Whether in the Empire or the Kingdom, cities, with rare exceptions like Mushroom City, always see the growth of gangs in the cracks of power.
They are like vines in the shadows, quietly filling the gaps beyond the reach of the lord’s authority.
In areas where the lord’s governance is strict, gangs often appear in fragnted forms.
They might just be small groups of three to five people, each occupying one or two streets, or secretly monopolizing certain unassuming yet lucrative grey businesses, living cautiously like mice beneath the surface of the shiny city.
But in areas where the lord is dimwitted or lax, gangs will, after brutal blood-and-fire battles, gradually consolidate into one or two large underground forces, their tentacles penetrating every aspect of the city, with so becoming so large that they are called the "uncrowned king" of the area.
Even more so, so seemingly independent large gangs are actually just black gloves ticulously nurtured by so "big figures" on the surface, specifically handling the dirty work that cannot see the light.
This city where Tanaka currently resides is just like that.
An underground organization called the "Rust Coin Alliance," under the implicit or explicit indulgence of the local lord, firmly controls the city’s illegal trading network.
Under it, a large number of small groups are attached, handling all kinds of filthy dealings for this giant.
The "Rock Scorpion" is exactly such a small group attached to the "Rust Coin Alliance."
In their small territory, they engage in extortion, kidnapping, and similar activities, and hand over most of their profits in exchange for protection and operational permission from the Rust Coin Alliance.
Its core consists of a Gold Level leader, paired with two Silver Level lieutenants, plus seven or eight Copper Level minions, this is all of their mbers.
Tonight, this group is gathered in their hidden underground lair, celebrating their recent "bountiful harvest."
The sll of poor-quality ale mixed with the burnt fat of roasted at perates the cramped space, and no one notices the figure quietly awaiting sothing outside the room.
At first, a Copper Level minion sitting on the outermost edge fell headfirst into his plate, splashing grease and drawing a burst of laughter.
But soon, the laughter dwindled as a second and third mber collapsed onto the floor one after another.
The Silver Level lieutenant barely drew his knife but lacked the strength to hold it tight, helplessly watching as the weapon slipped from his fingers.
"Poison?"
The leader attempted to stand but found his legs wouldn’t obey, collapsing heavily like a sack of potatoes and tipping the nearby barrel of ale, the murky liquid gurgling out, soaking half his face.
He struggled to pull a potion from his waist, attempting to drink it, but the hand stretched from behind easily took it away.
Only then did he realize that, at so unknown ti, a figure cloaked in black had appeared in the room.
Tanaka drew the longsword hidden under his cloak, its tip gleaming coldly in the flickering candlelight.
The leader flailed his arms futilely, like a beetle turned onto its back.
With a look of disgust on Tanaka’s face, the sword thrust downward.
He didn’t like killing. The stench of innards and blood only made him nauseous, but he had to tolerate it for now.
Fortunately, it was just a clone, so he didn’t have to worry about the sticky bloodstain being difficult to wash off.
[Level Up: LV28 → LV29]
A Gold Level guy was killed just like a chicken, so easily.
And all of this was just because Tanaka, under Jiro’s guidance, had poisoned a piece of at in the market beforehand.
For this, Tanaka only felt fear. If Jiro wanted to target him, it would probably be no more difficult than dealing with this small leader...
After taking care of these lambs waiting to be slaughtered on the ground, this small gang called "Rock Scorpion" disappeared completely into the shadows of the city.
At the sa ti, in another hideout on the other side of the city, Tanaka’s main body sat opposite Jiro by the warm stove.
The foxman leisurely sipped hot milk, a ring of milk foam clinging to the edge of his lips.
"Look in the corner of the room, there’s a hidden entrance to a basent," Jiro detailed every step for Tanaka as if he knew everything, "Inside are the tribal refugees they took during the heavy snow. Release them all, erase their mories, then dismiss the clone. After that, it’s not our problem anymore. This way, it’ll be taken as a tribal revenge, and no one will trace it back to us."
Tanaka sighed, "So, we still have to level up first... Is there enough ti?"
"There’s no choice, even though the ability is convenient, many tis you still need the most basic strength to succeed. Don’t worry, the timing isn’t right yet, you have enough ti to level up a few more levels; everything is within the plan," Jiro wiped his mouth, "Besides, as a Hero, you should be content! Not everyone has the ability to steadily enhance their strength just by killing enemies."
Tanaka wondered, "Doesn’t everyone level up this way?"
"Training, study, combat experience, these are indispensable for us. And for most people, limited talent ans it’s common to never break through a certain level no matter how hard you try. It’s not sothing that can be solved by just killing a few creatures. By the way, earlier, this gang ’Rock Scorpion’ mainly targeted those in the city who are older in age but lower in strength for kidnapping. The recent tribal people were just an unexpected bonus for them."
Tanaka was confused, "Kidnapping people like that on purpose? Why? Even if you are capturing slaves, shouldn’t you prioritize those who are young and physically strong?"
"’Rock Scorpion’s superior, the Rust Coin Alliance, has long been trading with the cult Hand of Death, and what the cult wants are precisely such individuals, claiming to help wash away their tainted souls, but ultimately they all beco sacrifices to that Death God," Jiro’s voice turned cold; it was unmistakable that he didn’t like the cult.
And it was the first ti Tanaka had heard of such a cult, "Mist, war, cults, calamity... this world is truly awful..."
Jiro shrugged, "Tell about it! But as bad as it gets, it’s still better than total annihilation!"
...
In the south of the continent, Lin Jun was eagerly preparing to participate in this dreadful war.
Under the deputy commander’s allocation, two thousand Puki Masters were split into left and right wings, coupled with Inanna personally leading the central force of eight thousand Puki, forming a mighty three-pronged formation.
Such deploynt is indeed necessary, for too many Puki gathered in one place may lead to a shortage in local magic power supply on the fungal mat, drastically reducing the charging efficiency and severely affecting the march rate.
It was clear that this deputy commander had considerable understanding of the characteristics of the Puki Army.
In addition, Eric had also specially arranged two Diamond Level bodyguards to protect Inanna closely, with clear tasks of ensuring the young lady’s safe withdrawal at the most critical mont of battle.
Just before the army set out, a familiar figure suddenly appeared on the northernmost fungal mat, it was none other than Edin, missing for days!
His priceless mage robe had turned into tattered rags, the carefully enchanted equipnt left in pieces, his face was full of dirt and fatigue, and even an arm was missing!
Looking at the fungal mat he finally found, Edin knelt directly onto it, "Boss!" (Just one Chapter tonight, two more Chapters before 1 PM)
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