"Tread… tread…"Vega stepped into a narrow, rundown alley.
The place reeked of urine and decay. Crumbling buildings loomed over piles of trash, graffiti scrawled across every wall. Burly men with knife scars leaned against doorways, exuding menace. Every so often, punks with dyed hair and bloodshot eyes stumbled past. This alley was a far cry from the bustling streets outside—like a festering wound in the heart of the city.
Following the intel he'd purchased, Vega weaved through several branching alleys until he pushed open an old wooden door. Two corners later, he entered a quiet hall.
It was mostly empty. Towering bookshelves lined the walls, stuffed with countless worn tomes. In the far corner, a frayed sofa sat beneath a dim light, where a disheveled middle-aged man read with absolute focus.
The man didn't even look up when Vega entered.
Vega didn't bother announcing himself. Instead, he walked to the nearest shelf and casually pulled out a book.
"Monlarissa:A Tale of Love and Hatred."Romance? Not interested. He returned it and grabbed another.
"Fifty Shadows of Gray."Still not his taste.
After flipping through two romance novels, Vega shifted to another shelf. This one was dedicated entirely to a writer named Rainy Day Without an Umbrella. Intrigued, he reached for a copy—
Rustle.
A noise behind him.
The middle-aged man finally stirred. Carefully placing a bookmark in his book, he looked up and smiled.
"Ah, you're here already?" he said lazily. "Sorry, I was too wrapped up in what I was reading. Poor manners. Please, have a seat."
Vega didn't sit. He kept browsing and replied casually, "No need. I prefer standing while I admire these literary treasures."
Seeing someone appreciating his books, the man beamed like he'd found a kindred spirit.
"Heh, not many people appreciate good writing these days. You know what? I'll give you a discount on the intel just for that."
Vega smiled faintly. "Then I'll gladly accept your generosity."
He turned toward the man. "Now, let's talk business. I want detailed intel on the Ten Elders."
The man froze, startled. Then his smile faded into an awkward grimace. "Sorry… that's against our rules. We don't sell information on the Ten Elders."
"I'll pay double. I only need info on the Monroe family."
The man hesitated. "Even so, the regulations—"
"Two cups." Vega turned to face him, his smile calm—but his right hand was already faintly gathering Nen.
The man's eyes flicked to Vega's hand. He paused… then finally gave a small nod.
At that signal, Vega relaxed his hand, dissipating the Nen.
"Morisha! Bring the red folders!"
From the back room, a tall woman with striking curves and long golden hair strutted out. Dressed in a sultry, office-lady outfit, she tossed two thick binders onto the man's lap. She cast a look of contempt at the books on the table, then walked away.
Vega's eyes followed her thoughtfully before returning to the informant with a smirk.
"Alright," the man said. "Let me tell you about the Monroe family…"
The Monroe family—originally from the Caribbean Republic—had now claimed territory across several nations. Even the president of the Republic didn't dare cross them. Piece by piece, the man unveiled their secrets.
Vega stroked his chin. "So the yin Beasts really are their top-tier enforcers. Doesn't seem like they have much else in terms of true masters."
He tossed a bank card across the table.
The man caught it, checked the balance, and smiled. "One billion Jenny… generous."
Then, looking up, he asked, "Wait—how did you know there was a bounty on your head?"
Vega chuckled. "Your face gave it away the moment you saw me. That flash of recognition, the nervous glance at my hand—you'd heard of me. You remembered me."
He leaned in slightly. "So I took a gamble… and it worked."
"But that raises a question." Vega's smile faded. "The Ten Elders sent their yin Beasts. If they wanted me dead, they wouldn't bother posting a bounty—that's redundant. So tell me—who issued the reward?"
The man visibly winced. "Well… it wasn't the Ten Elders. It was the Teiro family. After all, you did kill someone in their hotel."
Vega raised an eyebrow.
That made things interesting.
The bounty money was laughable compared to the intelligence fees he just paid. And the Pendleton family needed every Jenny it could get. No way was he calling Kevin just to beg for more funds.
But the Teiro family? If they had money to throw around like that, they were clearly worth… visiting.
"Since they're so eager to stick their necks out," Vega said with a smile, "maybe I should drop by and remind them—if you want to live long in this world, learn when to stay out of other people's business."
He turned back to the informant. "In that case, I'll be buying some intel on the Teiro family next."