Strange quickly pulled his hand free and hurried away into an alley.
But right in front of him, he ran into several loafers who looked like street thugs.
The leader eyed Strange sideways and said in a mocking tone,
"Oi, kid, you're already this pathetic and you still have money to hire girls? Hand over all the money you've got!"
Strange felt a wave of irritation and said wearily,
"I have no money. Not a cent. Really."
The thug's gaze fell on the watch around Strange's wrist, and he snarled,
"Hmph, no money? Then hand over that watch. Looks like it's worth something."
Strange looked at the men glaring at him like tigers sizing up prey and assessed the situation. Clearly, he couldn't beat them.
But the watch meant a great deal to him. Even if it was worthless, he wasn't willing to hand it over just like that.
As Strange thought at lightning speed, he pretended to comply and slowly took off his watch.
The moment the thug reached out to take it, Strange suddenly exerted himself and launched a Black Tiger Steals the Heart strike straight at the thug's chest with all his strength.
The thug took the punch without budging in the slightest. He simply stared at Strange as though looking at an idiot.
"Ah! Ow, don't hit my face!"
Strange was battered by a flurry of punches and kicks, utterly unable to fight back. He could only shield his head with his arms.
Amid the chaos, his watch was snatched away as well.
Just as Strange was filled with despair, a figure suddenly appeared at the entrance to the alley.
The person wore a hooded robe, their face obscured from view.
With a light wave of his hand, countless golden magical patterns gathered in the air.