A boy who looked no more than a teenager had crippled Scott's right arm with a single hammer blow, then walked toward him expressionlessly.
There was no excitement, no satisfaction, no bloodthirsty frenzy.
There was nothing.
That calmness was more terrifying than any killing intent.
"Now then," Tang San's voice came from above, as mild as if he were asking an unimportant question, "do you think I have the strength to kill you?"
Scott opened his mouth.
His throat was as dry as though stuffed with cotton, and his voice came out hoarse and broken. "Yes... you do..."
He swallowed hard, trying to steady his voice, but he could not suppress the trembling.
"You have passed the test. You are qualified to enter Slaughter City."
He stretched out his left hand and tremblingly pulled a black plaque from his waist. Holding it with both hands, he offered it to Tang San. The plaque was made of some unknown material, entirely black and icy to the touch. A skull was carved onto it, with a number beneath it—9528.
"This is your proof of entry into Slaughter City." Scott's voice still trembled. "Please enter the city as soon as possible. Someone will receive you at the gate."
Tang San took the plaque and looked down at it.
9528.
Without saying anything, he tucked the plaque into his clothes and walked past Scott. The Clear Sky Hammer silently dissipated in his hand, turning into specks of black light that merged into his body.
Behind him, Scott collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
Tang San did not look back.
His gaze fell upon the gate of the black city ahead.
The gate towered like the gaping maw of an abyss. Countless dark-blue gemstones were embedded in the walls on either side, giving off