Operator #10 · [Mother]

Benjamin Black is a newcomer to the Crowmen.

This branch of the Madness Butterfly Sect began to rise with the hippie movement, taking root in the Portuguese county, seven thousand meters underground in Yugoslavia. In the several chastity rituals of Guangling Zhixi and the Lapis Lazuli Guards against the Sky Station, they were just a hair's breadth away from completely uprooting this small church that used flying birds and calamities as totems for its Blood Ceremony.

Benjamin knew that turbulent Europe was not a good place to go, and that Zero Platform in District 38 was not as impregnable as the Cult Leader had described. Three months ago, a newcomer who had departed from the Nine Realms Station returned with the head of a Crowman to report back.

Benjamin couldn't understand it.

--The ruthless individuals emerging from the Abyssal Railway system are becoming increasingly outrageous. Their first investigation mission requires bloodshed, and they even need to obtain the brain of the unit that gave them the blood. Is Ming De starting to manipulate its passengers? Or are the passengers simply becoming increasingly competitive and inflexible?

Run away--

--Let's escape to Vladivostok, take a ferry, and go to Las Vegas.

Alaska is not a good place. Although the Northwest of America is remote, it has no underground railway system. If you want to cause trouble on the surface world, you will eventually be shot by the FBI.

Hong Kong is too close to the Ming De. Although the most dangerous place is the safest place, for a small fry like Benjamin, this cool line is reserved for the protagonist; he has no right to use it.

Las Vegas has become the most suitable temporary residence.

I've heard that the construction team for the station has defeated the giants of Niflheim and is going to build a sea railway. The first station will definitely be located around Las Vegas. At that time, countless pioneers and cargo ships with a carrying capacity far exceeding that of the railway will flock to the area.

A sky road will inevitably be built 21,000 meters underground in Las Vegas.

Benjamin Black, you visionary fellow, managed to live smoothly on the surface for over a decade, and then return to the underground world, using your extensive experience and the connections you've built up over those years to act as a middleman, transporting supplies or personnel between the surface and the underground.

Your children have a bright future. Even if you don't live to see that day, you can stay here and be ready to let the second and third generations of the Black family enjoy the sweet fruits brought to you by the Niflheim Assault Team.

Thinking like this--

--Benjamin took his luggage and prepared to disembark.

He was in high spirits, almost humming a Slavic folk song, wanting to immerse himself in local customs and chat with the Russians or the big brothers from Northeast China about his life ideals.

Just then, Jiang Xueming straightened Sixty-Three's head, letting this strange enemy lean against the window with a pillow so as not to disturb his sleep.

Sixty-Three appeared to have no external injuries, and the bruises on his face were slowly healing.

Xue Ming gave up his spot to Sixty-Three, leaving him to stand in the middle of the plane's aisle, blocking half the way.

Flavia, one of the flight attendants, was sleeping like Sixty-Three; no one even bothered to call the doctor.

--But the way Sixty-Three slept was so sweet and so reassuring.

His breathing was even, strong, deep, and long; all his worries and ferocious expressions had vanished.

While Xue Ming was still wondering about these things, Benjamin hurried forward while glancing at his watch.

This newcomer to the Crow Clan fantasized about a wonderful future and then became arrogant and domineering, trying to use his strong physique to push aside Xue Ming, the short guy blocking his way.

"I'm in a hurry! Get out of the way!"

While Amin was still confused by the bloody broken tooth in his palm, Benjamin immediately pushed and squeezed his body, and his head was about to hit the luggage rack.

Immediately afterward, his cat-like spirit came to protect its master, its nimble paws gently gripping the headrest of the seat, and then pushing Benjamin toward the airplane door.

In those few short seconds—

Benjamin took several steps forward, so quickly and smoothly. The giant, over 185 centimeters tall, had never felt his body so light, as if he were leaving all his bad luck and misfortune on the plane.

This Latino man from Columbia tossed his long, dark brown curly hair, gripped his suitcase tightly with his strong, thick Five Fingers, and strode quickly toward the intercity bus station outside Vladivostok airport.

It was 3:31 a. m., and there weren't many taxis available at night. The cold wind in Vladivostok could easily take his life.

Benjamin pulled up his collar, trying to shield himself from the wind and snow, then squatted down to find warm clothes in his suitcase.

He couldn't remember very clearly anymore--

As soon as he opened the suitcase, he saw neatly arranged cash inside. As for whether he had brought winter clothes, he really couldn't remember. He could only try his luck and pray to God that his brain would be sharp enough to have made adequate preparations for the trip.

He unfolded the thick stacks of rubles, then flipped through the dollar bills, and finally pulled out a down jacket from the paper banknotes.

"Benjamin! You're so lucky! You're incredibly lucky, so clever!"

He put on the down jacket and immediately felt his body temperature rise.

He breathed hot air onto his hands, then carefully arranged the money. As he closed the box, the burly man immediately became apprehensive.

The bus station, which had been deserted just moments before, suddenly had a bright yellow bus appear.

Two patrol officers got off the bus. Judging from their hair and skin color, they were locals from the Amur Peninsula. They had a fierce look, and you could tell at a glance that they were not to be messed with.

Benjamin was about to greet them in broken Russian.

The officer immediately took off his hat and spoke fluent English.

"Sir, did you just get off the plane? Did you come from Reykjavik?"

Benjamin: "Yes, yes"

Officer: "Where are you going?"

Benjamin: "The port."

The officer picked up Benjamin's suitcase and stuffed it into the bus's luggage compartment.

"Get on the bus, this is the last one. You're lucky."

Benjamin immediately began to doubt, almost unable to believe it.

He was just thinking about whether to find a guesthouse or hotel in a village or town outside the airport. He had been scrolling through the VISA traveler recommendations for a long, long time, until his eyes were almost tired, but he still couldn't find a suitable one.

He was completely unfamiliar with this place, and carrying so much money for the night, he couldn't possibly get a good night's sleep. If he could go to a more bustling area, like Golden Horn Bay or the Soviet Soldiers' Monument—to stay in the warm Azmut Hotel, and to ask the HLJ Bay Hostel for the latest ferry information—that would be wonderful, so reassuring.

Is this the last train?

Benjamin tilted his head, peered into the car, and saw that there were no other passengers besides him, which inevitably aroused suspicion.

He even suspected that the sudden appearance of these two policemen might be an attempt to stalk wealthy travelers and rip them off!

"Yes, the pandemic has devastated our tourism industry. It's so rare to have a traveler coming." The officer took out his radio and connected to the terminal's customer service center. "Customer service has already arranged for a car to take you to the nearest town. If you're worried about that and don't want to take this car, we've even brought a police car over."

Benjamin was flattered and never expected this.

He took his suitcase back. "Brother! I'll ride in your police car!"

The officer, still puzzled, joked with his assistant, "Hey! Why does this guy like riding in a police car?"

Benjamin immediately explained with a grin, "No need to trouble the bus driver, this is my first time riding in a police car! No, it's my first time riding in a police car!"

The officer tossed the keys to his henchman, who immediately ran to get the car.

Benjamin then squatted under the awning of the guard post, looking at the vast expanse of white snow and the endless darkness.

The police officer handed the guest a cigarette and lit it for him.

"Brother, it seems like this is your first time here?"

Benjamin: "That's right, cough cough cough!"

Officer: "Not used to smoking it?"

Benjamin: "I didn't really like it. When I was a kid, my mom was a chain smoker. She died of lung cancer."

Officer: "Wasn't it cured?"

Benjamin: "This is an incurable disease, brother—what nonsense are you talking about?"

Officer: "If you don't like it, then don't smoke it. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have given you a cigarette; it reminded you of something sad."

Benjamin: "No, it's what I should do. Refusing someone's kindness is a shameful betrayal."

So--

--Benjamin looked at the pristine white pipe.

"It's the Ledi brand, mint flavored. It's a bit pungent at first, but it gets better afterward."

The police officer scratched his nose sheepishly, "These are very cheap cigarettes, please don't look down on them. We spent all our money fighting Ukraine, the economy is in a bad state."

Benjamin scoffed. "They said the same thing a few years ago. The news always said the global economy was bad, but I went out for a walk and didn't see any department stores collapse or any big companies take down their signs. On the contrary, I found myself with less and less money in my pocket—it turns out the only one suffering from the economic downturn was myself."

Police officer. "Hahahahahahahaha."

Benjamin: "Actually."

After a while, there was a silence of about ten seconds.

Benjamin finally continued.

"Actually, there was a chance. I actually had a chance to save my mother."

Officer: "Didn't you do it?"

Benjamin: "Yeah, I got the medicine, just a little bit of time left."

Police officer. "The dead cannot be brought back to life, brother."

Benjamin: "I know, I know."

Officer: "Where are you headed?"

Benjamin: "Go to Las Vegas, find a girl, and settle down."

Officer: "That's great."

Benjamin suddenly laughed out loud for no reason, but he felt a sense of relief.

"Don't smoke this anymore, officer—it's the dead of winter, smoking menthol is really uncomfortable."

Before he finished speaking, he pulled a wad of rubles from his suitcase, followed by a wad of US dollars, and stuffed them into the officer's hand.

"No, no, no, that won't do," the officer quickly refused.

Benjamin asked in bewilderment, "What are you afraid of? Are you afraid the KGB will investigate you for embezzlement and tax evasion?"

The officer pushed the money back. "I won't take this money. I have a salary, it's not what you think."

Benjamin gave up and stuffed the bills back into the box.

"Why?"

"If there's a first time, there will be a second and a third. I just want to chat with you; I never intended to make money off you. I'm not a sex worker who provides drinks, chats, or sex; it's different."

Upon hearing the officer's reply, Benjamin immediately slapped the Slavic man hard on the shoulder.

"Hahahaha! Hahahaha! Hahahaha!"

The officer tried to retaliate, his smile contorted in pain, but his attack missed its mark, landing on the cold, wet floor.

They just smiled and didn't say anything more.

Until the henchman drove up and parked outside the guard post --

--That Volga car has been repainted countless times, and its originally boxy body has become sturdy and unassuming.

"I'm sorry! I'm late!"

The officer immediately asked, "Where did you go just now?"

The little follower picked up three large loaves of rye bread, as if pulling them out of his crotch, and suddenly thrust them out of the car window.

"I'm going to buy some food!"

The officer's eyes lit up. "Did Yelena's mother make it?"

Follower: "Yes!"

Officer: "It's so late."

The sidekick said, "I'm getting married to her daughter next month! No matter what time it is, they always leave me a key to the back door of the bakery!"

Officer: "You little rascal."

Benjamin brought out a large loaf of bread, sat in the back of the police car, and, smelling the aroma of wheat bran and the burnt smell of the microwave, finally felt completely at ease.

The vehicle drove onto the low, sloping road lined with poplar trees. Occasionally, wide-area broadcasts from other jurisdictions could be heard over the radio. The officer placed his phone in the storage compartment, immediately tore open a paper bag, and began to eat his late-night snack.

The airport lights in the mountains outside the window looked like fluorescent flying insects.

Further away, the passenger plane had just left the ground and soared into the sky.

I don't know why--

Benjamin felt a strange sadness.

He held his warm clothes and a piece of warm bread, with his friends—whose names he didn't know and whom he had only met once—beside him, their faces burning hot.

The food contains red bean paste and Harbin red sausage. As they spread on the tongue, a familiar taste emerges.

That must be the sweet and savory flavor of cheese mixed with sturgeon roe. This dish is also found in my home country of Columbia, but it's extremely expensive.

Officer: "Is it hard to eat?"

Benjamin: "No."

Officer: "You're almost crying, just how bad is it?"

Benjamin: "No. That's not it, it's not like that."

The Latino man kept crying as he spoke to his good friend beside him.

"I ate this kind of thing when I was a child."

Police officer. "A wealthy family, huh?"

Benjamin: "My mom fed it to me."

Police officer. "Your mother must have been very good to you."

Benjamin: "No, she's an asshole."

Officer: "Huh?"

"I grew up in the kitchen of a restaurant. She worked for a five-star hotel and never said who my father was. Maybe he was some hotel guest who had a one-night stand with her and then ran away." Benjamin frowned and clenched his bread tightly. "She beat and scolded me, but every now and then she would steal leftover caviar from the guests and feed it to me."

Even if I don't like it.

Even if I eat expired or spoiled food, and feel nauseous, vomit, and see stars, I have to be forced to swallow it.

She said, "This tastes like wealth, it's food for the rich, it's a symbol of the rich."

"She said I had to remember this taste, that I had to rise above others, whether by stealing, robbing, or any other means, I had to climb up to the top and become a superior person. She wanted to enjoy life, to enjoy my good fortune, and that I had to leave through the hotel's main entrance, not the back door of the kitchen."

The assistant whispered to the officer, "I'm sorry, I... these breads were for the wedding. I promise I won't do that again."

Benjamin continued stuffing food into his mouth, but the tears wouldn't stop.

"It's okay, it's okay, I'm not angry. It's okay. I just miss her, I miss her so much. I can take her to enjoy life now, I can now. Just consider it as me attending your wedding with my mother, little brother."

The sidekick was overjoyed to hear Benjamin's words. He pulled a small gift from his pocket—100% pure hardcore dark chocolate—and handed it to the person behind him from the driver's seat.

Benjamin put it in his mouth, and he cried even harder.

The police officer nervously pressed, "Your mother can make chocolate?"

"No," Benjamin said immediately, "It's fucking miserable! It's as miserable as life itself! What kind of human suffering is this!"

"Things will get better," the sidekick comforted him. "I'm getting married soon, let's talk about something happy! Bro! You'll be getting married soon too, right?"

"I don't know." Benjamin wiped his mouth and tears, then tossed the tissue out the window—a truly rude guy. "Who will I meet? Will she be a terrible woman like my mother?"

Officer: "Don't overthink it—no two people in the world are exactly alike."

The lackey immediately chimed in, "Definitely not!"

Benjamin murmured, "I was thinking of just finding someone to start a new family with. There doesn't have to be any emotional connection, but they must be clever and honest. I'll be the only one managing my future career; I definitely won't be able to take care of everything on my own. If I had some close family or friends to help me, things would be much easier."

"Would you stay in a five-star hotel?" the officer teased. "So you'd take a fancy to a waitress and have a one-night stand?"

Benjamin cursed and laughed, "You motherfucker, hahahahahaha, you fucking bastard!"

The Volga burst out of the mountains and forests and came to the wide, straight intercity road.

In the distance, one can see the city lights reflected on the shimmering ocean surface.

Jiang Xueming pulled the tall, strong stranger out of the water.

He looked at Mr. Wood with a helpless and innocent expression.

"What should we do?"

Wood first pointed to Xue Ming, then to Sixty-Three, and finally shrugged indifferently, giving up his seat.

Two unconscious strangers were huddled together side by side.

Wood and Xue Ming had essentially bought "standing tickets," so they leaned against their seats.

You look at me, I look at you.