The moment the main gate was blown open, the law officers behind Phaga poured in one after another.
At the front stood Zhu Yuan. She raised her handgun—the K22 Suppressor—and fired a shot into the ceiling. Cement dust rained onto her shoulders as she shouted, "Nobody move! Hands on your heads, squat down!"
But if every gang in New Eridu surrendered that easily, they wouldn't be called its incurable plague.
Especially a gang like [Mountain Lion's Offspring]—notorious, elusive, and always surviving the Security Bureau's repeated crackdowns. Expecting them to surrender without a fight was wishful thinking.
Then, a phantom flickered into view. Zhu Yuan barely registered darkness sweeping across her vision before a bone-chilling aura lunged straight for her throat.
Before the cold edge could strike, a rod crackling with electricity shot in between them, deflecting the attack.
Jane leapt back lightly, glanced at the eagle claws still sparking in her hands, and shrugged helplessly. Then she sprang back, landing behind the gang members.
Click!
The guard's rifle chambered a round. "Open fire!" he shouted.
Muzzles flared orange, and savage grins spread across the gang members' faces. They screamed wildly, their guns roaring in unison!
"Get behind me!"
Seth jumped from the middle of the formation to the front, slamming his heavy shield into the ground. A surge of electric sparks spread outward in an instant. Even bullets that didn't strike the shield were deflected by electromagnetic force!
"No mercy! Everyone, lift all fire restrictions!"
In that desperate moment, Qingyi cast aside any illusions.
If they couldn't bring back sinners seeking redemption alive, then they'd send them off with bullets—turning them into corpses without mourners.
At her command, the Public Security officers stopped holding back. Their firepower swept the room like a storm.
Helmets, walls—anything that seemed solid—was riddled with bullet holes.
Overwhelmed by superior firepower, the gang fell apart. They scrambled behind pillars and cover, firing a few meaningless shots while their eyes darted around, searching desperately for an escape.
Moments later, one of the guards grabbed the unconscious examiner and held him in front of himself. "I've got a hostage! You can't shoot!" he roared.
The words froze everyone. In an instant, all gunfire ceased.
Zhu Yuan and Qingyi's faces went pale. Their fury cooled as silence fell. Though unwilling, they had no choice but to hold their fire.
Jane exhaled softly—whether in relief or resignation was unclear. She gave Zhu Yuan one last glance before slipping out through the back door.
Seeing her escape, the other gang members rushed after her, scrambling to flee.
But they were a heartbeat too late. Just as the fastest one reached the doorway, several Ether Crystals burst from the ground, slamming the exit shut!
Only Jane made it out.
The fastest thug panicked, pounding, kicking, smashing with his rifle butt—even biting the crystals. But no matter what he did, they didn't budge.
His pupils trembled. Realization struck him, and his head turned stiffly—mechanical, jerky—to stare at the man in the butler's uniform.
He wasn't the only one. Everyone looked that way.
Phaga knelt on one knee, gripping his blade in reverse as he drove it into the ground.
From the Kunmutu in his hand, Ether surged wildly—like a greedy spirit writhing to break free. Even the law officers nearby looked shaken, exchanging uneasy glances. Why was this butler using a weapon with such intense Ether activity?
Wasn't he afraid of being consumed by it?
Yet Phaga showed no signs of corruption.
His gaze was firm, locked straight ahead. He commanded the Ether with practiced control, easily summoning crystals across the open ground to seal the distant exit.
And that wasn't all. A flash lit his eyes as the Kunmutu flared, the Ether around it intensifying sharply.
Boom!
An Ether crystal burst from beneath the guard's feet, slamming into his groin and sending him flying.
Before the others could react, more crystals erupted from the ground, circling the examiner in a tight formation—sealed off completely.
Phaga shouted, "Open fire!"
As if under a spell, everyone who heard him instinctively pulled their triggers. Only after the cold sensation of metal registered in their minds did they realize—the order hadn't come from Captain Zhu Yuan or Senior Qingyi.
It came from a man whose name they didn't even know.
"Don't just stand there! Fire for thirty seconds! If anyone's still alive after that, consider them lucky!"
Qingyi's command cut through their hesitation, and the firing resumed instantly.
Over thirty officers pulled their triggers together. Flames roared once more, devouring the remaining gang members.
After thirty seconds, the gunfire died down.
Zhu Yuan raised a hand, stepping out from behind Seth's shield. Holding her weapon level, she walked forward, one step at a time.
Blood pooled across the floor. Each step splashed softly, and when she lifted her boot, a faint stickiness clung beneath it.
"Everyone, hands on your heads and squat down. If you try to reach for your weapons, you'll be deemed still hostile!"
Zhu Yuan swept her K22 Suppressor evenly across the surviving Mountain Lion members.
Terrified by the blood-soaked floor and the corpses of their comrades, they immediately obeyed—hands over their heads, crouching, trembling. None dared move.
"Alright, everyone, stop standing around. Come cuff them."
Seeing their surrender, Qingyi didn't relax right away. She kept her eyes on them until every last one was handcuffed before finally letting out a breath.
Her gaze shifted toward Phaga.
To be honest, the sight of him driving his blade into the ground and summoning dozens of Ether Crystals had truly frightened her.
Such resistance and composure—rare, even in New Eridu.
Phaga was now touching one of the Ether Crystals he had created. His palm pressed slightly.
Crack!
The crystal shattered, collapsing in a wide radius and revealing the examiner lying unconscious beneath.
Ellen hurried over, checking his breath and pulse. She exhaled in relief. "He's alive—just asleep. Must've been drugged."
Phaga chuckled. "No wonder he's sleeping so soundly."
A gunfight just broke out here, and he's still snoring away. Guess the Mountain Lions don't hold back on their doses.
Phaga shook his head, then noticed Ruby's downcast face nearby. Curiously, he asked, "Ruby, what's wrong?"
Hearing his voice, Ruby bit her lower lip. Holding a handful of shattered pieces, she looked up at him with tearful eyes.
"Phaga... the music box broke..."