Here. Finally here.
Just a few hundred meters away, Ryan leaned against the wall, scanning the dock. He didn't dare to linger too long—fusion warriors have keen senses, and he'd be discovered if he wasn't careful. He didn't want to use his authority too quickly, since he had no information about the short man, and couldn't assess what he was capable of.
'The person in red is probably the rebuilt Cocoon. Their level of secrecy is so high, even Mobius can't find any relevant information.'
Ryan didn't need to guess what the Cocoon's mission was. It was definitely the purging of traitors. And because of their presence, their strength would only grow stronger.
But these people are also widely despised. They're rounding up traitors everywhere, creating many false accusations. Anyone with even a little bit of common sense can tell that some of these cases are really just political fights between factions.
"The most trusted trump card, the right-hand man who guards life and property—everyone, even the dumbest person, would invest everything into this person," Ryan thought for a moment, then glanced at Pardofelis, who was crying. "Why? Still upset?" Ryan had stopped her from going home, even though she had taken the treasure, because there had to be a trap waiting there. Returning now would be like starting a war.
"Woo, I worked so hard to collect the coins and the badges from all the gangs in Sundown Alley, and now more than half of them are gone."
"Don't worry, they won't want your junk."
"My collection is not junk!" Pardofelis wrinkled her nose and emphasized, but then she realized Ryan was right. The big shots from the Fire Moth weren't interested in her treasures. There was still a chance to get them back. She immediately cheered up but then got serious again. "Don't get too happy yet. Things will be dangerous later. Think carefully about what you want to do. Whatever you decide, I'll support you."
Pardo hesitated, her previous joy replaced by doubt.
She glanced at Ryan quietly, seeing no indecision in his face—he was really waiting for her choice.
What should she do?
Her instincts told her to stay away from this mess, but after some thought, she got tangled up in the decision again.
"I want to follow you, Master."
"Huh? Why?" Ryan was puzzled for a moment. He had originally planned to quietly send Pardo away from Sundown Alley.
"Because I think it's safer to stay with you, and I can help a little. Plus, I'm pretty lucky. Probably. There shouldn't be any danger."
Ryan didn't know what to say. Was Pardo too smart, or too confident?
After thinking for a moment, he decided to trust Pardo's judgment. After all, she was a rookie who had survived until now. These were just small hurdles.
"Okay, take me to your second hiding place."
"Ah? How did you know I had a second hiding place?" Pardo asked, her forehead poked by Ryan's finger.
"Don't be silly, you scaredy-cat. Lead the way. We'll hide for two more days."
Ryan tucked her under his arm again. This time, Pardo didn't struggle. It was like she was a cat being carried by the scruff of her neck.
She curled up, pointing the way, her eyes squinted as she enjoyed the sensation of "flying" through the air. Then, something hit her.
"Hey, why are we hiding from them?"
"Because I want to fish, and they're not big enough." Ryan smirked, his smile almost cruel, as they silently landed on several containers.
This was the edge of the port area, with no one around. A rusty crane still hung a container. Pardo climbed up nimbly and opened a side door.
"Master, this is where we hide. What do you think? Pretty hidden, right?"
Ryan was stunned. He thought the containers under his feet were where they'd hide, but he hadn't expected it to be suspended in the air.
"You're really a clever little ghost." He jumped up and looked inside. The 10-square-meter container was filled with all kinds of strange items. Canned food was stacked in a corner, and in the middle was a small bed with a blanket. It looked like Pardo had set this place up to squat for the long term, with enough food to last several months.
"Have you hidden here before?"
"Yeah, I pissed off a big guy before, and he put a bounty on my head. So, I hid here for two months." Pardo casually pulled on an iron sheet on one side and even made a window.
"What happened next?"
"He was killed by his enemies, and his gang broke up. We were lucky to escape."
It was definitely lucky, but more importantly, it was because they were careful to survive. This was the way of life in Sundown Alley.
Pardo was really cautious by nature. Ryan stepped up to the window and saw a great view. From here, he could see most of Sundown Alley, which was bustling in the afternoon.
Several pickup trucks carrying heavy machine guns were rampaging through the street. Fierce men jumped out, rushing into bars and hotels, forcing people into the open and stripping them for inspection.
This caused public resentment, but most people didn't dare speak out because the operation was a joint effort by several major gangs. Anyone who dared talk would get shot with a gun butt.
There was chaos everywhere—even the sewers weren't spared. It seemed that the West District was quieter.
Ryan squinted his eyes. Of course, he knew there was a sanatorium in the West District, but he trusted Aponia's wisdom and could tell who this abnormal movement was targeting.
'Will Kalpas escape? Probably not. He'll likely guard the door and kill anyone who comes. The two fusion warriors won't go to him too quickly. Regardless of strength, I hope Kalpas can lure me out.'
Ryan considered the situation from the enemy's perspective. After seeing several pickup trucks approaching the port area to search, he closed the window.
Sakura hadn't made a move yet. Now wasn't the time for him to act. As for waiting out the situation? Who was he afraid of?
There was no light in the small container, except for the little bit of sunset shining through the skylight. In that dim light, Ryan noticed Pardo sitting on the box, hugging her knees and pouting.
"It seems they came prepared. Good thing you didn't leave Sundown Alley. The water and land routes are probably blocked, and not even a fly could escape."
"Let's just say we're lucky. Just follow your instincts." Pardo smiled bitterly, her expression nervous.
She could hear the gangsters' roars and the sounds of dock workers getting beaten. She'd never seen anything like this before.
The forces of Sundown Alley were rounding people up, and it felt like even a cockroach would be found. For the first time, Pardo didn't feel confident about this "safe cat nest."
Dong.
A footstep echoed from below, and she froze in fear.
Someone had come to check the containers below. How did these people become so thorough? Didn't they like to slack off?
Pardo's breathing stopped, her eyes darting around as sweat beaded on her forehead. At that moment, a hand rested on her head, and a warm breath whispered in her ear.
"Don't worry. Ordinary people can't find us."
How is that possible? They're right below us. They could easily climb up the crane and jump down, but that would take some effort. Huh?
"No one. Let's go look somewhere else."
"There's another one up there. Don't you want to check it?"
"Bullshit, I just checked it."
Pardo heard the voices up close, and then the footsteps moved away, leaving her momentarily confused. But she didn't see the shadow withdrawing from the gap in the container.
Huh.
Seems like shadows can also be used to transmit mental hints.
Ryan grinned. It wasn't so easy to find him with his psychic abilities. He just ruffled Pardo's head.
"See? I told you they couldn't find us."
"Huhu, I'm really lucky. It always works at the critical moment." Pardo let out a long sigh and collapsed onto the floor, like a melting cat.
After a while, she tiptoed and sneakily cracked the window. After confirming the coast was clear, she patted her chest.
"Hmph, I guess this 'safe cat nest' is invincible. Most people are too lazy to climb a few more steps. I even set up a fake target, just like what the book said…"
"False and real, real and false."
"Yeah, I didn't read it, but I know it. Just like what the book says…"
"Different paths lead to the same destination."
Ryan added a couple of sentences to help her out, laughing. Pardo was really something—so scared just a moment ago, and now she was acting all proud.
As the sun set and the sky darkened, the container became pitch black. The two didn't dare to turn on any lights, so they sat cross-legged, eating canned food in silence. The occasional sound of distant gunshots broke the stillness.
"By the way, Master, why weren't you scared earlier?" Pardo asked while eating.
"Do you want me to be scared?"
"If I'm the only one scared, I always look like a coward."
Ryan glanced at Pardo and couldn't help but laugh. "Well, I am afraid of being found, but I'm not afraid of what happens after we're found."
"Is this called self-contradiction?"
"Not bad, that's what the book says." Ryan smiled, nodding. In the dark, his red eyes looked especially sharp. "If they find us now, the whole plan will be messed up. But after they find us, it'll be easy, because then they'll be the ones who die."
Pardo took a deep breath and blinked, thinking Ryan was acting strange, but she believed it. In the blink of an eye, she became envious.
"How nice it would be if I could be as magnificent as you, Master."
"In fact, calmness is more important. You can do it too."
"Really?" Pardo's blue-green eyes suddenly sparked with determination.
"Of course. You just need an iron will, train yourself relentlessly, learn all sorts of skills, and face life and death multiple times."
Ryan answered while counting on his fingers. With each point, the fire in Pardo's eyes dimmed a little, and by the end, she returned to her usual "salted fish" demeanor.
"It's so dangerous. I think I'll pass."
You…
Ryan's blood pressure shot up, and just as he was about to knock the salted fish on the head, he saw her grab his hand and smile, shaking it like a spoiled child.
"Oh, my requirements aren't high. I just need to be able to protect myself, have canned food to eat, and bask in the sun. Maybe I can help the Master with some small tasks."
Very self-aware, but…
Ryan looked at the girl beside him, a little dazed.
As the strongest human with two kinds of Herrscher authority, my first disciple is just a worthless person?