Chapter 2 Nervous Rick

"Why is he drinking like this again?"

In an abandoned house in the second district of the downtown area, Quaid's deputy, Nar Rick, looked at the drunken muddy Quaid holding a wine bottle in disgust, waved his hand, and let the two young fraternity members Help him down.

"Shut him up for a day, and then release him when he wakes up."

Drinking like this - it seems that he didn't do anything to the child - Rick (he prefers to be called by his last name rather than his first name) smiled mysteriously.

Gnar Rick, different from Quaid, whose strength has regressed, from a thug leader to a beggar business, and has never recovered from the fall, he is an ambitious and capable member of the fraternity.

He used to study at Suka City Accounting College in the southern part of the kingdom. If it wasn't for the crime of his scribe father, Rick might be an accountant of a certain city department or even a certain family now, and even go one step further and become a certain accountant. It is not impossible for a businessman to do business in this industry. At that time, if he spends money to buy a lord, he will be able to step into the first rank of the upper class of the Kingdom of Stars——Three hundred years ago, the Shukadel family, marked by the sunflower, was born in this way, and it is also the kingdom now. An important and famous family?

But even if he becomes a gangster and cuts off his path to nobility forever, Rick still believes that he is more qualified to be a person with the right to speak and make decisions in the fraternity than his colleagues whose minds are full of muscles and women.

When the brotherhood's business expanded to the southern coast of the kingdom, Rick, who was a gangster in the south, was absorbed in. Using his expertise, he planned several human trafficking chains from the south to the capital and achieved great success. The higher-ups noticed him and promoted him to Eternal Star City—the capital of the kingdom, the heart of the stars, the shining pearl city in the western continent—and asked him to manage the beggar account of the Brotherhood in the capital.

Yes, Rick knew that although the higher-ups let him be Quaid's deputy and account manager, it was tantamount to entrusting all the Brotherhood's beggar business in Eternal Star City to him. Look at his "boss" Quaid, a fearsome thug who made a name for himself with a knife and ax in the old downtown 3rd Ward, is now a piece of trash who only finds dignity in beggars, if it weren't for Quaid being some brother The son of a high-level executive, he was trampled under the mud of the slums of Yongxing City and drowned to death.

What's more, most of the beggar's losses were caused by him.

Of course, fortunately, Quaid's father will give him a lot of money every month, and Rick himself can benefit from it.

With such a son, if Quaid's father wasn't a tycoon in charge of the arms trade, he would have lost power in the meeting long ago.

What would happen if a gang leader loses power?

Rick shook his head and watched Quaid leave.

And the beggar business, compared to the smuggling of drugs and arms, compared to the eternal oil and asphalt mine trade, even compared to collecting black accounts and managing the streets, it seems inconspicuous and humble.

But Rick believes that this is his chance.

The fraternity has grown rapidly, but human trafficking has always been the main source of profit. The Human Trafficking Chain of the Brotherhood is complete, from infants to the elderly, humans to elves, and even intelligent creatures from the faraway realm of the Magic Queen. But the most important thing is actually the source of the Brotherhood's own members. Among them, the "Black Widow" Beth is responsible for collecting and raising infants and young children, and at the same time selling some of them, and the older ones will be sent to Rick. "Cheng beggars, older ones, beggars in their teens, will be sent to the "iron skin" Locke who is in charge of training thugs, the "flower heart" Belicia who is training prostitutes, and some other special bosses, and then sharpened Become a member of a fraternity.

Therefore, Rick, who manages the beggars, believes that he is in the fundamental chain of the Brotherhood's population business, and is also the delivery node of the Brotherhood's future blood. Come to think of it, I'm the leader of all future fraternity recruits, the fraternity leader I've seen for as long as I can remember, who, as a child,

Just see which people are promising seedlings, and then give grace at the right time, in the future...

Look, so, I, Nar Rick, am an ambitious person.

And, moreover, Rick is always very excited when he thinks of this: And this is Eternal Star City! Kingdom of Stars - the capital of the second largest kingdom in the Western Continent, the birthplace of the Black Street Brotherhood, being able to work here means that the big brothers in the Brotherhood can always see, and being able to see it means that you will always There is a chance for advancement.

Of course, the chance of causing trouble is not small.

Fortunately, Rick raised his eyebrows as he looked at the drunk Quaid with his hands behind his back. Fortunately, there was this guy who was in trouble.

Under the moonlight, Rick turned his head and continued walking. Looking at the twenty or so abandoned houses in front of him, he knew that there were many beggars in each abandoned house, and these were the most important things for him when he climbed up in the future. seedlings and chips.

For example, the black-haired Thales in the sixth room, two years ago, when Beth, who was in charge of the baby, brought him here, he showed a different attitude towards the child.

Sure enough, today, although this child is only eight years old (eight or seven years old?), he is clever and cunning. A week ago, he actually thought of acting as a begging method-a cute child was beaten by other older children After a meal, money and food were taken away, so when he hid in the corner and wept alone, the passing ladies couldn't help but give him more compensation - Rick thought, compared to those who cried hoarsely , Boring beggars, there is a shortage of people who can use their brains in the gang.

This child, when he grows up, will definitely climb higher.

I should give him some rewards to win Thales' gratitude. Of course, rewards without contrast will not make people feel grateful.

That's why, when the boy in Taylor's room tonight told him that Taylor might have hidden the money, Rick would push Quaid to settle the score with him. When Quaid beats Thales to the brink of death, and he himself stops it, and even confronts Quaid for this (that waste is only useful for this), then Thales will intentionally or unintentionally use himself as a backer.

Rick doesn't care whether each beggar has paid enough money. This is something that short-sighted people will care about. Compared with a few coppers, Rick knows that favors are more important assets.

But that boy—Thales is still too smart, Rick knew that no matter whether Thales had money for Quaid or not, the latter would torture him to death (if Thales really took out the money, then It would only make things worse), but apparently the boy managed to escape the catastrophe-according to common understanding, the high-spirited Quaid will "carefully" concoct these disobedient children for fun, whether they are real or not disobedient.

It doesn't matter, what should be done is still to be done, even if the effect is not good, it's a big deal, just find another excuse and let Quaid beat him up.

Rick walked to the sixth room and stepped over the dilapidated door panel.

He saw Thales panting heavily, lying on the ground in the yard overgrown with weeds, and the children next to him were smearing something on him—oh my god, how many seventy-year-old children would be in the yard Plant ouldron leaves? Generally, only experienced gang members and poor people who have lived for many years know that this wild plant can be used as a convenient, quick and cheap trauma treatment herb.

"Ah! Mr. Rick!" The cripple Ryan was the first to notice Rick's arrival. The experience of having his leg broken made him more sensitive to the surrounding environment.

Quaid had left for less than an hour, and the fear in the yard hadn't dissipated. Ned—the boy who told the story had tears on his face, Kellett was covering his black face, and the older child, Cindy, shrank back. step.

Especially the youngest girl, she even cried out in fright.

At the beginning, Beth had ordered that this is a descendant of a nobleman with heredity, and it is very likely that she is a beautiful woman. Don't ruin her, and Belicia can make a lot of profits if she trains her again later. It's a pity that my beggar will be handed over to the club when she is ten years old, at most twelve years old. If she can be kept until fifteen years old... then she will be sent away. Otherwise, thirteen years old will be fine.

"Mr. Rick!" Thales interrupted Rick's delicate thoughts, and he turned his head with difficulty, his back injury was involved, and he grinned in pain.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Thales," Rick sighed, showing a pitiful expression: "I can't stop him—Quaid—after all, I'm only his deputy, and I can't offend his backstage."

"I can only come here quietly afterwards." Under the cautious eyes of several children, Rick squatted down and checked Thales' injury worriedly. "Fortunately, he didn't hit hard today, otherwise—"

"Mr. Rick, I'm fine," Thales said struggling, "I'm just sorry, my balance from last week was indeed—"

"Forget about the extra money!" Rick took the broken bowl in Cinti's hand, poured out the water in it, took off a few Ouldron leaves, picked up a stone and began to grind, "You guys who are just sensible I was sent here when I was here, and in a few years, I watched you go from shivering little guys to thick-handed and thick-legged hairy children, and you are far more important to me than a few coppers," Rick There was a trace of pain on his face, "At your age, you shouldn't be begging on the street, but this is the rule of the fraternity—"

"Mr. Rick," Thales seemed a little moved, he clenched his fists tightly, "I—"

"Come on, grind the herb with a stone, it's better than chewing it with your mouth," Rick wiped the herb in the bowl and applied it to Thales with his own hands. Kellit next to him bit his lip and whimpered.

"Thank you, Mr. Rick," Kelia said in a soft voice, "It would be great if you were in charge of us instead of Quaid."

"Don't let Quaid hear that," Rick smiled helplessly. "To be honest, I'm afraid of him."

A few of the kids would also smile heartily—Rick knew that showing common ground and a sense of humor at the right time was a good way to make yourself accepted.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Rick." Thales said solemnly. He knew that in the eyes of many people, he looked more mature, so there was no need to act too childish.

Rick nodded: "Protect yourself, you are a smart kid, I believe you can do well."

"By the way," Rick seemed to think of something suddenly. He handed the bowl to Ned, took out a money bag from his waist, and handed it to the bewildered Cindy: "I have to hand in the money every month. I don't have much money, here is thirty coppers, go to the Grove Pharmacy—the one at the junction of the Twilight Zone and the downtown area—to buy some wound medicine, this money should be enough, if the price of the medicine does not increase if."

Of course the money is not enough—Rick thought to himself, he had been to the Grove Pharmacy a week ago, and the price had just increased, so when the children found out that the money was not enough, they would think it was because of the temporary price increase.

What can they do if they don't have enough money? Of course, it is taken from the regular money from begging, so they will definitely not have enough regular money next week, and then——

"Be careful when buying medicine, and don't let others—especially Quaid know." Rick said with a smile, and stood up.

Of course, Rick thought, Quaid would definitely know.

It would be even better if they didn't buy the medicine, Quaid would know that they really hid the money.

The corners of Rick's mouth curled up slightly.

At that time, I can reap their final loyalty.

"Mr. Rick," Kelia looked at the purse in Cindy's hand, and was about to shed tears, "You, you are such a good person."

Ned bit his lip and nodded violently.

Even the eldest child, Xinti, was a little moved. He touched the purse in his hand and weighed it.

Rick sighed, shook his head and waved his hands: "No, I should apologize, I can only do this for you."

"Mr. Rick," Thales lay on the ground, but looked at Rick hesitantly, "I don't know—"

"Huh?" 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 receive training, can we work under your subordinates?"

Hearing this, Kellett, Ned, and Kelia also looked at Rick expectantly.

Pa, Rick snapped his fingers in his heart.

Score.

faster than expected.

"Hehe, what about this?" Rick smiled, "Don't look at me now, in the fraternity, I'm a man with ideals."

Rick bent down with a smile, and touched Thales' hair, making him appear more friendly: "My boys will be the best and strongest in the entire fraternity!"

This is my truth, Rick thought to himself.

"So, if you want to be my subordinates, you have to work hard!"

"En!" The children nodded in unison, full of hope, and Thales was no exception.

"I'm leaving, Thales, and the children," Rick turned around, turned his head, showing his side face, "next time you encounter this kind of thing, come and tell me secretly, although I can't directly Stop him, but make some trouble and keep him out of your way, it's always okay."

After finishing speaking, Rick showed his white teeth, flashed in the moonlight, and left the courtyard of the sixth house without looking back.

"Mr. Rick is really nice." The tears on Ned's face dried up, "It's not like that bad Quaid."

"Yeah." Kelia nodded, her eyes were full of joy, as if she had eaten candy.

"But," the cripple Ryan, who had been in a state of fright, hesitated and said, "I always feel that Mr. Rick scares me more than Quaid."

"So you are a coward!"

"Coward Ryan, how do you get paid for your appearance!"

Only Thales, after Rick left, his eyes gradually became calm.

Thales let out a slight breath when he saw Xinti counting the thirty coppers in the purse one by one.

His back still hurts, and he knows that regular trauma medicine is better for his injury. But Thales went to the Grove Pharmacy yesterday morning, and took the typhoid medicine from Yanni's hand at the back door. He heard her complain that his stingy boss raised the price of all the medicines, even the trauma medicine. It went up to thirty-five coppers--just five coppers more than Rick offered.

However, he also learned a crucial point from Yala, the daughter of the owner of the Sunset Bar.

Rick was responsible for Quaid's expensive expenses in the bar.

But--

"I have to pay every month, and I don't have much money..."

Rick's words just now echoed in the ears of the traveler, and he couldn't help but look at the bag of coppers in his hand.

The beggars have forgotten their fear and are fighting with each other.

Only Thales frowned, turned his head with difficulty, looked at his scarred back, sighed, and drooped again.

This damn world.

——————————————————

Rick walked to the tenth room, thinking that there was an eight-year-old child named Karak here, a young and ruthless character, when it was time to beat him and pull him under his command, he suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck.

This is his innate ability.

When he is absolutely calm (absolutely calm, even a little diversion of attention will not work), once a creature approaches within a distance of about five meters, he will feel a chill on the back of his neck.

That's all.

But don't say that he is not a warrior, even if he is a warrior, compared with the Kingdom's super powerful and diverse supernatural troops, as well as mysterious magicians and powerful end knights, his powers are nothing to mention. Even the interns in the major temples could push him to the ground and beat him.

But Rick felt that one day, this ability would save his life.

For example now.

Rick turned his head quickly, searching the surroundings under the moonlight, and at the same time reached into his pocket with his left hand, holding the small but deadly mini retractable crossbow.

Bright moonlight.

Empty streets.

naked

But there was no one there.

Rick took a deep breath and kept himself absolutely calm.

He felt it, the coldness on the back of his neck continued.

Could it be that a mouse crawled through the sewer under his feet?

Rick turned in three different directions and ran quickly for a while, but the chill that remained on his neck allowed him to dispel this guess.

Which mouse would be directly below him, following him for 20 meters in three directions?

Rick became more and more terrified.

He shouldn't have come out alone, even though this is an abandoned house, the territory of the fraternity.

He should bring twenty thugs, each with a magic gun, no matter how heavy the damn thing is.

Just like Lazanche Feissau, the big brother in charge of the drug trade in the fraternity, thirty people followed him in and out.

Even, if the money is enough, he should hire two finisher swordsmen, or a supernatural warrior, or even a magician—forget it, magicians are too scary.

Gnar Rick, you have to calm down, he told himself, you are the man who will be in charge of the entire Eternal Star City, and even the underground world of the Star Kingdom in the future, calm down, you must calm down.

He forced himself to turn around calmly, and walked back the way he came, as if he was just jogging for fitness.

Did I offend anyone? Does anyone want their own life? Is there anything noteworthy about this neighborhood?

He walked several hundred meters. Under the moonlight, there was no one around.

But the coolness on the back of his neck is still there.