Selection (Third Update)

"I..."

Kalkin instinctively started to deny it outright.

Though anyone with a little influence in Boer City knew about his connection to Hook, Kalkin would never admit to it.

After all, he was a police officer.

And not an ordinary one.

Things that were incredibly difficult for others were effortless for someone in his position.

All he had to do was use his head a little, and he could make a fortune.

Hook, who had been paying him off all this time, was one example.

Several others like Hook operated under him.

Kalkin had long since developed a taste for it. He had no intention of giving up the perks his position brought him.

But before Kalkin could finish speaking, the young man before him suddenly blurred.

The black figure stretched, then shrank.

Finally, it twisted beyond recognition.

It became a huge black snake that filled his vision, blotting out the sky.

When the snake lowered its head and fixed its golden eyes on him, an icy numbness spread through Kalkin's body. His breathing quickened, and he tried to scream.

Before he could open his mouth, the black snake lunged with its jaws wide.

A foul wind struck his face. Its fangs were mountains, its mouth a lake, and he was no more than an ant—a bug.

"No!"

Kalkin cried out. The scene abruptly changed, and he found himself back outside Herbert's residence. The same young man stood before him.

"You..."

"Ah!"

The moment Kalkin opened his mouth, searing pain spread from his head through the rest of his body.

He couldn't hold back a scream. He collapsed and rolled across the ground.

It took more than ten seconds for the pain to subside.

Combat information flashed across Qin Ran's retina.

``` [Dead Gaze: Opponent failed the check and fell