The Dark Crocodile Society's thousand-squad leaders stood battered and broken, their bodies bruised, bloodied, and drenched in sweat. Their eyes, once burning with arrogance, now flickered with unease—some with fear. They looked at Daniel, standing tall, shirt torn open, the azure dragon tattoo on his back coiling like a living beast, and felt the chill of death pressing down on them.
What is this man?
How do we put down a monster like him?
Before Daniel could move again, a thunderous roar of boots shook the street. The ground trembled as five hundred Dark Crocodile Society foot soldiers poured into the area, surrounding Daniel in a suffocating circle. Their bodies formed a black wall, cutting him off from escape.
"Block him!" one commander shouted. "Don't let him move!"
The thousand-squad leaders caught their breath, but their relief was short-lived. One soldier rushed forward, holding out a phone. "Boss! One of the men called HQ—we've asked for reinforcements! More troops are coming!"
The leaders' faces hardened. Even with all their pride, they could feel their limits.
---
On the other side, the Speed Faction froze as the ring of soldiers expanded around them too, pushing them back, cutting them off.
Roy snarled, "Damn it, they're everywhere!"
Yeowool's eyes widened. "They called for reinforcements? If more come, we'll be crushed…"
Boknam clenched his jaw, muttering, "Even with Cheon Ma here… five hundred now, and more on the way…"
Jaegyeon Na stayed calm, but his face was grim. He knew the truth—Daniel's power was terrifying, but the longer this dragged out, the more dangerous it became for everyone.
---
Amid the chaos, Jamal Rashid coughed, holding his ribs, and spat blood before speaking.
"I'm not a coward," Rashid growled. "But sometimes… cowards live longer. We didn't know the Speed Faction had this kind of monster with them. Now we know. We need to plan. If we keep going, we'll die here by his hand."
The words rang heavy in the air.
Mugak Wang's eyes flared with rage. "You dare—!" he roared. "You'd have us run from one man?!"
But when Mugak looked around, he saw the truth—Cheonmu, Tao, Ryu, all of them—injured, exhausted, faces pale but nodding in grim agreement with Rashid. His pride boiled like fire, but the reality could not be denied.
Mugak's teeth ground so hard they nearly cracked. His voice trembled with fury as he spat, "Tch… fine. We leave. For now."
---
When the Dark Crocodile Society leaders began to retreat, the Speed Faction surged forward.
"You cowards!" Sung Jegal roared. "You're running?!"
Roy shouted, "Come back and fight like men!"
Even Boknam cursed under his breath, his rage boiling at the sight of their enemies slipping away.
Mugak's pride snapped. He spun on them, veins bulging in his forehead, and bellowed, "Shut the fuck up! You think this is over?!" His voice echoed with humiliation and wrath.
Then his bloodshot eyes locked on Daniel. The rage in them could burn cities.
"This isn't over, you bastard. Remember my name—Mugak Wang! Next time, you won't walk away alive!"
---
But Daniel only laughed. A deep, demonic laugh that sent shivers down spines. Surrounded by hundreds of foot soldiers, he still looked like the predator among sheep.
"Run, Mugak. Run while you still can," Daniel sneered, his grin sharp as blades. "Because I'm coming—not just for you, but for your king."
His voice grew darker, booming across the street.
"When you provoke a dragon, he won't just bring fire. He brings death."
The leaders froze, their fury clashing with dread. Some trembled, some cursed, but all turned their backs and fled into the night, shame painted on their retreating faces.
---
Now only the foot soldiers remained, tightening their grip on their weapons, sweat dripping down their brows as they stared at Daniel. He rolled his neck, flexed his fists, and let out another monstrous laugh, his azure dragon tattoo twisting with the motion of his body.
Daniel's smile turned cruel, merciless. "Shall we start?"
The soldiers shivered. The demon was ready to play.
---