As Baldie's eyes widened in shock and pain, he struggled to break free from Dezhong's grasp. Blood oozed from his wound, staining the black and blue stones of the City Hall Road. The mysterious man's body quivered as he attempted to escape, but the claws embedded deep into his abdomen held him firmly in place.
Dezhong's heart pounded in his chest as he looked into Baldie's piercing, glowing red eyes. He could sense the desperation in the man, a fear that transcended the usual adrenaline-fueled combat. In the back of his mind, the cryptic message he had received before the battle echoed:
[Defeat the opponent before you and prevent him from escaping. Do whatever it takes.]
Dark Prince, the shadowy clone, watched with a mixture of curiosity and concern as Dezhong pressed on, his claws cutting deeper into their adversary's flesh. The clones surrounding Dezhong maintained their vigilance, ready to act should Baldie make a sudden move.
