The X-Field was originally developed by the World Government’s military to specifically target Superpower users. Within its range, a Superpower user’s abilities would be severely restricted, accompanied by debilitating weakness in their limbs.
However, after Zero and numerous Super Heroes emerged, the X-Field gradually faded from public memory. Nowadays, it was mostly used in prisons holding Superpower criminals.
“I never expected you’d resort to this!” Winter Leaf collapsed onto one knee under the X-Field’s effect. The field’s radius spanned only five or six meters.
“Ouyang Rui secured it for me,” the Hunter replied.
“So that guy actually let you use it.” Winter Leaf strained to crawl toward the edge. “Aren’t you a Hero too? Do you even know what Ouyang Rui is involved in?”
“I know,” the Hunter said. “So what?”
“This isn’t what a Super Hero should do!” Winter Leaf snapped. “He’s making dangerous deals with Evolution Corporation, a super-criminal organization! And you’re helping him attack us?!”
“I said—so what?”
“Aren’t you a Super Hero?” Winter Leaf pressed. “Aren’t you ashamed to aid criminals like this?”
“Heh heh heh.” The Hunter chuckled coldly. “I was never a hero. I registered as a Super Hero purely for the money. Ouyang Rui pays well. Simple as that.”
“You scum,” Winter Leaf spat.
“Call me what you want.” The Hunter raised his Energy Gun, aiming at Winter Leaf trapped in the field.
“Screw you!” Glasses Bro suddenly appeared behind him, swinging his stun baton down hard. But in the next instant, a brutal kick slammed into his stomach.
“Underestimating my close combat skills?” The Hunter sneered down at the twitching Glasses Bro before turning back to Winter Leaf.
“How much did Ouyang Rui pay you? I’ll double it!” Winter Leaf shouted.
“Sorry. I have professional ethics.” The Hunter lifted his gun.
Winter Leaf was now inches from the field’s edge. She mustered all her strength and rolled outward—but the Hunter instantly appeared beside her.
“Did you think I’d let you escape?” He kicked her back into the X-Field’s core.
“Time to say goodbye.” The Energy Gun in his hand glowed.
A pair of glasses skidded to his feet. In the next moment, Glasses Bro lunged, tackling the Hunter. They grappled fiercely.
“Run, Glasses!!! You can’t beat him!” Winter Leaf yelled as Glasses Bro tried dragging the Hunter into the field. Their combat skills were worlds apart; Glasses Bro couldn’t budge him and was soon battered bloody.
Luckily, the Hunter’s Energy Gun flew out of his grip during the struggle.
“I told you—I never abandon others.” Glasses Bro locked his arms tighter around the man. Then both vanished.
They reappeared on a peach tree nearby.
“You bastard!” Both crashed to the ground. The Hunter immediately drew a laser dagger and slashed at Glasses Bro.
Glasses Bro barely scrambled back, leaping away to dodge the blade.
Winter Leaf seized the moment, crawling desperately toward the X-Field’s boundary.
The Hunter spotted her. He lunged—but Glasses Bro clamped onto his back from behind.
“You pesky flea!” The Hunter twisted his dagger and plunged it into Glasses Bro’s waist.
“Ah!” A pained groan escaped Glasses Bro as his grip weakened.
The Hunter broke free and sprinted toward Winter Leaf. But after one step, he felt his pant leg yanked.
“Annoying flea! Let go!” He stomped hard on Glasses Bro’s hand. Still, the grip held.
“You irritating gnat! Release me!” Another vicious kick finally tore Glasses Bro’s hand away.
When the Hunter looked back at the X-Field, Winter Leaf stood just outside its range.
“Cross Execution!!”
Those were the last words Glasses Bro heard before darkness swallowed him.
A massive ice cross erupted in the Peach Grove, freezing the Hunter at its center.
…
In a clearing within the grove, Lin Jie faced Ouyang Rui. “So if I take him down, we’re done?”
“Yes,” Winter Xueer nodded. “He’s S Rank. We can’t handle him alone. I’ll restrain him—you shatter his golden aura.”
“No need for tricks! I’ll crush him head-on!” Lin Jie declared.
“This isn’t the time for heroics,” Winter Xueer said sternly.
“…Fine. Your call.” Lin Jie relented after seeing her expression.
“Done planning?” Ouyang Rui smirked. “Did you really think two of you could beat me?”
“We won’t know until we try.” Snowflakes swirled around Winter Xueer, veiling the surroundings in mist.
“You think this works on me?” Golden light shimmered over Ouyang Rui’s body. He vanished.
Mid-sprint, his flying pens shot outward like shrapnel.
“Winter Xueer! I gave you chances. Since you chose to meddle, killing you here won’t trouble the Dong Family.” His voice echoed from a hidden spot. “Did you believe this fog could trap me?”
Golden energy exploded from him, shredding the mist. He spun, seizing Winter Xueer by the throat from behind.
“Is this all you’ve got?” He sneered at her Energy Gun. “Winter Leaf’s shots might sting. Yours? Useless.”
“I know.” Winter Xueer gasped. Her free hand uncurled—a frost lotus bloomed in her palm.
“What is—?” Before he finished, ice encased both their bodies.
“Freezing me? Impossible.” Ouyang Rui flexed, shattering the ice.
“Now!” Winter Xueer screamed.
Lin Jie materialized beside them, swinging his Spike Mace down hard.
“Impossible! My pens were targeting you!” Ouyang Rui staggered back, blood surging in his chest. He’d focused his golden aura to survive the blow—but it shattered completely.
No pause. Winter Xueer’s Energy Gun pierced his abdomen.
Clutching his wound, Ouyang Rui dropped to his knees.
“So that’s it. An A Rank strength-enhancer. No wonder you schemed to limit my movement.” He coughed. “You’ve won, Winter Xueer.”
“Do you realize the consequences?” Ouyang Rui rasped. “Victory will only bring you ruin.”
“Not your concern,” Winter Xueer smiled sweetly.
“True—I underestimated this E Rank brat. But you haven’t won.” He jammed a syringe into his neck.
“That looks familiar,” Lin Jie muttered.
“T-3 Evolution Serum!” Winter Xueer cried.
Crimson veins spread across Ouyang Rui’s skin. His wound sealed shut.
“I admit—I underestimated the kid.” Ouyang Rui rose. A shockwave erupted from him, hurling Winter Xueer into a peach tree. “This is S Rank power. You can’t touch me now.” He glared at Lin Jie, still standing.
“How do you have it? The deal wasn’t finalized!” Winter Xueer spat blood.
“Ever heard of quality testing?” Ouyang Rui appeared beside her. “Now… how shall I deal with you?”
Winter Xueer locked eyes with Lin Jie—*Run*.
“You think he can escape?” Ouyang Rui punched the air toward Lin Jie. Golden energy carved a ten-meter-wide trench through the earth and trees, stretching far beyond the grove. Lin Jie was gone.
Winter Xueer closed her eyes.
“A casual punch rivaling a high-grade EMP cannon? A full strike could level a city block. No wonder S Rank Heroes avoid urban battles.” Ouyang Rui marveled at his power. “This serum… temporary S Rank boost, rapid healing. No wonder even SS Rank Heroes can’t wipe out Evolution Corporation.”
As he savored his strength, Lin Jie’s voice cut from behind: “Tch. Another druggie. Seriously—you wrecked so many peach trees? What a waste.”
