Mad dogs?
When John said those words, Jeff and the others were momentarily stunned—then their faces twisted in anger.
Wait a second…
Something didn't add up.
It wasn't just that John had insulted them—mad dogs? That wasn't the real issue.
It was the implication behind his words.
He had just said that a few days ago, a "mad dog" came to harass Tracy.
Didn't he mean Mandel?
Which meant… this young man named John must have seen Mandel before his disappearance. Not just seen—there was a high likelihood they had conflicted.
Because he specifically used the word "harass."
Jeff's expression changed. He slapped his forehead and muttered, "The disappearance of Mandel… it must have something to do with you. Yes, you! It all makes sense now!"
He suddenly remembered the acupuncture duel with Tracy a while ago.
That day, this same young man had used a bizarre force to reflect one of his golden needles—proof that he wasn't ordinary.
Someone like that could easily have the means to kill Mandel.
It was as if the truth had just clicked into place. Jeff's mind raced, the pieces falling together.
Meanwhile, Tracy stood there dumbfounded.
What the hell was her little brother doing now?!
Wasn't what he just said the same as confessing?
Was he trying to get himself killed?
She rushed forward, her tone urgent. "What are you saying, little brother? What mad dog? A few days ago, nobody came to harass me! I think you were probably just… asleep at home!"
She reached out and pushed John back, trying to cover for him.
Holbrook caught on quickly and added, "That's right, Miss Linch. I've been in the Feazer Medical Clinic every day—I didn't see anyone suspicious come by."
Jeff's face darkened.
"Do you think I'm an idiot?"
He could tell who was lying and who wasn't.
The more Tracy and Holbrook tried to explain, the more convinced he became.
An explanation meant a cover-up—and a cover-up meant guilt.
There was no doubt now. Mandel had been killed by John!
Tracy lowered her voice and hissed, "Are you insane? Why would you come out and say that now? Do you have a death wish?"
Her tone was full of worry and reproach.
But John didn't flinch. Instead, he calmly walked toward Jeff and said, "I know you have questions. Let's talk alone."
Jeff frowned, hesitated for a second, then agreed. "Fine. Let's see what kind of excuse you come up with."
The two of them stepped aside.
"I killed your Australian disciple," John said bluntly.
"…What?"
Jeff had expected a denial—maybe some clever spin or alibi.
But John's first sentence was a confession.
It caught him completely off guard.
He had prepared several harsh accusations, but they all stuck in his throat.
Thinking Jeff hadn't heard clearly, John repeated, "Your disciple is gone. He's become… fertilizer in the U.S. I personally turned him into it."
John knew this wasn't something he could hide for long.
A foreigner had disappeared on American soil. As soon as someone reported it to higher authorities, the U.S. government would be involved.
There were surveillance cameras all over—from the Feazer Medical Clinic to the eastern forest.
The truth would come out eventually.
So instead of wasting time and energy trying to cover it up, John chose to admit it.
He had never feared consequences.
Jeff stood frozen for a moment before finally speaking. "Do you… have any idea what you're saying?"
"Of course," John replied flatly. "That bastard dared to target my sister. He tried to drug her and used illusions to control me. If I didn't kill him, I wouldn't be able to live with myself."
Jeff shuddered at his calm tone.
This was the mind of a killer.
He had taken a life—but there was no remorse, no hesitation.
He was so casual, so matter-of-fact.
As if it were nothing at all.
For a moment, Jeff's aura faltered. He didn't even dare raise his voice at John—worried that if he said the wrong thing, he might be the next one "turned into fertilizer."
After a long pause, Jeff finally said, "Mandel was reckless. But even if you wanted to punish him, you didn't have to kill him…"
John chuckled softly.
He didn't bother responding to that.
Everyone he'd ever killed had earned it.
In his eyes, Mandel deserved death—not just for lusting after his second sister, but for daring to use knockout drops and poison pills under the guise of illusion magic.
Seeing John remain silent, Jeff pushed on. "Do you even know who Mandel was?"
"I do," John replied. "Before he died, he told me himself—his father is a deputy leader in the Australian Ninja League."
"Then how could you still dare to kill him?!"
"Why wouldn't I?" John's eyes flashed coldly. "If someone crosses my line, I don't care who their father is—they die."
He paused.
"Actually, the reason I pulled you aside was to deliver a message. I want you to take it to the deputy leader of the League."
Two sharp beams of light gleamed in John's eyes.
"Tell him this: He has three days to prepare an apology. I'll be coming to Australia myself. If he's smart and gives a proper apology, we can end it there. But if he wants revenge for his son—he can come at me. Just don't blame me when things get ugly."
With those words, John turned and walked away.
Jeff stood there, stunned.
He was certain he hadn't misheard.
John didn't just kill the deputy leader's son—he was demanding an apology… and giving them a deadline.
Was this man insane?
Jeff was too shocked to respond.
But the more he thought about it, the more it all added up.
Of course he was insane. That's why he had dared to kill Mandel even after knowing his background.
He wasn't speaking to a human…
He was talking to a lunatic.
Jeff instinctively took a step back, eyes wide with disbelief.