Chapter 25: Chapter 25: The Legendary Gangster Teacher?
"You freak, where the hell did you come from!"
Lorenzo burst out laughing when he saw Jackson. "Are you cosplaying? If you're going to cosplay as Jack Napier, at least dye your hair green!"
The gang members with Lorenzo cracked their knuckles and grinned maliciously as they approached Jackson.
Jackson's palms turned red, the heat distorting the air around them. His tone was harsh, "I'll say it one more time. Let them go."
Lorenzo's face darkened at the sight. "So, you're an Awakened One."
He stood up and signaled his men to step back, cracking his neck. "An Awakened One isn't something you lot can handle. Let me personally deal with this cocky brat."
Lorenzo's previously obese body suddenly transformed. Fat turned into muscle, and he grew over two meters tall. His ability was heat conversion, classified as D-rank.
He stepped over the bar and approached Jackson, sneering down at him. "You think being an Awakened One means you can wreck my place? Do you think Wolf would let me run his turf without some real skills?"
The few girls watching wore expressions of fear. Lorenzo's aura was unlike that of a typical Awakened One—he was definitely above E-rank.
He wasn't wrong. If this terrifying figure fought all night, survival wasn't guaranteed.
The masked man in front of them, his attire and voice, revealed that he was indeed their teacher, Jackson.
But Jackson was just an E-rank Awakened One—how could he be a match for Lorenzo?
In a low voice, Jackson said, "I really don't want to make a move in front of these kids. You still have time to regret this."
It wasn't about hiding his violent side from his students—what mattered more was the strict rules of the Mercenary Guild.
You couldn't expose the existence of the Mercenary Guild.
If his identity behind the mask was revealed, some sharp minds might eventually track down the guild. The world wasn't short of smart people.
But Lorenzo didn't take Jackson seriously at all. "What a damn delusional brat!"
With that, his fist, the size of a casserole, came crashing down toward Jackson's head.
Jackson sighed lightly, activating his ability.
[Spring Fruit: C-Rank]
[It allows the user to transform any part of their body into a spring. Can use any surface as a springboard for attacks.]
Jackson's legs transformed, morphing into springs.
He pushed off with his legs, disappearing from Lorenzo's sight, only to reappear behind him a moment later.
His fiery fist slammed into the back of Lorenzo's neck.
Stumbling from the blow, Lorenzo almost fell but quickly turned around, swinging his fist at Jackson in rage.
As a Combat high school teacher, Jackson's physical skills were top-notch, and his quick reflexes were sharp.
He had quickly adapted to the C-rank Spring Fruit ability he had recently acquired, mastering it with ease.
In the spacious room, Jackson leapt between the walls and ceiling, bouncing from surface to surface, making it impossible for Lorenzo to land a single hit.
Then, using the growing momentum and speed, Jackson delivered a powerful punch to Lorenzo's chest mid-air.
With a scream, Lorenzo crashed to the ground, staring at Jackson in horror.
"Wh-what are you? A dual-ability user?"
Jackson, with his strong physique and sharp reflexes, was entirely different from some old beggar. After unleashing a series of attacks, he didn't even break a sweat. "I told you, you still had time to regret your actions."
Before becoming a teacher, Jackson had served in the national military. Given the tense international situation in recent years, he had killed people on the border.
To ensure Lorenzo wouldn't uncover his identity, Jackson considered silencing him for good.
"Teacher! You're amazing!"
The excited voices of the girls snapped Jackson back to reality, and the murderous intent faded.
He hesitated. Was he really going to kill someone in front of his students?
They had already figured out who he was. Was he supposed to kill his own students too?
He couldn't do it.
In the end, he simply told Lorenzo, "Get lost."
With the help of his lackeys, Lorenzo scrambled out of the room, only to run into someone just outside the office.
Lorenzo was just about to start cursing, but when he looked up and saw who had arrived, his expression immediately changed. He wailed, "Wolf! Someone's causing trouble here!"
The man had white hair, a hooked nose, and wore a leather jacket. He was none other than Mad Wolf, the top enforcer under Giovani.
As Giovani's trusted lieutenant, Mad Wolf knew that his boss was attending a secret meeting with the Mercenary Guild tonight.
Bored, he had decided to check in on a few places and later planned to have some fun with his old flings through the night.
Trouble in his turf?
Mad Wolf got excited. He cursed Lorenzo for being useless and strode into the private room with large steps. "Who the hell's wrecking my place and beating up my boys?"
The girls, who had just shown expressions of relief, suddenly grew tense again.
Lorenzo was his subordinate?
What level of power did this guy have? Could their teacher still hold his own?
Jackson sighed and stood protectively in front of the girls. "Your men were trying to assault them first. If you're not here to reason, we can settle this now. I'm in a hurry."
Mad Wolf rubbed his eyes.
A mask? In a hurry?
Behind him, Lorenzo, who had found someone to back him up, whispered sneakily, "Wolf, this guy's running wild because he's a dual-ability user! Be careful!"
Mad Wolf was stunned. A dual-ability user?
Wasn't that stacking buffs to the max?
Without hesitation, Mad Wolf slapped Lorenzo across the face. "You idiot, assaulting women? Are you even human?!"
Lorenzo held his swollen face, dumbfounded. Wasn't that just his usual routine?
Mad Wolf forced a smile and said to Jackson, "Sir… uh, Mr. Mask? It's my fault for not managing my men properly. Please forgive me!"
The entire room fell into silence.
It seemed like these two knew each other, and the masked man in the suit clearly outranked Mad Wolf!
The students began imagining all sorts of scenarios. Could their teacher actually be a legendary gangster who had retired from the underworld? Like in those cheesy internet novels?
They looked at Jackson with newfound admiration, especially the girl with dyed green hair. She remembered boasting earlier, "You shouldn't meddle in the affairs of society."
Now, she felt utterly embarrassed.
Even Jackson was a bit surprised. He hesitated and asked, "Can we leave now?"
Mad Wolf nodded repeatedly. "Of course, sir! Shall I call a car for you?"
Jackson was confused. When did gangsters become so polite? "No need, I have my own car."
With that, he led the students out of the KTV without saying a word, no matter what they asked him.
Only after the students had gotten into a taxi and left did Jackson walk to his second-hand car and drive to the café.
After Jackson left, Mad Wolf finally exhaled in relief.
Lorenzo, still nervous, asked in a low voice, "Boss, who was that big shot? If he's someone important, shouldn't we send a car to apologize? I could go in person and make amends."
Mad Wolf slapped him again, his eyes bloodshot like a beast ready to devour someone. "Remember this: He was never here! You've never seen him! I've never seen him!"
Lorenzo collapsed to the ground, terror-stricken, staring at Mad Wolf with his mouth hanging open in shock.
Meanwhile, the café was hosting a "Costume Coffee" event tonight, where anyone dressed in eccentric attire could enjoy coffee at half price.
If anyone tried to go upstairs, the masked staff would inform them that it was a work area, and customers were not allowed.
However, if someone said they were there for a job, the staff would lead them to the second-floor meeting room.
The second-floor meeting room was already full, and Jackson was late.
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