At the main gate of Blazewood Town, deep in the Outer Ring.
Two vehicles finally arrived and pulled over by the roadside.
The twelve bound gangsters atop the Cunning Hares' old car groaned in unison, serving as the vehicle's background music.
Sol was slightly surprised—he hadn't expected Nicole to choose kidnapping these thugs rather than finishing or releasing them.
In the end… as expected of you, Boss Nicole.
"Nicole! Big brother! You're finally here—I've been waiting forever!"
Belle waved cheerfully, as if she hadn't just been chased down earlier.
"Belle, that was too dangerous just now!" Wise shot a glare at Sol and scolded sternly, "The bike was going that fast—what if you fell?"
"It's fine! Sol's really skilled; he'd never let me get hurt." Belle clung to Sol's arm and playfully stuck out her tongue. "Right, Sol?"
"That's right, Wise. You can relax—I'll make sure Belle's taken care of."
Sol nodded solemnly as he said this.
Belle's face instantly flushed red; she didn't even dare meet her brother's eyes.
"Unnecessary."
Wise's expression darkened, his tone low and cold.
He wasn't worried about Belle's safety—he was worried about the two of them creating life.
"Hey! We're all standing right here! You're a taken man—watch your words!"
Nicole's voice was dripping with jealousy as she snapped at Sol.
This guy was unbelievable. She had already accepted Anby's presence, but now—barely a few days later—he was setting his sights on a Proxy? What was next, completing the entire grey industry chain?
"Nicole, what are you talking about? I meant that in this collaboration with the Proxy, I'll guarantee Belle's safety."
Sol gave Nicole a reproachful look, as if he genuinely meant it.
"Hmph, you'd better," Nicole snorted. She'd come to understand Sol's nature by now—she wouldn't fall for his act so easily again.
"Exactly!"
Nekomata puffed herself up beside Nicole, acting all fierce and protective, as though she were the co-mistress of the house.
Cats were notoriously possessive. She'd simply been too wary to show it before—especially with the kind of leverage Sol had on her.
"What a loyal little kitty," Sol said with a teasing smile, patting Nekomata's ears.
"..."
Nekomata shivered and scurried a few steps back, too nervous to say a word.
Sol chuckled softly, then stopped teasing her and said in a serious tone, "Alright, after all that driving, let's cool down with some ice cream."
He handed one to each of them—every single one freshly conjured, a handcrafted masterpiece.
"So cold and refreshing!"
As the ice cream melted in their mouths, a chill spread through their bodies, leaving them utterly relaxed.
Even Wise and Nicole's irritation softened noticeably; the mood turned far more harmonious.
That's the power of shared food—no one stays angry when their mouth is full.
"So, who are we looking for now?"
Nekomata licked her ice cream, her pink tongue darting in and out.
"Zhu Yuan and the others will take some time to get here. For now, let's contact the Sons of Calydon—they're the local power in the Outer Ring and can help us out a lot."
Sol laid out his well-prepared plan.
"Exactly! I already called Boss Caesar. They'll be here to pick us up any minute now."
Billy took a swig of engine oil, trying to look as natural as possible among the ice-cream eaters.
"Let's hope they'll at least give us free food and lodging. We are here to help them clean up their turf, after all," Nicole said dreamily, already fantasizing about some extra hospitality.
"Haha, but of course! You're all distinguished guests from afar—the Sons of Calydon will offer the warmest welcome!"
Caesar strode out from Blazewood with a booming laugh.
"Hey! Idiot, don't go making promises like that so easily! Supplies in Blazewood are tight right now!"
Lucy followed behind him, looking clearly displeased.
For some reason, Blazewood had been unusually quiet lately—many merchants had stopped coming, and resources were growing scarce.
"Hehe, sorry—I just got a bit too excited to see familiar faces."
Caesar scratched his head awkwardly, then turned to Sol's group. "What I meant was… we may not have much to spare, but we'll definitely offer what hospitality we can!"
At the same time, she made a mental note to investigate why Blazewood's supplies had dwindled.
"No worries—we're not the freeloading type," Nicole said with a pained smile.
She wanted to freeload, sure—but seeing how things were, she couldn't possibly kick someone who was already down.
While the two leaders handled the introductions, the others started greeting one another.
Piper, Lighter, and Burnice each came up to say hello to Sol. Only Lucy, embarrassed by her previous blunder, kept her distance, chatting with the others instead and avoiding Sol's gaze entirely.
After brief introductions, everyone was more or less acquainted. Belle and Wise, meanwhile, were taking in the Outer Ring's distinct atmosphere for the first time.
"Long time no see, Sol!" Piper came up to him with a grin. "That engine you gave me last time runs like a dream—Steeltusk's got more power than ever! I've been driving for years, but this is the first time I've felt true speed. Now that's what I call adult romance!"
"As long as you like it," Sol replied with a smile.
That engine had come from a dismantled Black Panther military unit—he'd merely repurposed it as a gift.
"Too bad this person's wallet can't handle Steeltusk's appetite. But that's not Steeltusk's fault—it's this person's fault," Piper sighed dramatically.
"This person just isn't good enough to give Steeltusk the perfect home she deserves."
Piper's lament carried the air of a middle-aged man lamenting that he couldn't satisfy his young lover.
Sol couldn't help but laugh. "How about letting me take Steeltusk for a spin these next few days? I promise to fill her tank with premium fuel every time."
"This…"
Piper's face twisted in internal conflict.
How could she let anyone else drive her beloved Steeltusk?
But when she thought of how she could no longer fulfill Steeltusk's needs, her resolve hardened.
With a pained expression, she gritted her teeth and said, "Fine—but drive her gently, okay? Don't push the pedal too hard. Steeltusk doesn't like it rough."
"Don't worry," Sol replied with a perfectly straight face, barely holding back his laughter. "I'm very good with handling—I'll make sure she enjoys it."
This world had truly conspired to make his playboy reputation unshakable.
Now he was even about to test drive Piper's beloved truck.
Truly… there was no saving him anymore.
"..."
Piper looked utterly torn—like a lovesick fool on the verge of heartbreak.
What if Sol's too rough?
She'd only recently replaced Steeltusk's headlights!
What if he doesn't watch the road and crashes?
She'd been so careful maintaining Steeltusk's chassis—it was her pride and joy!
What if he presses the pedal too much?
Steeltusk's pristine exhaust pipe would turn black in no time!
No, no, no—she couldn't bear the thought!
Piper's excitement deflated entirely, her face falling in dismay.
Looking at Sol with teary eyes, she pleaded softly, "Please… be gentle with her. Don't push her too hard, or this person's heart will break."