章 166: Saved

Exiting the store, our hands laden with bags, we once again navigated the cramped alleyway. However, our progress was halted as two men bumped into me.

"Sorry," I muttered, attempting to continue forward.

But before I could proceed, a hand seized my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. "You got a problem, fool?" one of the men growled aggressively, his tone laden with menace.

I turned around and said while Eva got quickly behind me, "No, it was an accident."

Yet, rather than defusing the situation, my response seemed to stoke the flames of the man's anger even further. Abruptly, I felt the force of his hand connect with my head, sending a sharp jolt through my senses as my skull was thrust to the side.

Gritting my teeth, I absorbed the blow with stoic resolve, meeting the man's enraged gaze with an unwavering stare. "Are you satisfied now?" I challenged, my voice devoid of emotion. "Can we go now?"