Here's a possible revision of the first part of the chapter:

A grotesque weapon had taken shape in Arun's hands. Intended to be a spear, it was more like a long mace, with a blunt tip covered in tiny blades that resembled thorns. The weapon seemed designed to inflict as much pain as possible on its victims. The wood was coated in black iron, and the tip was now a deep black with irregular spikes growing all around its surface. This weapon was meant for torture, even more cruel than William's.

Arun was taken aback by his creation, but as he stared at it and weighed it in his hands, one thought came to mind: "Black rose. You will aid me."

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Walking down a familiar road, Arun felt his blood starting to boil all over again. It was the same alley where he had been ambushed by gangsters. A sudden wave of regret washed over him. If he had known what they were capable of, he would have found a way to finish them then and there. Even now, faced with the facts, he could not understand why people would go so far. Maybe they weren't human. Maybe they were beasts that needed to be culled before they caused more chaos and grief. He would decide this once he came face to face with the murderers.

The main street branched off into a maze of back alleys. Arun knew his way around the slums, especially the well-known areas like the market, but he had never explored these parts much, considering how dangerous they were.

Finally, a sign of life around the area. He could hear loud laughter and chatter in the distance. After a few more corners, the men came into view.

There were five of them, all engaged in a wrestling competition outside a recently vandalized stall. The owners were nowhere to be found, hopefully they had gotten out before things got ugly. Unfortunately, Arun could not appraise how strong they were because of his lack of ki, but judging by Paradox's reaction, they were at most medium human state.

" Gentlemen, I'm in need of directions," Arun made himself known, a fake, wide smile that looked more menacing than welcoming decorating his face.

"Beat it, kid, or we'll beat you," one of the thugs said with a laugh, then turned his attention back to their little competition. They seemed eager to see who was more macho.

"Hold on now, this might be entertaining," one of the fighters, a somewhat familiar figure, stopped to get a better look at Arun. "I believe I know this kid. Quite brave of you to come here after the stunt you pulled, little fella, especially considering your level of cultivation. You're just begging for a beating!"

Arun's expression quickly changed as his smile contorted in anger. It was one of his assailants from that night, that talkative thug...

"You... I am lucky to find one of you so quickly. You will pay for what you did!" he said as Black Rose materialized in his hands, pointed straight at the enemies.

The thugs, who had been amused by Arun's appearance just a moment ago, didn't find the appearance of Black Rose so funny. They immediately jumped and armed themselves with whatever they had available, be it knives or brass knuckles.

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"What are you scared of? He's just a kid, get him!" the talkative thug ordered. It seemed like he was the leader of this particular group.

"Paradox, don't interfere... let me have this."

Paradox wasn't too pleased with the order. He was worried about his master, but he couldn't exactly go against his orders. So, he found a middle way. Arun felt the electricity flowing through him as sparks went off around his frame and on his weapon.

"Huh...Is this your aura? I didn't know you could do this."

Unexpected indeed, but no more time to wonder about it now. One of the more fearless thugs was rushing him with his knife. A poor choice of action against a spear to be sure. Arun waited until he was in range, then he quickly thrust his spear into his belly. The momentum of the thug turned against him as he was sent tumbling on the ground. He landed right at the feet of his colleagues, a hole ripped in his clothing and electricity sparking from his body.

"It seems like Paradox's aura is burning up the wounds that Black Rose opens immediately," Arun noted as the gangsters pieced together what had just occurred. This wasn't the outcome they expected.

"C'mon guys, he's just one. Surround him before you attack, you buffoons!"

The shout from their leader made his remaining underlings come to their senses. Two of them were trying to use the wide street to their advantage by moving in for a flank outside Arun's reach, while another one faced him, ready to pounce on him if he attacked one of his allies.

"Like I'd let you!"

If he had some spare ki, he would have just hurled a normal technique at the enemy, but he'd have to make do with what he had. Those combat classes sure come in handy. Switching his stance, he grabbed the spear from the very bottom with one hand and swung vertically. The sudden increase in reach took the enemies, who were thinking they were outside his range, by surprise. Two of them managed to dodge it by a hair, but one of them didn't react in time and was forced to block the strike. Unfortunately for him, Black Rose didn't know mercy, and its fangs buried into his flesh, followed by Paradox's thunder.

"*** it!" the thug shouted as he was sent into the nearby wall. He wouldn't be using his arms to great effect anymore.

Two more remaining, but they had learned from their mistakes and were well outside his reach now. Well, if you don't come to the mountain, then the mountain will come to you. Arun switched stances again, this time gripping Black Rose like a staff.

Closing the distance with one of his opponents, Arun telegraphed a large overhead swing which didn't quite hit its mark but made his target retreat. Before the motion ended, however, he followed up by thrusting his spear backward. The second thug, who was trying to take advantage of Arun's blind spot, found himself surprised by the attack. He was brought to his knees, only to be hit again without mercy by a rotating strike and knocked out cold.

Faced with the prospect of 1v1ing the monster that easily took out his companions, the remaining thug took the same course of action that his buddy that got his arms injured took a while back: fleeing at top speed.

* Now where's the one that ambushed me. I have questions for him. *

Arun looked around for the talkative gangster but couldn't find him. Did he run away? He did not. Unfortunately for the kid his lack of ki meant he only realised what happened after the thugs hands wrapped around his neck.

" Invisibility technique " Arun struggled to mutter while his feet were dangling off the ground. He now remembered that this one was a mid-human stage, much more powerful than the current self.

" That's right kid. Gotta say, you put on quite the show. Quite a sting from such a little and frail bee " his grip tightened. Arun was now grasping desperately for air. " Oh, little bee wants to say something. Well don't be shy, say it! " the grip tightened again and his vision started blurring.