Arc 2 - Chapter 1: Square one.
1715 Words
"This is not enough. But our two gentlemans isn't here yet so there is nothing much we can do."
"Let me see, embezzlement, harassment,..., these look good."
"I know but there is something about it that make me feel it is not enough. These news do nothing but cause a small social disturbance."
"An idea in my mind, how about seeing the city and exploit everything, with this world-end technologies, changing appearance is not much of a challenge."
"Not really, i just don't like that city and the cost of living is terrible you know."
"I know, they embezzled a lot of paper you know."
"These could be in our favour."
"Quick thinking, the omega seat is empty, are you sure you don't want that seat ?"
"My father wants his children understand everyone's feeling."
The omega seat, that is interesting but i want to understand people more so i politely decline, but the idea of playing around in the city could be fun... playing around in the city... An idea, maybe there is a way to make use of these rumor, the reason why the rumor is good because no one will believe them but with a lot of rumor, it will make people believe those rumor. Another way to use these rumor is to repeat them, repeating rumor can have destructive effect, turn rumor into the truth. That is the destructive power of the rumor, and the moment rumor become reality, there is nothing can stop its destructive power.
"So many small rumor like the people in the slum."
"We should spread those rumor now. Gotta give everyone a good show to watch you know."
"Like a performance ?"
"Without any mistake, the performers aren't just someone who simply perform without any emotion, buy a music box is much more simple. The performer must show their emotion let the audiance feel those emotion, and our first target will be him."
"A very high class man who enjoy arts but his secret can make people see him with another eyes. May he be our first target, can Theta follow him and collect more news ?"
"Theta, can you do it ?"
"Always up for the job."
"I look forward to your spicy news, now, it's time to meet another allies, Alpha..."
"Enjoy the show."
Sector 6, the sector with the worst condition, with all the turf war since there are three gangs live in that sector, there is no hope for thing could get better since there is nothing they can do on their own. The gangs in sector 6 did nothing to help those who live in that sector, but i think there is hope for this place, maybe a little trip is what we needed, at least we can get more people to help us with agriculture and things we need in our new haven. The moment i made to the sector, the first smell of this place is a faint smell of blood, at least there is nothing far too extreme. Being a doctor, this is normal for me to say the least, the first priority is checking on everyone, that is the duty of a doctor afterall. At least the wound isn't severe since the weapon is edge weapons, there are some with infection but they can be cured there are much more pressing matter to take care of.
"Handover everything now."
"Are you even serious ?"
"Handover everything if you want your head remain on you neck."
"Great, now please go and do something else."
Living in the slum and with Korvos's teaching, at least i know some technique to protect myself like in these situation. Just simply dodge and counter by driving the knife into his knees, at least that will tell him who is he dealing with. I don't want to deal with any of these problem but they just come anyway so always have a way to defend yourself, at least just check every gang in this sector first and then decide who should be my new ally. Maybe this is what happen in this world or at least Korvos has a bunch of adopted children so he can't be a bad example to them so he tried to teach them.
"So you are that famous doctor."
"Did i know you ?"
"How could you forget, i am one of your patient."
"No, i remember every of my patients and sadly, you are not one of them. So i suggest you start telling me the truth and your reason to approach me."
"There is no reason, a doctor like you should be important and the city leader would love to have your head."
"Oh dear... but i don't think i should care about that, if you want to harm me, it would be simple to end my existance and don't reveal all of your plan ?"
"It doesn't matter since you are going to die anyway."
Clumsy posture but maybe this sector just want my head for the city leader then i should think again about invite them as new allies. This will just do more harm than good but maybe a little search to find an ally in this sector, better work on the hardest before move for the easier one. Alpha did ask Epsilon to tag along and she did want to go with me so i won't mind about that, but to remain hidden and watch, only intervene if anything bad happen. Lambda also offer some guard to tag along and Mu also act as a sniper since they all want to protect me but for Mu and Epsilon i guess they just want to wander at other sectors.
"You were so graceful."
"I get that a lot but nothing really special, as a doctor, when i can't save my patient and with their consent, i will try to send them off without the least amount of pain."
I was hesitate and sometime, Korvos has to be the one who do all the difficult part but i know their wish is to leave this world and not to suffer any further agony. Yet everytime i felt pain in my heart but they said they were tired, tired of this world without future and tired of keep living like this so it would be a favour and i don't have to feel guilty about that. The street in sector 6 is narrow and reek of blood and vomit, the atmosphere is stuffy and the temperature is high that i am sweating in my coat, try to help as many people as possible is the least that i can do. They suffered these gang war, victim caught between the storm and they live everyday like this so they lose hope and even doubt it. So they decline the offer and the least thing i can do is cure them.
"Don't worry Higeki, this is not your fault, it's just life. This world is cruel and everyone suffer everyday. Before what we called haven, there were countless effort and endurance and a lot of sacrifice."
"I know, maybe we should cancel this search."
"Yes, i can't risk myself or everyone safety for this vague hope. Everyone, we shall leave this sector but consider them as neutral, they will torn themselves eventually."
"Please wait doctor."
A child, by his look i can presume they family he lives in treat him very well, at least they don't make him wear rag for clothing and actually give him proper clothing. Yet look can be deceiving, but for now, with Epsilon and Mu so there is nothing much i need to be afraid of, the child said he need help so could this be a chance to find some allies. The boys did offer to carry my surgical instruments but there are things that children are not allowed to touch and of course, Tomoe is hidden under my coat. I won't be tricked again by even if this kid doesn't have bad intention, Tomoe is far too important now to be revealed to anyone.
"Doctor, please help them."
"Petitioners in the narrow lane. I hate to decline to a kid in the slum but why would i treat someone who wanted my head in the first place, still, i am curious, did i miss or you are lucky."
"Big brother ? What did you do ?"
"Should i tell the child everything ?"
"Please don't..."
"Well at least curing you and made you tell everything to your brother on your own would be a fitting punishment."
This city and this world both are ugly, it takes a lot of determination and stand on our own feet is tough. A father who tried his best to keep his image, a brother who does everything to keep those who close to him alive, the differences is the fact that my father never side with the city leaders. He knows the true color of the city leaders, they will find a way to benefit them and they will find everyway to benefit them only. He can read people and he knows working with them will just bring more harm than good and even consider as playing with your own existance.
"You saved the one you stabbed."
"Actually that is slashed but stabbed but what are you trying to say ?"
"You saved the one who attacked you, and we want to ask what is your reason ?"
"A child ask me and since i am already there so i want to conclude everything."
"Then you should know a lot of people want your head for the city leaders..."
"I won't change my point of view, working with the city cause more harm than good but if you desire me that much, why don't you come and get me. Just for you know, i won't go down without a fight."
"So Higeki, shall we change the status from neutral to hostile ?"
"Not yet, if we eradicate a gang then the city will notice. Three gang in sector 6 are three prongs used to balance each other."
"You get it wrong doctor, we respected your work and everything you did for people in this sector."
Maybe a chance to get an ally is here.
- Writer
