The restaurant owner remained frozen in an awkward, deep bow, his face flushed a livid, purplish-red from the strain.

Su Hong’s words were earnest and tinged with helplessness—but the owner saw only mockery. Humiliated before the entire crowd, this feigned concern felt like salt in the wound.

“There’s a limit to arrogance! Today, even if I can’t recruit you, I’ll kill you! Don’t you dare pretend to worry about me!!”

Roaring, the owner’s shoulder-mounted Spirit Card Slot flared. Light shot down his arm and plunged into the floor—

*Boom!*

The floorboards pinning his hands shattered outward. A massive yellow-green axe materialized in his grip.

“You think a collapsed floor could save you?!” He straightened, slashed downward, and freed his feet. His eyes landed on Su Hong and Lia. Seeing neither wore a Spirit Card Slot, he let out a cold laugh and leveled the axe blade at Su Hong. “Now… what will you say?”

“That axe is rather ugly. And honestly? You really shouldn’t point it at me.” Su Hong spoke calmly, genuinely hoping to avoid escalation. If earlier it was just a quarrel—floorboards trapping the man—now, with steel aimed at *him*, the one in mortal danger was the owner himself.

Seeing Su Hong’s unnerving composure, unease flickered in the owner’s chest.

*Could Lia be hiding a Spirit Card Slot?*

No. Even if she were, he had staff nearby. Lia wasn’t a true Spirit Cardmaster—maybe handled two at best. A bluff!

Convinced, he stepped forward and pressed the blade against Su Hong’s shoulder. “Pointing? I’ll press it to your neck! What can a tiny shop like yours do to me? Huh?”

No sooner had he spoken than shouts erupted from the shop entrance. Just as he thought his intimidation had worked—a fierce leopard shimmering with translucent cyan light burst inside!

Moving with ghostly agility, it wove past customers and staff, kicked off the counter, vaulted over Su Hong’s shoulder in a flash, snatched the axe from the owner’s grip without brushing a single hair, and pinned him flat to the ground!

“Gaaah! Wh-what?!” The owner thrashed in panic—but the leopard pinned the axe with one paw, jaws hovering inches from his throat.

In a blink, silence fell. The owner dared not move, not even breathe. Only Su Hong sighed in exasperation, studying the leopard with mild curiosity. “Why’s it translucent? A beast?”

No one answered. After a beat, Lia whispered shakily, “It looks like a beast… but it’s a Spirit Card.”

*A Spirit Card?* Unexpected.

Su Hong glanced toward the entrance. Customers hastily parted as a crisp-suited young man strode in, heading straight for the owner.

“Outrageous! How dare you disrespect an esteemed client of the Chris Guild!” With a wave, the cyan leopard released the owner’s throat, seized his shoulder, and flung him at Su Hong’s feet.

“Honored Spirit Glyphsmith,” the man bowed deeply. “I am a steward of the Chris Guild. By the Guild Master’s order, I wish to discuss cooperation—purchasing the Spirit Cards you’ve crafted. My deepest apologies for arriving late.”

A buzz exploded through the shop.

“See? I told you that Spirit Card ad was insane! Even the Chris Guild showed up!”

“Showed up? Look at the steward’s respect! That kid’s no ordinary person!”

The owner turned ashen. If he could bully this shop with a flick of his wrist, the Chris Guild could crush his restaurant with a thought. He hastily retracted the axe, forcing a fawning smile upward. “Steward! Remember me? I’m a loyal patron! Take the Spirit Cards—and him—please…”

The steward shot him an icy glare. “You *dare* insult the Spirit Glyphsmith?!”

As the steward raised a hand to command the leopard again, Su Hong gave a slight wave. The steward instantly stilled and bowed respectfully to Su Hong.

“Honored Spirit Glyphsmith, how shall we handle him? I can report him to the security force—his actions warrant imprisonment.”

Silence. Every eye locked on Su Hong, waiting for his verdict.