Chapter 8. Proof of Strength (2)

The people inside the bar watched the series of events with interest.

Most were paying close attention to how Ossian would respond to Jake's actions.

Jake was deliberately provoking Ossian.

Perhaps he wasn't entirely convinced by the rumors that Ossian could really cut bullets with a sword.

Indeed, there were others who shared similar thoughts.

Most of those who had come out of curiosity harbored doubts about Ossian's skills.

He was strong, and he could wield a sword, but cutting bullets was a completely different matter.

The rumor that he had single-handedly chased away forty gang members might also have been exaggerated.

For the spectators, being able to verify this here and now was not a bad thing at all.

"Well, since you want proof, I can show you a little bit of leniency and demonstrate."

"Hey, I was just throwing it out there, but you really mean to show me? Bro, if you can't do it, don't force yourself just because of the crowd's expectations, okay?"

Ha ha ha.

A small burst of laughter erupted from the crowd at Jake's joke.

Though it seemed inappropriate to treat a potential recruit this way, this was Jake's calculated move.

'He looks young and seems to have come from a good background, but the fact that he's in this industry suggests otherwise.'

While speaking with a smile, Jake's eyes sharply analyzed Ossian.

'From the start, with the armor and the sword. Is he trying to draw attention to himself? He's smart, but it's too obvious. This place isn't that easy to handle.'

Jake evaluated Ossian as a young man who dressed this way just to gain fame.

However, given his fight with the gang and his reactions, he must have some skills.

After fully assessing his abilities, it wouldn't be bad to lure him in and recruit him.

'What can a punk like him do? He'll probably bow down and join if I give him some money and women.'

Most of the young people Jake had seen in this business were like that.

They wanted fame and to make a lot of money.

People who couldn't control their youthful blood and thought they were special.

Jake could read their desires and use them to bring them under his control.

Ossian, he believed, wouldn't be much different.

"So, are you going to check it out?"

When Ossian asked with a serious look, Jake involuntarily flinched.

A crack appeared in Jake's smile as he realized he had been scared.

'You little brat.'

Jake quickly composed himself and shook his head.

"No, of course I won't. I'm just a mediator, after all. Mediators don't fight, right? We do what we're good at."

"Then what?"

"Just in case, I brought someone. Hey! Don't just stand outside; come in here."

At Jake's call, someone entered the bar through the broken door.

A tall man, head and shoulders above the average adult, with a bald head, thick lips, and dark skin.

His face was adorned with black paint in a unique tattoo, giving him a very intimidating appearance.

"Hey, isn't that Tai Wu Ondura?"

"Seems like it. If Jake called him, it must be him. Could he be here to test Ossian's skills? That 'Outlaw'?"

The mercenaries who had been murmuring fell silent as Tai Wu's gaze fell on them.

Tai Wu sneered at them, and they couldn't help but avert their eyes.

Even the violent mercenaries were silent, indicating how notorious Tai Wu was among them.

"Is this the guy?"

Tai Wu, standing behind Jake, asked, looking at Ossian.

His deep, resonant voice alone was enough to put pressure on anyone.

Tai Wu's gaze on Ossian was not kind.

Ossian looked like someone who had never been in a fight before.

"He doesn't seem like much."

Tai Wu was somewhat offended that he had to come all the way here to check on such a person.

"Hey, punk. You're trying to draw attention with your weird outfit, right? If you want to run, I recommend you leave now."

Tai Wu openly ignored Ossian and tried to intimidate him.

Jake didn't stop him.

He wanted Ossian to be intimidated by Tai Wu.

This was Jake's way of recruiting people in the industry.

He used the whip of overwhelming power to crush their pride and then lured them with the carrot of money and women.

That's how he got them to sign the contract.

Some people didn't bend to this, but their end was never good.

A famous anecdote was that a certain fixer who had refused Jake's offer ended up as a floating corpse in the river the next day.

"That's enough. Any more rudeness won't be good."

As Ronan tried to intervene, Tai Wu suddenly leaned in close to him.

"What? I have bad hearing, so can you say that again?"

"..."

Ronan, who always maintained a smile, lost it completely.

Just as Ronan was about to respond to Tai Wu's half-threatening words, Ossian spoke up.

"That's enough. After all, the matter is with me, isn't it?"

Tai Wu's gaze returned to Ossian, this time with a look of surprise.

"Are you going to take my place? You have some pride, I see."

"So, how do you want to check my skills?"

Ossian said this as he stood up.

The sound of the chair being pushed back was unusually loud.

Ossian slowly walked to stand in front of Tai Wu.

In terms of size, there was a head's difference.

No one would have thought Ossian could win in a fight.

"Arrogant brat. Are you really going to attack me?"

"I didn't really plan to, but it seems you want it. If so, I'm willing to go along with it."

"What?"

"Or are you scared now?"

Ossian said this with a blank expression.

At these words, a vein popped on Tai Wu's forehead.

Tai Wu reached out and grabbed Ossian's armor by the collar.

He intended to throw Ossian to the ground with force.

However, no matter how much force he applied, Ossian didn't budge.

Just as Tai Wu began to feel something was wrong, Ossian's hand shot out.

Ossian grabbed Tai Wu's neck with one hand and pulled him down, smashing his head into the table.

Crack! Tai Wu's head split the table in two.

The mercenaries watched in shock.

Jake was no different.

'Tai Wu is losing?'

Despite his appearance, Tai Wu was a mutant with enhanced physical abilities.

Since there were rumors that Ossian was also a mutant with enhanced physical abilities, Jake had called Tai Wu to test him.

However, Tai Wu, who had grabbed Ossian's collar, couldn't move and ended up taking a hit.

The two headhunters, including Ronan, were equally surprised.

"Ugh!"

From the broken debris, Tai Wu stood up.

Blood flowed from a gash on his forehead. Tai Wu wiped his forehead and his eyes turned wild.

"I'll kill you!"

Originally, he had only intended to show his strength and intimidate Ossian, but seeing the blood changed his mind.

Tai Wu genuinely wanted to kill Ossian.

He maximized his mutant powers and reached out to Ossian.

There was no need to draw his gun since they were so close.

Tai Wu was confident he could tear Ossian apart with his bare hands.

Just as Tai Wu's hands were about to grab Ossian's head, Ossian's fist moved and struck Tai Wu's chin.

Tai Wu saw this but ignored it, continuing his action.

With his enhanced body, his flesh was harder than rock.

Striking him with a fist would only break the attacker's bones.

Bang!

However, Tai Wu felt a massive shock that shook his brain.

His powerful hands went limp.

Ossian retracted his right hand and clenched his left into a fist.

He then punched Tai Wu's chest with all his might.

Bang!

The sound was so loud and clear that it was hard to believe it came from a punch.

Tai Wu's body bent sharply, his eyes bulging out.

His body, slightly off the ground, was sent flying by Ossian's push.

Smashing through three tables, Tai Wu finally stopped when he hit the wall.

The mercenaries were stunned by this unbelievable scene.

Seeing a mutant with enhanced physical abilities like Tai Wu being overpowered by hand was a natural reaction.

'What kind of power is this?'

'Is he really a mutant?'

Those who had seen Ossian's strength the previous night nodded, while those who had come to verify were amazed.

Ossian lightly dusted off his hands, looking at the fallen Tai Wu.

He then turned to Jake, who was staring at him with a shocked expression.

"It seems the proof is over. It's not as impressive as I thought."

Jake didn't respond. Instead, he glared at Ossian with a hostile gaze.

Seeing this, Ossian couldn't help but chuckle.

Starting a fight and then getting angry when it doesn't go his way. What kind of twisted thinking is that?

'Besides, that Tai Wu. He's weaker than I thought.'

He looked tough, but in the fight, he wasn't much.

The initial grip on his collar was strong, and there was a strange resistance when he hit his chin, but that was all.

He could be easily handled with just a bit more force than expected.

Ossian looked at Jake with a cold gaze.

Jake tried to maintain his composure, but the cold sweat running down his cheek was beyond his control.

With all his plans ruined, Jake had to come up with a new approach.

"...Yeah, I saw it. Your skills are definitely impressive."

Jake forced a smile and spoke in a cheerful tone, but his eyes weren't smiling.

"Can I take the guy who's down? He seems to have a broken bone, and I want to get him treated quickly."

"Is there anything you can do?"

"Me? What can I do?"

"Since you asked for proof, and I provided it, you should show something in return, right?"

Jake's face contorted at the meaning of Ossian's words.

"Are you just going to laugh and talk your way out of it?"

Jake rolled his eyes, trying to find a way to escape this situation.

Ossian, who knew Jake's intentions, naturally blocked his path.

"Hmm?"

At that moment, Ossian felt a strong killing intent from behind and turned around.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Still not unconscious. You're tougher than I thought."

"Gasping... gasping..."

Tai Wu, who had stood up, was panting and glaring at Ossian.

His eyes, filled with killing intent, showed that he had made a decision.

Tai Wu drew the pistol from his waist.

It was a large gun, more like a rifle.

A personal pistol made by modifying an elephant gun.

The caliber of the bullets was large, and the recoil was massive, but it was a perfect weapon for a mutant with enhanced physical abilities like Tai Wu.

However, it was not a weapon to be used lightly, especially in a bar where rules applied.

Even for an 'Outlaw,' this was crossing the line.

But Tai Wu didn't care and didn't want to.

"Grgh!"

With his broken jaw, Tai Wu mumbled and pulled the trigger.

A massive bullet, capable of shattering an elephant's bone, shot out with a burst of fire toward Ossian.

The supersonic bullet was about to hit Ossian. At that moment, Ossian's hand moved like lightning, grabbing the sword at his waist.

Swish!

A silver flash cut the bullet in half.

The sword was so fast and sharp that the bullet didn't lose its momentum.

The two halves of the bullet embedded themselves in the bar's wall.

A heavy silence fell over the bar.

Even Tai Wu, who had pulled the trigger, looked disbelieving.

"Is that all?"