Chapter 9 · The Black Car Invite

Steel Claw didn't walk closer.

He just stood there by the open car door, backlit by the amber streetlight at the alley's mouth, his right hand catching the glow. The metal coating his fingers looked wet. Like it was still cooling.

Chen Feng felt Su Mian's grip tighten on his sleeve.

"Chen Feng," Steel Claw called out. His voice was smooth. Almost friendly. "You've been eating interesting things."

Chen pulled his arm free from Su Mian and stepped forward. His right hand—still black, still fused—hung at his side. He couldn't feel the night air on those fingers anymore.

"Stay back," Su Mian hissed behind him.

He didn't.

Steel Claw smiled. "Smart kid. Let's talk like adults."

A second man climbed out of the car. Older, thicker in the shoulders, wearing a jacket too nice for Scrap Alley. He had a scar running from his temple to his jaw, the kind that didn't come from accidents.

"My name's Zhao," the man said. He didn't offer a handshake. "You've made some noise in the local fights. My boss wants to see what you can do on a real stage."

"I'm not interested," Chen said.

Zhao's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Midnight.