The alcohol and noise gradually receded, and Reed's consciousness began to sink into a thick darkness. On the verge of this blur, fragmented dream images flashed wildly in his mind like broken film reels: burning ruins, silent screams, and those eyes peering from the abyss.
His eyes instantly became bloodshot, as if dark red magma was churning in the depths of his pupils. A violent and primal force exploded from the marrow of his bones, filling his body exponentially.
"Bang!"
Reed erupted without warning. The burly men who had surrounded him didn't even see his move before they were sent flying into the booth with the sound of cracking bones. In the midst of this chaotic shadow, the mysterious woman stood by the second-floor railing, a cold curve on her lips, whispering softly: "As expected... it's happening again."
Reed's figure turned into an afterimage, charging straight for the core target in the corner.
"You're crazy! Stop it!" Lila screamed, spreading her arms to block the man in sunglasses tightly.
Reed's fist stopped abruptly, only a few centimeters from Lila's brow. Looking at that familiar face, a hint of painful struggle flashed in his eyes, and he let out a beast-like growl from his throat. However, that strange red glow instantly engulfed his reason again.
With a violent swing of his arm, the immense force sent Lila flying to the ground. Then, his fist, as hard as steel, slammed heavily onto the man in sunglasses' throat.
"Cough... uh..." The man in sunglasses couldn't even scream, his body sliding down like a broken puppet. Dark red blood mixed with foam gushed from his mouth, appearing glaringly bright under the neon lights.
Without a moment's pause, Reed didn't even look back at the fallen Lila. Like a ferocious beast breaking free from its chains, he smashed through the heavy wooden door of the bar and completely disappeared into the midnight downpour.