The leader of Pedro, Sol, is an orthodox genetic warrior. As for whether he is the strongest in this area, that’s hard to say.
The group left the tavern, heading southwards.
To Zhang Xiaoman’s surprise, the location of the other side’s base was exactly the black market he had been looking for.
"Could it be that this guy is the person I’m looking for?"
A guess surfaced in his mind.
There is a reason for this speculation. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by Novᴇ(l)Fɪre .ɴᴇt
Although the black market frequently has military equipment unavailable elsewhere, finding a brand-new Corona Combat Suit was incredibly rare.
So, this should not just be a simple coincidence.
Sure enough, when Zhang Xiaoman followed the group to their destination, he found it indeed matched Yang Yangyang’s description, confirming it was undoubtedly the same place.
The number of people in the black market was noticeably larger than elsewhere.
It was a place resembling a large bar, with homeless people sitting in the corners blankly, their hollow eyes devoid of any hope.
Many burly men dressed as mercenaries gathered, chatting with each other, some holding glasses filled with the pink Langke wine Zhang Xiaoman had just tasted.
This wine was one of the few things they could still produce after the apocalypse.
Zhang Xiaoman also noticed numerous humans whose bodies had been altered inside.
Some had mechanical arms installed, others mechanical legs, and some even had a horrifying hole on their cheek, fitted with a metallic eye.
They seemed to be individuals injured during missions, returning here to be refitted with bio-prosthetics.
Sol’s shop was well-recognizable at the stair’s end deep within the black market.
Sol appeared to be a sturdy, well-proportioned middle-aged man in his thirties, carrying the unique mature ruggedness of an experienced man.
Although he had long ears too, unlike Narui and the others, Sol’s appearance leaned more towards a Western Water Blue Star person.
He also had short golden hair, somewhat similar to that Sol from the movies.
Zhang Xiaoman was not unfamiliar with this type of face; he had seen one or two like it at the Survivor Camp.
According to Narui’s description, these people were Audock Star People, also known as Imperial People.
Or rather, they had more Imperial People ancestry.
"Boss, boss... I found the person you wanted; he’s also a genetic warrior with strong power, knocking Maldo away with a punch."
The rough man, Pedro, behaved sheepishly, not matching his rough appearance.
The others, too, instinctively stopped in their tracks, unwilling to approach when they saw the man before them.
It was apparent they were very afraid of him.
Understandably so, given the unpleasant incidents that must have occurred when an outsider wanted to reign over these local tyrants.
Upon hearing this, Sol immediately put down the parts he was handling and looked towards where Zhang Xiaoman was standing.
"You’re a genetic warrior?"
After observing him for a moment, he suddenly asked with some suspicion.
Zhang Xiaoman was currently restraining his Awakener aura, which prevented Sol from sensing any pressure from him.
According to Sol’s professional judgment, the other’s demeanor did not resemble that of a genetic warrior.
Zhang Xiaoman did not offer much explanation but instead extended his palm, gently pressing on the table before him.
In an instant, the entire table, as if hit by enormous force, collapsed to the ground.
Sol’s steps, initially moving forward, paused.
He looked down at the scattered metal table and then up at Zhang Xiaoman’s right hand, eyes filled with awe.
"Such terrifying strength..."
He marveled secretly.
Even as an instructor in the Federation’s Eighth Mecha Corps, his strength could not reach the level displayed by this man.
The metal table, although it appeared unremarkable and rusted, was made from industrial alloy.
Destroying it with sheer physical strength was exceedingly difficult.
Moreover, Sol noticed there were no excess movements when the other exerted force.
A simple nonchalant press produced such power, something he utterly could not achieve.
"Such strength... doesn’t resemble an Awakener; it seems more like a mutant..."
He murmured to himself, reassessing the man before him.
The man wore an outfit of mixed colors, which, although reminiscent of Audock Star ceremonial attire, Sol was sure it wasn’t formal wear.
This was obvious from the clothing’s loose, convenient design.
It should be combat wear!
The man seemed not to appear any stronger, possessing a pure Guleng Star People face, with no visible muscular build to suggest such strength.
"But... if he were a mutant, he wouldn’t look ... Wait! His ears!"