Three days!
Three whole days!
Alvin had no idea how he'd managed to survive them!
Seventy-two hours, four thousand three hundred and twenty minutes, two hundred and fifty-nine thousand two hundred seconds. He'd practically counted every one.
Tucker's training had been downright insane. He barely gave Alvin any time to rest.
In the morning, they covered how to hide, disguise himself, and mask his presence. In the afternoon, it was close-quarters combat, hand-to-hand fighting, taking hits, and running away.
If the Compound V hadn't dramatically improved Alvin's physique and recovery speed, Tucker's high-intensity training would have worn him down to nothing!
After Alvin had somehow made it through the three days, Tucker gave him an evaluation with a look of utter disdain.
"Good. Congratulations, kid." He tapped ash from his cigarette and sneered. "You're about on par with a six-year-old from Catachan now."
Alvin didn't mind the assessment. If anything, he was a little pleased.
Being as capable as a six-year-old from Catachan was high praise. After all, if a six-year-old there couldn't kill a Cultist with a piece of hardtack, they had no chance of making it to adulthood. Wasn't that a pretty impressive evaluation?
"Mr. Tucker, thank you very much for training me these past three days."
Alvin knew Tucker hadn't been obliged to train him. He hadn't done it solely because of Aruman, either.
Whatever the reason, Alvin would always remember the kindness Tucker had shown him over those three days.
"Don't thank me. Just make sure you come back alive."
Tucker lounged on the sofa and lit a cheap hand-rolled cigarette. "What I taught you should be enough. Shame we had so little time. You've got some talent, kid. Give me another six months, and I guarantee I could turn you into a proper Catachan Jungle Fighter!"
He had to admit, the idea was tempting. Alvin pictured himself as a Catachan Jungle Fighter.
With his psychic powers as a trump card to unleash at a critical moment, he'd catch anyone off guard!
But dreaming was one thing; he had to be realistic. Alvin gave a wry smile and shook his head, then reluctantly held out the Catachan combat knife that had been with him for the past three days. "Mr. Tucker, I'm returning your knife."
Every Catachan fighter treasured their combat knife above all else. And throughout the Imperium, Catachan combat knives were among the finest weapons around!
Many Commissars, Astra Militarum soldiers, and nobles considered it a mark of honor to own one.
But Tucker merely glanced at the offered knife. He didn't reach for it and remained seated. "Keep it for now. Return it when you get back."
Alvin hesitated for a few seconds, then solemnly slid the knife into its sheath. "Thank you, Mr. Tucker. I won't forget what you've done for me."
"Get going. Come find me here in a month."
Tucker still looked disdainful as he waved Alvin away impatiently.
Alvin said no more. He gathered his gear and retraced his steps.
After leaving the sewers, Alvin didn't hurry to travel to another world. There was one more thing he needed to do.
Three days of Catachan training had taught Alvin a great deal. His skills at blending in had improved by leaps and bounds, and he passed the Iron Hammer Gang's checkpoint with ease before returning to the South District.
The South District had changed beyond recognition over the past half month.
First, the Bone Gang, which had once ruled the district, had been wiped out and absorbed by the Iron Hammer Gang. There were far fewer scavengers in the streets now, replaced by gang members.
The gang members all wore hammer badges. Not only did they show none of their former bullying and arrogance, they even took the initiative to keep order.
It was unbelievable. A gang that wasn't acting like a gang, but handing out aid instead!
As Alvin looked over the "thriving" scene, his eyes lowered. Deep down, he felt nothing but conflicted.
He knew perfectly well that the Iron Hammer Gang wasn't doing this because they'd found their conscience.
They were recruiting as many people as possible, waiting for the right moment to flood into the Mid-hive and even the Upper-hive, spreading Chaos throughout the Nest City!
Alvin knew it all, but he was powerless to stop it.
Just as he was about to leave, he caught sight of a familiar figure. At the stall where the Iron Hammer Gang handed out free food every day, the boy was cheerfully giving out Energy Bars to the arriving scavengers.
Was that Emerich?!
Though he'd seen the boy for only a moment, Alvin was certain he hadn't mistaken him!
Emerich had joined the Iron Hammer Gang!
Alvin had come to the Underhive's South District for two reasons: to avoid the Tech-Priest, and to find Emerich and his sister and introduce them to Tucker so they could get away from this place.
But who could have guessed that Emerich would join the Iron Hammer Gang in just over ten days?
He was throwing himself into a pit of fire!
Alvin didn't consider himself a good person, but the siblings' tragic past had stirred a little sympathy in him.
At the very least, he could help them within his means.
The line of scavengers waiting for food stretched a long way. To avoid drawing attention, Alvin had no choice but to join at the very end.
It took a full two hours before his turn finally came.
Emerich skillfully handed him two Energy Bars and added casually, "Join the Iron Hammer Gang, and you can get a serving of Nutrient Paste every day!"
But as soon as he'd finished speaking, he heard the other person lower his voice. "Emerich, do you remember me?"
Emerich froze. He looked up in disbelief, as if a current had just passed through him.
Seeing Alvin's filthy clothes and unkempt appearance, so changed that he looked like a different person, Emerich quickly recognized him. A flicker of delight appeared in his eyes.
But he was cautious. He didn't call Alvin by name right away. Instead, he handed his duties over to another member and gestured for Alvin to follow him.
They went to the backyard of a bar. Once they were sure no one had followed, Emerich said excitedly in a hushed voice, "It really is you, Mr. Alvin! I never thought I'd see you again!"
"I came here specifically to find you, Emerich."
Alvin got straight to the point. "I'll give you a name and an address. Take your sister and go find him. Tell him I sent you, and he'll get you out of the Underhive."
Faced with this sudden, wonderful surprise, Emerich gaped at him. He stood there dumbfounded for a full half minute before stammering, "Mr. Alvin, you..."
"Don't ask questions. Go, and go quickly."
Alvin cut the boy off, his voice unconsciously turning stern. "Emerich, the Iron Hammer Gang is dangerous!"
But despite Alvin's warning, Emerich fell silent for a long time.
"You don't believe me?"
Alvin raised an eyebrow. His gaze gradually turned cold.
"No, Mr. Alvin. I believe you would never hurt us."
Emerich lowered his head like a child who'd done something wrong. He bit his lip and said firmly, "But I can't leave. Please forgive me for turning down your kindness, Mr. Alvin."
"Give me one reason."
Alvin looked at Emerich with an indifferent gaze, as though he were a stranger.
"Not long after you left, Buck was going to sell my sister." Emerich's face twisted with bitterness. He clenched his fists, his whole body trembling. "I-I couldn't beat Buck. It was Mr. Kolch from the Iron Hammer Gang who saved us!"
"Mr. Kolch has been good to us. He let me join the Iron Hammer Gang and gave me a weapon so I could get revenge..."
"I-I can't betray Mr. Kolch."
Emerich didn't dare look Alvin in the eye. "And the Iron Hammer Gang isn't as terrible as you imagine, either. Mr. Kolch says we've come together because we're all trying to survive. The Iron Hammer Gang will make the Underhive a better place, so... please forgive me, Mr. Alvin."
Alvin looked at Emerich and let out a deep sigh. He didn't say another word, just turned and left.
There was no way for him to change the boy's mind, and he couldn't possibly tell Emerich that the gang he claimed wanted everyone to survive was, in truth, a Cultist organization that worshiped Khorne!
This was the path Emerich had chosen for himself. Alvin had already given him a chance.
The truth was even crueler than a lie.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Alvin!"
Emerich's apologetic voice came from behind him.
But Alvin didn't look back. His one act of kindness hadn't been enough to change the siblings' fate.
Damn Tzeentch!
He cursed helplessly in his mind.
A moment later, in the depths of an empty alley, Alvin lowered his gaze to the ring on his wrist. "Navigator System, take me to a new world."
A black hole swallowed him whole, and he vanished without a trace!
It's a new month. Asking for a monthly ticket isn't too much, right?
Before you continue