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Quill didn't expect to get a bonus this time.

With their grand display, he figured those little wizards would all hide far away. He'd even prepared for Sean not to show up, but not only did Sean come, he brought a fan. Was that a buy-one-get-one-free situation?

Regardless of whether the autograph session satisfied Sean, Quill was satisfied.

Quill turned around and looked at the confused crowd, saying, "Everyone, I've just received word that those terrorists are bolder than we anticipated. Some of them have already infiltrated the mall and are preparing to carry out an attack. To ensure everyone's safety and prevent any unforeseen incidents, we regret to inform you that this autograph session must be concluded early. We hope for your understanding."

"Now, please follow Police Chief Burg's instructions to evacuate in an orderly fashion."

"Please believe that we will apprehend these audacious criminals as quickly as possible and provide an explanation."

Hearing Quill's words, everyone was stunned for a moment, not quite processing it.

"There's really a terrorist attack?"

"Are they serious?"

"This isn't an exercise, is it?"

Quill repeated with a serious expression, "I can responsibly tell you that this is not an exercise. Please leave the mall immediately."

Burg, seizing the moment, grabbed his walkie-talkie and yelled, "Attention all floor teams, immediately organize the evacuation of the crowd. Hurry!"

This didn't seem like a joke.

With Burg's roar, the crowd finally panicked and began to flee.

"Damn it, I finally get my weekend off, and I run into a terrorist attack... Run!"

"Wait, my book!"

"Screw you, Son of the Beach, don't shove!!"

There's a saying, "Trouble reveals true friendship," and it's certainly true.

Most of the people here were actually just here for the spectacle. Buying the books was just to go with the flow, a keepsake to brag about to friends later. They wouldn't risk their lives for a book, drill or not, they were getting out of there first.

But a small portion of people were different. Before running, they even grabbed a stack of books and ran with them. It was clear they were true fans.

Some even had time to send messages to their groups: "Something happened here, the autograph session was called off... But it's not a big deal, I managed to grab over ten books, I'll mail them to you later!"

When Quill first emerged from the crowd, Charles hadn't understood. The person's attire clearly indicated he was a doctor. Was it his place to be giving orders here? The others hadn't fled immediately for the same reason. It wasn't until Police Chief Burg obediently ordered his subordinates to organize the evacuation that Charles realized this man in the white coat was the true leader of these Witch Hunters.

Chaotic and dense footsteps echoed from the surroundings and from upstairs. As the number of people inside dwindled and the police began to surround them, Charles's expression turned extremely grim. He knew that he and Sean were unlikely to escape this time.

Sean, however, showed little reaction upon seeing Quill. He picked up three new books, removed their plastic wrap, opened the covers, and continued signing them. One for Elvily, one for Iris, and one for Kate. Then, he grabbed the books Charles had left on the table and signed one of those too.

Charles: "?"

"What time is it, and you're still acting like a writer!"

A minute ago, Sean doing that would have been fine.

But now, a minute later, they were no longer a hater and a dog author, but two wizards trapped in a mall, waiting to be slaughtered.

"I told you not to rush," Sean said, glancing at the surrounding police officers with a smile. "There aren't that many people."

Charles: "???"

There weren't that many people?!

Not counting the police setting up a perimeter outside the mall, there were dozens, even hundreds, of them right in front of them, all armed. The moment the man in the white coat gave the order, they'd be turned into Swiss cheese!

And no one would sympathize with them.

Burg had already stated beforehand that a terrorist attack might occur today. This was essentially framing the Witch Hunt operation – after he and Sean died, they would be branded as unforgivable terrorists who endangered public safety and were justifiably shot by the police in the eyes of all citizens!

Sean understood this, of course.

No matter what his identity was before, whether a writer or a magician, it was useless. History is always written by the victors. As long as he died, Quill and the others could redefine his life and have the police department issue a report. Whatever crime they wanted to say he committed, he committed.

These were all standard tactics.

In just a few minutes, the first floor of the mall was cleared, leaving only Sean and the others with the police.

Quill finally spoke. He looked at Sean, who remained as calm as ever, and couldn't help but chuckle, "You're still so composed."

"Unfortunately, you weren't," Sean retorted.

Quill chuckled and shook his head. "I admit the Black Berry Rainforest incident surprised me. I underestimated you. I didn't expect you to be able to kill an entire squad of our hunters by yourself right after gaining magic and becoming a wizard. This has never happened before."

Hearing this, Charles's eyes widened.

What?

Sean took out a squad of Witch Hunters by himself before?

That dog author is that fierce??

"But I'm not stupid, Sean. I won't fall for the same trick twice." Quill continued with a smile. "I've watched the footage sent back from the Black Berry Rainforest. There are signs that their bodies were moved. If I'm not mistaken, after killing them, you deliberately positioned their bodies to create the illusion that they had turned on each other and shot each other, right?"

"You were concealing your abilities."

"I guess you can manipulate bullets."

"Although I don't know how you do it, it's amazing. But you might be disappointed this time," Quill said, signaling the guards to lower their guns. "Firearms might not pose a threat to you, but what about close combat?"

Burg and the others grinned as they drew their sabers.

Getting too close to a Wizard was actually quite dangerous. Once within their casting range, even a nascent Wizard of Tier 1, with just 1 LACK of Magic, would be more than an ordinary person could handle.

However, a Wizard's Magic was limited, and they had numbers.

"I think Mr. Sean actually enjoyed himself when he was signing autographs for everyone earlier. Why not just settle down and be a writer? What do you say?" Quill said with a polite smile. "You've seen the scene today; this is a reception even the mayor doesn't get. I don't think Mr. Sean would want his fans to discover that the writer they admire is actually a criminal, would he?"

"We can continue to promote you, make your name a household word, award you all sorts of prizes, including the global Kanbeff Literary Award, let you reach the pinnacle of the literary world, and crush all those who looked down on you... Wouldn't a life like that be better than constantly living in fear and on the run?"

This was the power of capital.

They could crown Sean, and likewise, they could drag him into the mud.

"Forgive my asking, but didn't you prepare a little black room for me?" Sean said. "If I agree, do I still have to go in?"

"Oh, apologies, I got carried away with promises." Quill replied. "You still have to go into the little black room."

Sean sneered. "Then what the hell are you talking about?"

"You won't want to choose the second path," Quill said with a faint smile. "A famous writer suddenly turning into a terrorist overnight – the topic itself sounds explosive."

"Aren't you afraid of lifting a rock only to drop it on your own feet, Mr. Quill?" Sean asked playfully.

Mobilizing so many police officers to catch a terrorist, only for the terrorist to escape and kill a bunch of police officers in return – if this got out, how would their superiors show their faces?

"With you?"

Quill smiled and shook his head. "Not enough."

"And me!" Charles suddenly held a small bottle, a black skull label stuck on it. He held it like a bomb and said sternly, "I advise you to let us go, or no one will have a good outcome!"

"Are you threatening me?" Quill found it somewhat amusing.

He didn't even take Sean, who could single-handedly kill an entire squad of hunters, seriously. How could he care about a mere Alchemist?

Charles's appearance was indeed not part of Quill's plan, but he had said it was a harvest.

Never mind whether the potion in Charles's hand truly had the power to blow up the mall and take them all with it; even if it did, it didn't matter. His objective was to capture Sean or kill Sean. Whether he lived or died, whether these police officers lived or died, was unimportant.

Therefore, Quill's face, as always, wore a relaxed and confident smile, just like at Floris Hospital.

This time, Sean wouldn't escape.

Until another voice rang out.

"Add me to the count?"