By the time Lin Fang and Vivian arrived at the Mariotte Grand Hall, it was already 11:30 p.m.

As the valet hurried to open the car door, Vivian stepped out in a scarlet gown. Her hair was styled neatly, and her lips painted the same bold shade as her dress — elegant, poised, and in layman's terms, rich…

Lin Fang walked beside her, dressed in a plain black suit, the kind of standard formalwear used by personal guards.

But his face was strangely hidden behind a sleek wolf mask, which was popular these days due to the rise of cosplay events in Northern Yan.

Vivian glanced sideways, raising an eyebrow. She murmured, just enough for him to hear, "Was this really necessary?"

Lin Fang adjusted his tie slightly. "The people inside are basically rich folks like you. And if a case arises where I have to protect you, I might need to offend some of them. You'll leave this city in three days— but I'll still have to live here. I'd rather not invite unnecessary trouble later on." He said quietly, staring ahead.

She stared at him for a few seconds, then exhaled and nodded slowly. "Fair enough."

Together, they walked through the carpeted hall as the faint sound of classical music echoed all around. The banquet area was supposed to be lively — but as they entered the private hall, Vivian's steps faltered.

Only three people were inside. The remaining were all a part of the orchestra band or the hotel staff.

One of them was familiar to Lin Fang, too. It's Mark, who stood in the center in a crisp black suit. The latter's expression softened as he noticed her but that disappeared in the next instant when he spotted the masked bodyguard. Of course, he didn't need to ask Lin Fang to learn of his identity. He could easily guess it. Meanwhile, beside him, a man and a woman turned curiously at the newcomers.

Mark was the first to break the silence. As his eyes flicked over Lin Fang's mask, surprise flashed for a moment before he brushed it aside with a practiced smile. "Vivian," he greeted warmly, stepping forward and pulling her into a hug.

While his arm was around her waist, he leaned close to whisper against her ear, "Please… try to get along with them tonight. We can sort our issues later, but now, smile. They're important for your father's business. Don't make things complicated."

Vivian forced a smile, putting up the perfect social mask, and pulled back, turning toward the couple.

"Good evening," she said smoothly as if she was genuinely happy to see them, "And happy birthday." She said to the man.

"Thank you…"

As the man said, Mark introduced them, "This is Zhang Yifu, the City Mayor's brother, and this is his wife, Shen Ruyi."

Vivian put on her polite smile and looked at them. "Vivian Moreau," she replied gracefully, shaking his hand. "It's a pleasure. This is my bodyguard."

At the mention of his name, Lin Fang gave a courteous nod from behind her, his wolf mask glinting faintly under the chandelier light.

The woman, Shen Ruyi, wrinkled her nose slightly at that introduction. "Bodyguard?" she repeated, her tone lined with disdain. "Why would a mere bodyguard be here? Surely you don't need one inside such a secure place."

Vivian hesitated. "He's just…"

"You should send him outside, Miss Moreau," Shen Ruyi cut her off, her smile sharp and patronizing as she added. "I don't know how it was in Novus Mundus, but in Zhonggou, a private banquet isn't really a place for those who aren't in the same social circle. I apologize for the blunt tone."

Vivian's smile stiffened as she glanced toward Lin Fang, who stood silently but with a faint furrow beneath the mask. Before she could respond, Zhang Yifu chimed in with an assuring grin.

"You can trust us, Miss Moreau," he said, gesturing around the room. "There are cameras everywhere. See those little black domes? Our own security personnel are watching every angle. And a few of my friends will also be joining shortly. They might feel uncomfortable having someone… outside the circle."

Vivian's fingers twitched against her gown. She could feel Mark's presence beside her, his hand resting lightly on her back as he leaned close to whisper.

"Don't be stubborn," he murmured. "You'll only offend them over something so small. And you don't have to worry. Just make the call to me. My number is on your emergency dial tone anyway…"

Her lips pressed together. She turned toward Lin Fang and calmly said, "If you don't mind—"

Before she could finish, Zhang Yifu interrupted smoothly, "There's a security control room upstairs, Mr. Lin. You can stay there if you wish. It overlooks this entire floor."

Lin Fang paused, reading the unspoken message in their eyes. Then, without a word, he gave a small nod. "Understood."

As his footsteps faded toward the exit, Mark's lips curved into a calm, satisfied smile. He raised his glass from the nearby table, the red liquid swirling slowly within.

"Well then," he said, voice light, "let's have some wine, shall we?"

Vivian forced an awkward smile in return, the unease in her stomach growing heavier by the minute, feeling as if something was about to happen.

Meanwhile, the hotel staff led Lin Fang toward the elevator at the end of the hall. The man smiled politely, pressing the button for him.

"Please wait on the top floor, sir. Another staff member will assist you there," he said, bowing lightly.

Lin Fang gave a simple nod, stepping inside. The doors slid shut with a soft chime.

As the elevator began to rise, a faint hum echoed through the small, dimly lit space. Lin Fang leaned against the railing casually until Alpha's voice resounded sharply in his mind.

"Something's wrong."

"What?" Lin Fang frowned. His eyes fell on the display. "The elevator… It isn't stopping at the fourth floor." It had already passed the 4th and was climbing rapidly. "Is it a trap? Or a malfunction?" he muttered under his breath.

And then…

"Protect yourself with mana. Now!"

Alpha's voice rang in his head again. This time, Lin Fang didn't think and acted fast. He instantly wrapped his body with a layer of dense mana.

A split second later, a hiss filled the elevator. From the vents above, a thick purple gas poured down like smoke from a furnace.

His system chimed rapidly in his mind:

*Ding!

[Warning: Foreign toxin detected.]

[Mana barrier neutralizing effect…]

[Mana reduced: -1500 MP/sec.]

The gas coiled around him like mist, trying to seep through every gap. However, his barrier was firmly blocking it. Meanwhile, his eyes narrowed as he murmured coldly. "Poison? These guys set up a trap for me? That damn Mark…"

Seconds dragged on. The elevator kept climbing.

By the time it dinged open again, his mana reserves had already dropped by twenty-seven percent.

He stepped out silently into a wide, moonlit terrace. There, six men stood waiting, each clad in sleek traditional wear. Every one of them held a katana drawn and ready.

For a brief moment, surprise flickered through their eyes. One of them, apparently the leader, clicked his tongue. "Tch. As expected of the warning we received… the gas didn't work on this expert."

He raised a hand, his expression hardening. "Doesn't matter. We'll cut him down the old-fashioned way."

The sound of six blades slicing through the air filled the rooftop.

"Boys, get him."

As soon as the order passed down, the six men spread out, circling him with their blades gleaming in mana.

Lin Fang, whose eyes turned cold, murmured. "Alpha, Unleash Divine Blessing on my fists."

"understood."

*Ding!

[Activating skill — Divine Blessing.]

[The buff is applied to the user's hands. A rule break is detected.]

[Alpha bypassed the system's will. The buff is activated.]

[Your mana is consumed by 10% each second.]

[All physical stats increased by 500%.]

The leader barked an order again, seeing a change in Lin Fang's arms. "Cut him down!"

But Lin Fang was already gone from his sight.

In the blink of an eye, Lin Fang turned into a blur of motion and cut through their formation.

His fist met the first guard's chest with a thunderous crack, sending the man flying backward like a rag doll.

Before the others could react, Lin Fang shifted his position and shot his palm, slamming into the second's face, shattering his mask and sending him sprawling unconscious to the floor.

The third swung his katana desperately, but Lin Fang caught his wrist mid-swing and drove his knee into the man's gut. The air left his lungs in one wheezing gasp before he crumpled.

The fourth tried to retreat in instinct. However, he didn't make it two steps before a backhand from Lin Fang sent him tumbling across the floor like a broken toy, almost reaching the edge of the terrace.

The last guard froze, trembling as Lin Fang's gaze fell on him. "Y-You monster!"

"Wrong," Lin Fang said in a calm tone. "You are just too weak."

His fist moved once more. The guard went down cold.

Only the leader remained, standing there in a daze. Not even three seconds had passed, and all of his subordinates were knocked out cold.

As Lin Fang dismissed the skill, the leader clenched his fists, "I need to go all out to take on an enemy like this..."

Then the leader let out a guttural roar. His body began to twist, bones snapped, muscles bulged, and fur sprouted across his skin. Within seconds, a hulking 13-foot brown bear stood where the man had been, with his clothes shredded to pieces.

*Graaaa*

The creature's growl shook the terrace.

Lin Fang's eyes narrowed. "A shapeshifter, huh…"

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