"Why is he so drunk again?"
In an abandoned house in the Second District of the Lower City, Quide's assistant, Nar Rick, looked at the drunk Quide with disgust. He waved his hand and asked two young Brotherhood members to help him down.
"Lock him up for a day and let him out when he is sober."
Rick (who preferred to be called by his surname instead of his name) smiled mysteriously. It seemed that he did not do anything to the child.
Nar Rick was different from Quide, who had regressed from being a hired thug to a child beggar. He was an ambitious and capable member of the Brotherhood.
He used to study at the accounting school in Seucard City in the south of the kingdom. If his father, who was a scribe, had not committed a crime, Rick could have been an accountant in a certain city department or even a certain family. He could have even gone one step further and become a businessman in a certain industry. When the time came, he could spend money to buy a title and enter the first rank of Constellation's upper society. Three hundred years ago, the Seucard Family, which had the symbol of a sunflower, was born this way. Now, wasn't it also a prominent family in the kingdom?
But even if he was reduced to a gang and cut off from the path of nobility forever, Rick still believed that he was more qualified to be a person who had the right to make decisions in the Brotherhood compared to his peers who were full of muscles and women.
When the Brotherhood's business expanded to the southern coast of the kingdom, Rick, who was a gangster from the south, was recruited. Utilizing his specialty, he planned a few human trafficking operations from the south to the capital, and achieved great success. Thus, the higher-ups of the Brotherhood took notice of him and promoted him to Eternal Star City — the capital of the kingdom, the heart of Constellation, and the dazzling pearl of the Western Continent — and let him manage the accounts of the beggars in the capital.
Yes, Rick knew that although the higher-ups made him Quide's assistant and account manager, it was no different from entrusting all the beggar businesses in Eternal Star City to him. Just look at his "superior" Quide, who was a terrifying thug in the Third District of the Lower City. Now, he had become a good-for-nothing who only looked for dignity from beggars. If Quide was not the son of a higher-up in the Brotherhood, he would have been trampled on and drowned in the mud of Eternal Star City's slums.
Moreover, most of the beggars' losses were caused by him.
Of course, it was also fortunate that Quide's father would give him quite a bit of money every month, allowing Rick to profit from it.
With such a son, if Quide's father wasn't in charge of the arms trade, he would have lost his position in the association.
What would happen if a mafia boss lost his power?
Rick shook his head and watched Quide leave.
As for the child beggar business, compared to smuggling drugs and firearms, compared to trading Eternal Oil and Crystal Drop Ores, even compared to collecting black debts and managing the streets, it was insignificant and lowly.
But Rick believed that this was his chance.
The Brotherhood had risen quickly, but human trafficking had always been their main source of profit. The Brotherhood's human trafficking chain was complete. From infants to the elderly, humans to elves, and even the intelligent creatures in the distant Magic Empress' territory were involved. But the most important thing was actually the Brotherhood's own source of members. Among them, the "Black Widow" Beth was in charge of collecting and raising the infants. At the same time, she would sell a portion of them. The slightly older ones would be sent to Rick to be "beaten" into beggars. The slightly older beggars would be sent to "Iron Skin" Locke, who was in charge of training thugs, "Fickle Heart" Felicia, who was in charge of training prostitutes, and some other special leaders. They would then be trained to become a member of the Brotherhood.
Therefore, Rick, who was in charge of the beggars, believed that he was in the fundamental chain of the Brotherhood's human trafficking business. At the same time, he was also the node of the Brotherhood's future blood supply. Thinking about it, he was the future member of the Brotherhood. He was the leader of the Brotherhood when he first had memories. He was able to see which people had a bright future when he was a child. If he could help them at the right time, in the future …
See, that's why I, Nale Rick, am an ambitious person.
Moreover, Rick was always very excited when he thought of this. Moreover, this was Eternal Star City! Constellation was the capital of the second largest kingdom in the Western Continent. It was also the birthplace of the Black Street Brotherhood. Being able to work here meant that the leaders of the Brotherhood could always see him. Being able to see him meant that he would always have the opportunity to be promoted.
Of course, the chances of him causing trouble were not small.
Fortunately, Rick put his hands behind his back and looked at the drunk Quide. He raised his eyebrows. Fortunately, there was this guy to bear the brunt of the trouble.
Under the moonlight, Rick turned around and continued walking. Looking at the twenty abandoned houses in front of him, he knew that there were many beggars in each abandoned house. And these beggars were the most important seedlings and bargaining chips for him to climb up the ranks in the future.
For example, the black-haired Thales in the sixth house. Two years ago, when Beth, who was in charge of the baby, sent him here, she showed a different attitude to the child.
Sure enough, although this child was only eight years old (eight or seven years old?), he was cunning and cunning. But he was clever and cunning. A week ago, he actually came up with the idea of acting as a beggar. A cute child was beaten up by other older children and robbed of his money and food. So, when he hid in a corner and cried alone, the ladies passing by could not help but give him more compensation. Rick thought that compared to those annoying child beggars who cried themselves hoarse, the gang was short of such people who could use their brains.
This child would definitely climb up the ranks when he grew up.
'I should give him a reward to win Thales' gratitude. Of course, a reward without a contrast would not make people feel grateful. '
This was why when the boy in the same room with Thales told him that Thales might be hiding money, Rick urged Quide to settle the score with him. When Quide beat Thales to the brink of death, Rick would step in to stop him. He would even go against Quide because of this (That was the only use of that trash). Then, Thales would intentionally or unintentionally take Rick as his backer.
Rick did not care if the beggars did not give him enough money. This was something that only short-sighted people would care about. Compared to a few copper coins, Rick knew that favors were more important assets.
But that boy … Thales was too smart. Rick knew that whether Thales gave Quide money or not, Quide would torture him to death (if Thales really took out the money, it would only be worse). But it was obvious that the boy thought of a way to escape. According to common sense, Quide, who was in high spirits, would "meticulously" prepare these disobedient children to liven things up, regardless of whether they were truly disobedient or not.
No matter, he still had to do what he had to do. Even if the results were not good, he could just find another reason to let Quide beat him up.
Rick walked to the sixth room and stepped over the broken door.
He saw Thales lying on his stomach on the ground in the courtyard that was overgrown with weeds. There were a few children next to him who were smearing something on him. 'Oh my God, a few children around seven or nine years old actually know how to plant Urder's Dragon Leaves in the courtyard? Usually, only experienced gang members and poor people who had lived for many years would know that this kind of wild plant could be used as a convenient and cheap medicinal herb for external injuries.
"Ah! Mister Rick! " Cripple Ryan was the first to notice Rick's arrival. After having one of his legs broken, he was more sensitive to his surroundings.
Quide had not left for more than an hour, and the fear in the yard had yet to dissipate. Ned, the boy who told on Rick, had tears on his face. Kellet covered her black face while the older child, Sinti, took a step back in fear.
Especially the youngest girl, she was so scared that she even screamed.
At that time, Bessie had told him that this was a hereditary aristocrat's descendant. There was a high possibility that she would be a beauty. He did not want to spoil her. In the future, Felicia could train her and earn a lot of profits. It was a pity that his child beggars had to be handed over to the gang at the age of ten, or at most twelve. If only he could keep her until she was fifteen … then he could send her away. Otherwise, it would be fine even if she was thirteen.
"Mister Rick!" Thales interrupted Rick's subtle thoughts. He turned his head with difficulty, which affected the injury on his back. He grimaced in pain.
"Sigh, I'm sorry, Thales," Rick sighed and showed a pitiful expression. "I couldn't stop him, Quide. After all, I'm only his assistant. I can't afford to offend his backer."
"I could only come here quietly after the incident." Under the cautious gazes of the children, Rick squatted down and worriedly checked Thales' injuries. "Fortunately, he didn't hit you too hard today, or else …"
"Mister Rick, I'm fine," Thales struggled to say. "I'm sorry, my allowance last week was indeed …"
"Forget about the allowance!" he said. Rick took the broken bowl from Sinti's hands and poured away the water inside. He plucked a few pieces of Urder's Dragon Leaves and picked up a stone to grind them. "You were sent to me when you were young. In the past few years, I've watched you grow from trembling little guys to careless hairy kids. To me, you are far more important than a few copper coins." Rick's face showed a trace of pain. "At your age, you shouldn't be begging on the streets, but this is the rule of the Brotherhood …"
"Mister Rick," Thales seemed to be moved. He clenched his fist. "I …"
"Come, grind the herbs with a stone. It's better than chewing them with your mouth," Rick wiped the herbs in the bowl and personally applied them to Thales. Kellet, who was beside him, bit her lips and whimpered.
"Thank you, Mister Rick," Coria said softly. "If only you were in charge of us instead of Quide."
"Don't let Quide hear this," Rick smiled helplessly. "To be honest, I'm very afraid of him."
The other children also smiled knowingly. Rick knew that showing similarities and a sense of humor at the right time was a good way to make people accept him.
"Thank you very much, Mister Rick," Thales said solemnly. He knew that in the eyes of many people, he appeared to be more mature, so there was no need to act like a child.
Rick nodded. "Protect yourself well. You are a smart child. I believe you can do it well."
"Oh, right." Rick suddenly remembered something. He passed the bowl to Ned and took out a money pouch from his waist. He passed it to Sinti who was still in a daze. "I have to hand in my salary every month, and I don't have much money myself. Here are 30 coppers. Go to Grove Potion Shop, the one at the border between Twilight District and Lower City District, and buy some medicine. This money should be enough if the price of the medicine hasn't increased."
Of course, this money is not enough, Rick thought. He went to Grove Pharmacy a week ago, and it just so happened that the price had just increased. This way, when the children realized that they did not have enough money, they would think that it was because of the temporary price increase.
If they did not have enough money, what could they do? Of course, they would take it from the money that they begged. This way, they would not have enough money for next week.
"Be careful when you buy the medicine. Don't let others, especially Quide, know about it," Rick said with a smile and stood up.
Of course, Rick thought in his heart, Quide will definitely know.
If they did not buy the medicine, that would be even better. Quide would know that they were really hiding money.
Rick's lips curled up slightly.
At that time, he would be able to obtain their final loyalty.
"Mr. Rick," Coria looked at the money bag in Sinti's hand and was about to cry. "You, you are really a good person."
Ned bit his lips and nodded vigorously.
Even the older child, Sinti, was a little moved. He touched the money bag in his hand and weighed it.
Rick sighed, shook his head and waved his hand. "No, I should be the one apologizing. This is all I can do for you."
"Mr. Rick," Thales lied on the ground and looked at Rick hesitantly. "I don't know …"
"Hmm?" Rick raised his eyebrows. "What's wrong?"
"I heard that when we grow up, we will be sent to other places for training," Thales asked cautiously, as if he was afraid of offending Rick. "Then … after we finish our training, can we work under you?"
Hearing this, Kellet, Ned, and Coria looked at Rick with hopeful eyes.
Snap. Rick snapped his fingers in his heart.
Score.
It was faster than expected.
"Hehe, about this …" Rick smiled. "Don't look at me like this now. In the Brotherhood, I am a man with dreams."
Rick bent down with a smile and stroked Thales' hair, making him appear even more amiable. "My subordinates will be the best and strongest in the Brotherhood!"
This is the truth, Rick thought in his heart.
"So, if you want to work under me, you have to work hard!"
"Yes!" The children nodded in unison, and Thales was no exception.
"I'm leaving, Thales, and the children." Rick turned around and tilted his head, revealing the side of his face. "Next time, if you encounter such things again, come and tell me secretly. Although I can't stop him directly, I can always find some trouble to prevent him from getting close to you."
After saying this, Rick showed his white teeth. They flashed under the moonlight, and he left the courtyard of the sixth house without looking back.
"Mr. Rick is so nice." Ned's tears dried up. "Unlike that bad Quide."
"Yes." Coria nodded. Her eyes were full of joy, as if she had eaten candy.
"But," Cripple Ryan, who was in a state of shock, hesitated and said, "I always feel that Mr. Rick scares me more than Quide."
"So, you are a coward!"
"Coward Ryan, how can you get money like this?!"
Only Thales' eyes gradually calmed down after Rick left.
When he saw Sinti counting the thirty copper coins in the money pouch one by one, Thales exhaled softly.
His back was still hurting. He knew that regular medicine for external injuries would be better for his injuries. However, Thales had just gone to Grove Pharmacy yesterday morning and took the typhoid medicine from Yan Ni at the back door. He heard her complain that her stingy boss had increased the price of the medicine. Even the external injury medicine was increased to thirty-five copper coins. It was exactly five copper coins more than what Rick had given him.
However, he also found out a key point from Sunset Bar's owner's daughter, Jala.
Rick was in charge of Quide's expensive expenses in the bar.
But …
"I have to hand in the money every month, and I don't have much money …"
Rick's words echoed in the transmigrator's ears. He could not help but look at the bag of copper coins in his hand.
The child beggars had forgotten their fear and were fooling around with each other.
Thales was the only one who furrowed his eyebrows. He turned his head around with much difficulty and glanced at his scarred back. He sighed and hung his head down heavily.
'This damn world.'
When Rick arrived at the tenth house, he was thinking about how there was an eight year old kid named Karak here. He was a fierce character at such a young age. Just as he was about to beat him up a bit and pull him under his wing, he suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck.
This was his innate psionic ability.
When he was absolutely calm (absolutely calm, even the slightest distraction would be ineffective), he would feel a chill on the back of his neck once a living creature approached within five meters of him.
That was it.
However, even if he was a warrior, his Psionic Ability was not worth mentioning when compared to the kingdom's Psionic Troops, the powerful Swordsmen of Eradication, the Knights, and even the mysterious Mystics. Even the interns in the various temples could pin him to the ground and beat him up.
But Rick felt that one day, this psionic ability would save his life.
Like now.
Rick quickly turned around and searched his surroundings under the moonlight. At the same time, he put his left hand into his pocket and held the small but deadly mini retractable crossbow.
Bright moonlight.
Empty streets.
No cover. No cover.
But there was no one.
Rick took a deep breath and kept himself absolutely calm.
He felt the chill on the back of his neck continue.
'Could it be that a rat crawled through the sewer under my feet?'
Rick turned in three different directions and ran quickly for a while. But the lingering chill on his neck made him get rid of this thought.
'Which rat would be directly below me and follow me in three directions for twenty meters?'
Rick became more and more frightened.
'I shouldn't have come out alone, even if this is the Abandoned House, the Brotherhood's territory.
'I should have brought twenty thugs, each with a Mystic Gun in their hands, no matter how heavy that damn thing is.
'Just like the Brotherhood's big boss in charge of the drug trade, Lazanci Fischer, there are thirty people following him everywhere he goes.
'If I had enough money, I should have hired two Swordsmen of Eradication, a Psionic Warrior, or even a Mystic. Forget it, Mystics are too scary.'
'Nair Rick, you have to calm down,' he told himself. 'You are the man who will be in charge of the entire Eternal Star City in the future, and even Constellation's underground world. Calm down, you have to calm down.'
He forced himself to be calm as he turned around and walked back the way he came, as if he was just jogging.
'Did I offend anyone? Was there anyone who wanted his life? Is there anything worth paying attention to in this neighborhood? '
He walked a few hundred meters. Under the moonlight, there was no one around.
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