9:30 PM.
Jax stood at the shop entrance. Checked his revolver cylinder.
Six rounds. Full.
Holstered it. Grabbed a wrench from the rack. Tucked it behind his back.
Old Joe leaned against the doorframe. Drinking.
"You really going?"
Jax didn't turn.
"If I don't, they don't make it."
Old Joe was quiet for a few seconds.
"Kid's been with you a few days. You already attached?"
Jax finally turned. Looked at him.
"When you brought her back, you didn't ask who she was either."
Old Joe blinked.
Then grinned.
"Alright. You got some of me in you."
He drained the bottle. Smashed it on the ground.
"Let's go. I'm with you."
Jax looked at him.
Old Joe patted his mechanical left arm.
"Haven't fought in twenty years. Good day to stretch."
---
Seventh District Junkyard.
Edge of The Underbelly.
Piled high with waste from the upper levels. Broken machines. Rotting corpses. Moldy electronics. Air thick with stench—oil and death mixed together.
In the center, a clearing.
Someone stood there.
No. Not someone.
A figure covered in silver metal. Half his face was human skin. The other half exposed metal bone. Right eye was a red optical lens. Spinning slow.
Black robe. Hem dragging.
Behind him, twenty Hunters.
Black armor. Sharp blades. Red eyes.
Jax and Old Joe appeared at the edge.
Xiao Qi and the woman weren't there.
Jax told them to stay in the shop. Doors locked. Windows closed.
"They're here."
Mechanic Demon's voice sounded like grinding metal.
His red lens focused on Jax.
"Underbelly citizen. Unknown ID. Name?"
Jax didn't answer.
Old Joe stepped forward.
"Mechanic Demon. Twenty years and you're still alive?"
The lens shifted to him.
"Bone-saw Old Joe. The trash that got away."
Old Joe grinned.
"Trash? I got away then. I can take you again today."
Mechanic Demon didn't move.
Voice flat.
"Where is M5-0047? Where is the child?"
Jax spoke.
"Didn't bring them."
The lens swung back.
"Didn't bring them?"
Jax nodded.
"Didn't bring them."
Two seconds of silence.
Then Mechanic Demon smiled.
Half human face. Half machine. Chilling.
"You know the consequences?"
Jax drew his revolver.
Aimed.
"Yeah."
Mechanic Demon looked at him. Said nothing.
Twenty Hunters raised their arms. Blades gleaming in the moonlight.
Old Joe moved closer.
"Kid. You got this?"
Jax didn't answer.
Finger on the trigger.
In the sights, Mechanic Demon's red lens stared back.
Red light flashed.
---
**BANG—**
Gunshot.
But not from Jax.
From the other side of the junkyard.
Bullet grazed Mechanic Demon's ear. Hit a Hunter behind him.
Head exploded. Sparks flew. Dropped hard.
Mechanic Demon whipped around.
From the shadows, a figure stepped out.
Woman. Long black trench coat. Collar up. Right arm bandaged—Jax's work from days ago.
Mechanical Hunter.
She walked into the moonlight. Long rifle in her hand.
Smoke curling from the barrel.
Mechanic Demon's lens locked on.
"Who are you?"
She didn't answer.
Raised the rifle. Aimed at him.
"He saved me once. I'm returning the favor."
Jax looked at her. Said nothing.
Old Joe chuckled.
"Kid. When'd you meet someone like her?"
Mechanic Demon's expression changed.
His mechanical eye spun. Scanning.
From the shadows, more figures emerged.
Scavengers covered in rust.
Lunatics with chainsaws.
A little girl with a doll—not Xiao Qi. Red dress. Creepy smile.
More.
Old Joe blinked.
"This is..."
Jax blinked too.
Then understood.
The Underbelly.
People he'd helped. People he'd scared. They all came.
Mechanic Demon finished scanning.
"Underbelly residents... seventeen... no, nineteen... threat level... low."
He sneered.
"This trash?"
The girl with the doll stepped forward.
Looked up at him.
"Uncle. Can you fix my doll?"
Mechanic Demon's lens focused.
"What?"
She grinned.
Her smile stretched to her ears.
**"Mommy says bad people's parts can be used for the doll."**
Mechanic Demon's pupils contracted.
---
**[Chapter Eight · End]**
**[Ding! Achievement triggered: Underbelly Unity. Basic EXP +300.]**
**[Ding! Mechanical Blood Infant's favorability toward you +20.]**