When White and the Viper Squad returned to Sanctuary No. 64, the sight of the enormous black bear struck awe and terror into the stationed Alliance soldiers.
"Is that... a magical beast?!"
"A creature of that size must be a magical beast—at the very least, a G-class one."
"They actually killed a G-class magical beast?"
"If White and the Viper Squad joined forces, perhaps they really could take down such a beast."
As the soldiers murmured among themselves, a portly officer bearing the insignia of a second-class sergeant—marked by two vertical stripes—approached, frowning deeply at the approaching Viper Squad.
"Hurry and report this to command," he ordered curtly. "Tell them that Sanctuary No. 64 has brought down a black bear magical beast. Ask how we're to handle it."
This rotund officer, however, was none other than the lecherous man who had once taken advantage of a helpless young woman. And while it was easy to judge her, perhaps it was understandable—after all, he was a ranking officer, and possibly the most powerful man in the outpost.
White and his warriors strode proudly to the gates of the sanctuary, only to be greeted not with cheers, but by a squad of heavily armed Alliance soldiers.
At their head stood the second-class sergeant, gripping a Browm P2 sidearm, eyes cold and expression unreadable as he faced down the slow-approaching Viper transport.
"Halt," he commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.
The vehicle rolled to a stop. Ivy stepped forward with a smile. "Captain Locke, what's this? Are you so envious that we captured a black bear magical beast you won't even let us enter?"
Captain Locke cast a lewd glance at Ivy's chest, then sneered. "Orders from above. All captured magical beasts must be surrendered. But don't worry—we'll see that you're compensated."
At those words, Ivy's smile vanished. Her expression grew cold and regal. "And how much compensation does the Alliance intend to offer?"
"Two thousand credits. That should be more than enough, don't you think?"
The moment Locke named the price, fury erupted among White and the Viper Squad.
"That beast is worth over ten thousand credits! You want to take it for a fifth of its value? That's outright robbery!"
"No way! Two thousand credits? We'd sooner die than hand it over!"
White stepped forward, his face an icy mask. "Locke, we're old comrades. You know what this beast means to us. Let us keep it. Next time we capture a G-class magical beast, we'll hand it over to the Alliance. How about that?"
Locke's gaze narrowed. He seemed to know of White's connection with the young woman—how he often helped her, though he'd never laid a finger on her. Still, gossip spoke louder than truth. He sneered and shook his head. "Orders are orders. We don't get to break them."
No sooner had Locke spoken than every Viper soldier raised their weapons and took aim at the Alliance forces.
"D*mn it! To hell with them!"
"They're pushing us too far!"
"This beast cost us blood! We'll die before we hand it over for free!"
"Right! Let's show them!"
Tempers flared. The Viper Squad was ready for war.
The Alliance soldiers responded in kind, rifles raised, eyes filled with menace.
Sensing disaster, Ivy rushed forward, arms wide to block her own comrades. "Calm down! Everyone—calm down! Don't act rashly!"
She understood clearly what would happen if they opened fire.
Locke, as if expecting this escalation, waved to the guards atop the city walls. In response, four heavy machine guns emerged, their thick barrels locking onto the mercenaries below.
With a smug air, Locke casually withdrew a cigarette from his uniform pocket. A private lit it for him. He took a drag, exhaled slowly, and said, "You know what happens to those who defy the Alliance? With a single gesture, I could have you all executed where you stand. Do you believe me?"
Cook raised his heavy machine gun and roared, "Try it! If we die, I'll take you with me to hell! On my count—one, two, three—fire! Anyone who doesn't shoot is no son of mine!"
Ivy grabbed the barrel of Cook's weapon. "Cook, stand down! I've already contacted my brother. He'll be here soon to handle this. No one moves until then!" She pointed to her radio gear as proof.
Breathing heavily, Cook finally lowered his gun.
At that tense moment, a slender figure leapt down from the transport, landing directly in front of Captain Locke. Though he stood as tall as Locke, he was far leaner—perhaps by a hundred kilograms.
With clear, sharp eyes, Xiao Feng stared at the thuggish officer and stretched lazily. "Two thousand credits for a G-class magical beast? Isn't that absurdly unfair?"
Locke squinted at him, puffing on his cigarette. "Who the hell are you? This isn't your place to speak."
Xiao Feng chuckled. "Oh, you're right—I don't have the right. But let me ask you this: is two thousand credits a fair price for a G-class magical beast?"
"It's perfectly fair. Why wouldn't it be?" Locke smirked.
Xiao Feng smiled darkly. "Then how about this—I'll give you twenty thousand credits for ten G-class magical beasts. Deal?"
Laughter erupted from the Viper Squad. They understood immediately—Xiao Feng was mocking him.
Locke's expression darkened. His hand went to his pistol. With a cold glare, he aimed it at Xiao Feng's forehead.
"B*st*rd. You think I'm an idiot?" he growled, pressing the barrel to the young man's brow.
The Viper Squad fell silent. They all admired Xiao Feng—respected him not only for his courage but for slaying the black bear. Now, with a gun at his head, no one dared speak.
Still, their rifles pivoted toward Locke in unison.
"Drop your weapons!" Locke roared. "Or I'll blow this little brat's brains out!"
But Xiao Feng had been hardened by days of life-and-death hunting under White's tutelage. Even with a gun to his head, he showed no fear.
In a flash, he twisted his body—so quickly he became a blur—and dodged the barrel.
Locke blinked, stunned. It was as if Xiao Feng had vanished and reappeared, impossibly fast.
Before Locke could react, Xiao Feng's slender fingers clamped around the pistol, wrenching it from his grasp in one swift motion.
He scoffed. "Uncle Locke, if you want to survive in this world, don't rely so much on your gun." He tapped his temple. "This is what you need to survive."
It was something Old White often told him.
Then, in a single motion, Xiao Feng flipped the pistol and pressed the muzzle against Locke's forehead.
"I'll count to three," he said coldly. "You bastards drop your weapons, or I'll put a bullet through this pig's skull. I've got no father, no mother, nothing to lose. So tell me—who has more to risk? Me, or you? Come on!"
Locke stared into Xiao Feng's eyes—eyes ablaze with fury—and felt his own resolve begin to crumble. Yet he clenched his jaw, unwilling to back down before his troops.
"Do it, then!" he snarled. "Pull the trigger! You shoot, and they'll all die with me. Go on—do it!"
Xiao Feng's smile was fearless. "You think I don't dare?"
BANG!
The gunshot cracked through the tense silence.
And for a heartbeat, the world stood still.