leave it to me."
Xiang Nan stated.
"…Alright."
Shalnark paused for a moment, neither refusing nor pushing, and ended the call.
Next, Xiang Nan dialed another number.
At that moment, through gaps in the trees under the night sky, he glimpsed swirling lights in the distance.
A helicopter.
Evidently, the intel was correct—somebody had indeed blocked them by air.
…
Elsewhere, in a luxurious hall piled with corpses, Shalnark slipped his phone away, expression calm.
"What's wrong?"
Machi, rolling her shoulders, glanced over.
Shalnark repeated everything Xiang Nan had said: that Franklin's group encountered trouble, Xiang Nan wanted to change the plan, and so on.
"Tsk, I already warned you, you didn't listen."
Machi's face turned cold.
"You told me your instincts felt uneasy about him, but you also said it might not be relevant to this operation—just that you felt the man seemed threatening."
Shalnark gave a wry smile.
Then he lifted a finger, emphasizing, "Based on my investigation and analysis, I wouldn't be wrong. No matter if the mafia or the wealthy scion's forces come out, it won't hinder us significantly. Having any Troupe member present means it's easy for us to slip away. Even if it gets a bit harder, it's just extra time."
"Unless it involves some Nameless Town scheme… that's another matter."
He paused, pinching his chin with confidence. "I suspect 'Seventeen' is doing it on purpose."
"Doing it on purpose?"
Machi gave him a curious look.
"Yeah… He must've realized our mindset. He directly called me, not Franklin. Probably to aggravate things, give us a greater sense of urgency. If I'm not mistaken, he's definitely pulled some tricks right under Franklin's nose, though they didn't notice."
"This guy's extremely cunning…"
Shalnark sighed.
"But it's fine. It hasn't spiraled out of control yet. Even though he spoke like it was dire, it's mostly to 'knock' us a bit."
"No big deal. So long as the package is delivered, we're good."
Shalnark finished with a casual grin. "Don't mind them; let's keep going."
~~~
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