The ceiling. Dim yellow light. A bloody mirage. And... that dazzling sun.

"Why can I see the sun?"

The question surfaced subconsciously in Li Scar’s mind. He wasn’t an idiot. Even with his head buzzing like an explosion, he could grasp obvious truths.

"The sun?"

He didn’t dismiss it as a hallucination. The light and heat radiating onto him felt real—so real it almost lifted him heavenward.

So why could he see the sun inside a mall?

"Ah... I see."

Suddenly, he understood. He burst into mad laughter.

"That guy. That human. That monster... Did he punch through the entire building?"

He knew he lay on the ground. The cold tile floor stung his skin. Gravel had embedded into his flesh from the impact, forcing a frown.

But why was he here? Why, in that instant after the explosion...

This he couldn’t explain.

"If I’d taken that punch head-on, would I be paste now?"

He muttered weakly. Li Scar knew only one answer fit: he’d been blown away by that man.

Forget "taking the punch head-on." Just grazed by the fist—or maybe not even grazed, only caught in the shockwave—had left him dizzy, limbs weak, breathing labored.

Worst of all, his wounds wouldn’t heal. His prized ability refused to activate.

"Ha... hahaha... hahahahaha..."

Opening his eyes took all his strength now. Lifting his head—a simple act on any normal day—felt impossible.

Only a bitter, helpless laugh matched his grief and despair.

...

"Ah, I went a bit overboard."

Scratching his head, Bai Ming walked toward Shen Yuan Yuhu.

"Th-that... Mr. Bai Ming."

"Don’t speak yet. I’ll be quick. Outsiders will storm in any second. Before that, I need a favor."

Shen Yuan Yuhu wanted to reply, but Bai Ming cut her off, urgency etched on his face.

He bent down. Seeing broken bricks hadn’t severed her thigh artery, he sighed in relief.

Then he made his request.

"You defeated that guy. You rescued all the hostages."

"Huh?"

She understood—he wanted her to pretend he’d never been here. That she’d handled everything alone.

"But... why?"

She had to ask. Even if he called her nagging, she had to know. She had no reason to lie. Unless he truly had secrets.

"Just think of it as repaying the subway favor. Time’s short. Please do this. I’m leaving."

"Wait—"

By the time Shen Yuan Yuhu reached out, he was gone. He’d vanished at impossible speed, slipping through another exit...

Only commotion at the doorway remained.