(RBT) Chapter 42: So... Can We Settle This Peacefully?

Although Penguin Logistics had only just started and didn't have many business orders, the world is a big place. In the age of the internet, you're bound to run into some unreasonable, testosterone-poisoned individuals.

For example, the local posers living near gang territory were experts at bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

"C'mon, buddy. You can't even cough up 200 Lungmen Dollars for cash on delivery?"

"Yeah? So what if I don't pay? What're you gonna do about it?"

A belligerent Ursus kept provoking Lucifer, his burly frame covered in menacing tattoos. And behind this loud-mouthed giant was a small gang of seven or eight more just like him, all circled up.

Seeing this, Lucifer couldn't help but let out an exasperated laugh.

"Hah, you're just a kid."

"Who are you calling a kid? You got no respect for your elders, huh?"

The scowling Ursus man pointed a finger at Lucifer with all the dramatic gravity of a martial arts master unleashing a legendary technique. In his eyes, the vibrant and energetic Lucifer was clearly just some greenhorn fresh out of school who had never been properly beaten down by society.

"Today, your Brother Tiger is gonna have to teach you a lesson. I guarantee you're in for a world of hurt!"

With that, the self-proclaimed "Brother Tiger" tore open the package Lucifer had delivered and pulled out a metal baseball bat. From the sharp clanging sounds, it was easy to tell how pure the metal was. Combined with the strength of an Ursus, one swing was enough to break a normal person's limbs.

Fortunately, Lucifer was no normal person.

As Brother Tiger swung the bat at him, Lucifer slowly raised a hand and caught it as casually as if he were taking a sip of water.

"...?"

"Such little strength. Have you eaten today?"

CRACK—

The metal bat suddenly fractured where Lucifer held it. The next moment, he had crushed it into fine powder with his bare hand.

Brother Tiger stumbled back two steps, his eyes wide with disbelief. He knew better than anyone just how solid that metal bat was, yet Lucifer had crumbled it to dust. Who could possibly stand up to that kind of grip strength?

The onlookers in the back all shot to their feet, a reverent fear in their eyes. They exchanged glances in stunned silence. But the more silent it got, the more they felt they had lost face. Their fragile egos kicked in, and the late-stage symptoms of running their mouths began to flare up.

"It's just a little Arts trick! Hey, Liang Zi, show him what's what."

Brother Tiger frowned and retreated behind the others, effectively activating his monster card named Liang Zi.

A skinny Elafia man stepped out from the crowd, shaking his head and loosening up his body.

"Do a backflip and kick him to death for me."

"HRAAAGH, LET'S GOOO~!"

With a bizarre war cry, Liang Zi launched a perfect, golden spinning kick toward Lucifer.

Lucifer, however, remained completely unfazed, showing no intention of even moving. Just as Liang Zi's "Leo Kick" was about to connect, a gray figure flashed past and kicked Liang Zi first, sending him flying.

"PUGAH!"

Liang Zi, kicked into next week, crashed right into Brother Tiger in the crowd. The gray figure landed steadily in front of Lucifer.

"Didn't I tell you to call me when this happens?"

"What's wrong with me wanting to carry solo? You just like to kill-steal, don't you?"

Texas ignored Lucifer's complaint.

With a flick of her wrists, two luminous, orange-gold swords of light burst forth from her hands.

"You're a Jedi too?"

"No. Stay sharp, they're coming."

Following Texas's gaze, they saw Brother Tiger cradling the unconscious Liang Zi, crying up a storm that could shake the heavens.

"Ah~ my disciple~! Penguin Logistics, I'm not done with you! You'll↓ pay~ for~ this↑"

As his voice fell, the others grabbed their weapons and glared menacingly at Texas and Lucifer.

Facing nearly a dozen thugs wouldn't normally be a problem for Texas, but this time, Lucifer was with her. No matter how much Emperor vouched for him, Texas still had no idea what Lucifer was truly capable of. If anything happened to him, she'd have a hard time explaining it.

"Take care of yourself."

With that, Texas made the first move. She raised her light swords and struck a goon's steel pipe, then sent him flying with a kick, blocking the others who were rushing forward. With her agile figure and skill, she weaved through the crowd like a phantom.

"What are you doin'~" Lucifer whined with a helpless look.

Before Texas had dropped in, Lucifer, whose hands weren't exactly clean, had been planning to use the brawl as a reasonable excuse to "collect" some blood. But now that Texas was in the thick of it, it was awkward for him to act. The Lupo were as sensitive to the scent of blood as Blood Devils were. It would be bad if Texas smelled something.

"There's an opening!"

A Forte holding a Holy Sword of Physics, also known as a crowbar, saw his chance and charged at Lucifer.

Texas heard the shout and glanced over, but she was too far away and entangled with the others to break free and help.

Lucifer, however, remained perfectly calm and composed.

"Ascalon and Xiao Man couldn't find an opening, but you did, huh?"

Lucifer turned and slowly reached a hand toward the so-called "opening."

The Forte's crowbar seemed faster, striking Lucifer's arm first with a clear "CLANG."

Crack...

In that instant, the crowbar snapped in two.

The smile on the Forte's face froze. While he was still lost in his shock, a hand covered his entire face.

Having successfully landed the "head-pat of death," Lucifer grabbed the Forte's head and slammed it violently against the wall.

DOOOOM!

A massive boom echoed in everyone's ears. The floor and the entire building seemed to tremble from the impact, and dust trickled down from the cracks in the ceiling.

The thugs and Texas all turned to look at Lucifer in unison, their faces filled with utter shock.

"Guh..."

The Forte, who had been embedded in the wall by Lucifer, slowly began to slide down from the cracks, looking somewhat... dead.

Lucifer realized he might have overdone it, or rather, he wasn't yet familiar with the durability of normal people and Lungmen architecture.

"We don't have to pay for medical bills, right?"

"...As long as nobody died, no." Texas glanced at the Forte on the ground with a complicated expression. There was still a faint breath. It was probably just a severe concussion.

But for some reason, Texas had a feeling that Lucifer had been deliberately holding back with that last move...

Oh no, she thought. Could it be that a legendary master has been by my side this whole time?

Texas didn't dwell on it and turned back to deal with the remaining trouble.

By the time Brother Tiger snapped out of the "earthquake," his crew of thugs, thanks to Texas's excellent tuck-in service, were all sound asleep.

Staring at Texas and Lucifer, Brother Tiger felt like his world was collapsing.

"So, uh... can we settle this peacefully?"

"Right now? You can't be serious."

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