“Young Master Thompson, Young Master Foster. As for those under {the shopkeeper} and Uncle Grant, I know them inside out—they’re just small-time thugs scraping by in the Seventh District, with no real background to speak of.”

“With just those few people, there’s no way they could bring in anyone formidable. Even if that red-haired kid is an Awakened, there’s absolutely no way he could be a match for any of you.”

“If we back down just because of this, your reputations in the underground district will take a huge hit. If you want to make something of yourselves here in the future, I’m afraid…”

“Smack!”

Before Scarface could finish, James Foster lashed out with a kick, sending him sprawling to the side.

Scarface crashed to the ground, his right cheek swelling up, spitting out two teeth.

James Foster said coldly, “We didn’t ask you anything. Who said you could butt in here?”

“Yes, yes, I deserve to die.”

Scarface hurriedly rolled over and knelt properly, though inside he was furious but dared not show it.

Still, his words did have some effect.

David Thompson was also a bit worried. If they just let this go, how would the people in the Seventh District see them?

All bark and no bite? Cowards?

After months of careful preparation, just as they were about to make their move, they couldn’t just shrink back now.

That would mean all their efforts were for nothing.

In fact, David Thompson had already been prepared for this.

Anyone who can hold their ground in the Seventh District isn’t easy to deal with. They all have some kind of hidden power behind them, unseen by outsiders.

Sending Scarface to stir up trouble this time was also a way to test the other side’s strength.

At least now they knew the other side had a trump card, so they could be more prepared for the final showdown.

After thinking for a moment, David Thompson finally made up his mind.

“The original plan stands. The showdown is the day after tomorrow!”

“I’ll give the law enforcement team a heads-up in advance—no one will come to interfere.”

“As for Night Owl, as long as we strictly keep the conflict within the Seventh District, he won’t step in.”

“Scarface, pick out the elites from your men and have them all take the gene serum! In this showdown, we must win—defeat is not an option!”

……

Two days later, in the Seventh District.

The atmosphere here was even more grim and murderous than during the last bloody battle.

That was just an appetizer—today is the main course!

Everyone knew very well that today, many people would die here. And maybe, they themselves would be among them.

On {the shopkeeper}’s side, it was still just those twenty-something people.

Though few in number, not a single one was missing.

They didn’t know what kind of agreement {the shopkeeper} and Blake had reached, but seeing Blake there made them feel a bit more at ease.

Even so, they still didn’t think they could win.

Because the gap in strength was just too great.

Many had already steeled themselves to die in battle.

The Shopkeeper was still wrapped in bandages. His injuries were half-healed, but he still didn’t have the strength to fight.

“Little brother, I want you to promise me one thing. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, please don’t step in.” {the shopkeeper} said in a deep voice.

“Why?” Blake asked.

The Shopkeeper was silent for a moment, then said with firm resolve, “In the end, this place must be protected by us, with our own hands. You can help us for a while, but not forever.”

“If this time, these people do nothing and you alone resolve the crisis, then next time something like this happens, they won’t dare to risk their lives again.”

“If you want to put down roots here, you have to understand what it means to bleed. I hope they can learn that lesson.”

“So no matter what, please only step in at the very last moment.”

Blake was silent for a while too, but finally nodded. “Alright.”

There was no wind in the underground district, but everyone felt a chill in the air.

This time, the other side hadn’t brought as many people—just over forty.

But the pressure from these forty-plus people was even more terrifying than last time!

Everyone knew that in a situation like this, numbers didn’t guarantee victory. What mattered most was the Awakened on each side!

A second-awakening Awakened could sweep the field without breaking a sweat.

Everyone else was just a supporting role, cannon fodder. No matter how many came, it would only mean more corpses.

There was no unnecessary small talk, because both sides knew there was nothing left to say.

It was kill or be killed!

Almost simultaneously, both sides erupted in a roar.

The two groups charged at each other, weapons flashing, blood spraying everywhere!

The sound of blades cutting into flesh was constant, severed limbs flying through the air, and everyone’s face was splattered with hot blood!

Everyone was like a madman.

At a time like this, it was kill or be killed!

Uncle Grant was already swinging his twin blades, cutting his way into the crowd—no one could stop him!

This dark, skinny man was ruthless to the extreme, charging straight into the thickest part of the fight, his blades rising and falling, whipping up a bloody whirlwind among the crowd.

“Get the hell off this street!!”

Uncle Grant’s face was already covered in hot blood, and he felt as if his own blood was boiling inside him!

Watching from the rear, David Thompson looked grim.