63. Paying the Price in Blood

Whether or not it was developed, Su Ye didn’t know, but he was certain they would be discovered. With something this important in the car, even a fool could guess that Geese Howard would be paying close attention.

Sure enough, as soon as the vehicle drove through the main gate, a group of people blocked their way. At the head of the pack was Billy Kane, the ever-loyal dog, twirling his staff.

Billy Kane seemed to be the only useful subordinate Geese Howard had; the rest were all useless, as if Billy alone could hold his own. But Su Ye had always wondered about one thing.

Billy Kane was known as the “King of Staffs.” He wielded a long staff that could split into three sections with masterful skill. But what if someone managed to snatch his staff away—would Billy Kane still be able to fight? Or would he instantly go from hero to mere cannon fodder?

Su Ye had never seen it happen, but he intended to find out for himself.

Once the car entered the gate, an inspection was necessary. Billy Kane personally led his men to open the trunk. Just as they lifted the lid, a small metal canister suddenly tumbled to the ground at their feet.

“What’s that?”

Billy Kane and the others looked down to see thick white smoke beginning to billow from the canister.

“A smoke bomb? Damn!”

Billy Kane realized something was wrong, but before he could react, a figure rushed toward them through the smoke. Though he couldn’t make out who it was, it didn’t matter—anyone bold enough to use a smoke bomb was clearly an enemy. He twirled his staff and lunged at the shadowy figure.

But then, he felt a sudden lightness in his hands—the staff was gone.

“What the—!”

In all his years of fighting, the self-proclaimed King of Staffs had never encountered anyone who’d snatched his weapon right at the start. For a split second, he was at a total loss. Just then, a red-and-blue figure burst forth from the back of the truck.

She leapt right over Billy Kane’s head, standing upright and locking her legs around his neck. Then, with a powerful backward somersault and a 1800-degree twist, she pulled Billy Kane into the air. The immense strength in her waist and legs made Su Ye’s own lower back tingle in sympathy.

Billy Kane was yanked high off the ground, spun in a wide arc, and slammed down hard onto the concrete.

Watching Mary pick herself up from the other side, Su Ye couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.

With this move, “The Mary Typhoon,” you always hit the ground yourself before your opponent does. Though her own landing wasn’t as violent as her enemy’s, seeing a girl—especially one with enough power to pull it off—smash down like that made you worry she might just shatter on impact.

But seeing how easily Mary got up, Su Ye realized his worry was unwarranted.

“Well, aren’t you quick on your feet, Fast Boy Ye!” Mary teased as she walked back to his side. Around them, a dozen of Billy Kane’s thugs lay unconscious on the ground.

“You’ll pay dearly for that joke,” Su Ye sighed.

Mary only shrugged, unconcerned, and turned her glowing gaze toward the nearby Geese Tower.

“Since we’re already here and everyone’s down for the count, why not take this chance to do something big inside?”

Su Ye had no objections, but considering the commotion they’d caused, entering Geese Tower through the main entrance was out of the question.

“Follow me!” Su Ye grabbed Mary and led her to the base of the wall, into a dark, inconspicuous corner where even a little noise would go unnoticed. He wrapped a firm arm around Mary’s waist.

“You—” Mary tensed, feeling things were moving too fast—she wasn’t ready! All those boys at school had chased her for so long, yet she’d always brushed them off. Was it really going to happen here, today…?

She was about to whisper, “Go easy,” when she suddenly felt herself soaring into the air.

“So this is what my seniors meant by ‘soaring through the clouds’?” Mary was completely swept away by the sensation of flying, until Su Ye’s voice sounded in her ear: “We’re here. Can you… let go of my leg now?”

Mary pulled back her instinctively wrapped legs and looked around. They were atop a high place—it looked like the roof of Geese Tower.

“Not bad, you really got me flying in no time. Faster than I expected. Guess I underestimated you, Fast Boy Ye!”

Su Ye put away his grappling gun, feeling an even stronger urge to make Mary pay for her teasing.

The ruckus by the truck had drawn all the security forces in Geese Tower, leaving the rooftop unguarded. The two of them could explore at will.

The spacious rooftop’s most prominent feature was a huge boxing ring, each corner adorned with dragon-shaped sculptures that gave it a distinctively Eastern flair.

Mary gazed at it in amazement. “Wow! Geese Howard really is a fighting fanatic—not only did he host the KOF tournament, but he turned his own rooftop into a boxing ring. Didn’t even bother with a canopy. Isn’t he afraid of the sun or rain making things slippery?”

Su Ye shook his head. “The design’s pretty good. Geese Howard’s a real man. A real man fears neither the sun nor a slippery floor!”

“Oh really?” Mary rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you’re defending Geese Howard. Which side are you on, anyway?”

“Just telling it like it is,” Su Ye replied with a smile, silently adding, If you want, I can be on your side… or inside you.

Just then, a deep, aged voice sounded nearby.

“So you’re the two making trouble at Geese Tower tonight?”

The sudden voice startled Mary, but Su Ye immediately stepped in front of her.

The man stood beneath the neon lights at the rooftop’s edge. The shadows had hidden him from Mary, but Su Ye had noticed him from the start and had already put himself between Mary and the newcomer.

“So, you must be the master of Geese Tower—Geese Howard?”

Su Ye turned to face him, his voice steady.

Geese Howard stepped forward, emerging from the neon’s glow. He neither confirmed nor denied Su Ye’s guess.

“This isn’t a playground for children. If you leave now, I’ll pretend nothing happened…”

Perhaps sensing the powerful presence radiating from Su Ye, Geese Howard refrained from attacking immediately and instead tossed over a white envelope.

“This is your invitation to the KOF tournament. If you’re interested, you’re more than welcome to join.”

A faint smirk played on Geese Howard’s lips. The stronger the fighter, the better—they’d make excellent hounds once the Black Crystal took control.

But Su Ye had no intention of accepting.

“Geese Howard, do you remember Jeff Bogard?” Su Ye asked, his tone half-amused.

“Jeff?” Geese Howard’s eyes narrowed. “So it’s you—you’re that man from the East… her lover?”

“Pfft!”