Xiao Feng regarded the man with disdain. "I am Xiao Feng. And who might you be?"
The man smirked, chewing gum insolently. "Me? I'm Charles, Special Envoy of the Alliance, Level Four Esper." His mirrored sunglasses gleamed arrogantly in the light, his swagger palpable—clearly, he held Xiao Feng in no regard.
From the jeep, Brada and Alice exchanged nervous glances at the mention of Charles's title. Brada, more composed than Alice thanks to his years in the X Mercenary Corps, discreetly reached for the vehicle's radio and began transmitting. After all, they weren't far from the corps' encampment.
"Oh? An envoy of the Alliance? What business could you possibly have with me?" Xiao Feng asked calmly, already certain—this must be the one Lin had warned him about: the esper dispatched to capture him.
Charles replied with a casual air, "Well, here's the thing. Some time ago, the Alliance Bureau sent Envoy Kelly to handle your case. Unfortunately, she failed her mission. As a result, both she and Kerry were disciplined. So, now it's my turn to complete the task."
Xiao Feng eyed the overconfident envoy coolly. Upon learning Kelly and Kerry had been punished on his account, he felt a pang of guilt. He'd long wanted to flatten this arrogant man with a single punch, but Lin had warned him: this was a Level Four esper. Xiao Feng had never fought one before—and doubt gnawed at his confidence.
"What does your mission have to do with us? Kindly move your vehicle aside—we're heading back."
Charles, still chewing gum, sneered coldly. "My mission is to arrest you and White. So tell me, do you think it concerns you or not?"
"On what grounds? What law have we broken?" Xiao Feng demanded.
"Your very existence as espers violates Alliance law," Charles replied flatly. He gestured toward Alice. "And her too—she's under arrest."
Clearly, he had identified Alice as one of their kind.
Xiao Feng glanced at the young girl, then turned sharply to Charles. "If you so much as lay a finger on her, I swear I'll kill you. Try me."
His voice was ice—deadly and resolute.
Charles burst into mocking laughter. "Talk is cheap. But do you have the strength to back it up?"
With a sudden clash of his fists, Charles lunged.
Xiao Feng, with lightning reflexes, perceived Charles's attack as sluggish. He ducked low, evading the punch with ease, and countered with a fierce uppercut.
Confident in both his speed and power, Xiao Feng knew such a strike would have knocked Lin out cold. Surely it would do the same to Charles.
A resounding bang rang out—his fist connected squarely with Charles's chin, full force.
Yet Charles remained rooted, entirely unmoved.
Xiao Feng's brows knit together. Pain radiated from his knuckles—his right hand was throbbing violently.
He stared in disbelief. Cracks had appeared across Charles's chin, like fissures in stone—then, slowly, they began to mend.
So this was his ability. Xiao Feng's heart sank with astonishment.
Charles chuckled. "Is that all the strength you've got?"
Then he charged again, fists now morphing—his arms transforming into stone, fists like solid rock.
His punch halted just inches from Xiao Feng's chest. Charles frowned, eyes flicking toward the jeep—where Alice sat with her hands extended, visibly straining.
"A telekinetic esper?" he muttered.
Xiao Feng seized the moment, slamming his knee toward Charles's gut with vicious force.
Another bang—and again, it was like colliding with stone.
"What kind of damn power is this?" Xiao Feng exclaimed in pain and shock.
"Heh. Level Four Rock Manipulation. Impressive, no?" Charles sneered, struggling against Alice's telekinetic grip.
Xiao Feng recognized the opening. With Charles held fast, he charged forward and launched a flurry of punches at his opponent's face.
Bang. Bang. Blow after blow landed, shattering more cracks across Charles's chin. Fragments flew, yet every fracture swiftly regenerated—Xiao Feng's relentless assault achieving nothing.
In the jeep, Alice clenched her jaw, beads of sweat dotting her brow. She was clearly reaching her limit.
After a full minute, she cried out, her voice strained: "Brother Xiao Feng, hurry—I can't hold him much longer!"
Hearing her plea, Xiao Feng stepped back, placed one hand on Charles's chest, and snarled, "Bastard—let's see how you like this."
A surge of electricity burst from his palm, racing into Charles's body.
Charles's eyes widened—he hadn't expected Xiao Feng to wield two abilities. He grunted, convulsing as electric arcs crackled across his form.
The discharge left Xiao Feng gasping—his body now wracked with fatigue. The backlash of overexertion had come again.
Panting, he watched, hoping Charles would finally collapse.
But though smoke curled from Charles's skin, he remained standing.
At that moment, Brada saw Alice slump in the jeep—she had fainted.
"Alice! Alice, what's wrong?" he shouted, shaking her gently.
She stirred weakly. "I... I have no strength left. Quick—get Brother Xiao Feng out of here."
Hearing Brada's call, Xiao Feng rushed to the jeep.
"Alice—are you alright?" he asked, eyes full of worry.
She looked away, ashamed. "Brother Xiao Feng… am I useless?"
"Who said that?" Xiao Feng's voice was fierce, unwavering.
Suddenly, Brada cried out, "Xiao Feng—behind you!"