Round 8: Pretty Young Thing

Foreword:

There is only one terrifying thing in this world: everyone has their own reasons.

--Jean Renoir

[Part 1: My People]

"I'm still not convinced!" Clark Sean said, parking his police car in front of the No. 4 cruise ship's dock.

Four-Eyes Banner, as his good partner, stood by Sean's side from beginning to end.

But this time, he didn't know if he could survive.

In a drug-carrying truck on the FDH102 intercity expressway, they, acting as traffic auxiliary police, seized 531 kilograms of heroin. This demonstrates that the White Shark Association has no bottom line and is brazenly using land transportation to carry out illegal and criminal activities.

Clark remained deeply troubled because one person was missing from the crime scene—a crucial fugitive. According to their investigation of the War Gang, that person was a high-ranking member of the Bug Eye Gang, codenamed Carrot.

This guy must be brought to justice, otherwise this is just the beginning.

The news of the gunsmith's death turned the legal system of Lieyang Fort into a seemingly magnificent but actually fragile tower.

Once someone takes the lead in committing a crime, picking up a stone and smashing it against the window of this building, others will immediately follow suit. Once the broken windows theory takes hold, it's impossible to go back to the previous law enforcement environment.

Evil that was originally hidden in the darkness will be brought into the open.

What used to be a clandestine and secretive way of committing crimes has now become a social atmosphere where anyone who doesn't engage in shady dealings is considered a fool.

Hard work might have brought rewards, allowing one to live a peaceful and secure life. But once the White Shark Association gains the upper hand and allows a criminal to live a life of impunity, people immediately follow suit and begin to eat human flesh.

Clark Sean witnessed firsthand the hellish social environment of Eureka Volcano City during his Human Hell in the Warband. It was unrestricted by railways, had poor transportation, and a developed economy, yet it brought no happiness whatsoever.

Shooting civilians in broad daylight, warbands being driven out of the ruling territory, militias becoming sworn brothers with monsters, men growing up to be thieves as an honor, and women growing up to be prostitutes as their life's ambition—people who pursue fairness and justice have become freaks and jokes.

If Lieyang Fort were to become like this, he couldn't imagine how his adoptive parents would survive, or how the countless other vulnerable people would survive.

He could only do what he could, to take the radish back, to frighten the criminals, and to terrify the monsters; this was the duty of Guangling Zhixi.

According to the information provided by the informant, the last place where Radish was seen was the White Shark Association's No. 4 cruise ship, which is George Joshua's Curiosity Museum amusement park. This guy must have made some kind of pact with Manager Todd and received a new mission. To find Radish, they have to break into this den of thieves.

"Banner, you don't need to come with me." Clark Sean knew this trip was fraught with danger, and he was prepared to sacrifice himself. He searched the passenger-side storage compartment and found the old chapter insignia and logbook.

These items are updated according to the service age of the soldiers in the battle group, from ordinary soldiers to regular sergeant ranks, squad leaders, battalion commanders, and additional centurion medals for combat merits, as well as action group armbands for various positions.

Clark Sean's service path started as a guerrilla, then moved to a contraband search and bomb disposal team, became a K-9 militia dog handler, and finally joined the Guangling Zhixi Special Operations Narcotics Unit. Most recently, he tore off the badges from his shoulder and stuffed them all into a small metal box.

The thick logbook records all his missions from his seven years of service, from the reserve youth training camp to today. The miscellaneous information in it is nothing special; even if you randomly pulled out any nameless person and brought out Leslie's informant Silver Bay, their achievements would be far more impressive than this member of the battle group.

Before joining the narcotics unit, Clark repaired haunted houses and helped a father persuade his runaway daughter to come back to life.

He acted like a firefighter, rescuing a squirrel pet that had been climbing up a tree and getting tangled in a bird net.

He acted like a military drill instructor, beating up the unruly kids with knives from the two community basketball teams.

He was always fiddling with the gun in his hand, even without firing it. The daily dry-fire training and simulated shooting made the weapon loose and flimsy.

Clark had been waiting for an opportunity, a chance to prove himself.

Banner, clutching the tin box, didn't know what to say.

--This shrewd kid followed Clark around, starting as an informant, thinking that the militia would be a better way to make money, given the large number of criminals in Lieyang Fort.

If criminals are efficient at making money, then the militia, who instill fear in criminals, should be able to make even more money.

This has nothing to do with justice or evil; that's what Banner thought from the beginning.

As the boy grew up and went through so many ups and downs with Clark, the Four Eyes became greasy and cunning, and slowly came to understand the responsibilities on Guangling Zhixi's shoulders.

"I can't go with you to get involved in this mess this time, boss."

Clark: "That's exactly what I was thinking."

Banner: "I still have parents and an older sister to take care of."

Clark: "That's what I was thinking too. One person can handle this, while the other can take care of the family."

Banner: "I won't try to persuade you anymore--"

--Because persuasion is useless.

Banner knew what kind of person Clark was. This guy was incredibly stubborn; once he set his mind on something, he was willing to give his life for it. He was the kind of complete idiot that George Joshua described.

An idiot would stubbornly refuse to admit anything, even if it's just for the sake of saving face.

Idiots will argue with others for hours over differing viewpoints and opinions, even wasting an entire day on who is right and who is wrong.

Idiots never admit defeat, and idiots never think they're wrong.

Stupid people are easily frustrated, easily hurt, and easily have their defenses shattered.

They are both hateful and lovable; to outsiders, they are clowns, but in their own hearts—they are invincible.

There is only one terrifying thing in this world: everyone has their own reasons. Everyone isolates themselves; everyone is an enemy.

"I'm going to find Todd, not to fight him. That guy's smart enough; without evidence and a search warrant, I can't interrogate him," Clark said. "I'm going to find out where Radish is."

Banner wanted to take a roundabout approach to persuade Clark: "But you have no money, and no bargaining chips."

Clark had matured somewhat, even resorting to simple cunning. "I'll sell myself and tell this old tree spirit that I'm useful and can help the White Shark Association —provided I catch a carrot first."

Banner: "You're trying to lie to him?"

"I'm going to lie to him." Clark Sean pursed his lips, his eyes wide with rage. "Anyway, I have nothing left. A barefoot person has nothing to fear. Let's grab the carrot first, then we can talk about how to pay him."

"If White Shark Association my help, I can make excuses, dodge debts, or run away!"

"But before I leave this place of sorrow, I must catch Radish; he must be sentenced to death!"

Banner was covered in sweat, and then looked at the iron box in his arms.

Clark Sean explained--

"--Help me take these things home, and go in wearing your identification and military badge. I'm afraid of angering the White Shark Association's suspected members."

Banner feigned ignorance, asking, "These are your things; you can leave them in the car!"

[Part ②: Game Rules]

"If I don't come back, if I die, I'll quickly take Old Sean Mother Tian and run away." When Sean talked about his adoptive parents, "Old Sean" was his adoptive father, whose Chinese surname was Xiao, but who gave the child a foreign surname.

Both his father and mother hoped that Sean would grow up healthy and strong and become a messenger of justice.

Clark is the name of Superman in DC Comics. This little boy, sent by God, was like a gift from Krypton to Sean's adoptive parents, who also received this name.

After graduating from the police academy, Clark, like countless other young people of the new generation, regarded gunsmiths as a totem of the times and a spiritual imprint. He never liked to talk about gunsmiths—the man who changed his life and determined his destiny had almost become a divine messenger in his life.

Throughout Banner and Clark's law enforcement careers, the Cavaliers' skills saved them countless times.

Clark believes that he was also adopted, but his family background was completely different from that of the gunsmith.

He should have performed better and become more outstanding. When he was given this healthy and strong body, he should have followed in the footsteps of his gunsmith teacher and done even better than him.

Clark Sean felt extremely frustrated because he couldn't repay the debt of gratitude he owed his parents, which is why he became angry.

Banner didn't say anything, just hugged the metal box and didn't move.

When Sean opened the car door, the Four Eyes looked out the window at the torrential rain with trepidation; the darkness seemed to be swallowing Clark whole.

"Boss! How about we think of another way? Could we find the carrot by going around Cruise Ship No. 4?"

Clark is now just a militia auxiliary police officer. After cracking the drug trafficking case, the task force has no new deployment arrangements and will have to wait until the case is closed before rewards are given. But Radish is still at large. If Clark can't continue the investigation, he has to go back to the FDH101 to 102 section today to continue traffic inspections.

Clark didn't reply, but gave Thumb- up with his fist to express his feelings, and then disappeared into the dark rain.

Even the fireworks in the sky couldn't illuminate the darkness of this road.

The sound of rain drowned out the sound of footsteps, and no one knew if Clark would make it out of the ship alive.

Banner got out of the car and returned to the driver's seat. Just those few steps had soaked him to the bone. He quickly huddled in his seat, shivering from the cold. Through the window, he could see bursts of brilliant fireworks erupting from the No. 3 cruise ship in the distance.

He mistakenly thought it was people from a big casino having fun in the rainy night, drinking and reveling amidst the fireworks, indulging in unrestrained behavior—in reality, it was the gunfire of Big Sister.

Upon arriving at Cruise Ship No. 4, we arrived at the reception area of Curiosity Museum.

Clark, exhausted from staying up all night reviewing files, had bloodshot eyes from deep fatigue. He greeted the hostess.

The woman immediately greeted him with a smile, "Clark Sean!"

Clark: "You know my name?"

The hostesses, dressed provocatively, were selected from the Jiali of Cruise Ship No. 2 and assigned to work part-time as hostesses on Cruise Ship No. 4. The Guangling Zhixi would collect protection money from them, and some soldiers would go directly to Cruise Ship No. 2 to find mistresses and spend money.

These soldiers often mentioned Clark Sean.

He was very famous within the warband, infamous.

--He's a straightforward idiot.

The hostess, holding a pipe and tilting her head, wrote the guests' names on the register at the desk with a pen in her other hand.

"Who doesn't know you! You're an upright and impartial neighbor who upholds the law! You've worked tirelessly in the many districts of Lieyang Fort, changing positions six times in six years. Almost the entire battle group and the three major militia groups know you."

Clark took off his hat and coat, and shook the rainwater off in the cloakroom on the porch.

"I want to see Todd."

The greeter said, "I'm sorry, Manager Todd is not seeing any guests today."

"I have something important to discuss with him." Clark immediately pulled out two thousand-dollar Hui Stone Currency from his clothes and stuffed them next to the registration desk.

The hostess, beaming with delight, silently accepted the money and immediately changed her tune—

"--That's all? Not even enough for half a shift's hourly wage."

Clark was stunned. "Why don't you give me my money back? I don't have any more! I'm poor!"

The hostess chuckled and said, "Hehehe."

Once the benefits are in your pocket, why would you give them back?

"Then I'll ask for you." With that, the woman picked up the radio and summoned the front desk of cruise ship number three.

There was no response, only a cacophony of noise.

"Look, the wind and rain are so strong, the signal is bad."

Clark grew impatient. "Tell me where Todd is, I'll go find him myself."

"It'll cost extra," the woman stretched, her every move exuding seductive charm. She replied, "If you pay enough, I can provide additional services. For example, let's find a hotel, not too fancy, just the one along the riverfront beach—the one used to entertain soldiers—and chat slowly in bed?"

Clark: "It's really gone, sister!"

"Sigh!" The young woman pursed her lips, feigning a headache. "This is hard to say. Why don't you go to the Curiosity Museum and look for the brothers from the War Gang? See if they can tell you where the steward is?"

"I paid! Two thousand dollars!" Clark stared in astonishment at the ruthless woman.

"That's called learning a lesson," the hostess said. "Clark Sean, next time you're going to send money, you'd better watch your step. Otherwise, always sending it to greedy little minions like me is just a waste of money. I'm guiding you, educating you; you should thank me, not curse and blame me!"

Clark: "You!"

"Oh dear? Are you going to resort to violence?" In that instant, the hostess guarding the gate split her mouth into three parts, revealing her true form as Blood-giving Monster. Her snout protruded, and golden fur grew from her temples to her cheeks, making her look exactly like a cougar. "You dare take my money! I've got you covered! If you dare pull out a gun, I'll consider it police brutality! Violence must be met with violence! Who do you think this is? Daring to cause trouble on George Joshua's ship?! Who are you? An anonymous nobody?"

Clark glared angrily, his eyes wide with fury, and gripped the gun at his side. In the end, he reluctantly admitted defeat. He had lost again, suffering a severe lesson from the evil forces and accepting a humiliating defeat.

The hostess behind Clark spoke in a sarcastic tone.

"Yes! That's right! Accept our rules of the game! Clark! Accept it!"

Clark Sean was not discouraged. He headed to the Curiosity Museum hall to try his luck with other people. Even if he failed many times, it didn't matter. His fighting spirit was invincible.

In the Huimin Supermarket in the Northland Granary district, the people of Fuyanni and Billy, Susie and the two robbers, as well as Radish and Krichieva, are bound together by a strange fate, and all sorts of misfortunes and fortunes make up this story.

George Joshua's Gate of Death, the fourth and fifth, are on this ship.