CHAPTER 152: DUO ACES

"Come here, Scar! I’ll kill you!" Bob shouted, recalling the villain from his childhood movie.

Roar!

The winged lion roared back, locking its fury on us as the ones responsible for killing its kin.

Bob glided straight toward the beast head-on.

"What are you doing, Bob?" I started to feel anxious as the lion’s mouth opened wide, revealing rows of sharp fangs.

"Just hang on tight," Bob ordered.

The lion flapped its massive wings, closing the distance with terrifying speed.

As we drew closer, Bob suddenly rotated his body sideways, and we narrowly evaded the lion’s maul by mere inches. In an instant, we were beneath its massive frame.

"Now, Alan. Slash him open!" Bob screamed.

Without hesitation, I raised Indra and drove its edge across the soft underbelly of the lion, tearing it open and spilling blood as its inner parts were exposed.

Roarrr!

The lion let out a deafening cry of pain as it fought to keep its flight steady. But the bleeding was too much. Its strength start to falter, its wings buckling, and it plummeted headfirst toward the ground, crashing into the ruins below, where it joined its fallen kin in death.

"Nice one, Bob!" I cheered as we finally landed on a nearby collapsed building.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But you can let go of me now," Bob said, noticing I was still gripping him tightly.

"Oops. Sorry." I smiled awkwardly.

Linus and Phoenix landed nearby on Plump, then walked over toward us.

"Good job, you two," Linus said.

"Thank you, Linus," I replied.

"Wait a minute. I’ve been hearing ’Linus, Linus.’ Just who the hell is Linus?" Phoenix demanded.

Me and Bob instantly pointed our fingers at Linus aka Kiwi.

"So your real name is Linus, huh? Where have you been for the past week?" Phoenix suddenly grabbed Linus by the shirt and yanked him closer.

"I already did what we agreed on before. Now, you’re supposed to help me, aren’t you?" Linus said calmly.

Phoenix stayed silent for a moment, her memory clicking back. She recalled the deal, Linus had helped her group steal from the palace vault, and in return, she agreed to aid him in helping his hometown.

"I remember now." Phoenix released her grip. "I’ll tell my group about it."

Linus straightened his shirt before locking eyes with her. "No need for that. I already found someone who can help me."

His gaze flicked toward us. But neither Bob nor I noticed as we were already heading down the collapsed building to check on William and the others.

"They’re stronger now, aren’t they?" Phoenix muttered as she watched the two guys. She had originally planned a rematch with them, but after witnessing how they killed the winged lion, she had to admit, both of them had surpassed her, unlike the first time they met.

"Anyway, I’m leaving this city. You’re officially kicked out of the crew. Don’t let me see your face again." Phoenix turned on her heel and started walking back toward her men.

"Just like that?" Linus frowned, disbelief in his voice. From what he had heard from the bandits, Phoenix was merciless when someone tried to leave her group. The last one who attempted it had been beaten so badly he was one step from death. That’s why Linus expected the same treatment.

But Phoenix didn’t answer. She just kept walking.

"Sis! Are you okay?" P-Cock rushed over to her, his shirt nearly torn off, showing most of his muscles.

"I’m fine. What about the others?"

"So far, only a few of us are injured. Luckily, no casualties," P-Cock replied, flexing his arm as if to reassure her.

"Good. Now let’s move out of this town. I need a proper drink," Phoenix said flatly.

"What about those guys?" Crow pointed toward the Dawnbloom group on the other side, still itching for a fight.

"Forget them. I’m not in the mood." Phoenix continued toward the road leading out of town.

Her crew looked at each other, confused, but followed nonetheless.

P-Cock glanced one last time at the Dawnbloom guild. His eyes narrowed.

"Isn’t that... Alan and Bob?! They already arrived?" A shiver ran down his spine. The memory from the forest suddenly resurfaced in his mind.

He ran immediately to rejoin his crew, retreating from the town.

"Alan! Bob!" Evelyn dashed over and threw herself onto us, clearly overjoyed.

"You guys are so late!" Maya folded her arms, her voice sharp, but the relief in her eyes betrayed her words.

"Heroes always arrive late to save the day." Bob puffed his chest proudly.

"Thank you, all three of you. If you hadn’t shown up, I don’t know what would have happened to us," William said, smiling as he patted my shoulder.

"It’s nothing. Is anyone injured and in need of healing?" I asked, scanning the other party members.

Pang!

Suddenly, someone slapped my back.

"Relax, man. We’re not that weak to get taken out by something like that," Selene said as she appeared behind me, grabbing me around the neck.

I clenched my teeth with a grin.

This girl! If she keeps slapping my back every day, I’m going to end up with scoliosis. I should really find a card that gives me eyes on my back just for her.

Mark and Lee stood off to the side, watching the scene.

"Show-offs," Lee snorted. "I’d rather get blown away by the tornado than be saved by them."

"We should thank them. They saved us," Mark said.

"Hmph!" Lee turned his face away. To thank them would be the same as admitting they were stronger than him. Even if it was true, he needed to save face.

Lunar sat quietly by herself, her eyes fixed on me and Bob ever since we arrived. When I caught her gaze and smiled at her, she immediately turned away and walked toward Maya.

Is she still afraid of me?

I couldn’t explain it, but I felt like Lunar was carrying something she refused to share with anyone else.