Inn?

The towering building before me stood a hundred stories high, lavishly decorated like a palace. Above the grand entrance, gilded characters read: Winter's Arrival Inn. Below, smaller letters added: Sinan Family Palace. Its fusion of Eastern and Western styles clashed starkly with the surrounding industrial cityscape. Wait—wasn’t this an industrial zone? Why did it have a resort-style building? And what was this “Sinan Family Palace” about?

“Stop gawking…” Sinan Ying muttered, clearly annoyed. “I have no idea what the family was thinking, slapping ‘palace’ on it after completion. It’s embarrassing.” She yanked me into the palace—no, the inn.

“This inn was built and managed by the Sinan Family,” Sinan Ying explained as we headed for the counter. “Every city under our jurisdiction has Sinan property downtown. It’s for family members’ convenience during trips. All investigators stay here this time.” The lobby was massive—rumor said Dubai’s Burj Al Arab could fit the Statue of Liberty; this one rivaled it. A giant fountain dominated the center. Facing it stretched a twenty-meter counter, blending Chinese carved beams with Western grandeur into dazzling brilliance.

Just for convenience… I’d underestimated the Sinan Family. I thought they were ordinary rich folks. Now? God-tier tycoons! Did land and materials cost nothing here? Sinan Ying dropped another bombshell.

“Ugh… I don’t even want to stay here. But this city’s only decent inn is this one.”

Do you live in a crystal palace normally…?

At the counter, the receptionist froze at the sight of Sinan Ying, then nearly sobbed. “Second Miss! You’re back! Elder Hong’s asked for you repeatedly—he’s frantic! Please see him now!”

“What’s the fuss? I just took a walk. I can protect myself,” Sinan Ying said with a dismissive pout. “We’ll handle that later. This is my friend. Give her the room closest to mine. Immediately!”

“But… your adjacent rooms are assigned to guards. Rearranging now might—”

“No problem! Ye’s stronger than all of them!” Sinan Ying declared proudly, thumping her chest.

…I had a sudden bad feeling.

“I couldn’t ignore that, Miss.” A voice came from behind. I turned. A group in silver-gray uniforms approached, steps synchronized, faces stern—clearly elite. Leading them was a tall woman with plain features and an impassive face, yet radiating quiet authority. Her uniform was blue-gray, distinct from the rest.

The woman bowed to Sinan Ying. “Miss, I understand your concern for your friend. But protecting you is my duty. Forgive my bluntness—I cannot remove the guards. Also, Winter’s Arrival Inn is off-limits to outsiders during the investigation. Please reconsider.”

Her tone was calm, logical. Sharp and capable! I thought. I’d followed Sinan Ying to test my intuition, but unnecessary trouble wasn’t worth it. I tugged her sleeve to back down—

Too late. She beamed confidently. “Fine! Send one fighter. If they beat Ye, I’ll obey you. If not, you obey me!” She turned to me with an innocent smile. “Show them your strength!”

…Show them my strength, my ass!!!!

I finally grasped the saying: I fear not god-like opponents, but pig-headed teammates.

The tall woman’s lips curved slightly. Sinan Ying’s reaction was perfect—this secured the Second Miss’s safety and probed the hooded girl’s abilities. Two birds, one stone.

“Since Miss insists, I, Sinan Yuan, shall be impolite. Rui Feng, step forward.”

“Understood!”

A man around twenty-five emerged. Tall, sharp-faced, his tight uniform revealed coiled muscles—years of training evident.

…Honestly, I doubted I could win. But retreating now was impossible. Stuck.

I steeled myself. Rui Feng stood legs shoulder-width apart, arms relaxed. His gaze was alert yet calm, radiating invincibility.

“Senior Guard of Sinan Family Main House, Rui Feng,” he announced like a martial arts master.

“Ye,” I replied, no title to boast.

“Enlighten me!” He dropped into a sprinter’s stance. Leg muscles coiled like springs beneath his trousers. Power built—then he roared, exploding forward like a cannonball! Strong, but don’t underestimate me!

Blood gushed from my skin, forming a massive shield before me. It collided with Rui Feng mid-air!

Boom! He flew backward, skidding meters before stabilizing. My blood shield cracked, nearly shattered.

Such force! His charge surpassed even the Boneplate Lion! I was stunned—he was a true powerhouse.

Rui Feng was equally shocked. He’d held nothing back, expecting a quick win. Yet I’d blocked easily. This opponent had skill!

We stood locked, tension thickening. Then—we attacked simultaneously!

Rui Feng dashed like lightning. His fist swung like a pile driver. I formed a small blood shield, deflecting his punch off-course. Then, I lashed a flexible blood whip—thick as an arm—at his off-balance body! He snorted. Waist muscles contracted violently; his body bent unnaturally to dodge. Another punch met my second whip!

Red and gray blurs clashed—blood whips versus fists—a dizzying exchange. Twenty moves in seconds! Sinan Ying cheered wildly. Sinan Yuan watched gravely. Rui Feng’s Anomaly Power was muscle control. Weak-sounding, but in close combat, it unleashed terrifying strength. Combined with training, he ranked top-tier among guards. And Ye, matching him evenly—her power was undeniable!

“Investigate Ye. Full report by tonight,” Sinan Yuan ordered a subordinate quietly. Anything threatening the Second Miss must be checked.

As we fought, I marveled at my progress. Only my third battle here, yet my combat ability surged—not just Anomaly Power. My first defense was rushed; now, I matched him, even gaining ground. My body adapted at lightning speed! Post-transformation, my senses, reflexes, and agility had multiplied!

Another clash—fist met whip, rebounding. Time to end this…

I whipped at his abdomen. He blocked with his arm—perfect. Now!

The whip’s tip twisted into a sharp Blood Blade, stabbing his muscular arm! This would cripple him! But—

Click—his elbow bent backward, dodging the blade. He’d dislocated it via muscle control!

He closed in, pressing against my open guard. Click—his elbow snapped back! “Checkmate,” he said, fingertips at my neck. “I acknowledge your strength. But I win.”

“Hmph…” I mimicked the cold laugh of overpowered MCs.

“Really? Look at your feet.”

“What!?”

Blood spilled during the fight surged from the floor, wrapping his body like a membrane before he could dodge! My Blood Blade pressed his chest.

“I see… The Blood Blade was bait. To divert my attention from the ground…” Rui Feng sighed. “I admit it. I lost.”