With the barrage of attacks, Gary hadn’t even had the chance to register that his mask had flown off from that last kick. It wasn’t until Jayden had called him ‘streaker boy’ that he touched his face and noticed that there was nothing hiding his identity.

“I can’t believe a kid like you stimulated my Altered instincts!” Jayden shook his head in disbelief, yet the young adult also looked somewhat troubled how to deal with him. “If I had known that you were in the red colour gang, then I wou-”

“I’M NOT!” Gary quickly interrupted him, finally seeing a chance to clear up the misunderstanding. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you the whole time!”

Based on Jayden’s earlier actions, as well as his apparent dislike for the red colour gang, the Altered fighter was clearly here on his own. Given their brief interaction on the night of the full moon, Gary hoped that the adult man would at least hear him out now. Getting called by that unique nickname proved that he hadn’t forgotten about him… for better or for worse…

“… you honestly want me to believe that?” Jayden questioned the teenager as he lifted him up by his shirt, Gary not resisting. “In that case, why would somebody like you be here, huh?!”

“Does my uniform look like I’m part of their gang?” The high schooler asked back, while making sure to avoid sounding sarcastic.

Getting a closer look at Gary, it was true that ‘streaker boy’s’ uniform, as well as his mask, were black and golden, rather than red. Holding him up, Jayden faced the forest, and behind Gary there were red colour gang members lying knocked out on the ground or rolling about in pain.

Turning around, he could see his own path of havoc, meaning that someone else had fought with the colour gang. Slowly, the puzzle pieces fit together to form a clearer picture. Jayden eased the grip on Gary’s shirt and allowed him to speak.

“It might be hard to believe, but the red colour gang attacked my school earlier today. We resisted, but they managed to kidnap my classmate. I’m just here… I’m just here to bring them back.” Gary explained.

“So you’re not part of the red colour gang… and you’re here for Xin?” Jayden summed it up. For a moment, Gary was shocked that the Altered knew who was inside, yet the teenager quickly nodded. With that, Jayden let go of his shirt, and the teenager quickly headed to pick up his mask.

‘Phew, he finally let go of me. However… how does he know about Xin? … could it be… is he her…’ Gary snapped around and looked at Jayden who still had his top off. He was a good-looking man, and was also young. The age gap isn’t too big between the two and maybe she’s into older guys.

‘If she already had a boyfriend, then why would she have agreed to a date?’

“What’s with the mask?” Jayden asked, now feeling guilty and awkward for wrongfully having attacked Gary. Putting the mask in his inner blazer pocket for safe keeping, the high schooler felt a little too embarrassed to put it on again.

“I’m not like you. I understand that what I’m doing is borderline suicidal. I mean, it’s not like I expected to encounter you here. No matter if I failed or succeeded, I didn’t want them to know who I was.” Gary answered, earning him an approving nod from Jayden, who could get behind that reasoning.

“Say, now that we know that we’re on the same side, how about… we cooperate?”

Having been given a break, Gary’s passive healing had kicked into effect, and it was already beginning to heal him, consuming his Energy. The high schooler doubted he would find anyone as strong as Jayden inside. Since he had already come all the way out here, he didn’t want his idol to get all the credit… especially if he turned out to be his rival in love.

“There’s no need. I’m going inside and will handle everything. If you want to make yourself useful, feel free to call the police…” Jayden stated, as Gary was starting to go towards the entrance of the cabin.

“No… I have to see who did this and why.” Gary insisted. “They… they hurt someone I care about!”

Seeing the look in Gary’s eyes, Jayden could tell he was serious. Just having fought him, although only briefly, the kid had at least proven capable enough to not end up as a burden.

“Fine, but you listen to what I have to say. Also, don’t even think about disappearing afterwards. I still have a bone to pick with you for all the food you stole. Don’t think I forgot. You made me very late that day for a photo shoot.” Jayden said as he walked ahead.

Ironically, Gary would probably never forget the raided fridge, since it was thanks to Jayden’s endless supply of meat that he managed to survive that horrible night. Besides, it was one of the best meals of his life, something he would forever treasure after being forced to hunt wild creatures and spend large amounts of money to fill up his Energy reserves.

When Gary reached the stairs of the cabin, something hit his nose.

‘This smell… that’s blood!’

The smell of blood from the members outside was consistent but this was coming from another direction, it was coming from inside, but neither of them had gone in the cabin yet. Aware of the implication, the teenager rushed past Jayden.

“Hey, wait! They’re already aware that we were outside! They’re most likely waiting for us already!” Jayden shouted. He had planned to enter the second floor and take them all out from above.

However, Gary had already barged through the door, breaking them off. It was a weak door, but Gary had used quite some force that would have broken a normal door as well. Quickly catching up, Jayden was now standing next to him and could see Gary frozen in place.

That’s when, at the very back of the room, they could see the gang members who had scurried off inside. They all turned to look towards the door and Xin was being held up on her feet out of the seat she was in while Tiffany held a little knife to her neck. Her face was bruised, and blood was dripping slightly from her nose.

Standing by her side was Riv who nervously smiled at the situation.

“Shit, those reports weren’t exaggerated. Of all people, why is Jayden Tiger here? Tell me, did the mayor hire you to rescue you? How much is he paying you? You know the amount of money that he would pay for his daughter right, I can give you half if you just look the other way.” The red colour gang leader tried to bargain with the Altered, aware that their chances to stand up to him were slim to none.

Looking at who had busted through the door, Xin knew he would come, but as for the person standing beside her…why was he here? Why did someone she barely knew come all the way here for her? It was the first time in her life someone other than her family came looking for her.

Seeing Xin in the state she was in, Gary was clenching his fists so hard that his nails dug into the palm of his hand. Veins were popping at the top of his head.

“You…you..” Gary was so angry he was stuttering, and he was a little worried that Jayden might accept the offer.

Little did he know, Jayden’s blood was boiling even more.

“GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF MY SISTER!” Jayden demanded as his body started to transform.

******

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