Achieving Demon Godhood from Unlocking Talents

Wang Dali hurried to a corner and warned in a low voice, "Let it go."

He knew exactly how crucial this moment was. If they spooked their target because of a few street punks, the consequences would be disastrous.

The atmosphere instantly fell silent.

Though reluctant, the members of the fifth squad, who often bought drinks from that little supermarket, nodded in agreement.

Everyone looked away.

Someone glanced at the bank of monitors. Nine separate feeds, all from drones, provided a comprehensive, blind-spot-free view that covered the street below and the short concrete building across from it.

The four-word neon sign for the Iron Fire Prosthetic Clinic flickered on the second-floor wall.

Though it was broad daylight, the building’s first-floor roller door was shut tight. Flanking the entrance in the adjacent alleyway, two figures with cybernetic augmentations stood guard, with glowing patterns visible on their necks and the backs of their hands.

Passing gangsters and pedestrians alike seemed used to it, giving the place a wide berth.

"Brother Hu, Ma Kui just went in the back."

The communications officer, wearing a headset, relayed the first update in a low voice.

The atmosphere in the room tensed. Everyone’s eyes sharpened, their fatigue instantly vanishing, replaced by a surge of adrenaline.

"What’s the word from our informant?"

Gao Hu’s eyes were bright, but he kept his voice low as he asked.

The team member handling the informant was silent for several long seconds before relaying the message. "He says something’s wrong."

"Oh?" Gao Hu frowned, as did the other team members.

Meeting their expectant gazes, the communications officer replied, "It looks like Ma Kui replaced his augmentation module. He’s been upgraded by one military sub-grade."

"Also, the person he’s meeting... seems to be someone important from one of the factions in the Red Maple City Circle."

A dead silence fell over the room.

’His augmentations were upgraded by a sub-grade?’

In other words, he was bordering on Superpower Level, maybe even capable of matching it for a brief moment. He was beyond their ability to handle.

As for the second piece of news, everyone’s eyes flickered. They knew something was very wrong.

’Why would someone from a City Circle faction meet with the Iron Sand gang?’

The atmosphere grew heavy as all eyes turned to Gao Hu.

Conflict flickered in his fierce, tiger-like eyes—the burning fire of vengeance warring with his fear of losing his men.

Besides, thinking of some of the anomalies from their recent investigation, he had a gut feeling that there was more to this than met the eye.

"Does Captain Lu know about this?"

he asked in a low voice. Wang Dali flinched for a second, then quickly nodded.

"He’s on his way."

"Good."

Gao Hu nodded, preparing to report the situation as it was.

He might be impulsive, but he knew what was at stake.

But in the next instant...

A sound crackled over the comms, like a gunshot.

The communications officer’s expression suddenly changed as he scrambled to get a status update.

"The informant’s dead!"

What?!

Gao Hu’s face darkened, sensing something was wrong.

And before he could even process it...

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Gunshots erupted from downstairs.

Angry shouts from the other team members erupted over the comms. A second later, bullets shattered the window of the observation room, and something was thrown in.

CLINK! CLANK!

At the sharp sound of it hitting the floor, everyone’s pupils contracted in horror.

In that critical moment...

"Get back!!"

Gao Hu’s face was a mask of fury as he lunged forward.

Without a second thought, he snatched the grenade and hurled it back out the window.

BOOM!!

The explosion roared, and a blinding fireball erupted in mid-air.

The windows of nearby buildings shattered from the shockwave, and the entire street shook.

After a moment of dead silence...

"Aaaah!"

"Run!"

A cacophony of panicked screams erupted from the street below.

But amid the chaos...

"Hahaha!"

"You lot from the Superpower Bureau really have a death wish!"

A coarse, contemptuous laugh echoed from the street.

Covered in dust and lying on the floor by the window, Gao Hu’s expression turned savage, his eyes so bloodshot it looked as if they might burst.

Ma Kui!

Ma Kui!!

He would never forget that voice. His eyes burned with hatred.

The sound of gunfire continued from downstairs; the other members of the stakeout team were exchanging fire with the Iron Sand gang.

In a flash, his eyes darted to the monitor screens.

The black car their men were using for cover was being torn to shreds, riddled with bullet holes. Panting and gunfire crackled over the comms; someone was clearly hit.

Seven or eight Iron Sand members armed with shotguns and automatic rifles had them pinned down, unable to return fire.

The powerfully built Ma Kui stood by the roller door of the Prosthetic Clinic, the cybernetic lines on his face and neck glowing with a brown light as he watched the scene with a cold sneer.

"You think you people can fight me?"

"Taking out that Zheng City last time was boring. Wiping out your whole squad today, now *that* will be fun! Hahaha!!"

His wild, arrogant laughter echoed down the street. Inside, the team members racked the slides of their weapons, their faces contorted with rage and killing intent.

But before they could open fire...

RAT-A-TAT-TAT-TAT!

A stream of bullets sprayed in from the window, forcing everyone to keep their heads down. The shots even shattered the monitors, leaving the team completely blind.

Faintly...

...the sound of another pin being pulled from a grenade sent a jolt of alarm through Gao Hu.

Gritting his teeth, he was about to leap down and charge Ma Kui, risking the submachine gun fire just to buy time for backup from the Bureau.

But then, in the next instant...

"Hello? Vice Captain Gao."

The static in his earpiece suddenly gave way to a clear voice.

Gao Hu froze on the spot. The other team members also paused, stunned by the voice on the comms.

"Ca-Captain Lu?" Gao Hu replied instinctively, feeling as if even the gunfire around them had fallen silent.

"It’s me."

Having confirmed his safety, the young man on the other end of the comms sounded as if he’d breathed a sigh of relief.

Then...

...before anyone could react, the voice on the comms continued, "Just keep yourselves safe."

"As for the rest... I’m here."

WHOOSH!!!

A sonic boom ripped through the air, howling like a dragon.

A flying car seemed to tear through the sky, launching from the City Circle and rocketing toward them!