Long Tailing

Section 1: A Well-Deserved Rest

After three days and three nights of relentless destruction, Raymond finally took a well-deserved rest.

Sitting on Kyle’s stiff, rigid back, he closed his eyes and remained perfectly still, allowing his exhausted body to regain some strength.

Meanwhile, Michael took his time straightening his white dress shirt, smoothing his black slacks, and adjusting his golden-rimmed glasses. He then picked up his briefcase and calmly entered the elevator.

He descended from the fiftieth floor of the nearby building and made his way toward the half-destroyed Toiletview Mall.

By the time he arrived, ten minutes had passed.

Just then, Raymond opened his eyes and rose from his human chair. Without warning, he turned around and delivered a powerful kick straight into Kyle.

Kyle was launched nearly thirty meters through the air before crashing violently into a concrete wall.

He collapsed among the rubble, his once-rigid limbs falling limp as white foam spilled from his mouth.

Raymond didn’t bother looking back. He simply walked toward the opposite end of the mall, where a vending machine stood beside a damaged storefront.

Without hesitation, he threw a punch, shattering the entire glass front of the vending machine.

CRAAASH!

Reaching inside, Raymond grabbed a bottle of Pepsi, twisted off the cap, and took several long gulps. The cold drink refreshed him almost instantly.

If this were a video game, his HP bar would have just received a massive boost.

After finishing his drink, Raymond casually tossed the empty bottle aside and headed toward the exit.

Michael spotted him almost immediately and quietly followed him out of the mall, maintaining a safe distance to avoid attracting his attention.

Section 2: An Unexpected Recycler

After leaving the half-destroyed Toiletview Mall, Raymond entered a wide, nearly deserted plaza, with Michael quietly following about twenty meters behind.

Michael carefully surveyed the area. The open space offered almost no cover, and there were no overhead structures he could use to escape if Raymond unleashed another devastating ground shockwave. He quickly realized that this was a terrible place to fight.

Just then, Michael noticed a familiar figure crouching beside a large trash bin. It was Tom, a tall, muscular homeless man dressed in a filthy shirt and worn-out shorts, rummaging through garbage for leftover food, bottles, and cans.

With Raymond still walking ahead, Michael saw an opportunity to conceal himself. He approached the trash bin, placed his briefcase beside it, and crouched next to Tom, pretending to search for recyclables.

Tom slowly turned his head and stared at the unexpected newcomer in complete disbelief.

Michael, dressed in his spotless white shirt, neatly pressed black slacks, polished leather shoes, and golden-rimmed glasses, looked completely out of place beside the garbage bin. Tom couldn’t understand why such a well-dressed gentleman had suddenly decided to compete with him in the recycling business.

Confused, Tom opened his mouth, ready to ask what the hell was going on.

Before he could utter a single word, Michael swiftly pulled a hundred-dollar bill from his pocket and stuffed it into Tom’s shorts.

“Please, not a word. Here’s a hundred dollars. Just carry on as usual, all right?”

Tom blinked, glanced at the money, and nodded before casually returning to his recyclables as though nothing had happened.

Michael took another quick glance at Raymond, picked up his briefcase, and quietly slipped away.

Moments later, he was back on Raymond’s trail, maintaining a careful distance to avoid being noticed.

Section 3: The Baddest Badass Rookie

Raymond entered Local Alley, casually smashing every glass window he passed, while Michael followed at a safe distance.

As they moved deeper into the alley, Michael noticed four young gangsters surrounding a skinny young man in pajamas with a ridiculous bowl haircut. They were punching and kicking him mercilessly as he curled up on the ground, desperately shielding his head with both arms.

The unfortunate victim was Benson.

“Five bucks?! You’re a grown man, and that’s all you’ve got?! Are you mocking us?!”

The gangsters continued their beating while Benson helplessly begged for mercy.

Michael glanced toward Raymond, who was still walking ahead, occasionally turning his head from side to side. Following him in plain sight was becoming increasingly risky, and Michael needed somewhere to blend in. The group of gangsters offered a convenient opportunity.

Without hesitation, he calmly approached them.

One of the gangsters stepped forward, giving him a suspicious look.

“Yo! Who the hell are you? A businessman or something?!”

Michael responded with his usual polite, composed manner.

“I’ve just joined the gang. I’m the new recruit. Please don’t let my attire give you the wrong impression. After all, one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.”

The gangsters exchanged bewildered looks. His white dress shirt, black slacks, polished leather shoes, and golden-rimmed glasses made him look nothing like a gangster.

And somehow, he was carrying a briefcase. A freaking briefcase!

Before they could question him further, Michael casually crouched down and picked up a dried, crusty piece of dog poop from the pavement.

“Only five dollars? I’m afraid that’s simply unforgivable.”

With the same calm expression, he grabbed Benson by the jaw and shoved the dog poop straight into his mouth, without the slightest hesitation.

Benson immediately gagged in horror.

“AAAGH! PLEASE! I’M BEGGING YOU! THIS TASTES AWFUL!”

The four gangsters froze, staring at Michael in complete disbelief.

“Holy shit! He just shoved dog crap into that guy’s mouth! Didn’t even blink!”

“Damn! This rookie’s fucking savage! That’s some next-level cruelty!”

“I’m telling you, this guy’s gonna be a gang boss someday!”

Michael showed no reaction to their praise. He simply wiped his dirty hand against Benson’s pajama sleeve, rose to his feet, and calmly looked ahead.

Just like that, the gangsters had accepted Michael as one of their own.

But Michael had already spotted Raymond disappearing around a corner farther down the alley. Without saying goodbye, he quietly slipped away and resumed his pursuit.

One of the gangsters nervously pulled out his phone. Clearly impressed by Michael, he wanted to ask for his contact information but struggled to find the courage. Finally, he called after him in a timid, barely audible voice.

“Uh… hey, future boss… could I… could I get your…”

His voice faded before he could finish the question.

Michael was already gone.

Section 4: The Unwanted Third Wheel

Raymond emerged from Local Alley and continued down a wide street, with Michael quietly following at a safe distance.

About fifteen meters behind Raymond, an unusual couple was strolling hand in hand. The man wore an old railroad worker’s uniform and had a deeply wrinkled face that made him look nearly eighty. Beside him walked a beautiful young woman with long, flowing hair.

They were Lawson and Monica.

Michael was walking just a few steps away when a young woman holding a makeup compact approached Raymond from the opposite direction.

As she passed him, Raymond suddenly turned his head.

Michael tensed, fearing that Raymond had finally spotted him. Acting on instinct, he quickly stepped sideways and grabbed Lawson’s free hand.

Lawson was already holding Monica’s hand with his left, and now Michael had taken his right. Just like that, the three were walking shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, like an oddly matched family enjoying an afternoon stroll.

Lawson turned to protest, but froze when he recognized Captain Lam. He knew exactly how dangerous Michael could be and immediately thought better of challenging him.

Michael leaned closer and spoke in a low, controlled voice.

“Listen carefully, senior citizen. Make one sound, and I’ll take your head off. Keep walking.”

Lawson’s face went pale. He swallowed hard and quickly nodded, too frightened to resist. Yet he still couldn’t help adding one small correction.

“Uh… just so you know… I’m… I’m only eighteen.”

Michael ignored him completely.

While Lawson trembled with fear, Monica studied the mysterious newcomer with growing curiosity. His handsome features and calm confidence stirred a familiar feeling inside her, bringing a faint blush to her cheeks.

Meanwhile, Raymond casually swung his arm backward, shattering the mirror in the young woman’s makeup compact with a sharp backhanded punch.

CRACK!

Glass fragments scattered across the sidewalk as the startled woman jumped back.

“What the hell, dude?! I just bought that mirror yesterday! What’s your freaking problem?!”

Raymond ignored her and continued walking.

Oh. He was after the mirror.

Michael quietly relaxed, relieved that his cover remained intact.

Moments later, Raymond reached a subway station and headed downstairs. Michael immediately released Lawson’s hand and hurried after him without a word of explanation.

Lawson and Monica stopped and stared after the mysterious gentleman, completely bewildered by what had just happened.

Their peaceful afternoon stroll had somehow turned into the strangest three-person date imaginable.

Section 5: Awkward Small Talk

Raymond descended into the subway station, with Michael quietly following behind.

The station opened into a vast underground space, supported by towering concrete pillars and a network of steel beams overhead. As Michael surveyed the area, a beautiful violin melody drifted through the station, catching his attention.

Near the center of the open space stood a familiar figure wearing a half-unbuttoned white dress shirt and a bright red cape.

It was Sean, the part-time Local Hero.

With his chest proudly puffed out, Sean played his violin with surprising skill and passion. His red cape fluttered dramatically behind him, even though there wasn’t the slightest breeze underground.

Michael soon noticed the source of the mysterious wind: a portable electric fan carefully positioned behind Sean.

Earlier that day, Sean had sneaked out of the hospital following his fight with Raymond. His injuries were relatively minor, and he couldn’t afford the medical bills, so he had simply escaped without paying. Now he was playing violin to earn enough money to repair or replace his broken phone.

Meanwhile, Michael noticed Raymond moving farther ahead. Seeing an opportunity to blend in, he casually approached Sean and struck up a friendly conversation.

“Well, well! Look who we have here. Our very own Local Hero! Tell me, doesn’t the Local Hero Association pay you a salary? What brings you down here playing the violin?”

Sean chuckled without stopping his violin.

“Man, I wish! I’m only a part-time Local Hero, and I don’t even have an official license yet. They don’t pay me a dime! Besides, I gotta make some cash to fix my phone.”

Michael nodded thoughtfully.

“Ah, I see. If you don’t mind me asking, could that have something to do with those three years you spent in prison? I imagine that might raise a few questions during a background check.”

Sean immediately stopped playing.

“HEY! HEY! HEY! HEY! HEY!”

He lowered his violin and glared at Michael.

“Whoa, hold on a second! You can’t just go around saying stuff like that! That’s slander, man! I could seriously sue you for that!”

Michael offered a polite smile.

“My apologies. I meant no offense. Just making conversation.”

Sean gradually relaxed. Surprisingly, Michael was much easier to talk to than he had expected, and Sean began to think they might actually become friends.

“Hey, you know what? You’re actually a pretty cool guy to talk to! Maybe we should hang out sometime. We could—”

Before he could finish, Michael spotted Raymond approaching the stairs at the far end of the station.

Michael’s friendly mode ended instantly. Without another word, he turned and hurried after Raymond, leaving Sean in the middle of his sentence.

Sean stood there holding his violin, staring in disbelief as Michael disappeared up the stairs.

After a moment of confusion, he resumed playing, his red cape once again fluttering dramatically in the steady breeze from his portable fan.

Section 6: The Loudmouthed Goofball

After leaving the subway station, Raymond continued down the street, with Michael following quietly behind.

The road was unusually empty, offering almost no cover. Michael needed somewhere to blend in before Raymond noticed him.

Just then, he spotted a Korean-style roadside BBQ stall with several tables arranged along the sidewalk.

Without hesitation, Michael approached the stall, set his briefcase beside an occupied table, and casually took a seat.

Only then did he recognize one of the people sitting across from him.

It was Dinello, enjoying a plate of barbecue with his girlfriend, Jessica.

Dinello stared at Michael, clearly annoyed by his sudden appearance.

“Yo, what the fuck?! Who invited you to sit with us?! You’re with the Humble Organization, and my sisters are with the Frugal Organization! We ain’t exactly on the same team, Captain Lam! So what the hell do you want?!”

Michael remained perfectly composed, keeping his voice low.

“My apologies for the interruption. I’m currently following someone on an important assignment. I’d appreciate it if you could keep your voice down and continue enjoying your meal.”

Jessica glanced between the two men, looking slightly confused.

“Oh… okay. No problem.”

Dinello, however, had absolutely no intention of cooperating.

The two men had never gotten along particularly well, and the moment Dinello realized Michael was secretly following someone, a mischievous grin spread across his face.

Without warning, he reached across the table, grabbed Michael’s wrist, and shouted toward Raymond at the top of his lungs.

“HEY! YOU! THE FUNNY-LOOKING GUY WITH THE MUSTACHE AND TINY EYES! SOMEONE’S STALKING YOU! IT’S CAPTAIN LAM!”

Michael immediately tried to pull his arm free.

“Dinello! Shut up and let go of me!”

Dinello burst into laughter, clearly enjoying Michael’s growing frustration.

Jessica quickly leaned forward, alarmed by her boyfriend’s behavior.

“Hey, Canelo! Stop it! Come on, we don’t have to—”

Before she could finish, Michael forcefully pulled against Dinello’s grip. However, Dinello was no ordinary fighter, and he refused to release him. The two men began struggling across the table, causing the plates and barbecue utensils to rattle dangerously.

Michael’s patience was rapidly running out.

“If you weren’t Linda and Lindsay’s younger brother, I’d have chopped your head off already! Now shut your mouth and let go of me!”

Dinello only laughed harder, gripping Michael’s wrist even tighter as he shouted toward Raymond once again.

“HAHAHA! HEY, MUSTACHE! COME GET YOUR STALKER!”

Yet strangely enough, Raymond showed absolutely no interest in the commotion.

As Dinello continued laughing, Raymond casually approached a nearby bus stop and smashed one of its glass panels with a single punch. Without even bothering to look in their direction, he continued walking down the street.

Meanwhile, Dinello was so caught up in shouting and laughing toward Raymond that he had completely neglected his defense.

In this kung fu world, letting your guard down could be fatal, even for a fighter as powerful as Dinello.

Michael spotted his opening.

Without warning, he drove his free fist straight into Dinello’s face, catching him completely off guard.

The tremendous impact sent Dinello flying out of his chair and across the sidewalk. His body struck the pavement and skidded more than ten meters before finally coming to a stop.

By then, he was completely unconscious.

Jessica froze in horror, staring at her boyfriend lying motionless on the sidewalk.

Michael calmly rose from his seat, straightened his shirt, and placed a hundred-dollar bill on the table.

“My apologies, miss. Please use this toward his medical expenses. I’m afraid I have some urgent business to attend to.”

He then picked up his briefcase and hurried after Raymond, leaving Jessica alone with her unconscious boyfriend.

Jessica stared at the hundred-dollar bill, then turned toward Dinello, who lay motionless several meters away.

“Oh my God… What am I gonna do now?!”

Section 7: The Perfect Arena

After his ridiculous encounter with Dinello, Michael finally came to an important realization.

Despite all the shouting, struggling, and chaos, Raymond hadn’t even bothered to look in his direction. As far as Michael could tell, the man simply didn’t care whether someone was following him.

All those careful disguises had apparently been for nothing.

With his briefcase in hand, Michael abandoned his cautious approach and began following Raymond openly, no longer bothering to hide or keep his distance.

After several minutes of walking, they arrived at Tangram Mall.

Raymond entered first, with Michael following shortly behind.

As Michael stepped inside, he immediately noticed the enormous open atrium. Massive advertising displays hung from sturdy steel beams overhead, while elevated walkways and balconies surrounded the central area.

Michael carefully studied the layout. Those overhead structures offered plenty of places to leap onto or take cover behind, allowing him to escape Raymond’s devastating ground shockwaves.

Unlike the narrow streets and exposed plazas he had passed earlier, this was exactly the kind of battlefield he needed.

Suddenly, the sharp sound of shattering glass echoed through the mall.

Raymond had already resumed his destruction.

Michael tightened his grip on his briefcase, his eyes fixed firmly on the dangerous man ahead.

He had finally found the perfect arena.