The next morning.

Xu Weiyu paced restlessly outside the Alliance conference room. When Su Nisheng finally emerged, dark circles under her eyes, Xu Weiyu rushed over, teeth clenched. "What did you find out?"

"Same as last time. Nearly half the city’s surveillance went offline. We couldn’t trace where you went. Tech’s still patching the exploit they used."

The hope in Xu Weiyu’s eyes vanished instantly. Deflated like a punctured balloon, she slumped into a chair inside the conference room, sulking.

Su Nisheng sat beside her, gently patting her shoulder. "What did that Raven do to you?"

"He humiliated me!!"

"How?" A trace of worry flickered in Su Nisheng’s gaze.

"He—he—he—ugh, forget it!" Xu Weiyu choked back the words, face burning crimson. Just remembering last night’s mortifying scene—the most embarrassing moment of her life—made her seethe. How could she possibly say it aloud?!

*That damn bastard!!!*

"Are you alright?" Su Nisheng asked softly, studying her flushed face.

"I’m fine," Xu Weiyu snapped, acknowledging the concern before stomping her foot in fury. "I’m going to kill him! AHHHH!!!"

"What exactly did he make you do?"

"He just humiliated me!!!"

Xu Weiyu took a deep, shaky breath. "He called himself Raven. Said he knows the leader of Rose. I don’t know his ability, but that Rose agent… he snapped his fingers and subdued her. Weird. I didn’t sense any energy fluctuation."

"And that Ink Orange Ice is definitely his lover!"

"Why do you say that?"

"The underwear in Ink Orange Ice’s closet was… insane! And I saw… stuff in the corner cabinet. Bondage gear. Ropes. Candles. So many stockings and heels. That guy’s a total pervert!!!!"

"We’ve already logged that intel. Think harder—anything you missed?" Su Nisheng rubbed her back soothingly.

"He’s about 180cm tall. His voice sounded… off."

"Off?"

"I can’t explain it. Just… unnatural."

Su Nisheng frowned slightly. *Off?* Had he deliberately altered his voice? But why? Her mind drifted back to a theory she’d already dismissed—and quickly shut it down again.

Lin Ran’s building had perfect surveillance. She’d secretly installed cameras outside his apartment long ago. He hadn’t left his building last night. No opportunity.

She’d even considered planting cameras *inside* his home once. But she’d abandoned the idea—it was a gross invasion of privacy. If Lin Ran ever found out, he’d be furious.

"Also," Xu Weiyu added, "he knew about the Rose clearance operation in advance. Warned that agent. There’s a mole in the Alliance."

"I’ve reported it. High Command is deciding next steps."

Su Nisheng pulled a card from her pocket—weary but resolute. Raven had given it to Xu Weiyu last night. A burner account, untraceable. But it held 1 million credits. Xu Weiyu’s standard fee.

She handed it over. "I fought for this. You earned it."

Xu Weiyu snatched the card, scowling.

She could rage against anything—but never money.

*One million? He offered two million!* The thought of last night’s lost million made her chest tighten. Su Nisheng watched her, uneasy. Her emotions felt… oddly scattered.

"What’s his strength level?" Su Nisheng asked suddenly.

"Huh? Why?"

"The Alliance is considering blacklisting Ink Orange Ice. Forcing Raven out…"

Xu Weiyu’s eyes widened. "I’d… I’d really advise against that!"

"Why?" Su Nisheng’s brow furrowed.

"When he dropped me off near home…"

"Yeah?"

Xu Weiyu looked away, flustered. "I… acted stupid."

"Acted stupid?"

"He said he knew several S Rank and SS Rank fighters were waiting for him at my place. I mocked him for being scared. But he just… looked at me."

"And?"

"That look… it was mocking. But not *me*. My words. Like I’d said something incredibly dumb." She shuddered. "Back in that room—the White Rose agent? I saw her body turn intangible. But when Raven snapped his fingers… everything below her knees shattered to dust."

"And when she called Rose for backup? Rose ordered her: *‘Hold him. Even if it costs your life.’* Rose *knows* what he’s capable of. White Rose never stood a chance."

"So… he’s terrifying." Xu Weiyu patted her chest, still shaken.

"Actually…" She hesitated. "He was weirdly polite. Behind the mask, his eyes and body language… seemed decent."

"Decent?"

"No! Not decent! I don’t care—he’s a damn pervert!" Xu Weiyu muttered, jumping up. The Alliance had failed to catch him again. Time for school.

Seventeen-year-olds had classes to attend.

………………………………

Lin Ran groggily sat up in bed.

Another day had slipped by. Afternoon sunlight, already fading, filtered through the window. He’d slept until 3 PM. Across from him, the cat watched silently.

Lin Ran ruffled its head, then dragged himself to brush his teeth. He downed a can of fruit—tasteless, as usual.

Life with a cat hadn’t changed much. Still just him, living simply. Tonight, he had a fight. The notification had come. Time to prepare.

Truth was, boxing was wearing him down. While others trained, his erratic schedule drained him. He was burning through his reserves. He hadn’t planned to do this forever.

No real goals. Just drifting through days, unsure of his future or purpose. It sounded overly dramatic, but it was true.

*Maybe it’s time for a change.*

Unbidden, last night’s image surfaced: Xu Zhi biting her lip.

*Kind of cute.*

…………………………

At 8 PM, Xu Zhi knocked on his door—just as he was leaving. She sat on the back of his bike, arms lightly circling his waist. Lin Ran pedaled slowly. Wind rustled the roadside leaves.

Silence wrapped them.

The world hushed; only the wind’s wild whisper filled their ears.

"Tonight’s my last fight," Lin Ran said quietly.

Xu Zhi froze.

Her eyes shifted. "What… what will you do after?"

"Dunno. Maybe game coaching. Or writing. Photography. I’ve got savings. Won’t starve." He smiled easily.

"Are you… sure?"

"Yeah. I can’t keep this up much longer. And I don’t want you stuck here with me. No point. Tonight’s the end. I won’t come back."

A flicker of light sparked in Xu Zhi’s eyes. After a beat, she smiled at him. "Okay."

Her smile bloomed like fireworks.

Lin Ran parked. Xu Zhi changed while he headed to the fourth-floor spectator area. His opponent tonight was another veteran of this underground ring—a man with over forty consecutive wins. An ordinary fighter, Lin Ran recalled. He’d heard the story: fighting to pay for his wife’s medical bills.

Forty wins. Maybe that was the power of conviction.

The crowd buzzed with anticipation. For once, Lin Ran’s odds were above 1.5-to-1. He spotted Young Master Qin in the stands, arm draped around a slender girl with suspiciously perfect eyelids. Qin’s hand roamed under her shirt. She smiled tightly—not resisting, almost proud.

Lin Ran had no interest in other people’s messy lives.

Qin tossed him a pack of premium cigarettes. Lin Ran caught it. "Thanks." He lit one in the spectator area and texted Xu Zhi:

*Don’t bet on me tonight. No guarantees.*

Her reply came quickly. He pocketed his phone, finished his cigarette, and stripped off his white shirt as his match was called. Stepping into the ring, he faced the middle-aged man. Lin Ran smiled faintly, tapping fists with his opponent. Xu Zhi murmured "Begin," then stepped back.

The man’s eyes burned fierce. He *had* to win. His bedridden wife had gripped his hand weakly, tears streaming: *I don’t want to die like this.*

That was his conviction.

Lin Ran had no reason to win. He only wanted to savor his final fight.

He lost without contest. One punch to the gut sent him sprawling. Xu Zhi bit her lip, counting to ten. Lin Ran didn’t rise.

Cheers and curses erupted below—unchanged, as always.

Young Master Qin stared, wide-eyed, at Lin Ran’s fallen form. He ground his lit cigarette into the girl’s bare chest. A soft *sizzle* hissed against her pale skin. She gasped, head bowed, biting back any sound.

Lin Ran lay on the canvas, staring at the blinding arena lights. A silent smile touched his lips.

Throughout history, who never loses?

Only unyielding conviction endures.