After the gunshot, the world instantly fell silent.
The accident that should never have happened had happened after all.
Just like that sparring match in the desert: Kallen had held an absolute advantage, while Neo could only passively take a beating throughout, yet had still managed a "counterattack" against Kallen at the very end.
When Neo brought it up afterward, he said Kallen had deliberately spared his pride, afraid of embarrassing him.
This time was almost a repeat.
For anyone else, evading the Whip of Order early on, hiding beside Rotini, and securing the position of "Strategic Adviser" would have been exceedingly difficult. But Neo was an old hand in the Whip of Order; Kallen had learned his early professional skills from him.
Even setting all that aside, if the person who finally drew the gun had been anyone but Neo, Kevin would not have hesitated at all. One swipe of his paw would have instantly smashed even the hardest skull.
Only Neo could have fired that bullet at that particular time and place.
What he had exploited was his relationship with Kallen.
Of course, "exploited" sounded rather unpleasant. Between friends, borrowing and repaying were only natural.
Having lost his lover and always sought death, thrills, and amusement, when had he ever needed Kallen to do anything for him before? More often, Kallen had needed him.
This time was just a little special, because he knew Kallen would not agree.
Sometimes Neo was rather puzzled himself. As a captain who skimmed profits, robbed other crooks, and occasionally mixed in some trading of power for money, how had he failed to lead Kallen "onto the right path"?
This young man whom he had personally brought into the Whip of Order had actually become increasingly principled after prolonged exposure to his exemplary