In the pitch-black, dilapidated house.
Dampness and mildew crept across the surrounding walls, as though even the air had been contaminated. The dim candlelight illuminated only a small patch of floor, while darkness filled most of the space.
The place was practically a rat hole.
The rotten, moldy stench drilled into his nostrils. Rajesh, tied to a chair with hemp rope, slowly opened his eyes.
Memories from before he lost consciousness flooded back into his mind. He instinctively struggled fiercely, but aside from making the chair creak, it did nothing.
He raised his head and narrowed his eyes, barely making out the young man standing before him through the dim light.
It was none other than the kid who had approached him earlier, claiming he would take him to meet the boss of this street.
Now, it seemed...
He had probably been sold out.
All he could hope was that his other two teammates were clever enough to get the intelligence about the Governor's Mansion buying off nearby residents out of here.
"How much did you sell me for?"
Axin answered calmly.
"Gifts don't cost anything."
"Looks like The Alliance gave you quite a few benefits." Rajesh sneered at the composed young man, then glanced around. "Where is this? The place where you dispose of bodies?"
Axin replied expressionlessly.
"My home."
Rajesh's expression stiffened slightly.
His first thought was, Can people even live in this shithole?
But he quickly narrowed his eyes and stared at him.
"You are a subject of the Empire."
Axin spoke calmly.
"That's right. And one of the rats you despise most."
"No one despises you. You despise yourselves... isn't that right?"
Rajesh breathed lightly, glanced at the ropes binding his arms, then looked at the young man and spoke unhurriedly.
"Look at what you've done.