Barty stood up from his chair, offering a slight bow of respect as he greeted Jian Gang. "Good to see you again," he said, his tone polite but warm.
Jian Gang gave a casual wave, his demeanor relaxed. "Oh, Barty, hey," he replied with a slight grin. "Still the one holding everything together, huh?"
Barty chuckled softly. "Doing what I can. With all that's happening, it's no small task."
Jian Gang's sharp eyes scanned the room, briefly landing on Alex, who was still engrossed in fixing his armor. "Seems like the situation's getting intense. What's the plan?"
Gariel stepped forward, his arms crossed, his expression serious. "I fought Liebbe Castro earlier. He has a new power—a massive bell he summons above. It stuns everyone nearby with a single ring."
