Gao Yang could feel the eerie presence emanating from the alley behind him. He was done playing games—if trouble's coming, better face it head-on. But he still needed an insurance policy.
He glanced at Wang Zikai. "You're coming with me."
"Let's go!" Zikai pumped a fist.
The alley was decrepit, lined with abandoned buildings awaiting demolition. Flickering streetlights cast jagged shadows, amplifying the ominous atmosphere.
As they ventured deeper, even Zikai's bravado wavered. He picked up a brick, gripping it like a talisman.
Suddenly, Gao Yang held out an arm. "Who's there?!"
A figure staggered into view—short, obese, disoriented.
"Fatty Jun?"
Jun wobbled into the light, his face ashen. "Huh? Oh... hey..."
"What are you doing here?"
"Dunno..." Jun rubbed his temples, then jolted awake. "AHHH!"
He scrambled forward, grabbing Gao Yang's collar. "Bro! Help me! Something's WRONG!"
"Calm down. What happened?"
"My—my hand..." Jun raised his right hand, trembling. "It's... not right..."
Gao Yang inspected it: perfectly normal.
"Looks fine to me," Zikai scoffed. "Dude's just paranoid from too much—"
Gurgle.
A blood-red eye blinked open on Jun's palm.
"WHAT THE—" Zikai leaped back.
Jun hyperventilated. "I don't know! It just—HELP!"
Before Gao Yang could react, Jun's hand shot out, seizing his throat with inhuman strength. The flesh bulged, morphing into a semi-liquid mass that engulfed Gao Yang's head like rancid gelatin.
Stabbing it with a hidden dagger did nothing—the tumor spat the blade out.
Zikai turned tail. "NOPE!"
Suffocating, Gao Yang flailed—until a battle cry echoed:
"LET HIM GO!"
Zikai was back, delivering a flying kick to Jun's face. The impact sent Jun sprawling, his grotesque hand retracting just enough for Gao Yang to gasp for air.
As Jun steadied himself, the tumor-arm lunged again.
Zikai intercepted it. "Touch him again, I DARE YOU!"
His right arm swelled, muscles erupting through fabric, skin hardening into gunmetal gray.
CRUNCH.
Zikai's bronze grip clamped down. The tumor writhed, emitting panicked squeals—
—before exploding in a burst of violet gore.
Jun collapsed, his arm reverting to normal.
Zikai panted, his monstrous arm shrinking back. When he turned, tears of joy streamed down his face.
"GAO YANG! YOU WEREN'T LYING! I'M STRONG!"
He bear-hugged Gao Yang, bouncing. "DID YOU SEE THAT?! YOUR TRAINING WORKED!"
"Y-yeah..." Gao Yang forced a smile. Thank god he's an idiot.
Zikai's grin faded. "Wait. Fatty Jun's a traitor? Wanna finish him off?"
"No." Gao Yang eyed the unconscious Jun. "Isn't your place nearby?"
"Yeah. Dad's divorce penthouse. Why?"
"Take us there. Bring him."
Zikai carried 180-pound Jun effortlessly, barely breaking a sweat.
Gao Yang suppressed a shudder. Once a beast's power awakens... He truly was a lamb among wolves.
Zikai's home was obscenely lavish—a riverside villa with a pool, garden, and underground garage.
Jun was duct-taped to a chair when he woke, bewildered.
"Why am I tied up?!"
"Human or beast?" Gao Yang demanded.
"Human! Awakener! You know this!"
Gao Yang remained silent. Jun has a talent, healed me... but that arm wasn't human. Need proof.
He turned to Zikai. "Got any... adult films?"
Zikai blinked. "What kind?"
"You know. Those."