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The spotlight of the stage fell on the figure of the werewolf-like beast.
His dark blue fur shimmered under the lights, the muscles beneath solid and powerful.
When he opened his mouth, countless dagger-like teeth gleamed with a chilling light.
The unique traits of the Carnitrix alien made his fangs even more terrifying than a normal wolf's.
"Let's call him…" Ben's eyes darted before he concluded, "Zackwolf!"
"Where did this mutt come from, daring to cause trouble in my territory!"
Zombozo gnashed his teeth, tore off his magician's top hat, and pulled out a 200-kilogram iron hammer.
He swung the massive weapon, smashing it down toward Zack's body!
Zack didn't dodge. Instead, he swung his claws, fiercely striking the hammer.
Clang!
The sound of metal clashing echoed across the stage—his claws and the hammer were evenly matched.
"What… what kind of claws are these?"
Cold sweat appeared on Zombozo's face as he stared at them in disbelief.
Crack!!
The iron hammer suddenly fractured!
Those wolf claws had actually torn through the iron hammer and embedded themselves inside it!
"Are you—are you Wolverine?!"
Zombozo exclaimed in shock, quickly yanking the hammer back.
"First, I'll cripple your hammer!"
Zack grinned, then suddenly opened his massive jaws. His ruthless iron teeth clamped down on the hammer.
Crunch, crunch.
The hammerhead was bitten to pieces, shattered like scorched rice.
Zombozo looked down at the splintered wooden handle in his hands and froze in disbelief.
Damn it… is this thing even a carbon-based life form?!
His bite force is so strong, he must eat steel for breakfast!
"Now~ It's your turn."
Zack spat out the scrap metal and lunged forward, his claws striking directly at Zombozo!
Zombozo threw the broken stick to block the strike, then quickly pulled a pair of spiked knuckle dusters from his pocket!
He grinned sinisterly, clenching his fists."No matter how strong a beast is, it can't withstand my grappling techniques!"
He swung his fists, aiming straight at Zack's vital points—
Bang!
The next moment, Zombozo was launched backward with a look of astonishment, easily tossed aside by Zack's combat skills!
"W-what's going on…?"
Zombozo crashed to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth."This… human-wolf can fight?!"
"Grr.. Fighting, huh? I'm really good at it!! Heeh~"
Zack advanced slowly with a sinister grin, retracting his claws and unleashing a furious barrage of punches onto Zombozo!
Zombozo struggled to defend himself; for the first time, he felt what it meant to be utterly outmatched!
He was on the verge of being knocked unconscious.
"Hahahaha!"
"So funny—the clown's getting beaten up!"
The audience stared at the swollen, pig-headed Zombozo, laughing so hard they could barely stand upright.
The laughter grew louder and louder!
Zack's movements faltered slightly, his brows furrowing. "Damn it… this laughter is really messing with me!"
His mind was once again being polluted by the sound of laughter.
"Even though I'm benefiting from the crowd's laughter…" Zombozo muttered.
"Hahahaha!"
"Eat that fatty!"
"Haha! Go wolf go! Make a hole in that fat clown balloon."
Zombozo's face twisted with resentment as he glared at the mocking audience. "…I'm still absolutely furious."
Forget it. I'll deal with this wolf pup first.
He pulled out a large saber and slowly advanced toward Zack.
Zack raised his head with a feral grin, exposing his throat.
"Haha, offering me your neck to cut? So obedient!" Zombozo laughed loudly—but his grin suddenly froze!
The next instant, he stumbled back in shock.
Before him, a massive crack split across Zack's throat, exposing bone, torn flesh, and even a glimpse of his lungs…
The sight was pure horror!
"Roar!!"
Zack's lungs contracted, and a terrifying soundwave burst from his throat, spreading in every direction!
All the laughter in the circus was forcibly disrupted and suppressed by the wave of sound!
"What… what kind of monster is this?"
Zombozo's face twisted, his voice trembling.
"He's not 'Zack Wolf' anymore." Ben suddenly sobered up. Staring at Zack on the stage, he declared, "Let's call him Wraithwolf instead!"
Under the force of his roar, more and more people snapped out of their trance, no longer trapped by the infectious laughter.
When they finally saw Zack in his monstrous form, they screamed and bolted for the exits.
As the crowd scattered, Zombozo staggered to his feet, anger overpowering his fear. "I… I'm going to kill you…"
Zack lowered his head slightly, his throat glowing. The energy of his earlier roar condensed, forming into a focused beam—Bang
A sonic laser blast unleashed from his jaws!
Wraithwolf's Sonic Cannon tore through the stage, thundering forward with explosive force.
Boom!!
The sonic laser blast struck Zombozo, blowing him back across the stage. The beam even tore through the floorboards, sending him crashing into a bottomless pit below!
"Phew~"
Zack touched his smoking throat, letting out a sigh of relief. "That clown's been dealt with—for now."
Ben asked in surprise, "Zack… Wraithwolf, why didn't you press the advantage?"
"There are still three other freaks outside. They're with that clown, and they could be a danger to people."
To make sure the crowd stayed safe, Zack immediately rushed out of the clown house with Grandpa Max and Gwen following behind.
Of course, he was also worried the Circus Freak Trio might run away. If those three escaped, how would he increase his template progress?
...…
Outside the clown house, the circus grounds were a wreck. Tents and rides had been trampled and torn apart by the fleeing crowd.
Zack stepped out, scanning the distance.
"Ah! My money's gone!"
"All my jewelry was stolen—boo hoo hoo!"
"Damn it! Don't let us catch those thieves or I might get a sentence for murder!"
Although most of the people had already run far away, their angry curses still echoed faintly through the air.
It seemed the Circus Freak Trio had already gotten what they wanted and left.
"Did they all run away? Never mind, at least no one was seriously hurt."
Zack shrugged helplessly, trying to comfort himself.
Suddenly, his nose twitched, and the corner of his mouth curved into a smile.
He immediately sprinted forward, leaping onto the outdoor stage. "Come out!"
From behind the curtain, a short man walked out guiltily. "I've been hiding here the whole time. I don't know anything."
"Oh? Lost your memory, have you? Then let me help you with my special memory-recovery technique."
Zack grinned, his chest symbol shifting.
"No, no! I'll tell you everything!" The short man panicked, his voice trembling. "Frightwig and the others slipped out through the clown house's back door to meet up with Zombozo!"
"No wonder I didn't run into them. They went to regroup with their boss."
Zack frowned, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, the short man began tiptoeing backward, preparing to sneak away.
"You stay put and wait for the police obediently." Grandpa Max walked over sternly, skillfully tying the short man's hands behind his back on the stage.
Ben looked at the clown house in the darkness and took a deep breath. "Zack, the enemies are all holed up in their base. What now?"
"Let's rest up, and then we'll take the initiative."
Zack sat cross-legged, speaking calmly.
"Rest up? Won't that give the enemy more time to prepare?" Ben was still worried.
"Once we're in good shape and go in, no matter how much they prepare, it won't matter."
Zack wiggled his finger, his dark blue eyes glinting with dominance.
His strength allowed him to say such things.
That seemingly terrifying clown house, in his eyes, was nothing more than a Mickey Mouse clubhouse.