"Silver Light Fist!"

A figure descended from mid-air, his fist shimmering with silver light as it collided with Nivek's outstretched left hand.

"Silver Iron Fist."

"Scarlet Claws."

Silver and red collided, and the red energy was clearly suppressed. Nivek's claws immediately began to retract after the blow.

Clutching his right hand, Nivek stumbled back several steps. Seizing the god-sent opportunity, Ed quickly put distance between himself and his pursuer.

Most of the exposed skin on Nivek's body was now covered with scarlet, thorn-like markings.

It was only then that Ed noticed the Joker's skin and face, previously damaged by flames, had recovered significantly. Even his burned eyelids had healed. This level of self-healing is unbelievable, he thought.

Nivek's scarlet eyes glared at the uninvited attacker standing before him, and then at his prey.

"Leave, clown, or do you want to die here?"

A cold voice rang out, making Nivek grit his teeth in anger.

Nivek looked at Elena, then at Ed, who was crouching at her feet. Noticing his gaze, Ed pointed a defiant middle finger at him, and Nivek's anger hit its peak.

"Oh, so he really is one of yours."

Then, fixing his scarlet gaze on Ed, who had no intention of lowering his finger, he growled, "He must die!"

Ed observed his opponent, who had once been covered in burns and looked miserable, was now rapidly recovering. The scarlet thorns across his body seemed to enhance his power and accelerate his healing.

Although Ed wanted to curse the other man's entire family, especially his mother, he thought better of it. Maybe he'd explode if I insulted his mother like a protagonist, he reasoned.

Besides, I can't save my own skin right now, even this middle finger is only thanks to Elena's silver fist. He held back the vulgar impulse and spat out only a few casual words, though saying them felt like something inside him broke. After all, this man had not only broken into his house and chased him halfway across the city, but had also exposed his identity, let the guards shoot him, and forced him to use his ultimate trap card, his only protective artifact, given to him by his cheap captain. Naturally, admitting defeat felt like eating shit.

"I am defeated."

For a moment, Nivek's scarlet-tinged eyes widened, filling with a rage and bloodlust so intense it was as if he had heard the world's worst curse, something more humiliating than the foulest insult to his wife or mother.

Seeing his reaction, Elena knew there was no chance Nivek would let Ed go. Without hesitation, she kicked out. A strong silver light enveloped her leg and shot forward.

Nivek raised his hands to defend himself, but the force still sent him stumbling back.

Seizing the opportunity, Elena crouched down, lifted Ed as if he weighed nothing, and hoisted him onto her back without a second thought. Caught off guard, Ed subconsciously wrapped his arms around her neck and his legs around her waist like a koala, resting his head on her shoulder.

Elena paused at his clingy behavior, but with no time to spare, she pushed off the ground with her feet and dashed away swiftly.

Her figure streaked through the air like a silver arrow.

As the two disappeared into the distance, Nivek's bloodshot eyes burned with fury. Angry groans and the grinding of teeth escaped his mouth, like the howl of a wounded wolf.

He wanted to give chase, but a firm hand suddenly clamped down on his shoulder, holding him in place.

The leader of Shark Bite, who had appeared unnoticed, spoke coldly, "Why are you so reckless? Have you forgotten what I told you to do?"

Moments later, the captain of the guard also arrived with a large group of soldiers, ready to take credit as background decoration. After all, they and Nivek had run out of the city at the same time, but only now had they caught up. Does that make any sense? Ed would have wondered. Clearly, they had no intention of fighting a crazed, wanted criminal on their low wages.

Many of the flowers and plants nearby still smoldered, a testament to the fierce battle that had taken place.

Looking at Nivek, whose clothes were torn and skin was singed, the captain asked the obvious question with such a serious expression that everyone wanted to kill him. "Did he get away?"

By then, Nivek had regained his composure. The makeup on his face had burned away in the fire.

He turned and walked past the captain without a word, showing no interest in answering.

Watching Nivek walk away, the captain of the guard turned to the burly, bald man with a shark tattoo.

"Keep an eye on your dog. He seems out of control," The captain said with a sigh, before walking back toward the city with his men.

…

"Edward, can you hold on?"

Elena's voice held a note of urgency as she addressed Ed, who had fallen silent on her back.

The faint chill against her back made her aware of his precarious condition. His face was pale, his lips had turned blue, and blood continued to gush from his injuries.

Though utterly exhausted and wanting to close his eyes, Ed inhaled her faint, sweet perfume, which was quite to his liking, and replied weakly with a smile.

"Don't worry, I can still manage. By the way, your perfume smells nice. What's it called?"

"Stop talking nonsense, is this really the time for that? Hold on a little longer. We're almost there."

Although Elena wanted to give Ed a love-tap for trying to flirt even in this state, she held back considering his condition. "Just stay awake," She said nervously, a faint silver light radiating from her back to stabilize him as she quickened her pace.

Blood poured steadily from the gory hole in Ed's arm and the five deep gashes across his chest.

Combined with the long chase and his fatigue, Ed was nearing his limit. If not for his wandering mind keeping him conscious, thinking all kinds of nonsense, like what would Elena's breast size be, or what color bra is she wearing? If he peeked inside her collar, or how would she react if he "accidentally" kissed her cheek? he might have fainted long ago.

But after five minutes, he got answers to all his doubts. Not only did he manage to see Elena's plain blue bra (She definitely has no taste in lingerie, he noted), but he also planted a kiss on her cheek. To his disappointment, she didn't react at all and continued running.

Having nothing else to distract himself and stay awake, he settled on another topic.

"Do you know that crazy clown who was chasing me?"

Hearing Ed's weak voice, Elena answered while running. "He's part of the Shark Bite Gang, a combatant on their ship. A cruel madman."

Ed nodded, his head barely able to focus. Like a drunk, he replied faintly, "That sounds about right. But don't worry, I'll definitely take revenge for everything he did to me today, with interest... Heavy interest!"

Elena didn't expect such fierce words from Ed in his state. After a pause, she asked, "How did he find you?"

Even weakened, Ed couldn't help but feel exasperated by the question.

In a heavy, tired voice, his eyes half-closed, he rubbed his cheek against her shoulder, which felt strangely pleasant, and replied, "I wasn't exposed. I… provoked him for fun."

Then, while irritating Elena by continually rubbing his cheek against her like a kitten, he began recounting what had happened.

Elena kept moving. Although she tried to push Ed's face away, it was no use. Helpless, she let him have his way and listened as he narrated his tale.

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