Semua Bab Last Man Standing: Bab 261 - Bab 270

When Lacee's statement hit the air, Larry's grip tightened around his cup. With a surge of anger, he hurled it to the floor where it shattered."Lacee, you must be tired of being the boss, huh? Spouting off like you're somebody!" he snapped, then whipped out his phone to make a call."Exactly. She's got some nerve!" Yazmine chimed in, eyeing Lacee with scorn. "She's just a figurehead in that manager's chair, and she's now acting all high and mighty!"Lacee shot back calmly, "You'll both see soon enough who's really out of line here." She dismissed them with a glance and turned to Talia, her expression apologetic."Ms. Jenkins, I'm so sorry. I want to apologize on behalf of the company. I promise you, nothing like this will happen again.""Ms. Radanov!" Talia blinked in surprise. "I... I'm okay..."Lacee's unexpected humility threw Talia off. It was not the way a boss usually acted with an employee."As long as you're okay, that's what matters," Lacee said, nodding earnestly. "Al

"Hm?" In an instant, Howard's eyes narrowed, a chill running through his pupils.After a brief hesitation, he said, "You think he's Black Blade?"As the head honcho of the Shadow Sect, he knew the most wanted of the S-class Fugitive like the back of his hand, including their unique marks.Thus, when his gaze landed on the tiny crescent moon birthmark on the earlobe in the sketch, an image of one notorious S-class fugitive flashed through his mind.The guy in the sketch looked nothing like him, but not many folks sported that crescent on their ear."Exactly," the Judge confirmed with a vigorous nod. "I'm betting he's in disguise. Hunter's intel puts this guy's age and height in the same ballpark as Black Blade!""Is that so?" Howard's gaze sharpened."Sir, who's Black Blade?" Yoel piped up."Sir, allow me to fill you in," the Judge offered."Black Blade, born Quispe Jolls, got his handle from that moon-shaped mark on his ear."He was one of the original Five Blades of the Shad

"He's tucked away in a little village at the base of a mountain, a four-hour drive from Mendorra. Been there for a couple of years, they say," the Judge informed him."He's quite the hider," Howard remarked, his gaze sharpening."Oh, and Sir, I haven't had the chance to fill you in on the Dark Shady Cartel situation," the Judge suddenly remembered."Did you manage to get anything out of them besides the usual runaround with their front men?" Howard asked, giving a slight nod.The Dark Shady Cartel was shrouded in secrecy, a puzzle even to the likes of the Shadow Sect. With Madam Peony in their grasp, they were eager to squeeze out some intel."Not much to go on," the Judge admitted with a shake of his head."The Cartel's got a tight grip on their ranks, modeled after the old civil and military governance. The so-called civil officers handle the intel and the deals, while the military officers are the muscle, the hitmen."Look, just because they're bureaucrats doesn't mean they c

"You're one of Faris' guys, aren't you? Take me to him. I need to have a word," Yidel said with an icy edge to his voice."Looking to meet Mr. Hernandez, huh?" The bald thug sneered. "You think you're worthy? As if Mr. Hernandez is available to just anyone who asks."He paused, his voice growing heavier with menace."Look, I don't have time for chitchat. If you're brave enough, take a swing at me. If not, beat it. I'll deal with you after I've collected the booth fees from these folks."He turned back to the vendor he had been harassing earlier. "So, are you paying up or what?""I... I've got nothing left. I gave you everything I had a few days ago..." the woman stammered, shaking with fear."Refuse a toast and you'll have to drink a penalty. Fine, then you're done selling vegetables here!" he barked and swung his foot at the woman's right knee.If that kick connected, her leg would be history."Enough of this bullying!"In that instant, Yidel's voice boomed as he strode forwa

"Sir!" At that moment, the Judge stepped closer to Howard, gesturing toward the meat section nearby.Howard's eyes narrowed in interest.Yidel left the market stall and hopped on a beat-up bike, heading for a village not too far off."He's probably worried that Decian's call for backup might put these innocent folks in danger," Howard said calmly. "Let's check it out."With that, he stepped forward and followed."Sir, can you get a read on his martial arts level?" the Judge asked as they walked. "His energy feels like it's flickering in and out, really unstable, you know?""He's got to be at least at the level of a martial god with ultimate mastery," Yoel cut in before Howard could answer."But my bet is that he's wounded. His energy's all over the place. Doubt he can even pull off the fighting skills of a martial god with major mastery right now.""You're probably right," the Judge agreed. "Chances are, we're dealing with Black Blade. Why else would a martial god-level heavy h