"You finally showed up, Ethan Zhang. I rather enjoyed our last encounter!"
Vengeful energy kept gathering on my right fist. Huang Quan stretched out a hand, blocking my punch—I couldn't land a hit. An immense force suppressed my movement. I glanced down at Old Moe, pinned beneath Huang Quan's foot.
"What are you looking at? I'm talking to you, Ethan Zhang. You're being rather rude!"
With a thunderous crash, a yellow ring of light rippled before my eyes. A massive force hurled me backward, and I landed in a half-crouch with a heavy thud.
"Oh dear, Ethan... It's embarrassing to let you see me like this!"
"Old Moe."
I called out, slowly rising to my feet. Old Moe was atop a pale yellow boulder, hands and feet pinned down by columns of yellow light. Blood still oozed from his wounds, trickling down the stone. Rachel Lan was suspended above, her hands wrapped in yellow light. She was battered and barely breathing, her lips cracked and bleeding as she forced a faint smile. I couldn't imagine what torment she'd endured.
"Talk to him properly, Ethan Zhang... You're no match for him."
Only now did I notice Julian Lu not far from me. His legs were gone, his lower body a bloody mess, barely able to smile. The other mediators lay scattered around, motionless on the ground.
The sound of sobbing drew my gaze—Wendy Hsieh, barely clothed, cradled the lifeless body of Troy Duan.
I clenched my fists, glaring fiercely at Huang Quan. The yellow humanoid figure before me gradually formed a face—a repulsive smile. He sat atop Old Moe, one hand pressing down and slapping Old Moe’s head. I didn’t move immediately, only watched in silence.
"Dad... Mom..."
A burst of wailing echoed over. Just as I turned my head, Jason Su arrived with Rachel Lan. Instantly, Rachel ran toward Huang Quan. In a flash, I appeared in front of her, wrapping her in my arms. Rachel was deeply agitated, unable to calm down at all.
"Oh, I see. No wonder Lan Yin gave the role of Guide to a little girl like you. You’ve got quite an interesting instinct... though I must say, I’m a bit disappointed!"
I held Rachel tightly as she struggled in my embrace. Right now, I had to get Old Moe and Rachel Lan out of Huang Quan’s range—otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to go all out.
"Rachel, calm down..."
I lowered my voice, calling out. Rachel slowly turned her head toward me. I cupped her cheek, wiping away her tears, and gave her a reassuring smile with a gentle nod. In an instant, my face twisted in anger as I glared at Huang Quan.
"Let them go."
"What if I say no?"
Just then, a howl rang out—grief-stricken and piercing. It was Wendy Hsieh, charging at Huang Quan with reckless abandon.