Insanely Spicy Hot Dog

Messer City wasn't well-known in the Federation, but it was quite nice within Mihuang State.

Besides its long history, this was also because its major districts each had their own unique character.

The bustling Midtown was a given; the most famous banks and companies in southern Mihuang State had branches there, and Midtown Avenue was even hailed as the top shopping paradise in southern Mihuang State.

Then there was the Bronx. Despite being dirty, chaotic, and home to refugees and rampant gangs, with illegal buildings stacked like an ant's nest, and a clear-cut law of the jungle, it possessed a peculiar aesthetic.

Because of this, it became a favorite filming location for many film companies shooting dark-themed movies.

However, for the lower-class residents living in the Bronx, that so-called peculiar aesthetic was actually the most realistic and brutal portrayal of their lives. Just barely scraping by was hard enough; one step further and they would likely fall into the abyss.

Fortunately, the current political and economic situation was stable. As long as no major unrest occurred, families like Sally's could still manage to have enough to eat and wear.

Further on was the Newton District, currently before Tang Qi's eyes.

Beloved by various artists, it wasn't widely famous but held significant weight in the art world outside the public eye.

Tang Qi walked slowly along the street. The old buildings on both sides were covered in various graffiti. Some of the graffiti was indeed sophisticated enough to be considered art. The shops lining the street also had very good decor.

However, as night fell, it was naturally impossible for this place to stay as brightly lit as Midtown Avenue. Shops closed one by one, and darkness began to rapidly swallow the area.

Tang Qi showed no sign of urgency, still wandering around like a curious high school student.

As he did so, Tang Qi quickly built up his understanding of the Newton District, while also silently memorizing the directions of the streets in his mind. A map gradually took shape.

Unlike a map on paper, Tang Qi had personally measured the paths everywhere. If any sudden changes occurred, it would be easier to escape.

This isn't a game!

In the real world, the hunter can instantly become the prey.

This was a lesson Tang Qi had learned from his encounter with the "Misfortune Witch."

For a rookie who had just stepped into the extraordinary, no amount of caution was too much.

Soon, before the Newton District entered deep night, Tang Qi passed a small square where people were dispersing.

Teenagers with skateboards slung over their backs laughed and joked, walking away arm in arm. Couples walked off whispering, holding each other close. Old men playing chess also packed up their teapots and boards, ambling home.

Those who hadn't left included a scruffy street artist painting a portrait for his last customer, an old lady selling small artistic trinkets, a young girl playing the violin, and a down-and-out magician trying to earn a few more Weller by doing magic tricks for a couple...

The atmosphere was very harmonious.

Tang Qi quickened his pace and bought an "Insanely Spicy Black Forest Hot Dog" from a red food truck called "Mexican Fire Dragon" that was about to leave.

While it was still hot, he quickly put it in his mouth as he walked towards the alley opposite the small square.

Ha~!

The terrifying spiciness, mixed with the savory aroma of Black Forest Ham, the soft warmth of the fried egg, plus the scent of caramel, onions, and sage blended together.

Like surging lava, it directly bombarded Tang Qi's taste buds. The chill of the early night hadn't even had time to settle on Tang Qi before it was dispelled by the explosive heat.

"Awesome. I heard the hot dogs in the Newton District were delicious, and they really live up to the hype. These ninety-nine Weller were totally worth it."

Tang Qi, holding the hot dog and eating heartily, didn't forget to mutter to himself as he quickly walked into the somewhat dim alley. He looked very much like a high school student who, after wandering around, suddenly remembered to go home, though the path he chose seemed a bit off.

But here, no one seemed to care.

It wasn't until he stepped into the alley, swallowing the last bite of the hot dog, that Tang Qi let out a burp or a faint sigh. With a thought, he finally touched that place with his mind.

Buzz~

A sensation like his skin being burned quickly appeared on the back of Tang Qi's hand, then immediately vanished.

But at this moment, when he looked, a strange mark was slowly appearing on what should have been fair skin. Gray-black lines gradually outlined themselves beneath the skin, a blood-like background, a pair of curved antlers... An ominous aura rushed towards him.

Whoosh!

A chilling wind blew from all directions. The sudden change in weather made the small square become deserted even faster.

The food truck zoomed away. The magician, who had finally earned fifty Weller by taking advantage of the couple's urgency, quickly packed up his gear and left. The young girl with the violin was still elegant, but her pace also quickened, and she even helped the old lady packing up her stall.

And the painter quickly tore the sketch portrait from the easel, handed it to the brown-haired beauty in front of him, collected the money, and also left in a hurry.

The sketch portrait was very beautiful; you could tell the painter was skilled. But the brown-haired beauty was very disappointed. Looking at the painter's retreating back, she felt a bit reluctant, thinking, "Did he not understand my hint? I even gave him my phone number. Oh my god, he's really charming, the perfect one-night stand."

The painter clearly felt the reluctance of the beauty behind him.

However, he didn't linger much. On the contrary, he was more eager about the figure that had already disappeared. His heart was almost roaring, "That aura, it's so tempting. Get it, I must get it, I can become stronger."

The painter had a good appearance, an handsome face, and an artistic style of dress, so it was no wonder he had a great attraction for beautiful women.

But at this moment, his steps were chaotic. Because he was too eager, his handsome features began to twist.

Clang!

As he quickly chased into the alley, a small knife flashing with silver light also appeared in the painter's hand. Judging from the dried bloodstains on the handle, it was clearly not the first time it had seen blood.

Holding the small knife, the painter rushed into the alley at a near-jogging speed. His eyes held excitement.

He seemed to already see himself stabbing the high school student in the back with the knife, and amidst the splashing blood, obtaining the treasure that emitted that tempting aura, thus embarking on a stronger path.

"Normally you wouldn't be my target, but if I kill you and become stronger, I can enjoy more beautiful bodies and won't have to painstakingly hide from those uniform rats. Come on, give me the treasure."

"Ah~"

"Bang!"

The painter saw the high schooler's face, but not in the way he'd imagined. At least, not like this. His hands were instantly twisted by another pair of hands, and a hard knee slammed into his abdomen.

The immense impact caused his abdomen to seize up. A "crack" sound followed, signaling that his hands were broken.

What made his eyes widen even further, revealing terror and disbelief, was that the powerful hands directly gripped his own hands and drew the small knife across his neck.

With a "thud," his body was thrown to the ground. Because his throat was cut, his attempts to breathe caused blood to gurgle out, quickly forming a large pool on the ground. Amidst the mess, the painter clutched his throat with both hands, like a fish struggling on the shore.

"This weak?"

Tang Qi frowned, looking at the dying painter on the ground, and asked in confusion.

If it weren't for the special interface popping up in his vision the next second, Tang Qi would have even suspected he had killed a human, not the low-level Abnormality he wanted.