A War of Attrition

—(Are you stalling as well? What are you stalling for?)

Splurt was so astonished that his body quivered.

—(No, that cannot be.)

Yet, Splurt immediately dismissed this possibility because, in his mind, Oleg was nothing more than a "muscle brain". How could he employ cunning schemes?

Nonetheless, Oleg's composed demeanor compelled Splurt to reevaluate the night's events, and only then did he belatedly recall Nassar being manipulated against his will.

Oleg's level of strategizing was nowhere near devising such a scheme.

Splurt understood that someone must have advised Oleg, and this person's tactics were far from over!

The pressure on the scene now shifted to Splurt, who had to strike first... but he hesitated, as Oleg might be bluffing.

"Frightened, Splurt? I am not the same person I was before!"

Oleg's fists, like iron hammers, resounded with a clanging noise as his expression grew increasingly self-assured.