Offstage, Baron’s face was taut. The web of his hand throbbed from the impact, and it wasn’t an arrogant expression—he was simply in too much pain to form any other.

He had turned and left because the internal injury sustained from his blade hitting Stephen’s finger was more draining than trading a hundred blows with Gray.

As the healing abilities of the Blood Faction and Dragon Rider took effect, a pale-faced Baron watched two Demon Hunters approach him. ’So this is the difference in Tiers,’ he thought. ’I was completely crushed by a single finger.’

While he was grumbling internally, Zod and Maguire arrived before him.

The two Demon Hunters showed none of the joy of friends reuniting after a long separation. Instead, they sized Baron up with shock and uncertainty, as if trying to determine if the man before them was L, or just Allen, who bore a striking resemblance to him.

Maguire asked tentatively, "L, did you make it back from Hell alive?"

’Seriously? Would it kill you to just say, "You’re alive"? Why does everyone assume I’d go to Hell if I died? Am I Satan?’

"I was lucky," Baron said.

It really was L.

Zod and Maguire exchanged a look.

The tension on Maguire’s face melted away, replaced by joy.

He went to clap Baron on the shoulder, but then, feeling it wasn’t quite right, he scratched the back of his head, balled his hand into a fist, and gave Baron’s left shoulder a light bump. "It’s good that you’re alive."

He didn’t press for details on how Baron had survived. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

That he was alive was enough.

Baron grunted in acknowledgment, sensing the genuine concern in Maguire’s voice. He recalled his first time passing through Prole and the hostility this blockhead had shown him back then, and a faint smile touched his lips.

In contrast to Maguire’s bashfulness, Zod, the scar-faced drunkard, was far more straightforward.

"Catch."

Baron caught the uncapped flask Zod tossed him, the fragrant aroma of liquor wafting from its opening.

Zod eyed the mouth of the flask fervently but just chuckled. "Fude City’s specialty, Steam Wine. Ten Copper Coins a pint."

"Drink up and come with me. Viscount Yarilan and the other dignitaries with her wish to see you."

As soon as Zod finished, Maguire, fearing Baron might misunderstand, quickly explained, "It’s mainly Mr. Stephen who wants to recruit you."

"He’s a trusted aide to Liuxia, the vice president of the First Hunter Association. A Silver Tier, Silver Faction Demon Hunter...the one who blocked your blade with a single finger on the stage earlier."

’A Silver Tier, Silver Faction Demon Hunter? Wants to recruit me?’

Baron downed the liquor—it was faintly sweet—and tossed the empty flask back to Zod. "Then let’s go."

"You punk, you really drank it all... You didn’t even leave a drop for me," Zod grumbled under his breath. "I was just being polite. You really are nothing like Maguire."

Soon, Maguire led Baron under the long pavilion closest to the fighting stage.

After Maguire introduced Baron to the other four people—everyone but Viscount Yarilan—he pulled Zod aside.

Viscount Yarilan watched Baron, her long red hair reminiscent of an old acquaintance. Her beautiful eyes were clear as she said, "Long time no see, L."

"L? You’re that Demon Hunter L who injured my son?"

Baron nodded. Just as he was about to speak, the man Maguire had pointed out as his enemy—Ferdinand, the Iron Thorn Gang Leader—strode forward. His deep, cold green eyes narrowed as Alchemy Circuits began to materialize on his face!

By all appearances, he was about to attack Baron right then and there!

Yet, facing the palpable killing intent, Baron remained unfazed. He simply said, "What can you do when someone’s skills are inferior?"

Murder flared in Ferdinand’s eyes. The Silver Hand, an ability exclusive to Bronze Tier Hunters, materialized, stabbing toward Baron in an arc of crackling light!

THUD!

With a soft sound, a familiar scene played out once more.

Stephen had stopped Ferdinand’s Silver Hand with a single finger. He smiled calmly at the Iron Thorn Gang Leader. "How about you do me a kindness?"

Ferdinand gave a cold snort, and his Silver Hand dissipated. With a wave, he turned and left, followed by the hulking man Baron recognized as Faraday, whom he had encountered in the forest.

Decisive, at least.

But Baron knew that decisiveness was merely for show. Considering the Vice Gang Leader he had let go, the young gang leader Savi he had thrashed, and the Gold Coins that had mysteriously appeared in his pocket... his dealings with the Iron Thorn Gang were only growing more entangled.

He feared that once the Vice Gang Leader returned and the two compared notes... Baron would be forced to embark on another Fude City parkour run, just like in Inner London.

But that was the last thing Baron wanted. He was tired of this life on the run. This time... he would not wait passively for his doom.

’If there’s no justice in these worlds, then I’ll just have to carve out a dawn for myself.’

Baron’s gaze lifted from the Ferdinand Gang Leader’s retreating figure.

Lewis gave Baron a long look, then said, "I hadn’t realized that Mr. L, who goes by Allen, is an old friend of Viscount Yarilan. The Viscount is an honored guest in Fude City, which naturally makes Mr. L our honored guest as well."

"Not to mention that you defeated the Barbarian Bear Knight, indirectly bringing honor to the Demon Hunters of Fude City... To celebrate Mr. L’s victory in the final match of the fifth Hunting Competition, how about I host everyone at the Fude City Grand Hotel?"

Without waiting for a reply, he summoned an Attendant and gave his orders. In front of Victor and Viscount Yarilan, he gave firm and repeated instructions that the Law Enforcers of both the Demon Hunting Group and the Knight Order must be well taken care of.

"Please." He gestured to Viscount Yarilan, Stephen, and the others, and arranged for Baron to ride in the same carriage as the Viscount.

—

"Viscount Yarilan, you used my real name earlier. What did you mean by that?"

Baron asked calmly in the carriage.

The moment his identity was exposed, so was Ferdinand’s enmity.

’If I hadn’t been prepared, knowing Stephen would intervene, and if I wasn’t an expert in escaping, that Bronze Demon Hunter’s attack would have been hard to block even with my Dragon Scale.’