Just as the situation reached a stalemate, the scrawny Earth Tiger suddenly had an idea.
He glanced around and, sure enough, spotted several “Participants” moving along the opposite wall.
These “Participants” were heading in the direction of leaving the “train.”
How could this be allowed?
They come and go as they please, and now they even flaunt their enhanced bodies to humiliate the “Zodiacs.” The more Earth Tiger thought about it, the angrier he became. In a flash, he lunged forward and grabbed a girl by the neck. Amidst her startled cry, he shoved her in front of him as a human shield.
The surrounding “Participants” immediately scattered in panic, and Qiao Jiajin’s expression darkened.
“‘Participants’ are still just ‘Participants’…” the scrawny Earth Tiger sneered. “How dare you board this ‘train’? Planning to take over, huh? You’ve never suffered the hardships of the ‘Zodiacs,’ so why do you get to enjoy the benefits?”
“The ‘Zodiacs’… hardships?” Qiao Jiajin paused, feeling like the other man was speaking in riddles. Shaking his head, he changed the subject. “Never mind that. Let her go first. If you want a fight, then fight—don’t drag innocent people into it. That’s my first warning to you.”
“After all this mess, you still have the nerve to say ‘just a fight’…?” Earth Tiger snarled. “Do you really think we can just walk away like nothing happened?”
“If you’re pissed, take it out on me,” Qiao Jiajin said coldly, glaring at the “Zodiacs.” “Leave bystanders out of it. That’s my second warning.”
Earth Tiger hesitated, sensing a shift in Qiao Jiajin’s presence. But backing down now would only make him look weak.
“Fine! I’ll make this simple,” Earth Tiger growled. “You and your group get off this ‘train’ right now, and we’ll call it even.”
Qiao Jiajin chuckled. “Since when do the losers get to set the terms? And seriously, little tiger, what were you thinking? That hiding behind someone would stop me?”
In an instant, Qiao Jiajin’s figure shot forward like a bullet. He came to an abrupt halt right in front of Earth Tiger, the wind from his movement blasting into the “Zodiac’s” face.
Earth Tiger staggered back, eyes squeezed shut against the gust. Yet his left hand remained locked around the female “Participant’s” throat—until someone seized his wrist, twisted it sharply, and rendered it numb. The girl was swiftly pulled to safety.
Before Earth Tiger could react, Qiao Jiajin yanked his dislocated arm and swung him like a weapon, hurling him at the remaining “Earth-Level” Zodiacs.
Screams erupted as the three crashed into the wall, demolishing Earth Dog’s room in the process.
Zhang Shan and Chu Tianqiu sidestepped the chaos as the “Earth-Levels” tumbled into the room. Two were already unconscious, while Earth Tiger’s arm was twisted like a pretzel—clearly out of commission.
Earth Mouse gulped, silently reviewing whether he’d offended this man earlier.
“Damn… You really went all out,” Zhang Shan remarked, shaking his head. “Aren’t you saving any energy for the ‘locomotive’?”
“I couldn’t help it,” Qiao Jiajin muttered, glancing down at his own powerful body. A strange feeling crept over him.
“What’s there to be mad about?” Zhang Shan asked. “People pull dirty tricks when they’re losing. Haven’t you seen that plenty on the streets?”
“No… That’s not what bothers me…” Qiao Jiajin sighed. “Big Guy, why do ‘Participants’ even become ‘Zodiacs’?”
“Huh?” Zhang Shan blinked. “What do you mean?”
“Is it… for these enhanced bodies?” Qiao Jiajin pressed.
“Maybe,” Zhang Shan nodded. “After all, the ‘Earth-Levels’ only seem strong because they overpower ‘Participants’ with their physical boosts.”
“But…” Qiao Jiajin turned, his gaze heavy. “Big Guy, you were born stronger than most. Did that ever make you happy?”
Zhang Shan fell silent before answering, “I… can’t say. When I was younger, I took pride in it. But if I had a choice… I’d rather be normal.”
“Exactly. That’s what confuses me,” Qiao Jiajin said. “In the past, I only fought opponents stronger than me, so I never felt this way… But now…”
He clenched his fist, feeling the overwhelming power—yet it only left him hollow. “…Does bullying the weak with superior strength really make people chase after it like this?”
The group was taken aback by his introspection, momentarily speechless.
“Some people will always want it,” Chu Tianqiu cut in. “You can’t force your values onto others.”
“Bosses…” Earth Mouse stepped forward, shaking his head. “You two think this way because you’ve always had advantages others don’t. But what about the truly powerless? This might be their only shot at being stronger.”
Qiao Jiajin nodded slowly, though he still seemed uncertain.
“Bosses, I suggest we hurry to the ‘locomotive,’” Earth Mouse added. “If we’re late, we might miss our chance to die.”
“Right…” Qiao Jiajin sighed, then glanced at Earth Dog. “What about you? Still want a fight?”
Earth Mouse shot Earth Dog an annoyed look. “Dog, we wrecked your room, but you also sold us out. If you drop this now, we’ll call it even.”
“Pfft—as if!” Earth Dog scoffed, though his face betrayed discomfort. “I just didn’t feel like dealing with you anymore. Don’t act like you’re sparing me—I don’t need your mercy. If we fought, who’s to say who’d be scared? Hah—”
Before he could finish, Qiao Jiajin’s fist shot out, striking Earth Dog square in the jaw.
Eyes rolling back, Earth Dog toppled over like a broomstick.
“Uh…” Earth Mouse stared. “Tattoo Boss… What was that for?”
“Huh?” Qiao Jiajin frowned. “He said he wanted to keep fighting, so I obliged.”
“Oh. Fair enough,” Earth Mouse conceded. “Makes sense. Let’s go.”
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