Chapter 52 – Lin’s Identity

Lin was visibly startled by the revelation of Xiao Feng's electrical ability. While it wasn't unheard of for a person to wield dual supernatural powers, such cases were exceedingly rare—Xiao Feng's existence was nearly unprecedented.

Chewing on a toothpick, Lin glanced at the four unconscious men sprawled across the floor. Confirming they were alive, he showed no anger—only admiration. With a faint smile, he said, "Xiao Feng, I find myself increasingly impressed by you. Join us."

Xiao Feng froze, uncertain of Lin's meaning. "Join you? What do you mean by that?"

Lin glanced at Kailey and Kairi. "With them here, it's inconvenient to speak openly."

Kailey gave a cold snort. "Xiao Feng, don't listen to him. Come with me—join the Alliance Bureau for Supernatural Control. That's the only path worth taking. Trust me, if you follow me, I will ensure you are accepted into the Bureau."

Her words left both Xiao Feng and Kairi perplexed. Why had Kailey's attitude toward Xiao Feng changed so drastically? Xiao Feng's thoughts returned to that night—the uninvited intrusion, the possession. Perhaps, he mused, it was this violation that had altered her perception of him. It was the only explanation he could fathom.

But Kairi remained entirely unaware of what had transpired between them.

Lin shook his head. "The Alliance Bureau? That band of swindlers? And you still place your faith in them?"

Xiao Feng chuckled. "If they're swindlers, then what exactly is your organization?"

Lin looked at Kailey and Kairi. "There's no harm in telling you—you'll learn of us sooner or later. We are… 'K'."

The moment that single letter escaped Lin's lips, Kailey and Kairi stiffened. They had heard of the name before.

"You're truly a member of 'K'? That makes it all the more imperative to arrest you!" Kailey raised her pistol again, aiming squarely at Lin's brow.

Lin, still nonchalant, turned his gaze to Xiao Feng. "One day, you'll understand the truth behind this world—and that truth lies with 'K'. Sooner or later, you'll join us." He smiled with irreverent charm, the black trench coat rustling around him as he toyed with his toothpick.

Xiao Feng stepped forward, gently pushing Kailey's pistol down. "For the sake of our shared heritage, I'll let you live today. Go."

Kailey turned to him, her eyes gleaming coldly. "We can't let him go—he's one of K's operatives."

Lin seemed to grasp Xiao Feng's decision. He walked to the window, opened it with ease, and leapt out gracefully. Moments later, the roar of a car engine echoed—"Vroom!"—and the vehicle vanished into the distance.

Kailey looked at Xiao Feng. "Do you even know how much the Alliance pays for capturing a member of 'K'?"

Xiao Feng stretched lazily. "I couldn't care less. I'm not short on money. Let's go."

"But that's a hundred thousand Alliance credits!" she protested with a pout almost childlike.

Kairi sighed. "They say women are fickle... Today, I finally understand."

Xiao Feng, still smiling, walked out of the room and slid into the front passenger seat of their dusty SUV.

Kailey gave Kairi a sharp glance. "What did you just say? Women are fickle?"

Kairi smoothed his hair, amused. "Sister, why have you suddenly become so fond of Xiao Feng? I find it baffling."

Kailey's face flushed with a rare trace of embarrassment. She huffed, opened the driver's door, and got in. "Let's go."

Kairi barely had time to close his door when the SUV spun with a roar, throwing up clouds of dust as it sped away.

Xiao Feng sat in the passenger seat, lost in thought. Lin's words echoed in his mind. A powerful curiosity about the organization called "K" had taken root in his heart.

Back in that dilapidated garage, the four men stirred awake half an hour later, groaning as they looked at one another in pain.

"Damn it… I'm never messing with espers again."

After escorting Xiao Feng back to the X Mercenary Corps, Kailey and Kairi departed—they still belonged to the Alliance Bureau and had reports to deliver.

As night fell, Xiao Feng contemplated heading out to hunt. Now equipped with the Blood Ghost and Kailey's electrical ability as a reference, he felt confident in taking on higher-level beasts. If he could defeat an E-class creature, perhaps he'd even treat himself to an off-road vehicle—driving was certainly less exhausting than running everywhere.

After packing lightly, he slung the Blood Ghost over his back and slipped out into the descending twilight.

He hadn't yet reached the camp gates when a familiar voice called out behind him.

"Xiao Feng."

He turned. Standing there was the alluring Aiwei, cradling a small white wolf in her arms. The wolf had grown considerably since Luo Jin had rescued it.

"Out hunting again?" she asked.

"Of course. Alice's eye surgery still requires a lot of money."

"Then I'll go with you."

"There's no need. It's dangerous at night. The beasts around here are high-level… If something goes wrong…"

"Isn't that why we have the great Xiao Feng with us? What's there to fear?"

Xiao Feng had no retort. So, side by side, they left the encampment.

Beyond the gates, Xiao Feng cradled the Blood Ghost in his arms. In a world this desolate, danger lurked in every shadow. Any moment, a beast of terrifying strength could leap out and tear them to shreds.

As they walked, a thought stirred in Xiao Feng's mind. "Aiwei," he asked, "do you know anything about an organization called 'K'?"

She gave him a curious look. "What makes you ask about that? I've heard some things about them."

"Oh? What exactly do they do?"

"Do you know what the letter 'K' stands for?" she replied, stroking the wolf's snowy fur.

Xiao Feng shook his head. "If I knew, I wouldn't be asking you."

Without much thought, Aiwei said casually, "K is the first letter of the word 'Kill.'"

Let me know if you'd like to continue with the next chapter or refine the tone even further.