Henry furrowed his brows as he glanced at the youth slung over Charles' shoulder. "This is the boy?"
"Yes, that's Xiao Feng. He possesses both super speed and electric abilities. I lost an arm just to capture him," Charles replied, revealing his maimed shoulder for emphasis.
Henry's eyes darkened as he examined the injury. "To think he was formidable enough to cost you a limb. Go—have William perform the surgery at once."
Charles tossed Xiao Feng onto a nearby chair and exited without another word, the pain from his severed arm urging his pace.
Once alone, Henry approached the unconscious young man. Lying motionless, Xiao Feng's hands were shackled behind his back, his breathing steady in slumber. Henry pressed his palm gently to the youth's forehead. A soft radiance shimmered from his hand, enveloping Xiao Feng's brow. After a few pulses of light, Xiao Feng slowly began to stir.
As his eyes fluttered open, he stared in bewilderment at the man before him. The dizziness had vanished. He glanced warily around the unfamiliar room before questioning, "Who are you? Where am I?"
Henry countered calmly, "And who are you?"
"I'm Xiao Feng. You people dragged me here—don't tell me you don't know who I am."
"Ah, Xiao Feng. I'm Henry, Director of the League's Second Bureau of Ability Management. A pleasure to make your acquaintance," Henry said with a faint smile.
"Cut the crap. Why did you bring me here? What do you want from me?"
Henry's tone remained light, though his gaze sharpened. "The League has its laws. For someone like you—an unregistered ability wielder—there are only two paths: join us, and serve the Bureau, or face lifelong confinement. Which will it be?"
"Oh? Just two options?"
"Yes. No third road exists."
Henry had stepped too close, misjudging the threat of a man with his hands bound. He hadn't anticipated that Xiao Feng had slipped off his shoes. With sudden precision, Xiao Feng pressed his bare foot to Henry's ankle.
A violent surge of electricity burst forth. Henry's body stiffened and convulsed under the shock. He collapsed in a shuddering heap, helpless against the paralyzing current.
Xiao Feng contorted his body, drawing his bound hands from behind to the front, and sneered down at the fallen man. "There is a third option—one where your rules don't apply to me."
He grabbed Henry's discarded coat and draped it over his wrists to conceal the cuffs, striding for the door. But as he stepped out, he paused in frustration. The security systems were impregnable—coded locks paired with retinal scans. Resigned, he returned to the office.
Henry was struggling to rise when Xiao Feng stepped over. Placing both hands on his shoulders, Xiao Feng met his furious gaze. "Sorry about this." Another jolt surged into Henry's body, and once more he fell with a curse, writhing on the floor.
Xiao Feng turned toward the window, opened it, and peered down. Twenty stories above ground, the icy wind stung his face. Still, he had no other choice. Gritting his teeth, he slipped out.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard of the mercenary camp, Rice was polishing the parts of a disassembled machine gun. Though he seldom used such weapons, he needed something to pass the time while awaiting Lin.
A cigar clamped in his teeth, shirtless despite the cold, Rice wiped a bolt with a worn cloth. He happened to glance up—and spotted a lean figure approaching.
Lin strolled toward him in a long black coat, hands tucked in his pockets, the wind tousling his dark hair. A toothpick danced at his lips, his smile casual and unreadable.
Rice rose, scrutinizing the newcomer. "You're Lin?" Though he had seen footage of him, Lin's presence carried a different weight in person.
Lin chuckled. "And you must be Captain Rice. I've heard plenty about you. So, what business brings you to me?"
Rice tossed aside the cloth and inhaled from his cigar. "Plenty. Xiao Feng's been captured. I need someone to help me break him out."
"Oh? And what does that have to do with me?" Lin asked with feigned disinterest.
"If your organization doesn't care, so be it. But if Kill lets someone like Xiao Feng slip away, you'll regret it."
"He is impressive, I'll grant you that—but he refused our invitation before."
"Then this is your last chance. Rescue him, and he might still join you. Leave him, and he's lost to you forever. Your call."
Lin chewed his toothpick thoughtfully, then nodded. "You're right. If I don't move now, he'll be gone for good. Fine—I'll do it. Consider it a favor to your X Mercenary Corps."
"Excellent. When do we leave?"
"Get your people ready. I'll bring two of mine. Meet back here soon. We'll hit the League's Second Bureau—that's where Charles would've taken him."
"Then let's go now. I'll get White. We'll rendezvous here."
Lin nodded. "I'll call in my reinforcements."
Rice turned toward the barracks. Old White was inside, trying to console Alice, who hadn't smiled since Xiao Feng's capture.
Ivy sat nearby, silently weeping. Her brother gravely wounded, the man she loved imprisoned—tears were her only outlet.
Little White Wolf sat by their feet, tongue lolling, watching the two sorrowful girls with a puzzled expression.
"White, Lin's in. He's agreed to help us rescue Xiao Feng. We're moving out now!"
Alice sprang to her feet, eyes pleading. "Dad, take me with you. I'm going too!"