Skyler could feel the eerie pressure seeping out of the alley behind him; he was done circling—-if it was fate, so be it, but he'd keep one card up his sleeve.

  He glanced at Kevin Wang. "You're coming with me."

  "No problem!" Kevin answered, itching for action.

  Skyler stepped into the alley. The entry was decrepit; every house inside was slated for demolition and long abandoned. Only one or two street-lamps remained, flickering with poor contact, bathing the lane in a creepy gloom.

  They edged deeper together. Kevin's early excitement faded into nerves; he swallowed hard and scooped up a brick from the ground, gripping it tight.

  Suddenly Skyler threw an arm across Kevin's chest and shouted into the darkness ahead, "Who's there? Show yourself!"

  A few seconds later a swaying shadow emerged—a short, chubby man. As he stepped into the lamp-light, Skyler finally saw who it was.

  "Jason Han?"

  Jason wore a dingy gray T-shirt, face pale, eyes vacant, steps unsteady. Hearing Skyler's voice, he answered weakly, "Eh?"

  "What are you doing here?" Skyler asked.

  "Yeah… why am I here…" Jason rubbed his head, then seemed to snap awake and yelped, "Ah!"

  He scrambled forward, clutching Skyler's arm. "Bro Skyler, help! Save me!!"

  "What's wrong? Slow down and tell me."

  "I-I don't know… something's off… I got bitten…" Jason stammered, muddled.

  "Bitten by what? Where? Speak clearly," Skyler urged.

  "My hand… my hand…" Jason extended his right hand. "Feels wrong…"

  Skyler glanced—-it looked perfectly normal.

  "Looks fine to me," Kevin said, craning in. He snorted, eager to contribute. "Bro, maybe too much ‘solo practice'—seeing things?"

  As he spoke, Jason's pudgy palm let out a wet gurgle; suddenly a blood-red eye sprouted in the center.

  "Whoaa—!" Kevin yelped, leaping back. "What the heck?!"

  Jason trembled all over, on the verge of collapse. "I don't know… help, please help me…"

  A bad feeling stabbed Skyler; as he stepped back Jason's right hand shot out and clamped his throat with impossible force.

  The hand swelled like dough in overdrive, ballooning within seconds into a semi-liquid mass of pulsing flesh.

  The tumor seemed alive, squelching and rolling as it began engulfing Skyler's head.

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  There was no pain, only crushing pressure and suffocation—like being sealed inside rotting, slimy aspic.

  Skyler yanked a pocket knife and stabbed, but the mass gulped blade and all before spitting it out with a wet splurt.

  Kevin panicked and bolted. "Hel—help!!"

  Hoisted off the ground, Skyler felt the same dread as when Vivian Li nearly crushed his skull. He flailed, useless.

  Jason stood frozen; the grotesque tumor-hand acted beyond his will. He sobbed, "Help! Someone help… What's happening to me…"

  As Skyler's vision darkened, a familiar shout rang out: "Let him go!"

  It was Kevin Wang!

  During that brief flight Kevin had forced himself past raw terror and doubled back. He charged Jason Han and launched a flying kick. "Let him go!"

  Kevin's kick smashed into Jason's face; Jason flew backward, and the tumor-hand was yanked off Skyler, sailing with its host. Just before Jason hit the ground, the swollen hand slapped the pavement and propped his body upright.

  Once Jason regained balance, the fleshy monstrosity lunged for Skyler again.

  Skyler was still on his knees, hacking for air—no time to dodge.

  "You—dare touch my bro again?!" Kevin planted himself between Skyler and the mass.

  As he spoke, muscles on Kevin's right arm ballooned, shredding his sleeve. The skin roughened into a gray-green, bronze-like plating beneath the amber street-light.

  Smack! Kevin's new "bronze hand" caught Jason's tumor-hand squarely.

  Two inhuman arms locked, straining in silent combat.

  "Raaah—!" Veins bulged across Kevin's brow; his irises darkened to deep green. In five heartbeats his grip rocketed to a ton-level crush.

  The tumor-hand stood no chance. It writhed and squeaked with a mind of its own, trying to retreat, but too late.

  Squelch! Kevin's beast-arm crushed it; pale-violet ichor splattered everywhere.

  By the time Skyler staggered up, Jason lay unconscious, his right arm back to normal.

  Kevin panted, chest heaving; the plated arm slowly shrank, skin fading to human tone.

  Staring at Kevin's silent, steely back, Skyler felt a chill: Is he really "just" a Lost Beast? That power… it dwarfs Vivian Li and Aunt He.

  Skyler wasn't sure whether to address Kevin—or bolt.

  Kevin slowly turned, eyes wet with near-ecstatic tears. "Skyler! You didn't lie— I really got stronger!"

  "Uh?" Skyler's face must have looked ridiculous.

  Kevin lunged in, hugging Skyler and hopping like a kid. "Did you see that?! My kirin arm! That cultivation mantra you gave me is amazing!"

  "Ha-ha, it's mostly your own effort…" Skyler forced a smile—thank goodness Kevin wasn't the brightest, or this could've ended badly.

  "Oh, right!" In his glee Kevin finally noticed Jason. "Who'd have thought he'd betray us? Want me to finish him?"

  "Don't." Skyler stopped him. He thought a moment. "Your house is nearby, right?"

  "Yeah."

  "And your folks are divorced—you live alone?"

  "Correct. Why?"

  "Let's head there," Skyler said, pointing at the unconscious Jason. "Bring him along."

  Jason weighed at least 100 kilos, yet Kevin lugged him home in one sprint—light-footed, barely winded.

  Skyler was shaken. Once a Beast's power ignites it's horrifying; he felt like a lamb in a den of wolves.

  Kevin's family was absurdly rich—real-estate tycoon dad, politician mom, both frequenting the news. His villa sat in a riverfront enclave where square meters cost a fortune.

  The three-story house boasted a private garage, pool, foyer garden and even a pocket park—priced leagues above ordinary villas.

  Down in the underground garage, Jason was now trussed to a chair, arms lashed tight.

  Skyler considered calling Lynn, but a late-night traceable call—and too many contacts—might raise suspicion. Besides, given Kevin's power, he was safe enough.

  He asked Kevin to fetch a basin of water. Kevin obeyed instantly. While waiting, Skyler cracked open the system panel: luck points had again doubled—gain triggered when Jason attacked him.

  He closed the interface and let the counter idle.

  Moments later Kevin returned and, without waiting, dumped the water over Jason's head. Jason jerked awake with an "Ah!"

  "Wh-where am I…? Skyler, bro, why'm I tied up? What happened to me…?"

  "Are you human or Beast?" Skyler asked flatly.

  "Human! An Awakened like you!" Jason shouted. "You know that!"

  Skyler stayed silent. Jason had healing talent and had treated him—so probably human. Yet that tumor-hand looked nothing like a human gift; more like a Beast form. Better verify.

  Skyler turned to Kevin. "You've got, uh, movies here, right?"

  Kevin blinked. "What kind of movies?"

  "You know… those movies."