Sky-cracking Rider

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Apocalypse Defense Group headquarters were somehow blamed for an attack, and the unsuspecting Merman Brothers Consortium, who was just enjoying the show, was suddenly slapped with the accusation. "What the heck," they thought, "even snacking on melons can bring disaster."

They had reason and might on their side, but the scandal was pinned on them so swiftly, so precisely, and so darkly, that the Merman Brothers Consortium immediately issued a statement: they absolutely wouldn't take the fall for this... but you know, explanations are just cover-ups, and cover-ups herald the truth.

Does the truth matter?

No, it doesn't!!!

The public craves scandals, the media craves hot topics, officials just want to smooth things over quickly, and no one else really gives a hoot.

It's like when A and B are bickering, and C gets killed in the crossfire; there are countless cases like this.

It's difficult for the Merman Brothers Consortium to defend themselves against the stink of crap that Apocalypse Defense and Jiu Defense smeared all over their faces in an alliance of shared hatred.

For the Merman Brothers Consortium, who had this pot of trouble dumped on them from out of the blue, even if they wash themselves clean physically, they'll still feel dirty psychologically—no one wants to be friends with someone who's had shit smeared on them.

Merman Brothers Consortium: "I'm not clean anymore..."

-

The complex and ever-changing chaos of the business battlefield is naturally Boss Hana's headache. The hastily assembled team disbanded on the spot, everyone returned home, back to their own kids.

Only Claude Hughes needed to stay and continue assisting with the integration of newly acquired forces and resources. Although he was the vice president of Jiu Defense, second only to one but above thousands, he was still treated no different from a temp worker.

-

"Honey, I'm back!"

"Roland, you're finally back. Hurry up and help in the kitchen; we're swamped with dishes to wash!"

"Maggie, keep an eye on your man. Where has he been wandering these past few days?"

"It's fine, Dad. He asked for leave."

"Honey, I've brought home some extra cash I earned. It's all in cash, one hundred and fifty thousand Star Yuan. You take care of it for me."

"Mr. Roland Michigan, you really did good, MUMA!!"

Down an alley in Queens District of the Big Apple City, a small eatery with the sign "Authentic Sichuan Big Food Stand" was abuzz with the clanging sound of a metal ladle hitting a large iron pot, signifying the mundane essence of life with its endless wafts of cooking smoke.

There was a constant stream of diners...

-

"Professor Bai, this is the thesis I've written. Could you please take a look?"

The flirty female student slyly handed over a paper document and subtly scratched the palm of his hand.

"Hmm, let me take a look."

Professor Bai Nuo, scholarly in appearance with solemn glasses, nodded.

"Professor, I need one-on-one guidance."

The female student with silky chestnut hair blinked her eyes.

"My official duties are only to guide you academically. Please don't get carried away with other ideas."

Professor Bai earnestly warned her not to have any inappropriate thoughts.

"But what am I to do? I need help, please, Professor!~~~."

The female student feigned difficulty.

"That's going to cost extra!"

"..."

-

"President Takano, isn't it about time you paid back that loan shark money?" (o???)n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Could you please give me a few more days, Mr. Gonda?" (◎_◎;) ORZ

"Sorry, President Takano, but my guys and I need to eat, so, snī mā sāi (sorry)!" -_-?

"Ah, yā méi (no)!" °.°·(((p(≧□≦)q)))·°.°

"Oh my, Lord husband, what are you doing here?" o(*￣▽￣*)?

"Meizi!" w(?Д?)w

"Is this the esteemed Lady, oh my, such a beauty, truly a Yamato Nadeshiko... Wait... Somehow familiar? Eek, this feels all too familiar, and it's not a good feeling!" Σ(°△°|||)︴

"Ah, it's Mr. Xicheng, we haven't seen each other in nearly twenty years." (??▽?)ノ

"I remember now, yā bái yī (damn), it's Ghost Asura Meizi, we're screwed!!!" (⊙?⊙〃)︴

"Meizi?" ￣O￣)

"Lord husband, please wait. Let me have a good chat with Mr. Gonda Nishijo!" (*￣▽￣*)/

"Gō méi nà sāi (I'm sorry | formal), about your husband's debt... You see, this IOU..." -Ssss!- "Gone! Please, have mercy!" (≧口≦)

"Uhuhuhu... go shī nai (die)!" (*￣︿￣)ψ

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! _(òωó?ゝ∠)_

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!"

(×Д×) "Ugh..."

"Meizi... sama (my lord)!" o((⊙﹏⊙))o

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-

"Chen Fei, where is your bird? The FBI people came by again!"

Instructor Ramaya had given Chen Fei a ride back from the airport, the media had been thoroughly fooled by Old David and him, but the FBI were no fools. They had also noticed the little bird with Chen Fei, or more accurately, the Magical Beast.

This tiny Pure Light Sparrow was indeed fierce, but for Light-based Spells to break through the defense of that Giant Mutant was truly beyond expectation.

The vehicle Instructor Ramaya was driving was Old David's double-cab pickup truck, and in the backseat sat a pair of twin daughters, both his. The long-haired one was named Selina, and the short-haired one, Taya.

Both sisters were in the 11th grade, or rather, sophomores, and they had just started summer vacation. Taking advantage of his position, their father arranged summer jobs for them at his workplace, not just for some pocket money, but also to save up for college tuition in the future.

The education system of the American Federation had never included free tuition; one either relied on family wealth or loans, or excelled academically and earned scholarships to offset costs.

Tuition and book fees were not cheap, and those less fortunate could end up paying off student loans for a decade or two.

If lucky, top scholarships combined with awards from various competitions might lead to a fully-funded college experience, earning a degree without spending a single Star Yuan.

Chen Fei shook his head and said, "With the boss, I didn't bring it back!"

The Supernatural Ability Suppressant that Boss Hana was under still hadn't worn off, and Xiao Jiu was most needed by her side for protection. A Human Order Third Rank Magical Beast Bird, now with the understanding of Lasers, had some fighting power, able to heal, attack, and defend, with quite a balanced set of skills.

With three Healing Spells per day, and given sufficient nutrition, it was possible to shorten this duration, but it would still take about half a month. It was estimated that another week would be needed for a complete recovery of the C-Rank Wind-type Psionic Ability.

The effects of the Supernatural Ability Suppressant were quite stable; even Spells and Special Abilities couldn't have much impact. Only controlled specific antidotes could restore abilities in a short time, and even then, it was necessary to wait 24 hours for full recovery.

In the back of the pickup, Selina and Taya curiously examined Chen Fei, who was chatting sporadically with their father. He was the strongest student in the history of Eagle Nest, and also a supernatural power user, not to be underestimated.

But in the sisters' minds, they didn't think much of it.

From his gentle and harmless demeanor, he seemed like an innocent big brother, just a few years older than them, showing no signs of being formidable. Stay tuned to empire

The impatient younger sister Taya could hold back no longer. She tapped on the back of the passenger seat and said, "Hey, Chen Fei, how many can you take on by yourself?"

"Me? I can't take on any."

Chen Fei turned around, smiling amiably.

Can it even be called fighting if it's just a one-sided thrashing?

Definitely not!

"Chen Fei is a Pilot, he doesn't hit people!"

The twins' father, Instructor Ramaya, frowned. What kind of talk was that?

He hated brawls on the ground. If you have the guts, take it to the sky, fight a life-and-death battle, where the winners soar with injuries and the defeated are shattered. That's what real men do.

The long-haired elder sister Selina said disdainfully, "He's also a supernatural power user!"

Sophomore year in high school was also the pinnacle of adolescence, an age for questioning and doubting everything; in other words, needing to be set straight, in desperate need of society's hard knocks.

No matter the country, teenagers and young adults in their second year are all the same; as soon as they open their mouths, you feel the urge to punch them.

"Special Abilities have both combat and non-combat types. Chen Fei's Special Ability can be used for maintenance and processing, suited for industrial application, so it's not a combat type of Special Ability, that's incomparable."

Instructor Ramaya was feeling a headache; the two sisters didn't focus on studying well. Had they watched too many hero movies or anime? Why must everything revolve around fighting?

Metal Elemental Psychic Powers like Chen Fei's that can be applied to the industrial field were the most lucrative, in high demand wherever he went. As long as his Special Ability remained, he would never have to worry about unemployment.

Not getting the answer they wanted from their father, the sisters glanced at each other and said listlessly, "So he's an industrial worker."

They had thought he would be able to wreak havoc everywhere.

At best, he's a blue-collar worker; a poor soul without the luxury of an office and air conditioning.

"Actually, being like Chen Fei is the best."

Instructor Ramaya was genuinely worried; he didn't want his daughters to be duped by some smooth-talking losers, and then have to endure hard times in the future.

"(ˉ▽￣～) Cut it out~~"

Selina and Taya dismissed the idea simultaneously.

Chen Fei shrugged his shoulders; it was clear to him that Instructor Ramaya had his hands full worrying about his two daughters.

Just then, the pickup truck suddenly slowed down, everyone's bodies slightly leaning forward before being pulled back by their seatbelts.

"Yikes, what's going on?"

"What happened?"

The two sisters screamed in surprise, unprepared.

Instructor Ramaya spoke with a grave tone, "There's someone blocking the road ahead; don't get out."

A brazen roadblock on a highway usually meant trouble.

He casually flicked through the glove compartment and found an M1911 and two magazines; the century-old gun was never outdated.

Just as Instructor Ramaya was about to exit the vehicle and negotiate with the people blocking the road, Chen Fei stopped him and shook his head, saying, "I'll go! Their fire sticks won't work against me."

To tell the truth, small caliber firearms posed less threat to Chen Fei than Gaul's whole grain Magic Wand.

The latter could cause a very brief stun effect when smacked against the head.

"Then... be careful!"

After a moment of thought, Ramaya nodded, handing over the fully loaded M1911, which might provide some protection.

He wasn't a supernatural power user; his ability to survive on the ground was nowhere near Chen Fei's.

-

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