The Bloody Case Triggered by Two Coins

Just before Abel set out, Luo, who had covered the white patches on his face with coarse cloth, was caught by the shopkeeper stealing bread and given a vicious beating.

Fortunately, Luo protected his face fiercely, so his identity wasn't discovered.

Otherwise, it would have absolutely caused a huge commotion, and he might have even lost his life.

After the beating, Luo, driven by hunger, simply sat in a daze on a street corner. It wasn't that he didn't want to go back—he truly had no strength left.

"What a pitiful child. Here, take this small change and buy yourself something to eat."

After a while, a kind-looking older sister passing by noticed Luo sitting by the roadside. Seeing how pitiful he seemed, she sympathized and handed him two coins to buy food.

That was 200 Berries. Not much, but enough to buy some black bread to fill his stomach—after all, a newspaper only cost 100 Berries.

Luo was silent for a moment, then suddenly snatched the two coins from the woman's hand, immediately lowered his head, and fled, leaving her standing there in shock.

Because he didn't need anyone's pity or sympathy, he would rather 'steal' the money this way!

That way, he was simply being bad, not some pathetic wretch in need of others' mercy.

What Luo didn't know was that everything he had just done was clearly seen by a few vagrants by the roadside.

They exchanged glances, then quietly followed him.

"Huff... huff..."

Whether it was his pride acting up or not, Luo ran a long way in one breath, only stopping to pant heavily when the woman was completely out of sight.

And the two coins were still clenched tightly in his hand.

With these 200 Berries, at least he and Abel would have their next meal secured.

Thinking this, Luo's mood gradually calmed.

But just as he turned to go spend the 200 Berries, he found that the alley entrance he had run into was now blocked by two vagrants with sinister grins.

Luo's heart immediately sank—trouble!

Without hesitation, he turned again, trying to run deeper inside.

But somehow, the other exit was blocked too.

With both front and back cut off, Luo was like a turtle in a jar, with nowhere to escape.

Then the leading vagrant, a long-haired one, bared his disgusting yellow teeth and spoke with ill intent:

"Kid, you've got some nerve! You dare to beg on my turf without even saying hello? Don't you know the rules?"

Luo didn't want to clash with these guys—after all, in numbers, age, and build, he was at a complete disadvantage. There was no way he could win.

But the word 'begging' from the other's mouth stabbed deep into his pride, stirring up his rebellious streak.

Without thinking, he shouted loudly: "You're full of shit! I stole this from that stupid woman!"

"Oh, stole it? Then if we steal from you, that's only fair, right? Hahaha!"

The vagrants burst into mocking laughter, their malicious intent now completely undisguised.

Luo knew the money in his hand was as good as gone. At this point, backing down and begging for mercy was the best move.

But the pent-up resentment deep in his heart wouldn't let him do that. Instead, he glared at them with fierce defiance.

"Then come and try!"

That look naturally pissed the vagrants off!

They endured countless sneers and disgust every day. Now that they'd finally found an easy kid to bully for some fun, they discovered he was a tough nut who refused to play along with the 'script.'

That was enough to enrage them completely!

"What an arrogant brat. Hope you're still this tough after I break all your limbs!"

The long-haired vagrant sneered coldly, then stepped forward and kicked Luo to the ground. The other three swarmed in, surrounding him and kicking viciously as he curled up against the wall.

At this moment, Luo had none of the bearing of a Supernova. He could only use his arms to shield his head as best he could, gritting his teeth to keep from crying out.

After another brutal beating, Luo was barely clinging to life.

These vagrants, scraping by at the bottom of society, had no concept of holding back. They kicked however felt good, as if venting all the humiliation they endured daily onto Luo.

As for the two coins that had sparked it all—they had long since fallen to the side, ignored by everyone.

Clearly, what was happening now had nothing to do with the original 200 Berries.

But even in Luo's pitiful state, they weren't done with him.

The long-haired vagrant spoke with cruel resolve: "Hey, hold him down. I said I'd break his limbs, and I meant it!"

The others perked up excitedly at that, not caring that Luo was just a child. They swiftly pinned him spread-eagle on the ground.

The long-haired vagrant bared his yellow teeth again, grinning at Luo, and raised his right foot high, ready to stomp down and snap Luo's bones.

Even so, Luo still glared at him with fierce, unyielding eyes.

For some reason, that look sent a chill down the long-haired vagrant's spine, but it quickly turned into rage!

"After I break your limbs, I'll gouge out your eyes. Let's see how long you can keep glaring!"

Just as the long-haired vagrant's foot was about to come crashing down, a sharp sound of something cutting through the air arrived right behind him.

With a loud bang!

A fist-sized rock slammed straight into his back, drawing a miserable scream as he crumpled to the ground.

The sudden turn of events stunned the other three vagrants.

But Abel, who had arrived just in time, didn't let this good chance slip by.

He placed another rock of similar size under his foot, then kicked it out with all his might!

Although Abel had never been a soccer player, he had played often enough in college in his past life. Plus, with the distance between them no more than a dozen meters, his aim was decent enough—not too far off.

The result was another unlucky vagrant catching the rock square in the face, knocked out on the spot.

Now the remaining two finally noticed Abel's presence.

Unfortunately, Abel's third kick went wide, the rock smashing against the wall beside one of the vagrants and shattering into pieces.

"Tch!"

Abel frowned but didn't bother kicking again.

It wasn't that he'd run out of rocks—it was that the Leg Strength Enhancement Shoes on his right foot had run out of power, and he had no ability to kick with his left foot, so he simply gave up.