Chapter 8

"What? Head of security?"

David froze like he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. A low-level nobody like a head of security was someone he usually wouldn't even spare a glance, and the guy actually had the nerve to come mess around on Skyline Syndicate's turf?

The entire room, including David and his hundred or so henchmen, exploded into laughter.

"What's Evan good for if he can't even stop a security guard?"

"Boss, don't worry. We'll take care of this punk."

"We'll show this kid exactly why Skyline Syndicate runs this place."

Boom!

Before anyone could react, a figure crashed through the glass doors and landed heavily before them.

"Evan?"

The laughter died instantly when David and his men saw who it was.

The man lying on the ground, coughing up blood, was none other than David's most trusted enforcer, Evan.

Thud.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed closer and closer.

A moment later, Noel stepped into the hall. He was dressed in nothing more than casual wear, as if this were just a stroll in the park.

"Who's David?"

Noel scanned the room, his gaze locking on the man with the flashy gold teeth that were impossible to miss.

David glared at Noel, furious. "You little punk! You've got some nerve, laying a hand on my guy!"

"Cut the crap. I don't have time to waste. Here's your choice—pay up or die."

Noel's eyes darkened as he spoke coldly.

David felt humiliated. He was used to being the one doing the bullying, not getting challenged at his own doorstep.

"Get him!" David barked, slamming his fist down, teeth clenched in rage.

In the blink of an eye, over a hundred men stormed the lobby. They drew their weapons and surrounded Noel from all sides.

"What a shame," someone sneered. "Looks like you made a big mistake."

But instead of showing any fear, Noel let out a regretful sigh.

"Still acting tough, huh?" another thug jeered.

"Take him out!" David shouted.

Without hesitation, the crowd charged.

"Kill him!"

In the wide, open hall, shouts and battle cries echoed as the crowd surged forward, swallowing Noel's figure in an instant.

And yet, being outnumbered meant nothing when one was the apex predator.

Bang!

Surrounded by a hundred attackers, Noel's silhouette blurred like a special effect, weaving through the chaos with ghostlike speed.

Each time he appeared, the others barely had time to react before a wave of pain exploded through their bodies. One by one, they were sent flying like rag dolls.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bodies slammed to the ground, one after another.

Blood splattered.

Ribs cracked.

It hadn't even been a full minute, and the ground was already littered with the groaning bodies of 70 to 80 men.

Noel fought like a storm unleashed, savage and relentless.

The last few standing were so terrified, they began to retreat without even thinking.

"Is that all Skyline Syndicate can muster?" Noel sneered, locking eyes with David, who was lurking behind the frightened crowd.

To Noel, that brutal fight just now had been nothing more than a warm-up.

David's face twisted with rage and shock as Noel closed in. "Don't get cocky, kid! Just wait, you'll be the one crying soon enough."

Hiding behind his crew, David fumbled for his phone and made a call.

After all, the Skyline Syndicate had been running Hibiscus City for years. There was more to their power than just these guys.

"Alright, I'm waiting."

Noel rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. Then to everyone's surprise, he actually stayed put and waited.

Not long after, screeching brakes echoed outside.

Ten vans slammed to a stop right outside the lobby. The doors flew open, and two hundred men jumped out in unison.

Every single one was covered in tattoos, sleeves rolled up to reveal inked arms, weapons in hand, and faces twisted into fierce snarls.

Seeing the reinforcements, David's confidence surged. He smirked and shouted, "Kid, I'll admit that you've got some skill, but this is where it ends."

These were his gang's elite fighters.

Noel might be strong, but there was no way one man could take on the entire Skyline Syndicate alone.

"Take him down!" David ordered.

The two hundred men charged toward Noel like a tidal wave.

But what happened next left David speechless.

Before they even closed in, Noel surged forward and charged right at them.

He was attacking?

One guy against two hundred?

It was suicide.

Boom!

Before anyone could react, Noel barreled into the crowd like a wrecking ball, sending a dozen men flying through the air.

"Kill him!"

The thugs hesitated for a split second, then raised their weapons and attacked as one.

The fight erupted instantly.

But Noel's speed was unreal—too fast to track with the naked eye. In a blink, he seized a blade mid-swing. Steel flashed in the light, so blinding that it made them squint.

Then came the clash—blades ringing, fists flying.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

"Argh—!"

Painful screams echoed through the room.

Noel had turned into a force of pure fury, and the lobby quickly became a bloody battlefield.

Those two hundred men? They were nothing more than prey beneath his blade.

Easily cut down.

In less than ten minutes, the once noisy lobby fell eerily silent.

Boom!

The last man was sent flying by Noel's foot.

David was the only one left standing.

"D-don't come any closer!"

David stared at Noel like he'd seen a ghost.

One guy took on the entire Skyline Syndicate? Was he even human?!

"Keep calling for backup!" Noel said as he stepped forward, closing the distance. "What's wrong? Is this all the mighty Skyline Syndicate's got?"

Each step Noel took felt like a boot stomping on David's chest, and his legs trembled uncontrollably.

"What do you want? I'm warning you, I'm with the Fourwinds Consortium. If you hurt me, they won't let you live."

Just as David finished his threat, a large hand grabbed his neck and lifted him off the ground like he weighed nothing.

"Enough talk. Pay up, or die!"

Noel's cold eyes locked onto David as his grip tightened. It only took a moment for David's face to turn a deep, sickly purple, and he looked like he was one breath away from death.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind Noel.

Outside the lobby, dozens of black SUVs had lined up, and hundreds of bodyguards in black suits stormed inside.

"Oh? Looks like someone else wants to die today."

Noel released his grip and slowly turned to look at the newcomer.

"A woman?"

He was a little surprised. The person who had arrived was indeed a woman.

Her long, wavy hair was a deep burgundy, and she wore a red dress with a high slit. She looked to be in her late twenties, radiating a mature, seductive confidence.

Right now, she was leading hundreds of fit-looking bodyguards as they strode boldly into the lobby.

"Heidi?"

David's face lit up with excitement as he scrambled toward her, crawling on hands and knees in desperation.

"Heidi, you have to save me! This guy knows I'm with the Fourwinds Consortium, and he still barged into my territory and hurt my men. He clearly doesn't take our organization seriously."

David looked pitiful as he spoke, but when his eyes shifted to Noel, they glinted with resentment.

Most didn't know, but David fully understood who the woman before him was.

Heidi Sullivan was the owner of Springwind Lounge, the biggest nightclub in Chansear District. She was also one of the eight directors of the Fourwinds Consortium.

Even the entire underworld of Chansear District showed her respect.

With Heidi backing him, David felt untouchable. Even if Noel had superpowers, he wouldn't stand a chance once Heidi stepped in!

"You can shut up now."

Heidi's face suddenly darkened at David's endless whining, but David didn't seem to notice. He kept acting pitiful and complaining.

"Everyone in the underworld knows I'm loyal to you! Taking a swing at me is like slapping you in the face. We gotta tear this kid to pieces—"

Slap!

Before David could finish, Heidi raised her hand and smacked him hard, leaving him frozen in place.

"H-Heidi?"

"Didn't I tell you to shut up?"

Heidi shot David a sharp glare. Then, ignoring his confused stare, she slowly stepped toward Noel.

"Mr. Campbell, my apologies. I'm Heidi Sullivan from the Fourwinds Consortium. I've already been informed about the situation. It's my fault for not keeping my people in line and letting them offend you."

She gave Noel a slight bow.

David's jaw practically hit the floor.

Heidi was basically the underground queen of Hibiscus City. And yet here she was, practically groveling and apologizing to a security guard?!

Could Noel have some secret, powerful identity?

"Did Tyler send you?" Noel asked, eyes cool as he glanced at her, already guessing why she was here.

"Mr. Lewis said you're an honored guest and that no mistakes can be allowed. That's why I was sent personally with my men."

Heidi glanced at the bodies scattered across the floor, clearly surprised. "But judging by your skills, I may have been overly cautious, Mr. Campbell."

No wonder the chairman held this man in such high regard. Noel really was something else.

Even though the Skyline Syndicate was just a third-rate gang, taking down a hundred men alone?

Not even Heidi's top enforcer with special skills could have managed that.

Noel glanced past her and asked, "Where's Tyler?"

Heidi didn't hesitate and respectfully replied, "Mr. Lewis knows he's been neglectful. He's already arranged a formal apology dinner at Springwind and sent me personally to escort you, Mr. Campbell."

Noel chuckled.

"That old fox is clever," he said. "Before I even got a chance to lecture him, he's already groveling and begging for forgiveness?"

Heidi just smiled politely at his teasing.

She didn't know Noel's true identity, but she knew her chairman. There was only a handful of people in all of Chansear District who could earn that kind of respect from Tyler.

While the two were talking, David stood dumbfounded off to the side.