Chapter 26: Secret Technique! Repetitive Side Step!

Atop a nearby high-rise.

Scout and his squad were closely monitoring the tense standoff unfolding between the Doctor and Reunion down below.

"The Doctor… he just walked out of the car? Alone? And straight toward a hundred Reunion members? What is he doing? That's suicide! Captain Scout, are we just going to watch?" Thumbtack asked anxiously, peering through his binoculars.

"Calm down. I just got word from the Doctor himself. He told us not to act rashly for now."

Scout put down his phone and reassured the team.

"But still! If I'm not mistaken, that Reunion commander's gear… it's Ursus Internal Guard standard! Is the Doctor really planning to face that guy alone?" Thumbtack shouted in disbelief.

The Ursus Internal Guard, also known as the Emperor's Blades, were elite among elites in the Ursus military. Their equipment was nothing short of lethal.

"There must be a reason behind the Doctor's move. I trust his judgment..." Scout said, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of concern. He hadn't witnessed the Doctor tanking Talulah's flames firsthand, and what he'd heard from others still left room for doubt.

"You… you're not from the L.G.D.?"

Skullshatterer looked puzzled when he saw Jay step out of the Longmen patrol car alone.

According to his intel, this ambush was supposed to intercept the car carrying Misha. So why had this random man in a black coat come out instead of Officer Ch'en?

"Hello there. First time meeting. I'm the Doctor from Rhodes Island," Jay introduced himself with a casual wave.

"So it's you! Hmph!" Skullshatterer immediately raised his grenade launchers and aimed them at Jay.

"I've heard about you! Traitors helping Longmen despite being infected! You're the one who handed Misha over to them, weren't you? I won't forgive you!"

"Well, I don't know if you'll believe me, but I actually hijacked the patrol car just now to take her back to Rhodes Island..." Jay scratched his head, trying to sound sincere.

"What kind of nonsense is that?! Do you think I'm that easy to fool?! Enough talk! Hand over Misha!"

"Alright, fine. It's too complicated to explain anyway..."

Jay gave up trying to reason. They were enemies either way, so it was time to follow the system's choice and strip this guy down.

System Prompt: Host has selected the "Madman Option." Skill acquired: Secret Technique: Repetitive Side Step.

Without hesitation, Jay activated his Jade Shield and charged straight at Skullshatterer.

"Hmph! Don't think I'll let you get close!" Skullshatterer grunted. He had heard stories about this so-called Doctor. As a man himself, he wasn't about to let Jay lay a finger on him!

Boom!

He fired a massive grenade right at Jay's chest.

Back on the rooftop:

"Scout Captain! The Doctor's about to get hit!" Thumbtack shouted, horrified.

This wasn't just any weapon. This was an Ursus-grade launcher. Thumbtack nearly dropped his binoculars in panic.

"Doctor… was this really part of your plan?" Scout clenched his teeth. As much as he trusted the Doctor, the situation was dire.

"All units, prepare to extract the Doctor!"

Meanwhile, inside the patrol car:

"What is the Doctor doing?! Why is he confronting that guy alone?!" Exusiai and Texas both gasped, watching the scene unfold.

Even without knowing the full details, it was clear that that weapon was no joke. That launcher was almost as tall as a grown man.

But while everyone else panicked, Jay remained as calm as ever.

Sure, the Jade Shield could shatter if it took too many hits. But this was the perfect chance to test out his new skill.

Secret Technique: Repetitive Side Step!

Jay's feet stomped rapidly as he began darting left and right, leaving behind afterimages with each step.

The grenade whooshed through the air, aiming straight for him, but all it hit was an afterimage.

BOOM!

The blast annihilated a house behind him, debris flying everywhere.

"Wh-what was that?!"

"Is that… his movement technique?!"

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the Doctor's impossible dodging ability.

"His movement is weird… but effective!"

Thumbtack gawked through his binoculars. The Doctor's erratic, zigzagging steps looked ridiculous, but they worked.

Scout finally let out a long breath.

"I knew it. He's got it handled..."

Thumbtack muttered under his breath, "Didn't you just say we needed to rescue him..."

"Doctor! That was so weird… but SO COOOOOOL!"

Back in the car, Exusiai cheered with childlike glee after watching Jay avoid the blast with his bizarre footwork.

Texas and Amiya also relaxed a bit after seeing he was safe.

But then, a question slowly formed in everyone's mind.

Why is the Doctor going one-on-one with a Reunion commander?

"Hehehe… can you keep up with my afterimages?" Jay teased, still zipping side to side like a human pinball.

Skullshatterer seethed. Even worse than the movement was that every afterimage carried Jay's smug grin.

"Shut! The hell! UP!" Skullshatterer roared, raising both arms and shouting to his troops.

"Archers! Casters! Fire! Kill the Doctor!"

Arrows and fireballs rained down, but Jay's absurdly agile steps dodged most of the projectiles with ease. The few that got close were absorbed by his Jade Shield.

All the while, Jay gradually closed the distance between them.

"D-don't come any closer!"

Skullshatterer had run out of grenades. Reloading now was out of the question.

Smack!

Jay suddenly grabbed both of Skullshatterer's arms. His twin grenade launchers fell to the ground with a thud.

"Hehehe… A little guy like you really thought he could slip through my fingers?" Jay grinned darkly.

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