Michael (In Celebration of AP Tianyu's Alliance Leader Rank!)

Winter in the year 279 of the Federation Calendar came earlier than expected.

early morning.

Sulu put on a coat, exhaled a puff of white breath, went to the edge of the garden, retrieved the daily newspaper and milk, and returned to the living room.

Mary had already prepared breakfast: slightly browned bread and fried bacon.

Harlock lay listlessly on the carpet, his face showing a look of utter despair.

During its time in foster care, many of its hobbies were forbidden, and its ambition to destroy the house was completely thwarted—forget about it.

The good old days with Isaac are gone forever.

More importantly, it couldn't defeat its new master and was branded with a contract, so it could only obediently follow orders.

"Hmm... There's been an increase in mysterious news in the newspapers lately, and they've even added some folklore sections... Is this laying the groundwork for the future, a limited opening up?"

Sulu drank his milk while opening the newspaper.

Just as he was sandwiching bacon between the bread and spreading fruit syrup, the doorbell rang outside.

Mary wiped her hands, went to open the door, and welcomed the guest into the living room.

"Mr. Sean!"

It was Duran and Wood who arrived, both dressed in black trench coats, their usual slovenly appearance gone. They bowed slightly and said, "Our boss... wants to see you!"

"The boss of the Shark Gang?"

Sulu ate his homemade sandwich at a leisurely pace, a piece of information quickly flashing through his mind:

' The Shark Gang gang leader...' Tiger Shark Michael! Rumored to be ferocious, he's slit the throats of several opponents and thrown them into the sea to feed the sharks...'

"You... leaked my secrets?"

He asked casually.

"Sir... Master... I'm so sorry..."

Despite the cold weather, Duran's forehead was already covered in sweat. "The boss guessed it... After all, our actions are becoming increasingly suspicious."

"When did that happen?" Sulu had anticipated this and asked again.

"Two weeks ago... he promoted us in the gang and instructed us to serve him wholeheartedly!"

Duran quickly replied.

'Does this look like... an expression of goodwill?'

'As a gang leader, he definitely knows more about the Mystic World than his underlings, and he also knows the terror of professionals...'

'Even if... the other party notifies the city's Bureau 11 and other agencies, I'm not afraid...'

'This might be an opportunity to formally join the local circle of extraordinary individuals.'

After finishing breakfast, Sulu stood up. "Perfect timing... I didn't have an appointment today."

Of course, the main reason he agreed was that the Soul Burning had lessened considerably, and his injuries had almost fully healed.

"Yes, please follow me!"

Duran and Wood drove the carriage to take Sulu to the Dock District.

This is the dirtiest and most chaotic area in Lori City, a place where countless poor people, bankrupt individuals, and laborers congregate. Even a census would struggle to determine its exact population.

Due to its high mobility and secrecy, it naturally became the preferred location for gangs.

"My lord, we have arrived."

Duran led Sulu into a building in the Dock District.

This appeared to be a mixed residential area, with people constantly coming and going. Sulu pressed his temples, feeling many people watching him.

Perhaps, a child playing in the sewage nearby is an informant for some gang.

'No wonder gangs like this are so resilient.'

He followed Duran into the building, seemingly lost in thought, and arrived at a certain floor.

Here, numerous skilled thugs patrolled, significantly increasing the level of security.

A burly white man was already waiting in front of a living room.

He had fiery hair, and his chest muscles bulged high, with a steely sheen. He looked like a fierce tiger. Upon seeing Sulu, he immediately stepped forward and extended his hand warmly.

Sulu shook hands with him, then frowned.

He seemed to smell a strong stench of blood and resentment. Clearly, this Shark Gang leader, Michael, had far more than a dozen lives on his hands.

"Please come in!"

Michael led Sulu into the living room, an office decorated with a rather ruthless style.

There's a shark sculpture on the wall, below which are two crossed swords, and on the display shelf next to it are menacing-looking firearms that don't look like fakes.

"It is said... Mr. Sean, you are an expert in the field of occultism? And you have solved problems for many people?"

Michael sat down on the sofa and spoke very directly.

"I'm just a Scholar, with only a little research in some areas..."

Sulu maintained his faint smile.

"Your abilities deserve to cooperate with stronger individuals, not those two useless guys like Duran... Sorry... I don't mean to disparage them, but their abilities are really mediocre..."

Michael casually pulled out a cigar and gestured with his eyes, but Sulu refused.

"So..." Sulu asked curiously, his fingers interlaced.

"I'd like to hire you as an advisor to the Shark Gang. Ten Gold Dragon per month, and if anything happens... uh... mysterious or special, we'll increase that amount depending on your suggestions and the situation. What do you think?"

Michael extended the invitation with great sincerity.

It's clear that this man is very ambitious and knows a bit about mysterious things.

They understand that in today's world, one must possess a certain level of extraordinary power, otherwise, one will find it difficult to move forward.

"Not enough!"

Sulu took a sip of coffee and shook his head calmly.

"I heard from Duran that Mr. Sean has been looking for gatherings of his kind?"

Michael, observing Sulu's indifferent expression, knew that ordinary money wouldn't sway him, and offered his final condition. "I happen to know someone who can vouch for Mr. Sean. You know, people in the Mystic World are mostly very cautious... especially at this gathering; they need the guarantee of a local power, of course... unofficial."

In fact, there is still a certain observation period.

However, Sulu had already made a name for himself in certain circles in Lori City and had lived there for some time, thus fulfilling his requirements.

"Very good."

Sulu nodded reservedly, agreeing to the condition.

As for becoming a consultant for the mafia? That's completely irrelevant.

At this moment, he is Sean, a Scholar —an identity he will discard once he recovers from his injuries!

"Then we'll be friends from now on!"

Michael's expression softened, and he shook hands with Sulu again. "Please rest assured, I will take care of this matter soon. Should I send Duran to inform him?"

He had already made up his mind: if this mysterious man in front of him disliked Duran, he would immediately have him thrown into the sea!

Anyway, he's done similar things more than once or twice.

Sulu frowned, sensing a hint of murderous intent, and quickly figured out what was going on.

"We could replace it with Wood... The Church of the Goddess us that life is precious."

"Okay... okay..."

Michael was stunned, seemingly unable to believe that Sulu, this wild superhuman, actually worshipped the Goddess of Light!