Samuel Robert Grant saw his own innermost thoughts written all over those black words on white paper. This bizarre and grotesque reality made him break out in a cold sweat. “Why are you doing this?”

　　Ethan replied, “The reason I do things is something you wouldn’t understand even if I told you. All you need to know is that my bookstore holds the secrets of many people. After you retrieve your own book, you can come back and trade with me to see others’. Even if you’re stupid, you should understand how much benefit you can gain when you hold someone else’s past they don’t want revealed, or their plans for the future.

　　Those high-ranking officials and powerful people who control the economy or the military—you should know how valuable their thoughts are. Oh, and of course, I also have books like yours, you drunkard. Even if they’re worthless, there’s always a chance someone might take a look, just for a laugh or as dinner conversation.”

　　“All right, I get it. What do you want me to do?!” Samuel Robert Grant asked anxiously.

　　Ethan scratched his head. “It’s a simple thing. The day after tomorrow, in the afternoon, go hang out at the izakaya as usual. Don’t go home until midnight, and before dawn, don’t say a single word to your son—not even one.”

　　Samuel Robert Grant hesitated for a moment and replied, “What does this have to do with my son?! I’m warning you, don’t drag him into this.”

　　“I’m just asking you to keep silent.” Ethan said, “Of course, writing it down or using gestures is also not allowed. Don’t even think about it.”

　　“You’ll know even if I think about it?”

　　Ethan let out a cold laugh. He put away Samuel Robert Grant’s book and took out another one to flip through. “You can go now. Don’t interfere with my business.”

　　Chapter 11: The Confrontation

　　Time: Now.

　　Owen Brooks’s figure receded into the distance and disappeared.

　　All the books in the metal barrel had been reduced to ashes, leaving only a wisp of smoke slowly rising, but it dissipated in the cold wind before drifting far.

　　Ethan did not go inside. He still stood at the doorway, as if waiting for something.

　　“Originally, Owen Brooks didn’t have to die.” He suddenly spoke.

　　But at this moment, the street was empty.

　　“Just a few seconds ago, you all forced me to change my mind.” Ethan sighed. “If I’d known, I should have just killed Owen Brooks earlier. Now I have to finish dealing with you before making a special trip to him.”

　　Suddenly, there were people on the street again.

　　Four of them.

　　“Although I don’t really understand what you’re saying, you’re obviously talking to us, right?” said the tallest man among the four.

　　Ethan looked up at the sky, as if too lazy to look at them. “When I was drinking my first cup of coffee after waking up, I already knew you were lying in wait on this street. I just wasn’t sure of your ranks. When I came out to burn the books, you tightened the encirclement, and when Owen Brooks left, you got even closer to me.” He let out a long sigh. “Sigh… Before I even said a word to you, I could already be certain that all of you are Bing-level. So… your identities are confirmed.”

　　Another of the four said, “Even if, as you say, our ambush was already exposed, let’s just say you guessed right and we’re all Bing-level. But how did you come to the conclusion that you could ‘take care of us’?” He sneered. “Ni Shizi, even if we analyze every case from the past years that might be related to you, and estimate upwards, you’ve never reached Qiang-level, have you?”

　　Ethan replied, “I’m Zhi-level. Also, my name is Ethan.”

　　The tall man sneered, “Mr. Ethan, since you know your own rank, don’t bother with futile resistance. Surrender and you might keep your life.”

　　“Heh heh…” Ethan scratched his messy hair. “Are you all so sure that Zhi-level can’t possibly beat Bing-level?”

　　All four showed disdain, and the tall man’s expression showed he was the most arrogant and the strongest. He replied again, “You can try to be mysterious or deceive yourself if you want, but the chance of a Zhi-level beating a Bing-level one-on-one is never more than 5%. Are you saying you can not only rise above your rank, but also take on four at once?!”

　　Ethan tilted his head and snorted coldly. “Then I’ll kill one first and show you.”

　　Before he finished speaking, one of the four’s expression changed dramatically. There was a loud bang in his chest, and it suddenly exploded from the inside. Metal fragments, organs, and blood sprayed out, and the smell of burnt flesh and blood instantly filled the air, casting a terrifying shadow over his three companions.

　　“Replacing organs and weaponizing the body with mechanical modifications is actually a pretty good idea. The guy who came up with this decades ago is still worthy of admiration. He succeeded in giving ordinary people like you, who aren’t very capable, a chance to join the ranks of Bing-level powerhouses.” Ethan narrated calmly. “But people are people, and machines are machines. Ordinary people just need food and drink, but cyborgs need not only food and water, but also energy. Considering the needs of combat, you couldn’t just rely on bioenergy converters like in daily life. So before you came to me today, you definitely recharged.”