Hulk : The Thunderstrike

Originally, after hearing Antonia's words, Sam felt a sense of relief.

But as soon as Antonia continued speaking, Sam nearly blew his lid.

Good grief! On your first day at work, you're already giving your master a hard time?!

But then again, considering what Antonia had accomplished today...

One pickpocket, one Class A wanted criminal, and now two traffickers!

Unbelievable.

Even Sam had to admit—this was a record to envy.

With no words to rebut, Sam remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Seeing this, the others couldn't hold back their laughter.

Even some of the leaders from the city bureau, including Rex and Matt, along with senior officers at the Chicago Police Station, joined in the good-natured humor about the master-and-apprentice duo.

During the chuckles and chatter, the ambulance finally arrived.

The two abducted children showed no immediate life-threatening injuries, but the sedatives injected into their systems required further medical attention. They were promptly sent to the hospital for observation.

As for the two traffickers, their guilt was undeniable.

Caught red-handed with irrefutable evidence, they had no room to deny their crimes.

The city bureau leaders, led by Mark, couldn't stop praising Antonia for his sharp instincts and decisive actions.

"Well done. The citywide anti-trafficking operation hasn't officially begun, and your Chicago precinct has already made an impressive start."

Mark smiled, visibly pleased. "I'll make sure to report this to my superiors. Rest assured, appropriate commendations will follow."

After exchanging formalities, Mark, Rex, and the other city bureau leaders excused themselves, leaving behind an air of approval and admiration.

It was clear Antonia had left a lasting impression.

When the high-ranking officers had departed, congratulations poured in for Antonia from all directions. He accepted the praise humbly, his demeanor calm and collected.

Back in the station's lounge, a senior officer brought refreshments. Antonia politely chose a bottle of mineral water.

With a tilt of his head, he downed the entire 500ml bottle in one go, as if it were no more than a shot of espresso.

The sight left several senior officers momentarily dumbfounded.

Antonia, however, was unfazed.

In truth, his mind was elsewhere—focused on a sudden notification from his system.

---

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You've captured two human traffickers. Reward: Primary Golden Bell!]

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[Primary Golden Bell: When activated, this skill creates an invisible shield around the host's body, capable of withstanding a certain level of physical damage.]

Antonia's eyes lit up with excitement. A protective skill? Perfect!

Though his physical strength was formidable, he was still human. Injuries were an occupational hazard, but avoiding harm altogether was ideal.

Activating the Golden Bell, Antonia could sense its defensive capabilities. While it wasn't invincible, it could easily fend off ordinary weapons like knives or blunt objects.

Satisfied, he couldn't wait to put his new skill to good use.

Just as he was about to experiment further, a senior officer interrupted him.

"Antonia, it's time. The meeting's starting. Let's go!"

Antonia thanked her, then headed to the precinct's conference room.

---

The room was abuzz with energy.

Rex and Matt were leading the discussion, laying out the framework for the citywide anti-trafficking campaign.

The message was clear:

The Chicago precinct would spearhead a one-month, 24/7 operation to combat human trafficking.

Two shifts would ensure constant patrol and surveillance, with nearly thirty officers working tirelessly to uncover and dismantle trafficking networks.

While the mission was daunting, the rewards were enticing.

Every trafficker apprehended meant monetary incentives, additional vacation days, and significant career advancements.

It didn't take much to energize the officers. The prospect of contributing to a meaningful cause—and reaping personal benefits—was more than enough to ignite their enthusiasm.

Antonia, too, was motivated. Armed with his unique identification skills, he was confident in his ability to surpass expectations.

As the room buzzed with determination, Rex nodded in approval, preparing to adjourn the meeting.

But just as he was about to speak, an officer burst into the room, his expression grave.

Without wasting a moment, he hurried to Rex's side, whispering something urgent.

The whispered exchange was brief but impactful. Rex's face darkened visibly.

"No leads at all?" he asked, his voice strained.

The officer shook his head. "The only information we've got is that the individual went missing just over an hour ago. The traffic department confirms they're still in Chicago."

Chicago—a sprawling metropolis.

Rex's brows furrowed deeply, his mind racing.

Sensing the tension, the room fell silent, all eyes on the unfolding situation.

After a pause, Rex addressed the room.

"Comrades, I've just received troubling news. The child of a high-ranking municipal official has been abducted from outside their school.

"The initial reports suggest the abduction occurred just over an hour ago."

A collective gasp rippled through the room.

Antonia's eyes narrowed.

The stakes had just been raised.

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