Can't I raise myself?

The Bureau of Governance had previously stated that the number of impoverished and displaced people was a significant indicator in the Empire's evaluation of each town's management.

A high number of poor and displaced people indicated poor development, and wasn't it a sign of incompetence if citizens were suffering? Of course, points would be deducted.

However, for every policy, there was a countermeasure. Some cities began secretly managing their impoverished areas, using various methods. The essence of these methods wasn't to arrange jobs and living arrangements for them, but to eliminate their existence.

If they were driven out, wouldn't there be no poor people left?

Out of sight, out of mind!

Ryan had wondered why the Snake Mouth Gang had suddenly gotten involved at the train station before. Now it seemed someone in power had secretly promised them benefits, though officially it would be framed as a policy beneficial to municipal development.

"Forget it, it's none of my business."

Ryan fell silent for a moment.

Suddenly, the egg in his mouth tasted bland.

The next moment, 'Shyarly' rushed out, and before anyone could react, delivered a fierce slap to the leader.

SLAP!!

Suddenly, Ryan felt much better!

"Damn it, it's just a game anyway!"

Chapter 25: Your Soul is Filthy

The sudden turn of events stunned everyone. Only the Snake Mouth Gang leader's screams echoed through the alley.

Although 'Shyarly' was a novice, with a solid 12 points in Constitution, that slap left the opponent dizzy and half-dead!

Before the man could react, 'Shyarly' grabbed his head and slammed it against the ground twice.

You're so kind, so go to hell for them.

"Damn it! Someone's causing trouble!"

"Take him down quickly!"

The Snake Mouth Gang members, snapping back to reality, charged forward with their clubs.

'Shyarly' threw the leader aside and, seizing an opportunity, snatched a club from one of the thugs to fight back.

Facing over a dozen people alone, 'Shyarly' couldn't possibly win. They could only use the alley's terrain, fighting and retreating, performing a real-life Jackie Chan movie scene with the Snake Mouth Gang.

It had to be said, 12 points in Constitution was incredibly useful in the early stages. If it had been 'Lin Qi' back then, she probably would have died immediately. Even with high magic points before job advancement, they couldn't be utilized, but Constitution was tangible – it allowed one to withstand and fight.

BANG!

After smashing a thug's head with a club, the bursting blood splattered everywhere.

Even the gangsters, witnessing this, felt their scalps tingle. But they still had a fierce spirit and weren't intimidated by 'Shyarly'.

"Quick! Help Big Sister!"

"Damn it, this bunch of gangsters, let's fight them!"

Just then, a group of young people rushed out of the alley. They were all refugees from the impoverished district, and they usually called 'Shyarly' Big Sister.

They hadn't dared to act before, but with 'Shyarly's' appearance, the anger they had suppressed finally found an outlet.

Soon, the fight became chaotic. With the help of his group of followers, 'Shyarly' stopped evading the gangsters and began to fight head-on, gradually gaining control of the situation.

As gangster after gangster was knocked to the ground, the dawn of victory seemed within reach.

-- BANG!

A crisp gunshot. The scene before Ryan's eyes abruptly ended.

The shot hit 'Shyarly' directly between the eyebrows. Without the enhancement of supernatural powers, they couldn't withstand it.

[Character Shyarly has died.]

"Damn it, they had a gun!"

Ryan cursed.

It wasn't uncommon for gangsters to have guns, but the Empire had strict regulations on firearms, and they weren't easily brought out under normal circumstances.

"What a shame. If there were no guns, those guys would have been finished."

Ryan's face was grim as he calmly exited the game.

The death of a novice character wasn't enough to make him lose his temper, but since he had started this, there was no reason to back down halfway.

While contemplating, he immediately switched character screens, navigating to 'Lin Qi's' interface.

Meanwhile.

In a small alley in the East District.

The Snake Mouth Gang members gathered, glaring angrily at 'Shyarly', who lay bleeding in the puddle.

"Damn it, where did this guy come from? He could fight so well."

"What's the use of being able to fight? He still got blown away by a single shot."

"Brother Kahn, what do we do now?"

Everyone looked at their leader. He had been knocked out by 'Shyarly' with one slap and then slammed down twice more. If his subordinates hadn't stopped her in time, he likely would have been beaten to death.

Even now, Kahn's head was ringing. He was the one who had fired the shot earlier. Luckily, it had hit 'Shyarly' directly.

"Bury him somewhere no one will find him, and check on the other brothers... Damn bad luck, running into such a reckless brute."

After speaking, Kahn turned back and glared fiercely at the refugees who had helped 'Shyarly'.

"Come on! Want to keep fighting? Want to get beaten to death like her? Get lost!"

The crowd hesitated, but in the end, they scattered like birds and beasts.

They didn't have the guts to provoke a gang, let alone one that had guns.

"Ptooey!"

Kahn spat out the blood and dregs in his mouth and walked to the side to sit down, cursing.

Although the refugees had left, the trouble had already started.

They had been instructed from above to handle this matter discreetly, to drive away the refugees and the poor, and leave the territory for the Snake Mouth Gang to manage. This would look good for the city administration, a win-win situation.

But this matter could easily backfire. After all, no matter what kind of citizens they were, they were still citizens of the empire. If things really blew up, the city administration wouldn't step in to solve their problems.

They might even be sacrificed to quell the unrest.

"Brother Kahn, why don't we just... take care of those people from earlier..."

A subordinate walked over and whispered, making a throat-slitting gesture.

The refugees had seen everything that had happened.

Kahn's eyes flickered. This alley wasn't crowded, only about twenty people in total. If they did it discreetly, no one would care if twenty refugees disappeared in the vast city of Berman.

Who would care?

Would the mayor care?

Or that princess?

"Go find a few more people from the gang. Remember not to make a sound, and don't tell the boss."

"Understood, understood."

The subordinate nodded repeatedly. Just as he took a few steps, a figure suddenly descended from the sky. Before he could react, he was kicked away by a long leg from mid-air.

"Who's there!"

Kahn exclaimed in shock. Did that person fall from the sky just now? From the roof?

Not just him, the other members of the Snake Mouth Gang also wore expressions of disbelief.

"A nun?"

"No, a priest!"

"A priest of Janus, I know her, her name is Lin Qi."

"Did that guy just fly over here???"

"You must have seen wrong, she was just running really fast."

Hearing his subordinates, Kahn was also puzzled. How could a person fly? It was impossible, but was it really just speed?

He glanced at the person who had been kicked away. His head had hit the wall and cracked open. He was clearly not going to survive.

This person meant trouble!

Whether she flew or ran, it was meaningless to dwell on it now. He gripped the handle of his revolver and said fiercely, "Damn it, take her down!"

She's just one person, how strong can she be?!

BANG!

He was sent flying.

It was one of his subordinates.

BANG BANG!

Two more followed.

Their speed was so great that they couldn't even see how 'Lin Qi' had attacked.

"What's going on!"

Screeeech~

Another subordinate. His chest was pierced by a mysterious force.

Kahn's pupils contracted sharply. He swallowed and yelled, turning to run.

"Demon! She's a demon!"

Screams came from behind him, but Kahn had no intention of stopping. He ran with all his might towards the alley exit. In his vision, the alley exit was getting closer and closer. As long as he reached that place, as long as he reached that place...

Swish!

A gust of wind and waves swept past, and 'Lin Qi' crossed over his head like a phantom, appearing before him.

Kahn didn't even think, raising his hand and pulling the trigger. The revolver instantly fired a bullet.

Bang!

The bullet suddenly stopped in mid-air.

It just stopped dead, as if an invisible hand had grabbed it.

"..."

"Wh-why..."

Confusion, bewilderment.

Kahn couldn't understand how 'Lin Qi' had done it, and even less why the other party would want to kill them for no reason.

Janus's people, they had no connection with them, right?

"Your soul is already filthy."

'Lin Qi' said coldly.

Kahn froze, then suddenly roared, "Who do you think you are, acting like a savior here?! I just got rid of some useless scumbags, and I'm filthy? What about those high and mighty rulers? They've done far worse things, why aren't you going after them!"

Chii~

A blade sliced across his neck, cutting off Kahn's voice. He fell backward onto the ground.

'Lin Qi' turned and left, dropping a single sentence.

"Someone will collect their lives later."

As Ryan walked into the Bureau of Governance, yawning, he saw figures rushing back and forth in the main hall.