The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?!

This hobbit has delicate features, fair skin, and some freckles on both sides of their nose, looking like a child who hasn't grown up yet.

"I just shouted, wow, a giant head dog, and then it charged at me."

Ace said innocently.

"If you shout one more time, I'll shove your head into your butt!"

The Sphinx said sharply.

"Calm down, calm down. Here, have some dried fish first."

Liu Zheng quickly walked over to calm it down.

"Don't think a few dried fish can extinguish my anger. Munch, munch, munch."

The Sphinx glared at Ace and said.

"He's a formal employee of the security department."

Liu Zheng whispered.

"So what if he's from the security department, at worst I'll just hide in the Great Desert, can they catch me there?"

The Sphinx said disdainfully.

"His dad is a Travel Mage."

He said out of necessity.

"I don't care if his dad is a Travel Mage or even the Supreme Councilman, I can't swallow this anger."

The Sphinx said loudly.

"I want a nest."

A tiny voice reached his ear.

"Uh-huh, I know, you're very principled, but... hmmm?"

The sudden turn of events left Liu Zheng a bit caught off guard.

"I want a nest, like a ball of yarn."

The Sphinx repeated.

"Why do you need a nest when you're sleeping on the street?"

He said instinctively.

"Are you saying I don't deserve it?"

The Sphinx's tone grew dangerous.

"Deserve it, you completely deserve the best cat bed in all of Metropolis."

Liu Zheng quickly said.

"It's a lion's nest."

The Sphinx corrected.

"Yes, yes, it's a lion's nest."

He echoed.

"Hmph. Tell that little guy to be careful with his words next time, or even the Supreme Councilman won't be able to save him."

The Sphinx took a bite on Liu Zheng's scalp to vent its frustration, then settled back to its spot.

"You speak, I suffer, sigh!"

Liu Zheng covered the bloody hole on his head and walked over to Ace.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to."

Ace shrugged and said.

His apology had some sincerity, but mostly it was casual.

As Ace, even if he misspoke, not many people would hold it against him.

Or rather, no one would confront him about it.

Besides, even if Liu Zheng hadn't come to save him, the Sphinx couldn't take him down.

Ace didn't have much else, but life-saving extraordinary items were countless, all gifted by his relatives and his father's friends.

"Forget it. When you're fed, your mouth softens, when you take, your hand shortens. You've helped me a lot, having a few holes in my head is just ventilation."

Liu Zheng sighed and said.

"Haha, you speak so amusingly, no wonder the nightingale insisted on asking me to help you."

Ace laughed heartily and said.

"How did she insist on asking?"

"Can't say, it's a secret between the two of us."

Ace shook his head and said.

"Hmph."

If he won't say, then he won't say, I'll ask the nightingale later.

"Here, this is the manual."

Ace handed over a few A4 sheets to him.

"Why is it handwritten?"

Liu Zheng's expression was odd.

Hasn't such a large City Hall even got a printer?

"Of course, I couldn't just give you a photocopy, and many functions are gone, the handwritten ones are enough."

Ace said matter-of-factly.

"All right. Here's the money I owe you."

Liu Zheng took out stack after stack of money and placed it on the ground until it was piled higher than Ace.

"Oh."

Ace didn't even count it, just grabbed his wallet and took it all.

"Aren't you going to join me for a few games?"

He probed.

"I really don't have time, I'll definitely schedule it when I do."

Liu Zheng said with a wry smile.

"Can't understand why a delivery person like you is so busy?"

Ace remarked as he took out a folding bicycle from the driver's seat.

"See you then."

He unfolded the bike, ready to ride away.

"Wait a minute. Niu Daji!"

Liu Zheng shouted into the clinic.

"Coming, coming."

Niu Daji rushed out in a hurry.

"Boss, did you call me?"

"Escort my friend to the 'Red Witch' board game hall. Ensure his safety. If he gets even a scratch, then you report to the sewer yourself, understood?"

He said sternly.

"Yes, boss, I guarantee to complete the task!"

Niu Daji responded loudly, puffing out his chest.

"Uh, actually I can go by myself. The city's security seems okay to me."

The Ace seemed somewhat reluctant.

Niu Daji's overbearing masculine presence made him feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Are you sure?"

Despite it being somewhat rude, Liu Zheng couldn't help but ask.

Not to mention, with their Bloody Restaurant deliverymen around, the city's security couldn't possibly be good.

"Well, at least that's what the reports say."

The Ace tilted his head.

"Alright, stop arguing, let Da Ji escort you. You may not need it, but it's polite for both you and me."

Liu Zheng said earnestly.

"Alright, alright, I'll let him escort me."

The Ace pouted, looking more like a child.

"And don't ride your bike, Da Ji, drive him there, go quickly and return swiftly."

He said to Niu Daji again.

"Okay, boss."

Niu Daji looked excitedly at the armored vehicle.

In theory, it was their delivery gang's first car.

Liu Zheng instructed him to go quickly and return swiftly, and he rigorously followed the order, returning with the armored vehicle in twenty minutes.

"Get in the car, Doctor."

Liu Zheng beckoned.

"Alright. Ando, I'll leave the clinic to you."

Doctor Nile said to the Sphinx.

"Got it."

The Sphinx lazily waved its paw.

"Let's go!"

Liu Zheng sat in the passenger seat, speaking spiritedly.

Having started from scratch in Metropolis, within just ten days, he already had a car, subordinates, and savings. If City Hall didn't rate him among the top ten outstanding youths, they really lacked insight.

"Yes, boss!"

Niu Daji vigorously stepped on the gas.

The armored vehicle emitted a deep but restrained roar, speeding forward and giving Doctor Nile a good sense of acceleration as he settled himself.

"Young people are always so rash."

Doctor Nile shook his head.

But despite complaining verbally, a smile appeared on his bandaged face.

He was watching someone grow rapidly, who was both his benefactor's brother and the person he recognized as Sasha's future protector. He felt proud to witness it.

-----------------

As one of Bathhouse Street's top ten bathhouses, even during the day, the "Ga Ga Shuang" bathhouse was usually bustling with activity.

But today, there wasn't a single guest inside, the normally lively lobby eerily quiet.

"Lao Si, is everyone assembled?"

Yuan Baoer wore a black petite suit, her short hair tied into a small ponytail at the back, and silver stilettos on her feet, exuding unmistakable assertiveness.

"Reporting to the boss, the bathhouse staff are all assembled."

Lao Si replied.

He was also dressed sharply today, donning tactical gear with a helmet on his head.

But his overly large belly ruined the impression of authority.

"Uncle Shui?"

Yuan Baoer looked at an old man dressed in a blue cloth mandarin jacket.

"Reporting to the Family Head, the family's people are all assembled as well."

The old man replied respectfully.

"Very good. Everyone still remembers what happened a few days ago, right?"

Yuan Baoer asked.

"Yes!"

Everyone responded loudly.

"I will reflect on myself first. Many people told me about Zhen Xinzhai being unreliable, Manager Si reminded me several times, but I was blinded by my own stubbornness, resulting in this situation. I accept punishment."

Yuan Baoer said and lifted her hand, drawing a bloody "X" on her right cheek.

"But what about you? Others came right to our door, and they had to rely on an outsider to set things right, are you all just loafing around?"

She reprimanded sharply.

"The young ones are just cowardly good-for-nothings, and the older ones are no better. What? You think with me dead, there'll be a new Family Head for the Yuan Family? The bathhouse needs a new boss? Even Lao Si whom I personally promoted can't rally you?"

Blood kept pouring from Yuan Baoer's face wound, she seemingly unaware.

The bathhouse staff was too frightened to breathe, while the Yuan Family's people looked particularly uneasy.

"Now, Mr. Liu will help me regain face, and we will support him. Let's make it clear, if there's no fight later, fine, but if there is a fight, I want none of those Dark Elves to get away."

"If anyone dares to embarrass me again, it doesn't matter if they are newcomers or veterans, whether they are from the bathhouse or the Yuan Family, everyone will face family law, understood?"

Yuan Baoer asked loudly.

"Understood!"

Everyone responded loudly.

"Alright, let's move!"

Yuan Baoer took the lead to walk out the door, with the bathhouse staff led by Lao Si and the Yuan Family's people led by Uncle Shui forming two long dragon-like lines, gathering behind her.