99 Chapter 99: Reliable Security
After searching for a while, Oaks arrived at the industrial area along the western coast of Brooklyn.
This area was filled with numerous ports and once had prosperous factories and storage systems that were coordinated with maritime shipping.
However, now, under the government's environmental policies, these high-energy and high-pollution enterprises either relocated inland, transformed, or closed down.
Warehouses were still usable and could be repurposed, but there were quite a few abandoned old factories that nobody wanted.
Oaks looked at an old factory near the coast and nodded in satisfaction.
The factory seemed to have been abandoned for a long time, but the overall enclosed structure was still intact.
"Hello? Is anyone here?"
Next to the old security office was a very old modified Harley-Davidson motorcycle parked there.
"Ah, what's the matter?"
Soon, the door of the security office opened.
An old man wearing a neatly cleaned security uniform slowly walked out.
Although his face was full of wrinkles, he appeared spirited—
Especially his eyes, they seemed filled with stories.
"You look quite handsome."
Oaks couldn't help but admire. This old man must have been quite charming in his youth.
"Young man with good taste."
The old security guard looked Oaks up and down, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Seems like you're not short on money. Has some boss finally taken an interest in this rundown factory?"
He straightened his old back and made an effort to lift his head.
"Just come to me directly. I call the shots around here now."
"Um... I just want to rent it for a while. The place is spacious, and it seems sturdy enough to withstand some changes."
Oaks rubbed his chin, unsure why, but in front of this old man, he felt...
like he was being observed?
"It would be great if you have the authority. If you agree, I can draft the contract now— If you plan to demolish it after I rent it, I can take care of it for free."
"Well..."
The old security guard turned around and glanced at the long-abandoned factory.
Most of the useful equipment had been dismantled, leaving only a few dilapidated trucks lying under broken hoppers.
He pursed his lips and instinctively said:
"Maybe it's not a bad idea to demolish it, but... where would I live then?"
"...Do you live here?"
Oaks couldn't help but take another look around the old factory. Although it could be considered a seaside house, a small security office didn't really have anything to do with retirement care, right?
"At your age, shouldn't you be resting, drinking coffee, reading newspapers, and listening to records at home?"
"Tsk... I wish, but I used to be a caretaker at a cemetery for many years... The conditions were even worse than here."
The old security guard shrugged:
"I couldn't afford a house for all those years, and now that housing prices are so high, I can't even afford a coffin."
"..."
Oaks smirked. This old man had quite a rich experience.
"So, do you agree to the rental? It's okay. If you have nowhere to go, you can continue living here, or I can help you find a place?"
"Forget it, I'll just stay here. I'm used to it."
The old security guard stroked his chin and a cunning smile appeared on his face:
"The renowned Chairman of the Benevolence Society. If you help transform this place into a forest, you can use it until the day I meet God."
"You can calculate well!"
Oaks chuckled bitterly. This old man knew him. But, if he knew what level of forest Oaks could create...
This old man could probably buy a house in Brooklyn just by charging admission fees to this place!!
"Well... I can help you solve a problem that's been troubling you."
Looking at Oaks shaking his head helplessly, a glimmer of light flashed through the old security guard's murky eyes despite his old age.
"You... have a problem in your head!"
Oaks: "..."
Can this old man talk?
But...
"I mean, there's something wrong with your spirit... The weight on your soul seems to be overwhelming you."
A more mysterious smile appeared on the old security guard's wrinkled face, making Oaks widen his eyes.
"Young man, I've experienced many things, and some things are clearer to me... I have some special experiences as well."
He took off his hat, motioned for Oaks to come into the security office, and waved his hand:
"Come on, I made a deal with someone in the past, but the trade wasn't with an object...
Now, I hope to make another deal with you, a good person."
"What should I call you, old man?"
Oaks's expression turned serious. How could this old guy figure out his spiritual and mental issues just by meeting him?
Who is this guy?
Please don't tell me he's another Eternal hidden away!
"You can call me Slade..."
Oaks followed the old security guard into the security office. After turning around, the old security guard introduced himself:
"By the way, when I was young, I was a Texas Ranger, quite dashing, you know! I could ride horses!"
"..."
Oaks felt a chill down his spine.
There's no way a Druid wouldn't feel this way in front of a knight... or a Texas Ranger who is also a mounted lawman.
The security office was small, just like observing it from the outside. Simple daily necessities were neatly arranged inside, and a large shovel was placed in the corner.
"Ah, that's an old companion that I used for work. I can't bear to throw it away."
Slade made a digging motion.
"It was used for digging graves."
"..."
Oaks covered his forehead. Finally, his memory search paid off, and he recognized this old guy—150 years ago, he was a Texas Ranger, the Phantom Rider, Carter Slade—the previous generation's Ghost Rider, who rode a group of badass hellhorses.
Unfortunately, he wasn't a warlock.
This old man was extraordinary. He might be considered the first Ghost Rider who broke free from the control of the Mephistopheles.
But now, he probably couldn't transform anymore.
However, it wasn't surprising that he could see the problems in Oaks's spirit and soul. After all, the Ghost Rider was a master of soul vision.
And this old man could be considered the oldest active Ghost Rider.
"Well... this deal seems quite worthwhile."
Oaks sighed, put down his hand that covered his forehead, and spread it out:
"Just casually strolling around, I can encounter someone as special as you. New York is indeed filled with extraordinary individuals."
"Oh? Don't you think I'm tricking you?"
Slade leaned back in a chair, crossed his arms, and laughed. The wrinkles on his face piled up:
"If I was just joking, wouldn't you be at a loss?"
"Well, I wouldn't lose much... Besides, having an additional forest isn't a bad thing for me.
Land in New York is so expensive, you can't just plant trees anywhere."
Oaks waved his hand and walked out of the security office.
"So, Slade, let's plan it together... If you keep your word, this place will become a branch of the Benevolence Society. We need to be meticulous."
"...This kid is so accepting?"
Carter Slade was momentarily stunned, then chuckled:
"What an interesting kid... A branch of the Benevolence Society? That doesn't sound bad."
He put on his hat, picked up his old companion from the corner, and walked out:
"Doing some good deeds... seems more worthwhile than being useless here."
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