The metal roller shutter creaked open, and Felix stepped out of the storefront.


    Jared smirked upon seeing him. "Well, well, you''re not stupid, after all. Coming out on your own saves me the trouble. I was about to make you experience some heat tonight."


    Not far away, someone stood holding a lit torch, leaving little doubt about their intentions.


    "Jared, I don''t believe you''d really dare to act so recklessly," Felix said.


    Jared sneered with disdain. "You really don''t get it, do you? I''ve got an army of loyal men ready to die at mymand. You, a nobody, wouldn''t understand."


    While Martial City appeared to have strict rules, Felix quickly learned that those rules only bound ordinary people. Those with power and connections always found ways to evade them.


    Take arson, for instance. Jared''s people could torch a building and have a scapegoat lined up to take the fall without any consequences.


    "Laura and I are just friends. She already exined this to you, and I''ve said it more than once. Yet you insist on targeting me?"


    Running a hand through his hair, Jared actually nodded. "That''s right. You may think it''s unreasonable, but it''s a big deal to me! The gap between people is set from birth, kid. Hard work doesn''t mean sess. If you want me to leave you alone, you''ve got to make me leave you alone.


    "s, I don''t think you''re capable of that. So, this is the way it is. Now shut up ande with me. Maybe once I''m satisfied, I''ll let you crawl out of this alive."


    Jared''s words revealed more about how Martial City operated, and Felix couldn''t help butugh.


    "Assuming things work the way you say they do, aren''t you worried that I''m someone you can''t afford to provoke?"


    Jared froze for a moment, then burst intoughter, nearly doubling over. "Are you trying to make me dieughing? Sure, there are people in North City I wouldn''t dare cross, but you? You''re not one of them. Joining Harmony Clinic doesn''t put you in their league.


    "Take him!"


    A sharp, crisp sound rang out as Jared''s head snapped to the side. His eyes widened in disbelief.


    For a moment, he couldn''t process it. He was the son of the city guard''s general in North City. Yet, he was smacked in the face on his own turf?


    "Kill him!" Jared roared, veins bulging on his neck. He didn''t even look at Felix, too furious to think straight.


    "Kill who?"


    Another pnded, leaving Jared stunned. He finally realized that none of his bodyguards or the hidden experts protecting him had made a move. Something was very, very wrong.


    When Jared turned to look, his face drained of all color. He gasped and immediately bent at the waist in a deep bow. "G-Greetings, Madam Goddard." Although Delh stood alone, her presence was overwhelming. It silenced everyone around her. No one even dared to breathe loudly.


    "Jared, do you need me to call your father here to discipline you publicly?"


    Jared felt as though his legs might give out. If his father found out he had offended Delh, he''d be lucky to escape with just a beating.


    "No, no! Please, Madam Goddard, please calm down. I was wrong. I see that now."


    Another pnded squarely on Jared''s face. This time, it came from Felix. Jared was so stunned that he froze on the spot. "You... You dare hit me?"


    Felix''s expression was calm and unyielding. "Why wouldn''t I? By your own logic, you''re nothing an a worthless bug in my eyes. So, why wouldn''t I p you?"


    Jared opened his mouth to argue but couldn''t find a single word to refute him With Delh standing there, the truth was in for all to see. Felix now held the upper hand, and there was nothing Jared could do about it.


    Yet, a question gnawed at Jared. Why would someone like Delh, a legend of Martial City, protect a mere nobody like Felix? It simply didn''t make sense.