My Substitute CEO Bride

The masked man continued, "I followed the trail of the fire and searched in the distance, but all I found was this."

He pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Francel.

Francel took it, and tears began to stream down his face uncontrollably. It was candy-Smiley's favorite kind.

"W-Where?" Francel asked, his voice trembling.

The masked man pointed toward the only passage leading to the upper levels. "I don't know exactly what happened, but I advise you to give up.

"Among those people, there's someone incredibly powerful who's nearly at the Profound Oriental Realm. If you go, it's a death sentence."

Francel stood up with determination in his eyes. "Can you help me?"

The masked man looked puzzled. Both he and Francel were competitors; there was no reason to help each other. He shook his head. "I've already told you, going there now is useless..."

"Even you can't help me?" Francel asked, examining the man's weapon. He knew that if this mysterious figure fought alongside him, they might have a chance.

The masked man hesitated and then asked, "Why should I help you?"

Francel took off his bracelet and held it out. "Because of this."

The masked man let out a small, mocking laugh. "Do you think I can't beat you right now?"

Francel shook his head. "I'm well aware you can defeat me anytime. But aren't you even a little tempted by the power this could give you to strengthen your own body?"

Francel was experienced, and the masked man understood his intention. It was true; the masked man relied on his weapon because his physical strength was much weaker compared to others of the same level, forcing him to depend on external aids.

Even so, his capabilities were still quite limited.noveldrama

The masked man said, "Six rounds. I only have six bullets. If the plan fails, I won't hesitate to abandon you."

Francel nodded, and the two set off toward the upper levels under the cover of darkness. Fortunately, they caught up with the mastermind on the sky bridge connecting the upper and lower levels.

Francel then sensed a familiar yet strange energy nearby. His eyes widened as he looked ahead-it was Smiley. She had also awakened the true energy within her, and to his shock, she was wearing a participant's bracelet identical to his own.

Unable to believe his eyes, Francel rushed toward the group slowly approaching Smiley. In a flurry of quick movements, he knocked them down one by one.

As he cautiously approached Smiley, a figure suddenly snatched her away. Francel looked ahead and recognized the person it was Barther, the heir to the Patel family.

Barther had Smiley tightly restrained and threatened, "If you want this little girl to live, hand over the bracelet now!"

Francel had no choice but to remove his bracelet. To him, nothing mattered more than the people around him.

"Here's the bracelet! Now give me back my girl!" Francel shouted.

Barther released Smiley the moment Francel threw the bracelet toward him. As Smiley and the bracelet were airborne, Francel and Barther lunged toward each other almost simultaneously.