Chapter 77 - Unexpected Confrontation

"So you have forgotten too, huh?"

A familiar voice came to Hanon from behind. He looked and saw that it was Old Derman.

"Forgotten?"

Not knowing what his boss was talking about, Hanon could only look with a questioning look.

"That student of yours, the one who you're worried about is the Devil Himself."

Upon hearing those last two words, a memory opened up in Hanon's mind regarding that title. Partial memories came flooding in him.

"What, I don't understand. How did I forget something like that? Huh?'

"I see, so even you don't know. Clade forgot about him too. I, on the other hand, was strangely affected."

Instead of getting to understand it, Hanon got more confused by his boss's explanation.

"I... I still don't understand."

"Me neither. However, I know one thing for sure..."

"W-what?"

After a pause, Old Derman continued, "The Devil Himself lives up to his name."

Hanon could only reply with a gulp.

"We will understand more from this meeting. Come on."

Old Derman stepped forward and met with the other main members of the Handwing Gang.

"So... this is the leader of the Spectre Gang...?"

Uncle Jo looked at the thinly old man who seemed fragile enough that with one slap, he will lose his life.

"Oh, you haven't met your rival gang's leader?" 

Teren nonchalantly said as he walked over to a wall where there are a stack of crates and sat down as if it was a throne, especially made for him.

"No, Boss Hark," Uncle Jo's tone was amicable but once his eyes fell upon the old man, the tone became heavier, "The leader of the Spectre Gang is said to be cowardly enough. Well, I have no doubt that such a stupid Gang has some stupid senile leader."

Hearing multiple insults in one go directed to his boss, Hanon couldn't help but look at this uncle with a distasteful look.

"Hoho, I may lose to your boss but don't try that attitude towards me, boy."

Old Derman, on the other hand, seemed unaffected by it.

"Hah!" Uncle Jo forced a short laugh before his eyes laid upon the one who had a distasteful look.

"And who's this wimp-looking youngster beside you, your great-great-grandson?"

The other members of the Handwing Gang laughed loudly upon hearing this. They didn't hear what Teren whispered but they were quite enjoying insulting the supposed leader of their rivalling gang.

They were surprised but they wanted to believe it's true. The leader of their rivaling gang... here in their territory. What kind of heaven-sent gift is this!?

But they knew that this is nothing short of a miracle. They could only think of one reason why this leader is here.

No, it is not because they have infiltrated their base and the Spectre Gang has some devious plan against them. What they concluded was that their own Boss has 'consumed' the rivaling gang the moment he came back to his activities.

In other words, this should be called a hell-sent gift from the Devil Himself instead.

At that time, Nick just entered the warehouse while meekly going through other members who crowded the front entrance of the warehouse where there is an interesting confrontation happening.

It was quite the scene. Sunrays, going through the gaps of the roof and the opened windows, created a unique atmosphere.

Seeing his little brother, Nathan immediately pulled him out from the crowd.

"Nick, come here!"

He whispered. Nathan was only one of the few people who dared to enter the warehouse.

"W-what's happening?"

Nick asked but Nathan threw a question too instead, hurriedly.

"Why is the detective here? And who's that person besides the detective?"

"I... I don't know about the detective but that person is my teacher-"

"His name is Hanon, he's my Second General. Don't look down on him, he can break your skull."

Old Derman spoke, answering Uncle Jo's question earlier seriously. The latter looked at Hanon with squinting eyes.

"Break my skull, huh..."

Hanon stepped forward and asked.

"How about you, what's your name?"

"I'll ignore your disrespectful tone but you can call me Lord Jo. Only certain people do I let them call me Uncle Jo, but you're not a part of that certain people."

"You seemed to think too highly of yourself. Don't you think your foul mouth will influence your children?"

"Hm? You're fast to assume that I have children."

"Are you saying you don't have?"

Uncle Jo frowned and felt that this conversation was turning in a weird direction, "What's with you and your questions?" he said with a cold and pressuring voice.

Old Derman unnoticeably smiled at this.

"Nothing, I'm just trying to carry the conversation since if I let you do it, you will only spout nonsense."

"You have nerves..."

"And you have a dirty mouth. I don't know what's your age, but you should act on it, old man."

"Hmph!?" as if an invisible aura from Uncle Jo exploded, the surrounding people felt pressure, "Brat, I'm still in my early forties. Call me old man once more and it's your skull that will break."

But instead of succumbing to the pressure, Hanon smiled. After a pause, he revealed something that came out of nowhere.

"So, you have a Spirit that fortifies your skin to become sturdier, huh."

Uncle Jo was about to sternly reply but stopped.

"Huh... What did you just say?"

"I'm now ready. I cannot disappoint my Boss. I have to break your skull." Hanon confidently said as if it was not just a figure of speech.

Having revealed his type of Spirit, Uncle Jo immediately feels threatened. Finally provoked, he stepped forward and unhesitatingly brought forth his thick fist towards Hanon.

One might expect that this sudden movement will take Hanon off-guard and Uncle Jo's knuckle will smash onto his face, yet, the next scene played quite differently. 

As if he had expected such movement, Hanon raised his leg and struck Uncle Jo's solar plexus while his body leaned back, evading the incoming attack at the same time. 

A perfect counterattack!