From the start, Lin An clutched a sharp stone tightly, just like that time he met Li Mo. A beast lurked within his heart, now straining to break free and unleash its fury and bloodlust upon the world.
Suddenly, Lin An lunged. The stone in his hand gashed a thug’s head open. Roaring madly, he straddled the fallen thug, cackling as he smashed the stone into his skull again and again. Crimson blood splattered across Lin An’s face. The thug beneath him wailed. The other two thugs hesitated—frozen by Lin An’s blood-red, beast-like eyes and his echoing maniacal laughter.
The gang leader snapped out of his shock. “What are you waiting for? Beat him! Kill this little bastard!” he barked.
The thugs finally moved to pull Lin An off. But weak from drugs and partying, they were no match for his frenzy. He fought with fists, feet, teeth, and stone, overpowering them. Even the red-haired thug was flung to the ground.
“Tch, useless bastards! I’ll handle this myself!” The gang leader spat, then grabbed Li Mo like a chicken and tossed him aside. Li Mo cried out, his face growing paler.
Unlike his scrawny men, the leader avoided drugs. Regular training gave him a strong, muscular build visible under his tight tank top. He knew martial arts—could easily take down several men. That’s why he was boss.
He cracked his neck and knuckles, a series of pops echoing. Then he punched Lin An, who fought like a rabid dog, straight in the face. Lin An flew backward like a snapped kite, crashing into the wall.
Searing pain jolted Lin An out of his rage. Gritting his teeth, he stood. Blood gushed from his likely broken nose. Glaring through the agony, his own blood mixed with the thugs’, forming a crimson mask on his face.
Meeting Lin An’s bloodshot eyes, the leader felt like staring at a young beast. But a cub’s claws and fangs weren’t grown—no real threat.
“Heh heh heh, little guy. Since you hit my brothers, you’ll stay here forever!” The leader sneered, pulling out a gleaming dagger. Its blade flashed in the sun, sharp and deadly.
Lin An and Li Mo were just orphaned beggars. In this decadent city, their deaths meant nothing—like a dead dog. No one would hunt the killer. Maybe a journalist would exaggerate it online, keyboard warriors would chatter, then it’d fade.
The leader knew this well. He’d killed many homeless before—his heart long twisted. Today, he’d planned to take the money and leave. But this beggar didn’t know his place. Cleaning up “trash” suited him fine.
Lin An said nothing. He glared, clutching his nose, his grip tightening on the stone. His stubborn eyes locked onto the leader, ignoring the knife.
“Heh, not bad eyes.” A deep, magnetic voice filled Lin An’s ears. Darkness swallowed the alley as a small gray dome covered it, the air turning heavy and oppressive.
Lin An’s body froze. So did the thugs and the snarling leader—like a paused video. Black light flowed over them all, pinning them down. Only then did Lin An notice Li Mo in the corner, pale as paper, weak, with deathly gray in his features.
As worry for Li Mo burned in him, a man appeared abruptly—a red-haired figure with massive horns. Bare-chested, golden runes and chains flowed over his muscular body. His handsome face held indifferent Golden Pupils, gazing at Lin An with faint admiration.
Under those burning Golden Pupils, primal fear erupted in Lin An—a lowly creature facing an apex predator. Staring at the man, he saw endless blood, countless wails, iron and fire burning—as if this man was the heavens and earth.
“Take it.” The red-haired man extended his hand, holding the gang leader’s dagger.
Lin An’s body unlocked. His trembling stopped. The man before him now seemed ordinary—just strange and cold.
Lin An stared at the dagger, silent. His beast-like eyes locked onto those Golden Pupils.
“I know your friend is dying. I can cure him,” the man said, reading Lin An’s thoughts.
Lin An paused, then asked quietly, “What do you want?”
A wild smile spread across the man’s lips. “Kill those thugs with their weapon. Join us. Your friend lives. And you’ll rise above the rest.”
Lin An didn’t answer. He took the dagger and limped toward the blond leader, leaving a small but resolute back. “Don’t forget your promise!”
The red-haired man laughed heartily. “I never break my promises.”
Lin An paused, then walked on, more determined. He knew this step meant no turning back. Glancing at Li Mo’s pain-filled, pale face, he tightened his grip on the cold dagger handle—just like he’d gripped that stone.
