Chapter 224: Madness and Wails Amidst the Flames

"Whoo-hoo-hoo!!!"

Kanto's ecstatic shout reverberated through the night wind, like a wild beast freshly unleashed from its cage, venting its primal instincts. His laughter was coarse and raspy, yet carried an infectious energy that could not be ignored.

He turned abruptly, his fiery gaze sweeping toward Lixy behind him. With a booming voice, he shouted, "How about that, Lixy? Thrilling enough for you?! Hahaha! Just wait! The world of the empowered is about to open up soon. Then, the real fun begins! The true carnival starts!!!"

Lixy stared dazedly at Kanto ahead of her, the wind whipping through his hair. His silhouette stood tall and defiant, like a battle flag igniting the flames of war. Her hands instinctively tightened around the back of the motorcycle, her heartbeat spiraling out of control as if she were being drawn into an unavoidable tempest.

At last, she understood Kanto's intentions. He could have easily resolved the earlier crisis himself, yet he had deliberately made her pull the trigger. He wasn't using her; he was guiding her. Through the most extreme methods, he was breaking the chains that bound her, forcing her to shed the endless shadows of her past.

To him, the approaching world of the empowered was not a disaster but an opportunity—a game truly belonging to the strong. He embraced it, not with fear, but with exhilarating anticipation. It wasn't arrogance or blind confidence; it was certainty. Kanto was like a master on the crest of a wave, capable of overturning everything.

Lixy's heart raced faster and faster, as though something was awakening within her. Her gaze grew resolute, and her fingers unconsciously clenched into fists. Deep within her, a long-suppressed thought finally surfaced with clarity—

She would no longer evade, nor would she be shackled by the shadows of her past. One day, she would personally kill Watcher 06, the one who destroyed her childhood!

Kanto seemed to sense her change, but he didn't turn back. Instead, the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint, knowing smile. His voice rang out once more, calm yet thunderous: "Lixy, are you ready to face the future?"

Lixy didn't respond, but her eyes no longer held hesitation.

In the police car's passenger seat, Chief Nagatani stared through the windshield at the firestorm ahead. Flames erupted skyward like a volcanic explosion, scattering debris and embers across the highway. His face darkened, his brow furrowing deeply. His voice was low but carried an undeniable edge of anger: "Kun, step on it! We can't let that maniac continue unchecked!"

Kun, the driver, nodded and pressed the accelerator to the floor. The engine roared through the night as the police car surged forward. Chief Nagatani's gaze locked on the road ahead, scanning for signs of Yuyou's vehicle. Anxiety gripped him tightly, an ominous unease washing over him: Where had Yuyou gone? Had they already lost him?

More police cars joined the chase, their flashing red and blue lights weaving like a river as they closed in on their target. But Kanto, riding his motorcycle, remained unfazed. A cigarette dangled from his lips as he casually whistled a tune.

Lixy glanced at a road sign, noting that they were nearing the city's limits. Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, "Boss, where are we headed?"

Kanto replied nonchalantly, "Gabriel City. Once we get there, I'll introduce you to a couple of fools."

Through the motorcycle's rearview mirror, Kanto spotted the advancing police cars. A wicked grin spread across his face. "These pests are really ruining my mood..." he muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on the handlebars before suddenly accelerating.

The police began coordinating their pursuit, attempting to corner Kanto from both sides. But with a sharp turn, his motorcycle carved a ghostly arc. The unprepared officers couldn't react in time. Tires screeched against the pavement before a police car lost control, colliding with a speeding truck ahead. The deafening crash shattered the night, and the truck toppled, its fiery explosions sealing the highway in chaos.

Kanto glanced back, a cold smirk on his lips, as though surveying the inferno of his creation.

Yet the worst was yet to come.

From beneath a halted police car, the metallic clink of a grenade pin echoed. Moments later—

Boom!

The explosion ripped through the night, sending the car soaring into the air. Its blazing wreckage rained down like hellfire, igniting more vehicles. A chain of explosions ensued.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Police cars along the highway erupted one after another. Flames painted the night sky crimson, and the highway transformed into a battlefield of carnage, the acrid scent of smoke thick in the air.

Chief Nagatani's car screeched to a halt just outside the blast zone. Watching the unfolding inferno, his fists clenched, veins bulging, fury consuming him. He growled through gritted teeth, "...That lunatic!!!"

Meanwhile, Kanto, still riding his motorcycle, turned briefly to take in the devastation. His voice rang out in laughter, wild and untamed: "Hahahaha—! Can't catch me now, can you?!"

The chaos spread quickly. Police driver Kun found himself wrestling with the wheel as the flames devoured the vehicles ahead. Despite his efforts, the car veered off course, tipping and crashing into the guardrail with a jarring impact.

Smoke and gasoline fumes filled the air. Chief Nagatani kicked open the door, stumbling out despite his injuries. His eyes burned with urgency as he staggered toward Kun, who was still trapped inside.

"Kun! Get out now! The fuel's leaking—it's going to explode!"

Kun weakly shook his head, his face pale. "Chief... my leg's pinned... I can't get out..."

"Don't say that!" Chief Nagatani's bloodshot eyes were filled with determination. Ignoring his pain, he grabbed the car door, straining to free Kun. His voice cracked with desperation: "Even if I have to cut off your leg, I'll save you!"

But Kun smiled faintly, shaking his head. "Chief, it's no use... This is fate..." Slowly, he raised a trembling hand in a final salute. "This... is my last respect... to you, brother."

"Don't do this! Kun—!"

Before Nagatani could act, Kun mustered his remaining strength and shoved him away from the vehicle.

"Run!!!"

Boom!

The leaking fuel ignited, and the car exploded in a fiery inferno. Flames engulfed everything, the shockwave flinging Nagatani far across the pavement.

He landed heavily, rolling several times before lying motionless. His bloodied face reflected the hellish glow of the flames. Half-conscious, tears slid from his eyes as his lips moved soundlessly, trying to call Kun's name.

Under the night sky, the fire roared, lighting up the ruins of the highway. The scene was a cruel funeral pyre, where Kun's shadow disappeared forever.