This boss had introduced himself earlier; his name was Zhao Hao.
He was a mining boss before, and when the apocalypse came, he collaborated with the officials, contributing money and effort to build a massive shelter.
However, he didn't mention that they were now hostile to the officials.
He wasn't stupid; how could he admit to carving out their own territory?
Now, the most important thing was to recruit Kaito and his team.
Whether it was genuine or not, only time would tell.
Zhao Hao had indeed seen the women. They were exactly as his men described… each with their unique charm, each breathtakingly beautiful.
He would be willing to shorten his life by 10 years for just one of them!
But he could also see that Kaito was the core. If Kaito agreed, the women would likely follow.
Then their guns would stop pointing at them.
Zhao Hao wasn't exactly afraid of guns, but in this environment, population was incredibly important. The people he brought were his direct subordinates, essentially his personal guard.
If he lost some of them, his influence would decrease significantly, and the other three bosses he allied with might absorb him!
What Zhao Hao never expected was that after all his persuasive talk, after downing several drinks, Kaito still refused him!?
Wasn't his offer good enough?
"Hehe, young friend, you're making this difficult for me."
"I'm not making it difficult. Just leave the way you came. We'll handle our own survival. We don't need anyone's help."
"Young friend, don't be so arrogant. I genuinely value your skills. I have no other intentions. Besides, you've seen the environmental conditions lately. Relying on just over a dozen people, with children, to survive… that's harder than climbing to heaven!"
"I know. But I still refuse, because I am strong enough."
With that, Kaito didn't want to say anything more.
Friend or foe, they would soon find out.
If they really wanted to fight, Kaito would have to kill them all without giving them another chance.
As for retaliation from their Wuming City United Chamber of Commerce...
That was something to consider. Over 3000 people...
But counting those who could fight, it shouldn't exceed a thousand; most were still ordinary people.
Of course, even if they all strengthened themselves with crystals, it didn't matter.
If it came to it, they'd fight!
Ordinary people with enhanced attributes were no match for him. It was the Espers they had to be careful of. Who knew what kinds there were?
Like the woman beside Zhao Hao, her ice ability was quite strong. She could quickly create an ice table and chairs. To some extent, she could also freeze a person instantly.
"I see... that's a real pity."
"Alright, since you disagree, young friend, so be it."
"But well, 'no deal, but still friends'. I truly want to befriend you. Let's at least have this drink!"
"After this drink, we are friends, brothers! If you ever find yourselves unable to survive here, our Wuming City United Chamber of Commerce will always welcome you!"
After speaking, Zhao Hao poured himself another cup, raised it with one hand, ready for a toast.
The rest...
Depended on whether Kaito would raise his cup and toast with him.
"..."
Kaito looked at his gesture, then at the cup of wine.
Erguotou...
He slowly reached out and raised the cup. Zhao Hao's eyes lit up with joy.
But as Kaito moved his hand forward, he suddenly slammed the cup hard onto Zhao Hao!
Caught off guard, even a fifth-grade powerhouse like Zhao Hao couldn't dodge. The cup hit him square in the face!
"Young friend... what do you mean by this? I genuinely wanted to toast with you!"
"Hahahaha, didn't I say? I'm not much of a drinker. Yet you still wanted me to drink... aren't you just trying to annoy me?"
Kaito's tone suddenly became flippant. He leaned back and casually placed his feet on the ice table.
"Was it that you didn't understand my implicit message, or did you really want me to toast with you?"
Saying he didn't like drinking was a refusal to drink.
Yet he still insisted. How could Kaito drink that?
'Who did he think he was?'
'He tells me to drink, so I drink?'
The most important thing was that Kaito suspected the wine was poisoned.
Even though Zhao Hao drank several cups without issue, who knew if he had taken an antidote beforehand?
Better safe than sorry. One must be wary of others!
"So, young friend, you prefer a forced drink to a toast, huh?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're right. So, you want to fight?"
His flippant demeanor suddenly turned domineering.
Kaito, still in a casual pose, slowly clapped his hands together, yet he exuded the presence of an emperor!
His aura erupted. Zhao Hao's pupils contracted involuntarily. He had no idea what happened to Kaito, but it suddenly made him feel a bit panicked.
This feeling was scarier than when he faced those powerful figures before the apocalypse!
"Fine, since you insist, young friend, let's forget it."
Zhao Hao tossed aside his cup, slowly withdrew his hand, stood up, and turned his back to Kaito.
"Young friend, take care of yourself."
!!!
The area where Kaito sat was suddenly hit with gravitational pressure.
At the same time, the ice chair he was on and the ice table where his feet rested suddenly spread ice towards him, as if trying to freeze him solid!
At that moment, all of Zhao Hao's subordinates launched their attack. The women on Kaito's side immediately started firing their guns, targeting the superpowered individuals and those with guns.
In an instant, the battle began!
"Don't hurt those women. You know what I mean."
Zhao Hao walked away slowly, unconcerned about the battle behind him. He gave an order to one of his leaders and was about to walk out the gate.
But...
Bang—!!
A wall of rock suddenly blocked his path!
"Hey, why the hurry to leave? Don't you want to stay and play a little longer?"