Fyren stared at the legs of the stool in his hand.
"What's the point of this piece of shit? It was good for school fights, but now we're standing before Otto!
The God of War of the North!
All of us in this club together wouldn't be enough for him to handle alone."
Hogan arrived as well: "Otto, whether I get out of this today depends entirely on you!"
Otto laughed: "Keep your people quiet. I can handle this myself."
"Huh? There's quite a few of them."
"No matter." Otto said, "It's been a while since I've stretched my muscles anyway."
Eason instantly flared up, "Damn, that's fucking arrogant! I'll take you down!"
Just as Eason was about to charge forward, Fyren pulled him back.
Eason was too heavy, and with his momentum from anger, Fyren could barely hold him back. The force of the pull made Fyren lose his balance and fall to the ground while Eason remained standing.
"Why the hell are you stopping me!?"
Fyren scrambled to his feet and said, "Don't you realize you're walking to your death!
This is exactly how villains get themselves killed."
Fyren patted his shoulder to calm him down.
"Don't mess with that guy - we're no match for him."
"Bullshit! Since when did you become such a coward? Fine, I'll deal with this bastard myself, how about that?"
"You—"
Fyren said, "Let me talk to him first."
Eason whispered impatiently, "I'm itching for a fight here. Don't negotiate too successfully - it'd be a shame if we can't throw down."
"I'll try."
Fyren looked at Otto. "Otto, it's been a while."
"Not really that long," Otto replied. "Let's get to it."
"No hurry," Fyren said. "There's something I want to ask you first."
"Go ahead."
The onlookers thought these two were insane.
They'd already rolled up their sleeves and gone through the obligatory trash-talking - why were they suddenly being so polite?
Fyren continued, "Otto, you're a man of imposing stature and remarkable talent. Why associate with trash like Hogan? And fighting over some girl at a nightclub - isn't that beneath you? We're all reasonable people here. How about I mediate? You and Hogan can enjoy yourselves tonight - everything's on me. We'll consider the matter settled. What do you say?"
Otto responded, "Fyren, how dare you call others trash? Don't you know what you are? The reason I'm doing this is because you and Eason are thoroughly corrupt! The whole of Crystalpeak City knows you're a pair of delinquents. Today, I, Otto, am here to rid the people of this scourge!"
At that moment, Cora approached from the back, looking alarmed. "What's going on? Why are there so many people here?"
Cora had just gone to the bathroom—Fyren's Intimidation and Need for Speed had made her so anxious that she needed a break. After confirming her brother was fine, she excused herself first.
While inside, she heard a commotion outside and realized something was wrong. When she came out, she saw even Hogan was there.
At that moment, Otto and Cora locked eyes, sparks flying between them.
Otto was stunned.
His heart sang in secret:
What a stunning beauty, rare in this world! Like a flower, like jade—her face like a celestial fairy. Her lips, her waist, radiant as moonlight, her beauty surpassing all noble ladies. For a moment, I wonder if this is the Peach Banquet, and how the Moon Goddess Chang'e has descended from the Cold Palace…
When Cora saw Otto, she was momentarily distracted.
What's with this guy? Why is he staring at me like that?
The thought made her nervously hide behind Fyren.
Fyren mused to himself:
[Good, the plot's back on track. The hero and heroine have finally met.]
[Next, Cora should fall in love at first sight with Otto, and they'll stroll off hand in hand.]
[Ah, what a shame. But Cora is destined to be part of Otto's harem—go be sisters with Eliza, you two.]
Fyren smiled and said, "Otto, let me introduce you—this is the Chen family's eldest daughter, Cora."
Cora, fully aware of Fyren's thoughts, flushed with anger and glared at him.
Fyren continued, unfazed, "Cora, this is Otto."
Otto quickly clasped his fists in greeting. "Miss Cora, it's an honor to meet you."
Cora ignored him and scowled. "What's with all these people? Lao-san? What are you all doing here? Are you still in school? Haven't you grown up yet?"
Lao-san and the others, scolded by Cora, lost their nerve and hastily hid their weapons behind their backs.
Otto also felt awkward—he hadn't expected to run into the Chen family's eldest daughter here. Beating up her brother now would definitely be inappropriate.
Just then, Hogan jumped out:
"Shit! You bitch! You and Fyren set me up—don't think I don't know! Otto, help me take them down! I'll get you ten girls tonight, all fresh, lively, and enthusiastic!"
Otto pushed him away. "Friend, don't stand so close. I, Otto, am a man of integrity—how could I possibly be involved with such things?"
"Huh?" Hogan still didn't grasp the situation. "Didn't we agree to have fun tonight? You told me you were a golden gun, that you could handle ten in one night! We were all waiting to see you perform—"
"Nonsense! Lies! Absolute rubbish!" Otto nearly stuttered in fury at this idiot.
"A man of my noble character, profound sentiment, and pure soul—in short, I have never, and will never, engage in such vulgarity."
Hogan was completely confused: "Then what about Lily and Lucy? Don't you want them anymore?"
"Hell no! I don't even fucking know who Lily and Lucy are!"
"They're the two who were just sitting on your lap, feeding you wine mouth-to-mouth! And you said Lily's ass was bouncy and Lucy's tits felt amazing—"
Otto glared furiously. "You've got the wrong fucking guy!"
Eason walked over to Fyren with the stool legs and whispered, "What's going on? Have these two lost their minds?"
Fyren smirked.
[This is fucking hilarious! This plot—no way that idiot author could've written it.]
[Today, I'm going to make the tiger devour the wolf! Just wait and see how ruthless I can be!]
Fyren leaned closer to Eason. "Stool legs are useless now. Times have changed—let's have a battle of wits today."
He gave Eason a meaningful look.
Eason's big eyes darted back and forth before he quickly nodded. "Good show."
Cora stood behind them, her sharp, hateful eyes flickering between the two troublemakers.
Fyren declared loudly, "That's him, Otto! He's the one who earlier tried to disrespect my good brother's sister, Ms. Cora! Thankfully, I arrived in time to protect her honor!"
He thumped his chest dramatically. "A shame! Hogan's family is too powerful for us to touch him! If I had the strength, I'd have torn him to pieces!"
Hogan panicked. "Fyren, you've got some nerve, but you won't get away with this today!"
Eason hastily threw down his stool legs. "Sis! This bastard bullied you, but I don't dare stand up to him—I'm no match for him! I hate myself for it!"
Otto instantly erupted in fury. "You dared to bully Ms. Cora?"
Hogan froze. "What the hell are you doing?! Why are you turning on me?!"
He hissed under his breath, "Hey! We're on the same side, you fucking moron!"
Otto snapped, "Who the fuck is on your side, asshole?"
Hogan's head jerked back in shock, his mind completely blank.
"Wow! How gallant!" Cora clasped her hands together, fingertips pressed to her lips, looking especially silly.
"Huh?!" Fyren and Eason whipped around to stare at her as if seeing a stranger.
Fyren narrowed his eyes.
[So, big sister, you're an actress too!]
[The moment Otto saw Cora, it was game over.]
[If Eliza was the one who grew in Fyren's heart, then Cora was undoubtedly the one in Otto's.]
[The way Fyren is dumbstruck by Eliza is the same way Otto falls for Cora.]
[A single gesture, a single word of praise from Cora—it's like a drug to him!]
[Straight to the brain!]
[The man was completely dazed.]
Cora added, "Hogan, I was kind enough to have dinner with you, but you tried to take advantage of me! Unfortunately, as a woman and the eldest daughter of the Chen family, I've been too ashamed to take legal action. But sooner or later, someone will punish you for your wicked behavior!"
What is this?
This is pure, unadulterated hatred!
Hogan touched his stinging cheek and glared at Otto. "Otto, have you lost your fucking mind? How dare you hit me?!"
Slap!
Another resounding smack landed.
Otto might not be good at much, but when it came to throwing punches, he was unmatched.
He had countless ways to put villains in their place.
This slap was loud—deafeningly loud!
Hogan wiped his nose, blood streaming down. "Otto, you son of a—"
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
Otto grabbed Hogan's collar with one hand and rained down blows with the other, snapping his head left and right.
Finally, Otto stopped and glared at him coldly. "I despise scum who disrespect women."
Hogan, thoroughly beaten, turned helplessly to his men. "Are you all just going to stand there and watch him slap me around?"
Only then did Hogan's lackeys snap out of their daze.
"Let go of Young Master Hogan!"
"Bastard, take your hands off him!"
Otto smirked faintly and reached for the gate. As he pulled it shut, leaving just a crack, he cast a cold smile inside. "Give me a minute."
The gate slammed shut.
From outside came the sound of cracks and thuds.
Eason burst out laughing. "What's wrong with that idiot?"
Fyren chuckled too. "Can't you tell? He's got his eye on your sister."
"Bullshit! Him? Over my dead body! My sister's yours—no one else is ever gonna be my brother-in-law!"
Cora smacked Eason's head. "Stop talking nonsense! Fyren, what's really going on?"
Fyren grinned. "You'll find out soon enough. This guy… he's insanely strong. To put it simply, if your life were a movie, he'd be the male lead. The chosen one—unstoppable, killing gods and slaying Buddhas if they stand in his way."
"So you're saying… I should get involved with him?"
"It's your destiny. No one escapes fate."
Cora was getting furious.
Eason cut in, "Fyren, what the hell are you babbling about? My sister's meant for you!"
Fyren quickly hushed him. "Don't say that in front of him. Anyone who steals a woman from him is signing their own death warrant."
"Why the hell should I be scared of him?"
"Not just you—everyone* should be scared of him."*
"I'm not afraid! I'll kick his ass right now!"
Fyren yanked him back. "Are you even listening? He's the hero! The chosen one! The two of us together wouldn't stand a chance—we'd be lucky to walk away alive, got it? Stay the hell away from him from now on! And watch your mouth around him!"
"No way! Since when did you turn into such a coward?"
"Just remember three things: Don't argue with him, don't steal women from him, and don't do shady shit in front of him. Stick to those, and you might survive. Otherwise… you're done for."
At that moment, the door pushed open and Otto beamed, "Done."
A few people looked outside. "Bodies everywhere."
Eason was stunned. "You... did this all by yourself?"
Zaring wiped the sweat from his forehead, then glanced at his boss—and suddenly understood something.
Otto walked in and said gently, "I apologize for the shock. I only met him by chance and thought he was a decent gentleman. Turns out, he's nothing but a villain. Miss Cora, you can rest assured. From now on, as long as I'm here, he won't dare come near you."
Cora looked at Fyren, who gave her a meaningful look:
[Go on! Go! Chat! Talk! That's your man!]
Cora gritted her teeth in frustration—then suddenly forced a sweet smile. "Otto, was it?"
"Yes, Miss Cora?"
"Thank you for helping me. I don't even know how to repay you."
"No need for thanks. Though... I'd love to take you for coffee, if you'd allow me?"
"Of course! But... there's someone else who's been bullying me for years, and I'm terrified of him."
"Who?!"
Cora pointed at Fyren. "Him!"
Fyren had thought the plot was finally falling into place.
Relieved and thrilled, he believed he'd successfully used his wits to make the hero and heroine fall for each other at first sight. With this development, he shouldn't have to worry about himself anymore.
His face had been relaxed in a smile—until Cora's accusation wiped it clean away.
He turned his head slowly, meeting Otto's icy glare.
[Ah... So this is how I die.]