Hulk : The Thunderstrike

Following the office's orders, Antonia and Ethan were assigned to patrol an area under the jurisdiction of the Huxi Police Station—Southwest sandRoad.

This region, located near Yat Primary School, was far more chaotic than Ding Street. It wasn't just densely populated but also crowded with high-rise buildings. At the southwest corner, many old houses awaited demolition.

The mix of old and new, combined with the proximity to schools, created an environment resembling an urban-rural borderline. Complex terrain, a diverse population, and urban sprawl made it a challenging zone to manage.

As the two officers moved through the streets, Ethan couldn't stop talking about the disappearance of the municipal leader's child.

"The reward is no joke!" Ethan exclaimed, gesturing animatedly.

"One hundred thousand in cash!" he continued. "And think about the accolades from solving this case, plus the credit for nabbing criminals. The benefits are endless! It's a ticket to the top!"

Antonia raised a skeptical brow but kept silent.

"Mark my words," Ethan added dramatically, "If someone cracks this case, it'll be life-changing!"

Despite Ethan's enthusiasm, Antonia couldn't help but feel helpless. Without the ability to pinpoint criminals within range, solving this case seemed like finding a needle in a haystack. Chicago was too vast, and with no leads, 24 hours felt impossible.

Ethan, noticing Antonia's silence, shrugged and changed the subject. "Let's just hope for the best."

He sighed but quickly returned to his usual cheerful tone. "Hey, Brother Antonia, you started yesterday and caught so many criminals. What's your secret?"

As the two approached a small breakfast shop, Antonia stopped abruptly.

"The secret to catching thieves?" Antonia said, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Before Ethan could reply, Antonia darted forward and grabbed a young man with yellow hair who had just stepped out of the shop.

Swoosh!

With one swift motion, Antonia lifted the man off the ground like a sack of flour.

"Ahhh! Let me go!" the yellow-haired man screamed, flailing helplessly.

Antonia tightened his grip, glaring at him.

[Name: Tom, Age: 23, Profession: Thief, Criminal Record: Yes.]

Antonia smirked.

Tom stared at the towering figure holding him. He was over 2.3 meters tall, built like a tank, and radiated a menacing aura.

"Big brother, please, I didn't do anything wrong!" Tom pleaded, his voice trembling. "Let me go, and I'll give you whatever you want!"

Ethan's jaw dropped as he watched the scene unfold. He rushed forward, grabbing Antonia's arm.

"Brother Antonia, what are you doing?" Ethan cried. "We're police officers, not vigilantes! We can't just grab people off the street!"

Inside and outside the breakfast shop, onlookers froze, staring at the bizarre scene. Some whispered amongst themselves, while others tried to inch closer for a better view.

Antonia ignored them all. His piercing gaze remained fixed on Tom.

"Talk," Antonia demanded coldly. "What were you doing in there?"

Tom's face went pale.

He glanced at the growing crowd and then back at Antonia. The man looked more terrifying than the toughest gangster he'd ever encountered.

"I'll talk!" Tom blurted, tears streaming down his face. "I stole a watch from a girl in there, but I swear, I didn't mean any harm!"

The crowd gasped.

Even Ethan was stunned. He let go of Antonia's arm, taking a step back in disbelief.

"Senior Brother," Antonia said with a smirk, turning to Ethan. "Did you see that? This is my secret to catching thieves."

---

The southwest corner of the road was alive with activity. Antonia and Ethan continued their patrol, though Ethan now looked at Antonia with newfound respect.

"Brother Antonia, you're incredible!" Ethan said, almost starstruck.

Antonia chuckled. "It's not about strength or intimidation. It's about observation and confidence."

As the two moved deeper into the district, Antonia suddenly paused.

"What is it?" Ethan asked, scanning the area nervously.

Antonia didn't reply. Instead, he moved toward an alley where a group of teenagers huddled suspiciously.

"Stay close," Antonia whispered to Ethan.

The teenagers noticed the approaching officers and began to scatter.

"Not so fast!" Antonia bellowed, his voice echoing through the alley.

In a flash, Antonia grabbed two of them by their collars, lifting them effortlessly.

"Alright," he said, his tone icy. "Start talking. What are you up to?"

The teenagers exchanged nervous glances, their bravado crumbling under Antonia's intimidating presence.

"We weren't doing anything!" one of them stammered.

"Lying won't help," Antonia replied, his gaze piercing. "Empty your pockets."

Reluctantly, the teenagers complied, revealing stolen wallets, phones, and even a few watches.

Ethan stepped forward, shaking his head. "Unbelievable. These kids are barely out of school!"

Antonia sighed, lowering the teenagers but keeping a firm grip on their shoulders.

"Why?" he asked, his voice softer now. "Why steal?"

The teenagers looked down, shame written all over their faces.

"Times are tough," one of them mumbled.

Antonia sighed again, signaling Ethan to call for backup.

---

By the end of their shift, Antonia and Ethan had apprehended three more suspects, bringing their total to six for the day.

"Brother Antonia," Ethan said as they returned to the station, "you're a natural at this. Seriously."

Antonia shook his head. "It's not about being natural. It's about doing what's right."

Ethan grinned. "Well, you've definitely earned my respect."

As they entered the station, their colleagues greeted them with applause. Even Rex, the station's director, couldn't hide his approval.

"Antonia," Rex said, patting him on the back, "you've outdone yourself again. Keep up the good work."

Antonia nodded, his expression serious.

But as he sat down at his desk, his thoughts drifted back to the missing child. Time was running out, and they still had no leads.

---

Later that evening, Antonia found himself alone, reviewing case files. The room was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of paper.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed.

It was a message from Marco: "We may have a lead on the child. Meet me at the corner of Max Avenue."

Antonia's heart raced. He grabbed his coat and headed out, determination etched on his face.

The clock was ticking, and he knew every second counted.

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