"If you're not dead yet, stand up and speak. Lying there like that makes you look like a coward." Xiao Feng stood with his hands buried in his pockets, glancing around with disdain. A few local residents had gathered to watch, and their apathetic expressions only deepened his contempt.
He turned his gaze to the man struggling to his feet—Tu Gou. "Why were they beating you?"
Tu Gou brushed the dust from his tattered clothes and forced a bitter smile. "I mess up a lot... This time I led them into robbing someone we shouldn't have messed with. That's why they gave me such a beating."
"Why didn't you run?"
"I tried… but couldn't get away. And even if I did—where would I run to?"
Xiao Feng looked down at the pitiful figure before him. He pulled a few Alliance notes from his pocket and handed them over. "Take this. Leave this city. Find somewhere small and quiet to live. This should be enough for a while."
Tu Gou stared at the money in Xiao Feng's hand, speechless. Trembling, he accepted it, his voice faltering as he muttered, "Thank you... You're truly a good person. If I ever make it big, I'll repay your kindness." With that, he turned and walked away, a lonely figure fading into the crowd.
Alice approached Xiao Feng. "Brother, why did you give him money?"
Xiao Feng sighed. "Alice, didn't you think he looked... pitiful?"
The two made their way to the hospital. Inside, a doctor was performing a follow-up examination on Alice's eyes, while Xiao Feng quietly observed from the side.
Suddenly, the door swung open. A dignified man strode in, his booming laughter filling the room. "Howard! Long time no see!"
"Nathan? What brings you here?"
"It's been too long, brother." Nathan's gaze shifted sharply to Xiao Feng, who stood silently in the corner, aloof and proud, and then to Alice lying on the examination table.
Xiao Feng assessed the man named Nathan—tall, at least 190 centimeters, clad in an immaculate white suit that complemented his chiseled features. Silver hair and gold-rimmed glasses gave him the air of a refined gentleman.
But Nathan's glasses were no ordinary spectacles. They displayed Xiao Feng's bodily vitals, yet instead of the expected data, only question marks filled the screen.
These glasses were likely an upgraded version of the Esper-detection device worn by Kelly—now so refined, they were indistinguishable from normal eyewear. Yet despite the advanced tech, Nathan's glasses revealed nothing. Either Xiao Feng was far from ordinary… or the glasses were malfunctioning.
Nathan turned to Howard. "Who's this young man?"
Howard chuckled. "He is who you think he is."
Nathan looked back at Xiao Feng. "May we speak privately?"
Xiao Feng frowned. "We're not exactly acquainted. What is there to talk about?"
Howard laughed. "Go on, kid. This conversation might be in your favor."
Skeptical, Xiao Feng followed Nathan into a quiet hallway. Nathan lit a cigarette and offered one to Xiao Feng, who took it with practiced bravado, though he didn't really smoke.
"I suppose I should introduce myself," Nathan began. "I'm Nathan, executive director of Hilton Corporation."
Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow. "Hilton? One of the Four Major Conglomerates?"
Nathan nodded. "Our core business is in mining operations."
"So you're rich, then," Xiao Feng said with a smirk.
"You could say that. And I know you're an Esper. Don't worry—I mean no harm. But I must ask: why can't my glasses detect your ability level?"
"Does that matter?"
"Of course it does. The stronger the Esper, the more valuable they are. Let me share something with you—not widely known. Each of the Four Conglomerates has its own secret Esper division. It's all off the books, of course. The Alliance forbids unaffiliated Espers. But even within the Alliance, we need powerful individuals to protect our interests. So…"
"You're asking me to join Hilton's Esper force?"
Nathan laughed. "Smart kid. That's exactly what I'm asking."
"I'm not interested—for now. I just want to stay with my mercenary team, hunt some monsters, collect magic crystals, and make a living. That's all."
"But if you knew what joining us could bring—privileges, wealth, whatever your heart desires. Still, no need to decide now." Nathan reached into his coat and handed over a card. "This is my personal contact. Present it at Hilton's headquarters in the capital, and I'll see that you're taken care of."
Xiao Feng glanced at the card before slipping it casually into his pocket. "Alright. I'll give it some thought."
"I genuinely hope you'll join us. We offer the best resources—and you'll find no better opportunity elsewhere."
"Thank you for the offer. You're far more courteous than those stiff suits at the Alliance Bureau."
Nathan laughed heartily. "Those fools are obsessed with control. One day, their tyranny will collapse. This world—sooner or later—will belong to Espers."
Just then, Alice emerged from the exam room. "Brother, shall we go?"
Nathan's glasses displayed a red question mark as he looked at her too—still unable to determine her power level. By now, he wasn't even surprised.
"Xiao Feng, remember what I said. I truly hope you'll join Hilton."
Xiao Feng gave the man one last glance, stubbed out his cigarette, and smiled. "We'll talk another time. I have to take my sister home. Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
Nathan watched as the siblings left the hospital.
Later, in Howard's office, Nathan said, "Get me detailed profiles on those two kids. I want them on my desk within the next few days. It's urgent."
Howard fetched a bottle of whiskey and two glasses, pouring a generous splash into each. "Is that really necessary?"
"It's absolutely necessary." Nathan downed his glass in one gulp. "You don't understand what these two could mean for our company. I have a feeling they'll rise to greatness—maybe even become the key to countering Brom and Sam's corporations."
Howard refilled his glass and chuckled. "Aren't you exaggerating a bit?"
Nathan leaned in, pointing to his glasses. "Trust me. My eyes don't lie."
Meanwhile, Blada drove the jeep with Xiao Feng and Alice back toward camp. The hefty man seemed in high spirits, humming a tune as his rotund body jiggled with every exaggerated movement—comically endearing.
Suddenly, a speeding SUV appeared ahead.
Blada swerved sharply, veering close to the edge of the narrow road to let the vehicle pass. "Damn maniac," he muttered. "In such a rush to get to hell?"
Xiao Feng glanced at the passing SUV. It looked familiar—very much like the one Kelly had driven, perhaps even more advanced.
The SUV, having sped past, suddenly spun its front end and performed a perfect drift turn, blocking the road just ahead. It revved toward them, accelerating.
It darted to their left, then executed another tight spin, completely cutting off their path.
Blada slammed on the brakes. "You wanna die!?"
The SUV stopped. Xiao Feng could see the driver clearly—a young man with neatly parted brown hair and stylish sunglasses, his expression cold and unreadable.
Xiao Feng's heart tightened. He remembered the same frigid expressions worn by Kelly and Kerry. This must be the Esper sent by the Alliance to apprehend him.
He turned to Alice. "That man's here to capture us. If I lose… run. Understand?"
Alice clenched her teeth, her eyes fierce. "No. I'll fight beside you!"
"Alice, if we're both taken, who will warn Uncle White? Who will come save us? You have to survive, no matter what." With that, Xiao Feng leapt from the jeep, hands in his pockets, and stared defiantly at the approaching enemy.
The man got out, stepping toward Xiao Feng with measured calm. He was of similar height but built with lean, refined muscle—clearly honed through rigorous training. His military uniform bore no insignia, giving no hint of rank. Yet on him, it radiated a palpable dominance.
"You are Xiao Feng?" the man asked.