Overclocked City

Chapter 13: Technological Showdown

The blue beam, a lance of pure energy, cleaved the air, a herald of destruction, aimed dead-on at Hei Hu's face. His pupils contracted, a reflex honed by years of danger, and he instinctively raised his arm to shield himself.

The impact was a detonation of light and sound. The beam slammed into Hei Hu's arm, a searing white-hot explosion that ripped through the air, leaving a trail of searing heat and ozone. The force of the blow sent him hurtling backward, crashing against the cold, unforgiving concrete floor. A bone-shattering pain erupted in his arm, a primal scream locked in his throat.

"Boss!"

The black-clad bodyguards, their faces etched with fear, cried out in unison. But before they could even react, Chen Mo had already pulled the trigger again.

The energy gun sang a song of destruction, a symphony of blue light. "Whiz! Whiz! Whiz!" Each shot was not a bullet, but a precise, focused beam of energy, a weaponized pulse that ripped through the nervous system, leaving its victims frozen in a state of absolute paralysis.

The bodyguards, once a menacing tide of violence, were now statues, their movements stilled, their eyes glazed over with a horrifying stillness.

Chen Mo, a silent storm of power, moved toward the fallen Hei Hu, his eyes cold, a glacial gaze that held the weight of a thousand battles.

"What... what are you going to do?!" Hei Hu struggled to rise, his body a traitorous prison of pain, but all he could do was watch in terror as Chen Mo approached.

"You wanted to see my strength? Now I'll show you," Chen Mo's voice was a chilling whisper, a judgment from the abyss.

Hei Hu met Chen Mo's gaze, a gaze that seemed to pierce through his very soul. Years of underworld dominance, of fear and power, had never prepared him for this. This was a different kind of power, a power that transcended mere strength, a power that seemed to command the very fabric of reality.

"You... you can't kill me!" Hei Hu's voice was a strangled whisper. "I... I'm the boss of the Hei Hu Gang! If you kill me, they won't let you live!"

"The Hei Hu Gang?" Chen Mo scoffed, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Do you think I'm afraid of some gang?"

He raised the energy gun, the blue light shimmering with a deadly intensity, and pointed it at Hei Hu's forehead. "Tell me, who sent you to attack me?"

Hei Hu's eyes widened, a flicker of cunning replacing the terror. He realized Chen Mo was unaware of his connection to Wang Fatty. He saw a chance to play both sides, a chance to survive.

"It... it was Wang Fatty!" Hei Hu feigned terror, his voice trembling. "He said you stole something from him and told me to teach you a lesson..."

"Wang Fatty..." Chen Mo's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within, a predator sizing up its prey. "It seems he's asking for trouble."

"Wait!" Hei Hu cried out, a desperate plea. "I know a lot of secrets about Wang Fatty. I can tell you everything, just spare my life!"

A flicker of hesitation crossed Chen Mo's face. He needed information, and Hei Hu was offering a bargain.

"Alright, I'll give you a chance," Chen Mo lowered the energy gun, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "Tell me everything you know."

Hei Hu, a man who had always walked the razor's edge, was now a supplicant, his pride swallowed by fear. He spilled everything he knew about Wang Fatty, a torrent of information, oblivious to the cold, calculating gaze that watched him.

"Wait!"

Chen Mo's voice, a sudden interruption, shattered the air.

"What is it?" Hei Hu jumped, his heart pounding. He thought he had secured his survival, but now the shadow of doubt hung heavy.

Chen Mo ignored him, his gaze turning to the corner where Wang Fatty was hiding. He spoke, his voice a low rumble, "Wang Fatty, what are you doing hiding there? Come out, I promise I won't kill you."

Wang Fatty's face turned ashen, his body trembling violently. He knew he was caught. He shuffled out of the shadows, his face a mask of despair. "Chen Mo, you... you have to listen to me, it's not what you think..."

"Oh? Not what I think?" Chen Mo chuckled, a chilling sound that echoed through the room. "Then tell me, what's the real story?"

Wang Fatty, desperate, looked to Hei Hu for support, but Hei Hu was staring innocently at the ceiling, his face a mask of feigned ignorance.

"Hei Hu, you... you betrayed me?!" Wang Fatty roared, his voice filled with rage and betrayal.

Hei Hu finally snapped out of his act, his face contorting into a mask of false righteous anger. "Wang Fatty, how dare you! You actually dared to order me to attack Mr. Chen, you're a criminal! I'm going to do justice for the heavens and get rid of this scourge!"

"You... you..." Wang Fatty pointed at Hei Hu, speechless with fury.

Chen Mo watched the scene unfold, a smile playing on his lips, a smile that held a hint of amusement and a touch of cold, calculating amusement. "You idiot!" he said, his voice a low rumble. "Do you think I don't know you two are in cahoots?"

Hei Hu and Wang Fatty, their faces frozen in a mask of shock, realized their carefully constructed facade had crumbled. They had underestimated their opponent, a mistake that would have dire consequences.