First Meeting, False God, Zorro

The long-abandoned floor was silent. The blazing afternoon sun failed to shine through the windows.

The building was pitch-black as the Pope and White Jack stared each other down.

At that moment, a blade still rested against White Jack's neck. A girl in a black kimono held it as she stood quietly behind him, seeming ready to slit his throat at any moment.

He looked straight into the Pope's eyes and grinned. "I think we could be a little friendlier and sit down for a chat."

As he spoke, White Jack turned his head and glanced at the girl behind him. "At the very least, there's no need to hold a knife to my neck. We might have plenty of chances to work together in the future... don't you think?"

The Pope watched him silently without saying a word.

Jiang Qingzi kept both hands in his pockets and thought for a moment. "I think he's called 'White Jack.' I saw him on the news before... He's become pretty famous lately."

"Is he really that famous?" Bandage Man tilted his head.

"Small fry," Shadow Princess commented.

"You two, quiet down first. I need to ask him a few questions." As soon as the Pope said this, the others fell silent and exchanged glances.

"Good job." White Jack whistled.

Amid the silence, the Pope asked, "Why were you following us? Who sent you?"

"Because your actions have angered God. This is God's will—" Before White Jack could finish, Shadow Princess's katana moved closer, cutting a crimson line across his neck.

"Don't push your luck," Shadow Princess said coldly.

"You say I've angered God, do you?"

The Pope suddenly gave a low laugh and silently turned a page in his book.

"Do you believe in God?" White Jack asked. "Or do you think that when you commit evil, only by invoking God's name can you ease your guilt, even just a little?"

"You seem to think you know me well. Let's hear your insight, then." The Pope was unexpectedly calm.

White Jack stared at him, then suddenly lowered his voice and spoke unhurriedly:

"An orphan born in the slums, someone raised amid chaos—no matter how wealthy he becomes, he can never conceal the turmoil and unease in his heart, because those qualities have taken root in the environment he grew up in. Unable to find order within himself, he can only keep plundering from the outside world, keep demanding more from it..."

At this point, he raised a pale finger and lightly tapped his own chest. "Trying to fill this uneasy, hollow heart."

The Pope remained silent.

"Boss, don't listen to his nonsense," Shadow Princess said.

The Pope raised a hand to signal for silence, then asked White Jack:

"And then?"

White Jack chuckled softly. "Then that orphan killed the Pope of Italy and took his identity. In the end, he even left the church and did shameful things in the name of faith—pronounced 'Pope,' but spelled 'robber.'"

The Pope still said nothing, though his eyes shifted slightly.

"How do you know these things?" he asked after a while.

"Indeed, how?" White Jack shook his head. "Because I know every one of you. I consider myself an intelligence broker. Without intelligence, how could I live up to that title?"

As he spoke, his hollow gaze swept over everyone present.

Jiang Qingzi sneered. "For someone with a knife at his throat, you sure know how to put on a show."

"Oh, my lovely little magician, I ought to thank you for leading me here. Otherwise, I never would have gotten in touch with such an important client."

White Jack spoke slowly, turning his head to meet Jiang Qingzi's gaze with mocking eyes.

Jiang Qingzi did not seem to care. "So I led you here. Are you sure you can get out?"

"Of course I am. It's time for me to leave." As he said this, White Jack suddenly reached out, pressed down on Shadow Princess's katana, and leaned his neck forward.

The blade sliced open his neck. His cracked grin reflected on the sword's surface, and the corners of his mouth curled upward into a bizarre, chilling smile.

The next moment, White Jack's figure suddenly blurred, like hot wax melting away. Even the surrounding air began to heat up.

The three members of Deathbird's expressions changed slightly. Only the Pope spoke calmly, his lips moving faintly.

"Bill."

Hearing his name from the leader, Bandage Man reacted at once.

He raised a hand with lightning speed and extended a strip of black bandage. In that instant, the bandages surged out like spilled ink and wrapped around White Jack's body.

Bandage Man attempted to hold White Jack's body in place that way.

But after a moment, when he unwound the bandages, their interior was completely empty. Only white smoke drifted out.

"He actually got away." Bandage Man scratched his head in surprise.

"Someone needs to take responsibility," Shadow Princess said, turning to look at Jiang Qingzi.

Jiang Qingzi paused slightly, then shrugged. "This time was my fault, all right?"

Bandage Man turned to the Pope. "Boss, what do you think?"

The Pope fell silent for a moment before speaking.

"Keep an eye on him. We'll be operating in Dawn Capital for some time yet, so we'll probably run into him again." As he spoke, he looked up ahead.

A line of writing made of white smoke still lingered in the air. It was in Italian:

"Arrivederci, mio falso Dio."

The Pope silently watched the words, a dark glimmer shifting through his eyes beneath the round cap.

"What does that mean?" Bandage Man scratched his head.

Jiang Qingzi frowned and slowly answered:

"Until next time, my false God..."

At the same time, in the central district of Dawn Capital, inside Solomon Café.

Ke Mingqing rested his chin on one hand and looked out the window, a straw still between his lips even though he had already finished his coffee.

The wind chime tinkled as a customer pushed open the wooden door and entered.

Only upon hearing the bell did Ke Mingqing slowly come back to himself. A settlement panel appeared in his vision.

[Main Quest 3, Phase One completed: Use a second identity to approach the supercriminal "Black Magic Hand," draw his attention, and thereby establish contact with the thief organization—"Deathbird."]

[Quest rewards obtained: 2,500 experience points, 2,500 Superhuman Coins, 1 attribute point, and 1 Medium Skill Enhancement Card.]

[Current total Superhuman Coins: 5,500]

[Notice: Experience has reached the limit. Your player level has automatically increased by 1.]

[Current level: Lv.05 (2000/2500 EXP)]

[Gain 1 attribute point for every 5 levels gained. Including the quest reward, you currently possess 2 attribute points. Allocate them now?]

"Allocate."

Ke Mingqing silently gave the command, opened the attribute panel, and assigned the points in his hand without the slightest hesitation.

[Congratulations. Your Strength attribute has officially increased from E+ rank to E++ rank.]

[Congratulations. Your Agility attribute has increased from D rank to D+ rank.]

[Player "Ke Mingqing" current attributes: Strength: E++; Agility: D+; Spirit: E]

After allocating his attributes, another new quest panel appeared before him.

[Main Quest 3, Phase Two refreshed: Use a second identity to join Deathbird from within and become one of its members.]

"Looks like joining Deathbird with the identity of 'White Jack' is impossible. They'll definitely be suspicious of me..." Ke Mingqing released the straw.

He shrugged and thought to himself:

"The Pope is Italian. Since my Disguiser Talent can freely alter my appearance, when it's time to join them, I'll just make myself an Italian face. When fellow countrymen meet, they'll be especially warm toward each other."

Just then, the café owner with a white ponytail walked over and silently took away his cup.

By chance, Ke Mingqing glanced at the owner's tall, muscular figure and suddenly saw a superhuman panel slowly emerge above his head.

[Codename: "Black-Hand Zorro"]

[Description: Mutant]

[Power Rating: A++ rank (power reduced due to severe injuries)]

[Superhuman Description: Black-Hand Zorro, former Round Table Hero.

Later, after recognizing the dark side of superheroes, he withdrew from the Superhero Round Table and founded the antihero organization—Solomon. The organization has only two members: Black-Hand Zorro and Owl Judge.

Zorro possesses a right hand called the Devouring Arm. By devouring "ability users" or "energy crystals," it can significantly increase his strength.]

"Who the hell are you supposed to be now?" Ke Mingqing was secretly shocked as he watched the café owner carry a tray into the back room from the corner of his eye.