The gunshot startled Fel, and she involuntarily held the young boy protectively. It was the same. The same as when she always protected her brother from being hit by their father.

After a few seconds, she turned to look at Marie, and she was relieved that the lady had blocked the bullet with her shield.

However, her expression had shifted from disdain to pure fury.

"You... bastard!"

She rushed at Martinez and slammed her shield into his face.

His nose was flattened from the impact, and he collapsed to the ground, blood pouring from his nostrils.

"Arghk..."

Still furious, Marie raised her leg and was about to step on his hand when she heard something whistling toward her.

She immediately took a step back, just in time to avoid being hit by a chain dagger.

Sensing the threat, she instinctively raised her shield. The next moment, a fist slammed into the shield, sending her skidding back uncontrollably.

After stabilizing herself, she lowered her shield to take a look at the person.

It was a young man with a fierce look in his eyes, wearing a simple black singlet with a dragon tattoo on his arm.

"You hurt my little brother, bitch?" Felix growled threateningly.

Marie’s brows furrowed. Her spear wasn’t with her, and she only had her shield with her as a weapon.

If they actually fought, she would lose miserably. After all, she had felt his strength just from that single punch.

Just as she was thinking about what to do, hurried footsteps marched towards them, and a new set of people arrived.

Seeing them, Marie was relieved. "Boss!"

Felix’s eyes narrowed, and he immediately traced the lady’s gaze to Leon.

The guy had a frown on his face as he assessed the situation. He looked at Marie for a moment, noticed the dent on her shield, then shifted his gaze to Felix’s clenched fist.

The two men locked eyes, imaginary sparks flying between them.

"What happened here?" Captain Jester asked as he stepped forward.

He looked at Martinez who was on the ground, and the three young ladies with the small child.

"Felix, are your people doing bad things again?" He asked solemnly.

Felix’s aggression turned to him. "Are you asking me, old man? This bitch he—"

"Watch your words." Leon calmly interrupted him, his expression frighteningly calm.

Walking towards Marie, he asked carefully. "Are you hurt?"

She was surprised by his question, but quickly answered with a shake of her head.

"Good." He said without a smile. "Now, what happened here?"

Captain Jester chimed in. "I want to know the same thing."

Selene, Reymond, and Gwen stood beside Cassie and Fel, listening.

"These scum took the young boy’s sister, and I asked them to let her go." Marie explained, then pointed at Martinez. "He refused and tried to attack me, so I took him and every other one down."

Only then did Leon notice the other men who were either unconscious or on the ground, groaning in pain.

"The gunshot...?" He asked, tilting his head a little.

Marie’s gaze returned to Martinez, and that look alone was enough of an answer for Leon.

He turned to the young man, who was still wiping the blood from his nose while cursing.

"You tried to shoot her." Leon’s voice turned a few degrees colder.

’If that shot had hit, and she had been gravely injured or died...’

His vision blurred briefly, and he felt something rushing through his brain.

His little squad of five were precious subordinates to him. He had been nurturing them for a while and they were just blooming. If any harm came upon any one of them while he was alive...

The shadows in the surroundings bent unnaturally, and the air turned oppressive.

Felix spat out his cigarette and placed Martinez behind him. "Oi, don’t you dare look at my little brother with such eyes."

For a moment, Leon’s attention shifted to him, and he involuntarily flinched.

"Did I ask you to speak?"

Felix saw his own shadow recoil as Leon stepped closer, the pressure mounting. His jaw clenched, and he got ready to fight.

"Everyone, let’s calm down, okay?"

Captain Jester quickly interfered before it escalated into an actual fight. He could tell that Leon was just as strong as Felix—if not stronger.

If two people of their caliber fought, then even he wouldn’t be able to stop them.

Gwen immediately walked over to Leon and placed a hand on his shoulder. Her palm ignited with soft green flames, and Leon felt a soothing sensation to his soul.

His anger slowly subsided, and he took a step back.

Despite his unwillingness to back down, Felix did the same. Turning back to glare at Martinez, he spat.

"Go bring out the fucking slut you picked up."

The injured guy held his nose and nodded, immediately rushing deeper into the alley.

Captain Jester sighed in relief. "Good. Let’s not get in conflict with each other. Zombies and mutated beasts are our enemies, not ourselves."

Leon rolled his eyes and said as he examined Marie’s shield.

"As long as you guys don’t touch my people, I have no issues."

His voice dropped lower, and he said firmly. "There will be no mercy the second time."

Soon, Martinez returned with the young boy’s sister. To their surprise, she looked very young, around 15 years old.

This made Selene’s expression darken. Her suppressed disgust spiked, and she turned to glare at Martinez.

"What did you scum want with such a young girl?"

He flinched under her gaze, and immediately hid behind Felix. He definitely couldn’t answer her, as he felt like he might lose his head if he did.

Felix also frowned and cast a suspicious look at Martinez.

"Let’s just forget about this." Captain Jester sighed tiredly. "Felix, I’ve told you before. Control your people properly."

The guy scoffed, but didn’t retort.

Giving him one last look, Leon turned around to face his group. "Let’s go back."

Selene nodded and added her own share. "This place disgusts me."

Together with the young boy and his sister, they walked away.

Captain Jester looked at them, then rubbed his forehead tiredly.

"Felix, you have to restrain your people as much as possible, while they’re here. I don’t want any more episodes like this."

This time, the young man nodded sincerely. "I understand."

He turned around and gave Martinez a sharp knock on his head.

"Never try any stunt while I’m not around. Is that clear?"

The guy nodded timidly, still holding his broken nose.

Felix looked towards the direction Leon had disappeared to, and felt his muscles tensing. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

’I want to... fight him.’