As they stood in silence, the gates of the sanctuary slowly creaked open. Captain Locke emerged, flanked by a squad of Alliance soldiers. A smirk curled on his face, reeking of condescension."Well, well, you boys had quite the haul today. So many Grade-G beasts captured… I'd say you're in for a fortune!"
Every member of Viper Squad turned sharply to glare at Locke, their eyes blazing with fury.
Especially young Xiao Feng—he, more than anyone, knew the crushing weight of their losses. Locke's sarcastic taunts were like salt on a gaping wound.
Xiao Feng stepped forward, standing toe to toe with Locke."Captain Locke, you seem particularly pleased today, don't you?"
"Watch your tone, boy," Locke snapped, his voice turning cold. "One more word out of line and I'll have you detained."
Xiao Feng said nothing. His hand slid toward the grip of his pistol. Just then, another hand came down, firm and steady, restraining him."Cool your head," said Brann softly. Cook, too, stepped in, his large hand resting heavily on Xiao Feng's shoulder. After facing death side by side, these warriors had accepted Xiao Feng as one of their own.
Cook's voice was deep, gentle yet commanding."Son, this is not the time to start another fight."
Xiao Feng's eyes remained fixed on Locke, cold and sharp as a blade.
Locke sneered."Your Viper Squad isn't what it used to be. I suggest you behave yourselves while you're in my jurisdiction—or I won't hesitate to lock you all up."
Turner suddenly turned, fists clenched, and stormed toward Locke.
The Alliance soldiers responded in perfect unison, raising their rifles in a deadly formation. They held the numbers; if Turner made a single misstep, they would cut the last of Viper Squad down without mercy.
White grabbed Turner and held him back with all his strength."Viper! Keep your head! Do you want our remaining brothers to die for nothing?"
Panting with fury, Turner muttered, "I'm going to drink."
Shrugging off White's grip, he strode toward the sanctuary. The others followed, silent and grim.
Locke stepped in front of the armored vehicle."Hold it. Pay the tax."
White yanked a beast corpse from the truck bed and tossed it at Locke's feet."This enough?"
Locke grinned."Perfect. Let them through."
The massive vehicle rolled slowly into Zone 64. As Xiao Feng passed Locke, his eyes pierced through him like ice.
That night, the Viper Squad barracks lay steeped in a heavy stillness. Grief hung in the air like smoke. Turner, numbed by loss, had finally fallen asleep after finishing two more bottles of liquor.
White and Xiao Feng returned home in silence, their hearts weighed down by sorrow. So many brave comrades, gone in a single day.
Xiao Feng carefully cleaned his sniper rifle."I'll finish that wolf pack tomorrow."
"Let it be," said White. "You need rest. You're worn out."
"I must kill that alpha wolf. The money will be enough to get Alice the treatment she needs." Xiao Feng's voice was quiet, but filled with steely resolve.
White trembled slightly. Then he nodded."All right. I'll go with you."
Xiao Feng finished wiping the barrel."Want to go check on Alice together?"
White sighed."Of course."
They bundled up and stepped into the cold night, making their way toward Lisa's house. As Xiao Feng moved around the back, a sudden black shadow leapt out before him with a vicious snarl.
It was that same feral dog.
Already on edge, Xiao Feng lashed out with his foot, sending the beast flying several meters. It landed with a whimper and scuttled off, tail between its legs.
Watching it limp away, Xiao Feng muttered,"One day, Locke, I'll make you crawl like that mutt."
He climbed nimbly up to the second floor and gently opened Alice's window.
Inside, her voice called out softly,"Brother Xiao Feng… is that you?"
"It's me. Uncle White and I came to see you. How are you feeling today?"
"My eyes hurt more and more. I don't know how much longer I can bear it..."
She stumbled out of bed and made her way to the window. Seeing her struggle through the pain, Xiao Feng felt a searing ache pierce his heart.
But when White saw her, he finally allowed a small smile to touch his lips.
Alice waved gently toward his direction, her face lighting up with a sweet smile—
Then the door to her room burst open.
"Alice? Is there someone in your room?"
A thin, angular man strode in, rifle in hand. His eyes landed on Xiao Feng standing by the window."Who the hell are you?! What are you doing here?"
Before Xiao Feng could react, Lisa appeared behind the man and grabbed the barrel of his gun."Ellen, don't shoot!"
Xiao Feng immediately understood—this man, Ellen, was Lisa's new partner. But compared to White… he wasn't even worth a tenth.
With a mocking smile, Xiao Feng said,"I'm Alice's brother."His hand moved toward his weapon. His pupils dilated, taking in every twitch of Ellen's body. If he so much as twitched, Luo Jin would take his head clean off—Luo Jin never liked him anyway.
But Alice grabbed Xiao Feng's hand."Brother, don't. He… he's also my father."
Ellen glared at him."Get out. If you ever think about touching Alice, I'll shoot you dead."
Xiao Feng blinked."You can see?"
Alice shook her head and whispered near his side,"I can't. But I can feel your movements. Please… don't draw your gun. He's my stepfather. He's kind to me and to Mama."
Xiao Feng asked cautiously,"Is that the truth?"
Alice nodded."Yes."
He waved a hand in front of her face. She didn't react. But Ellen shouted,"Don't move! One more step and I fire!"
Xiao Feng turned to him with a cold smile."Relax. She's my sister. I'll be back."
With that, he leapt from the window and landed beside White.
Ellen leaned out the window, rifle still in hand."White! You've got the nerve to come here?! If it weren't for you, Alice wouldn't be blind!"
White said nothing, his face dark with pain.
Xiao Feng glanced at him."Her blindness… is it because of you?"