Demi‑humans.

The term refers to creatures that look roughly human but belong to other species.

Chimera Ants, for example, are one type of demi‑human.

Xiang Nan's interest in the Shadow Beasts stemmed from the fact that, apart from their leader Owl, every member appeared to possess overt animal traits. Claiming that all of this was caused by Nen alone felt far‑fetched: nine people, almost all exhibiting bestial characteristics, and it was impossible that every one of their Nen abilities would trigger such drastic bodily changes—especially when each individual used a different Nen affinity.

Porcupine, Rabid Dog, and Leech still leaned toward "normal," but the others—Bat, Worm, and so on—didn't look human at all. Their bodies were already deformed even before they activated Nen.

After all, what human naturally grows wings?

Their skin tones were equally abnormal.

They were nothing like the Kurta Clan, nor like the Gyudondond Tribe to which Bonolenov belonged.

Clearly, they weren't simply an ethnic minority.

This face‑to‑face encounter confirmed Xiang Nan's suspicion.

Porcupine's body showed no signs of intense physical training, yet his vitality overflowed; the amount of aura he could draw from his flesh didn't match his outward condition.

The only explanation was that the Shadow Beasts' genetic makeup had been enhanced—their very life‑tier elevated.

For that reason, Xiang Nan had filled a hotel room with medical equipment in advance, turning Porcupine into his "specimen."

He knew the Ten Dons would send an armed team and that the Shadow Beasts were likely to appear, so he used the Zatobi family incident to set a trap for them.

In the improvised ward, Xiang Nan drew Porcupine's blood with a syringe for analysis.

Behind him, Mia looked visibly relieved yet still uneasy. She never imagined that Xiang Nan alone could wipe out the Ten Dons' assassins—Shadow Beasts included. Everyone knew that in the Ten Dons' territory, any rebel daring to defy them simply vanished without a trace. Rumor had it … the Shadow Beasts handled those disappearances.

"Are your injuries alright?" Mia asked, glancing at Xiang Nan.

Cuts marked his neck and hands, but they were mere surface wounds—more experimental than dangerous. Only one mechanized Nen user had truly threatened him, nicking his neck. The wounds on his hands came from Xiang Nan deliberately testing Porcupine's Nen to gauge his skill. Once Porcupine was the last enemy standing, the outcome had been decided.

Had the Shadow Beasts not been so arrogant and attacked together, Xiang Nan might indeed have been hurt—though not fatally. The mechanized Nen user, an unexpected variable, should have been a decisive weapon; unfortunately, Porcupine the captain treated him as expendable.

"I'm fine," Xiang Nan replied, loading the blood sample into a diagnostic machine.

Luckily he, not Manman, had fought. One‑on‑one, Manman would likely have fallen. Her Nen inflicts mental pollution only if it first deals real damage, and Porcupine's Nen squarely counters close‑quarters fighters. Even Manman's second personality—with its perfect savagery and attack instinct—would have been useless.

"Call the Ten Dons," Xiang Nan said after starting the analysis; the results would take a while.

Mia bit her lip, raised a trembling hand, and dialed. Xiang Nan had already learned the Ten Dons' contact from Brunson.

"Mind your tone," he reminded her when she put the phone on speaker.

Mia nodded, inhaling deeply. The phone belonged to Porcupine.

"All taken care of?" A stern male voice answered almost immediately.

"I beg your pardon, Edi-sama. This is … Mia—Mia Zatobi, current head of the Zatobi family."

Her voice wavered but steadied quickly.

Silence.

"You're still alive … so the Shadow Beasts failed," Edi said calmly, without a ripple.

"Yes," Mia replied.

"A woman from a mid‑tier family achieving this … I underestimated you. So? Did you call to brag?"

"You misunderstand, my lord. Even with ten thousand lives, the Zatobi would never dare offend you. We killed your men only to survive," Mia said, enunciating each word. "I ask merely for a chance … I can give you a satisfactory explanation for Brunson's death.

"I know that, to you, the combined assets of the Zatobi and Brunson clans are insignificant, but to show sincerity … I've prepared a gift and hope for your forgiveness."

She spoke quickly, afraid he might hang up.

"A gift?"

"I have a batch of military supplies from the Kakin Empire—nothing like the common black‑market arms, but exquisitely crafted and perfect for equipping your private forces. Also, you may wonder why I'm still alive. I've partnered with an elder from Meteor City who can supply elite soldiers, including Nen users. If you wish, I'll hand you that channel as well."

The Ten Don, of course, knew of Meteor City's infiltration. He cared little for their "little tricks"; what truly interested him were Kakin weapons.

Kakin was a famed military power whose arms never leaked. He also knew only the Republic of Padokea had recently allied with Kakin and received such gear. Both nations were continental giants—even he, one of the Ten Dons, wouldn't dare provoke them. If Kakin and Padokea united to purge the underworld, not even the Ten Dons together could resist (though, with the V5 present, that scenario was unlikely).

A woman from a small family had obtained such rare goods?!

"My batch is small, but in six months I can supply ten times the current quantity," Mia said firmly.

"Oh?" A note of interest crept into his voice.

"Send someone to inspect them—verify they're genuine Kakin arms. I wouldn't dare joke about this."

"You have ties to Kakin?" he asked.

He hadn't linked her to Padokea because that was his own turf; he knew every detail of the Zatobi family, and Padokea's military had reported no missing arms.

"Mm," Mia answered, glancing at Xiang Nan.

"Bring your people and meet me," Edi ordered, named a location, then hung up.

The moment Mia laid down the phone, her body sagged, but her eyes gleamed—she had piqued his interest and survived the ordeal.

"To make him value you, you first prove your worth," Xiang Nan said, smiling. "Had we failed against his troops, even mentioning Kakin would've meant nothing."

"And Kakin …?"

"Relax. It's just a grand promise, and he won't live long anyway. Your job is to stall him by any means, using charm and skill, until the underworld reshuffle begins."

The "Kakin arms" were something Xiang Nan had prepared long ago to arm the Zatobi family. Now they would entice the Ten Don.

"But what if he presses for proof of my Kakin connections?" Mia asked anxiously.

"He won't. Having Kakin weapons already substantiates your claim; few can get them. Besides, the Ten Don alone would never risk Kakin's wrath by digging deeper. This affair has already angered Padokea's military. In the eyes of true great powers, you mafia are nothing but riffraff. He's granting you not quite seven months of probation—fail, and he'll erase you effortlessly.

"Compared to the risk, he can afford to wait that long.

"Replacing Brunson? Child's play—he has plenty of lackeys. Don't overthink it. Now get ready; let's meet him."

"Alright," Mia nodded.

Beep, beep, beep—

The analyzer beside Xiang Nan chimed. He ignored Mia and turned to the screen. On seeing the data, his eyes sharpened, excitement lighting his face.

"So that's it … incredible. This world's tech far exceeds my expectations.

"A reconstructed gene chain—though it may not be technology; perhaps it's some other power. Does the Ten Don possess it?" His voice brimmed with delight, his expression feverish. Mia involuntarily stepped back.

Without another word, Xiang Nan seized a scalpel and strode toward Porcupine on the bed.

He was about to begin!