Arriving at the dock, Caius immediately heard the sounds of a heated argument. A crowd had gathered at the warehouse entrance.


    As he approached, he saw not just onlookers but also members of the Crab Gang—about twenty or so of them.


    At the forefront of the group stood a burly man with a steel crab claw for an arm, smirking arrogantly as he confronted the warehouse owner, Nick.


    "That mercenary? Hah, you really think he''s coming back with the remaining payment?"


    "Let me tell you the truth, Nick—I had fifty of my men waiting for him on his way back. Even if he does return, it''ll probably just be his head!"


    "As for the payment?"


    "Once Rodney is back, I''ll trade your payment for that crate of liquor in your warehouse. How about that?"


    "Hahaha!" The Crab Gang members burst into laughter, while Nick’s expression darkened.


    Sean Dorian—the leader of the Crab Gang and the owner of the three-star-rated Crab Tavern.


    Though Sean had the Title of [Iron Claw], he wasn’t a true Title-ranked powerhouse. It was more of a street moniker than a testament to strength.


    Still, with his Gold Seven-Star rating and a gang of loyal followers, he strutted through the outer city as if he owned it—like a crab walking sideways.


    Last time, he had failed to get his hands on the liquor he wanted. Clearly, he wasn’t ready to let it go. Early in the morning, he had already brought his men to cause trouble.


    Nick had his own guards, but they were no match for Sean’s men.


    "Well? Give it some thought?" Sean exhaled a thick puff of cigar smoke into Nick’s face, making him cough violently. The Crab Gang members laughed again.


    Just then, a commotion broke out in the back of the crowd. A Crab Gang member was suddenly sent flying, crashing into his comrades like a bowling ball knocking down pins.


    Sean’s expression darkened. "Which blind fool dares to mess with the Crab Gang?!"


    Turning his head, he saw a massive man—bigger than himself—standing beside a horse-drawn carriage. The surrounding spectators instinctively moved aside, clearing a path for him.


    The man wore a broad grin.


    "You must be the boss of the Crab Gang," Caius said, striding forward fearlessly despite the hostile glares from the gang members.


    Sean’s face turned grim the moment he recognized Caius.


    He had never seen him before, but he had done his research. The mercenary Nick had hired was said to be a huge man. This had to be him.


    And if he was here, it could only mean one thing…


    "Where''s Rodney?" Sean asked.


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    "You mean that mage?" Caius pretended to think, then grinned. "Dead. Died a miserable death."


    "You know, his fireballs were pretty strong. Gave me a nice shave. My stubble’s never been this clean." Caius rubbed his chin playfully.


    Sean’s chest heaved violently with rage.


    His two most trusted subordinates were gone. None of the men he sent out had returned.


    Well, one had—dragging back Melbourne’s corpse.


    At that moment, Sean’s gaze turned murderous. With a slight nod, his men encircled Caius.


    "Kid, you’re pretty cocky." Sean stepped up, exhaling another puff of cigar smoke directly into Caius’ face in an obvious provocation.


    Sean was a well-built man, standing at 1.9 meters, his muscles thick and imposing.


    But Caius was even taller by a few centimeters. His muscles were more defined, and unlike Sean, he lacked a beer belly.


    "Do you even know whose turf you’re standing on?" Sean sneered, blowing out another cloud of smoke.


    Caius remained unaffected, his grin growing even wider.


    "Cocky? Hahaha, you’ve got me all wrong." He stuffed his hands into his pockets and leaned back slightly, making himself seem even taller despite the small difference in height.


    "I’m actually a very friendly guy—especially to friends."


    "But to enemies…"


    Caius'' expression suddenly turned savage. A crushing aura radiated from him, like a lion baring its fangs.


    "I rip their heads off and shove them up their asses!"


    "Now scram, you dumb bastard. I’ve got deliveries to make. I’ll deal with you later."


    Turning away, he walked toward the carriage.


    Three gang members blocked his path.


    Without breaking stride, Caius grabbed one by the head and hurled him aside. The man screamed as he flew through the air.


    The other two immediately backed off. They knew they weren’t a match for this beast of a man, and his sheer presence was suffocating.


    Caius continued leading his carriage toward the warehouse. The gang members parted to let him through, glancing anxiously at their leader.


    Sean’s face had turned deathly cold. Just as Caius passed him, he extended his iron claw and clamped it down onto the carriage, stopping the horses in their tracks.


    "Did I say you could leave?" Sean growled.


    Caius chuckled, then reached out and began prying open Sean’s iron claw with his bare hand.


    Sean’s expression shifted.


    This guy’s strength…


    He couldn’t afford to lose face in front of his men. He roared as a burst of energy erupted from his body. Seven golden-lined veins of vital energy swirled around him, and he began forcing Caius’ hand back down.


    "Arm wrestling, huh?" Caius grinned.


    Suddenly, his own veins of vital energy flared to life.


    Only then did the onlookers realize—this massive man was only Silver Five-Star.


    Yet he was arm-wrestling a Gold Seven-Star!


    Their hands locked in midair.


    Sean’s veins bulged on his forehead, his face flushing red as he exerted all his strength.


    Meanwhile, Caius remained as relaxed as ever, his smile unwavering.


    What made it even more terrifying was that Sean’s iron claw could normally crush a man’s arm with ease.


    Yet Caius’ hand didn’t budge. It was like trying to squeeze solid steel.


    Caius’ eyes gleamed with contempt.


    He had spent years forging metal with his old master. These hands could grab red-hot iron—what was a mere iron claw to him?


    "Honestly, if it weren’t for the Anti-Magic laws in Ocean City and the enforcers nearby, I’d rip that claw right off your arm," Caius said flatly.


    "Heh, and I’d use this claw to snip your head off!" Sean spat back, his voice icy.


    "Oh?" Caius arched an eyebrow, then grinned wickedly. "Then I’ve changed my mind."


    A terrifying surge of energy erupted from his body. The silver-lined veins of vital energy twisted and condensed, transforming into golden-lined veins—five of them!


    His entire body swelled, his muscles bulging.


    His once-loose clothing now clung tightly to his frame, and his grin turned utterly savage.


    Poor Sean. He had chosen the wrong opponent for a contest of strength.


    This moment of exertion had completed the final refinement of Caius’ Magic Core, triggering a Magic Torrent within him.


    In an instant, his rank skyrocketed.


    He was no longer Silver Five-Star.


    He was now Gold Five-Star!


    Sean stared at him in terror, unable to comprehend how Caius had jumped from Silver to Gold in an instant.


    But Caius didn’t care.


    His grip tightened, and Sean’s iron claw—normally unbreakable—began bending like putty.


    His maniacal grin embodied sheer arrogance, and his cold voice sent shivers down Sean’s spine.


    "No need to wait."


    "I’ll rip your claw off right now!"