So it’s finally here…

I looked at the six or seven burly men, then turned back to the middle-aged woman. She was huddled in the car, wearing a sly grin.

“Sorry, miss,” the bald leader spoke up. “You see how things are—you get it, right? We’re just doing this for a living. Cut us some slack, okay?”

“Hand over your money and anything valuable!” another tattooed man said, licking his lips. “And… take off your clothes too!”

“I don’t care what you do with her,” the woman in the car called out, “but don’t get so carried away you forget my share!”

“Don’t worry! Same as always—twenty percent for you!”

“Didn’t we agree on thirty percent last time?”

They argued right in front of me, as if I didn’t even exist… I didn’t mind the break, but the tattooed man’s dangerous stare made me uneasy. Even with my hood on, he was this eager—what would happen if I showed my face? He’d probably pounce right away.

“Fine, thirty percent—but only if she’s worth it this time!” They finally reached an agreement. The bald man turned to me. Seeing me standing there like nothing was wrong, he flew into a rage. “You bastard! I told you to hand over the money—are you deaf?” “Boss, since she’s not cooperating,” the tattooed man chimed in, already rubbing his hands eagerly, “let me handle this…”

A wave of goosebumps washed over me. I’d rather be bitten by a Boneplate Lion than be messed with by some generic thug.

Might as well end this farce.

I quietly activated my blood, feeling it surge and swell in my veins. Now I just waited for these fools to come closer, so I could catch them off guard.

Led by the tattooed man, several lecherous men leered as they approached. My blood surged to its peak. Just as I was about to strike—

“That’s enough!”

With a loud boom, the building’s door exploded open. A girl’s voice rang out from the entrance.

“I thought something was off when I saw you in the industrial zone. Following you was the right call!”

As the dust settled, I finally saw the girl’s face—and my breath caught.

What a beautiful girl.

She looked about sixteen or seventeen. Her slightly wavy hair fell to her shoulders. Big eyes, a delicate upturned nose, a small mouth, thin eyebrows, fair skin with a rosy glow, and a perfect oval face—she looked like a finely crafted porcelain doll. A mole under her left eye added a touch of allure.

Below, a dark gray dress embroidered with exquisite patterns clung to her body, outlining her graceful curves—delicate shoulders, a slender waist, and a proportionate bust. You’d want to scoop her up in your arms.

What surprised me most was her hair and eye color—both a crystal-like purple, as if she stepped out of a CG animation.

Seeing everyone staring dumbly at her, her face flushed slightly, looking a bit flustered. But she quickly straightened up, one hand on her hip, the other pointing at me. She shouted fiercely:

“Let go of that girl!!!”

……

…………

………………So cute!

She’s practically a grown-up girl, yet she strikes such a childish pose with that adorable expression, shouting such an embarrassing line—it’s downright unfair!

Seeing her words had no intimidating effect, the girl grew even more flustered.

“I-I saw what you were doing! You wanted to rob her money and then… and then force yourself on her…”

“F-force…” She blushed deeply, unable to say the word. “J-just behave yourselves and come with me to the peacekeeper! I-I’m really strong!”

…………

No… nope. Sorry, it’s too embarrassing—I can’t even look. The burly men nearby seemed similarly affected.

“Hehe… little sister, don’t push yourself,” the tattooed man drooled. “Come play with us big brothers~” The others burst into laughter. There was no hint of danger from this girl.

But I suddenly wondered—how did such an adorable girl blow open the door?

“You’re still laughing? Don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

The girl seemed genuinely angry. She suddenly raised her hand—a bubble formed in her palm?

The bubble was crystal clear, fist-sized, and floated toward the tattooed man at surprising speed. “Huh… what’s this?” He poked it. I recalled the saying: if you mess with trouble, trouble messes back.

“Boom!”

The bubble exploded with a deafening roar, releasing a powerful shockwave! The tattooed man was flung ten meters backward, landing motionless.

Everyone froze. The bald man shouted, “Damn it! This girl’s an Anomaly Power user! Be careful!”

But he was too late. The girl released bubble after bubble. The building filled with deafening booms. The men scrambled to escape. Even a slight touch meant broken bones at best!

“You’re all useless!”

The bald man roared and charged forward. He didn’t dodge—he took a bubble head-on!

Another boom echoed. Shreds of clothing flew everywhere. But the bald man only stumbled back two steps—he wasn’t blown away! Looking closer, the skin under his torn clothes had turned iron-gray, gleaming with a metallic sheen!

“You’re an Anomaly Power user too!?” the girl exclaimed in surprise.

The iron-gray spread across his entire body like a metal coating. He roared and swung a sledgehammer-like fist at her. She ducked just in time. The fist brushed past her head and smashed into the wall, leaving a deep dent!

She tried to regain her stance, but he gave her no chance. He charged with astonishing speed. In desperation, she fired several bubbles, but they barely slowed him down! He laughed. “Just as I thought! If we’re too close, you risk getting caught in the blast. So you reduce the power!”

He pressed in close, throwing punch after punch, not letting her create distance. Dodging frantically, she yelled, “You’re despicable! If I weren’t afraid of collapsing the building, I’d have wiped you all out from the start!”

Angry as she was, her breathing grew ragged. She was forced back step by step. If cornered, it was over! What to do… she thought frantically. Make non-exploding bubbles as traps? No! It might hurt the victim! Then… only this move left…

Spiritual energy rushed toward her at incredible speed, gathering in her hand. With a sharp cry, she released a bubble at point-blank range!

This bubble was light blue. The moment it left her hand, it rapidly expanded. He couldn’t dodge—he crashed right into it. But no explosion came. He passed through the surface—and was enveloped inside.

A muscular iron man, trapped in a bubble, floating half a meter off the ground—it was ridiculous. He struggled in panic, but couldn’t break it! She grinned triumphantly. “Checkmate!”

With a dull thud, the space inside twisted. He convulsed violently, skin cracking as if struck hard. As the bubble vanished, he fell, spitting blood, unconscious.

“Surprised?~ My bubbles have external and internal explosions. The internal type only blows up what’s inside—no risk to me! I’m not perfect at it yet, but it’s enough for you!”

She finally turned to me, her beautiful face beaming. “It’s all right now~ I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Sinan Ying, and—”

“Watch out behind you!” I shouted. She spun around just as his iron fist filled her vision.

“This… won’t kill me!!!” Covered in blood, eyes red with madness, he roared. “Even if I die, I’ll take you with me!”

Damn it—Sinan Ying couldn’t dodge in time. She watched helplessly as the fist closed in. A direct hit meant death or crippling injury!

“Not a chance!”

A flash of red blood-light—and his fist changed direction, flying upward. Blood gushed from the stump of his arm. He howled and collapsed, unconscious.

The Blood Blade turned liquid and flowed back into my body.

At the critical moment, I finally made my move.