Underground

Thin threads of electricity danced merrily over the tips of Qin Ran's raised right index, middle, and ring fingers.

It looked as though lightning were flowing from his palm.

In reality, however, the lightning came from the [Lightning Knuckles] he wore on his hand, concealed beneath his sleeve.

Qin Ran hid them well, and the sight was so shocking to Mr. Big that he completely missed the trick behind it.

As for Riley?

The information broker, held hostage in the chair, was utterly dumbfounded.

He stared at Qin Ran in disbelief, as though a god had descended before him.

Qin Ran glanced at their expressions and lowered his right hand, satisfied.

On his way back here, he had been considering how to respond to Mr. Big's "test."

Too aggressive, and he would only provoke resistance, ultimately turning this into an all-out fight. That was not what Qin Ran wanted.

Too accommodating, and with Mr. Big's domineering nature, this would simply become another version of "joining his faction the normal way." Qin Ran would receive better treatment but still be exploited. He did not want that either.

So he could only take a middle course.

He had to cooperate without provoking resistance.

That was no simple task.

Qin Ran began recalling every detail of his encounter with Mr. Big.

"Just don't tell me the beast attacks are connected to Sphendick. I already know that!"

Then those words from Mr. Big suddenly surfaced in Qin Ran's mind.

As did the attention Mr. Big had subsequently paid to the matter.

Not only had he specifically dispatched a trusted subordinate to keep a close watch on it, but he had probably also activated a mole planted at Sphendick's side long ago.

Of course, Mr. Big had no particular interest in the "Beast Eats People"