"Fall back!"
The edge of the blade refracted a cold, iron-gray gleam tinged with orange-red in the firelight. His short black hair stirred slightly, and what brushed across his cheeks was the warm, foul-smelling Scorching Wind rising from within the sewer.
Xia Nan gripped the Beheading Longsword tightly and shouted without looking back.
Iron Head, who had already been unconsciously retreating after witnessing the bloody scene before him, quickened his steps even more.
With a dazed expression tinged with panic, he hurriedly left behind only a few words of warning before hiding deep in the shadows of the passage they had come from.
"Mr. Xia Nan, be careful not to get hurt by his teeth or claws."
"He has Beastification Syndrome. Watch out for infection!"
Xia Nan nodded almost imperceptibly, his gaze fixed on the burly figure ahead, framed by coiling flames, with countless corpses strewn at his feet. His expression grew increasingly grave.
He had already found a crucial clue earlier, inferring from the Iron Scab Moss that the other party's hiding place was most likely somewhere in the sewer.
He had planned to use the Grey Badger Gang, who were often active underground, to locate the man's hideout.
But now...
In a certain sense, this had saved him some effort.
The price paid for it, however, was the destruction of the entire Grey Badger Gang, including its leader, Eight Fingers.
"Barker?"
Xia Nan called out tentatively.
There was no response.
All that echoed through the air was the crackle of flames burning wooden planks, the roaring rush of water from afar, and a low growl thick with warning.
He keenly sensed the violent bestial nature in those beast eyes, rapidly swelling and expanding because of slaughter and blood.
Knowing there was no longer any possibility of communication, Xia