Mafia Retaliation

A little purple-haired rabbit became a regular at the pharmacy in the days after Zhuang Xiaolin brought her back.

The little rabbit hopped about, livening up the once-quiet pharmacy. Even Frost rarely showed such a girlish side, and she quickly became close with Rope.

Zhuang Xiaolin did not mind having someone who brought a lively atmosphere to his shop. And so, the pharmacy, which had originally housed only a few special operations operators, gained a little rabbit.

Though Tachanka said nothing, the small concern and attention he showed toward the rabbit could not be hidden from his eyes.

Doc got down to business as well, setting up a simple little workshop in the pharmacy to treat injured patients.

"Dinner's ready!" Rook shouted, setting the armor pack on the table.

Everyone was as quick as ever. Even the little rabbit who had recently joined them had grown accustomed to it.

"Say, Tachanka, I keep feeling like something is off around here. Haven't there been any unusual signs these past few days?" Frost leaned closer as she asked, a trace of worry flashing through her eyes.

"I'm not sure. There are too many people in the slums. It's very difficult to notice what is unusual about every single one of them. If someone wanted to launch an attack, they would usually wear some kind of uniform. But we can't rule out the possibility that they're well-trained thugs. They could dress differently when they come out to fight and quietly slip past our surveillance." Tachanka shook his head. His heavy helmet had been removed and placed on the table beside him.

"Xiaolin, what are you reading?" Rope stood curiously beside Zhuang Xiaolin, bending down to look at the book in his hands, titled Terra Medical Studies: Prologue.

"You wouldn't understand it. Want some candy? I still have a pack here. Remember to have it with the medicine. That way, the feeling of happiness will double." Zhuang Xiaolin smiled gently, took out a pack of expensive candy sold only at confectionery shops in central Lungmen from the shoulder bag he carried with him, and stuffed the medicine and candy into Rope's arms.

"Mmm... th-that's too much. I can't finish it all, and Doctor said that eating too much candy is bad for your teeth." Rope fidgeted awkwardly. Though she wore old, patched-up clothes and looked malnourished, girls always cared about their weight.

"Then have one piece a day. I have some bread here too." Zhuang Xiaolin took out a large loaf of rye bread he had baked himself.

The large rye loaf was crisp and fragrant. Compared to the kind baked amid ice and snow, this freshly baked bread carried the scent of wheat. Its crust was so crisp that a light snap would make a large piece fall away. The perfectly browned shell and raisins scattered across it added a rich sweetness.

Rope drooled at the sight of the large rye loaf. Seeing this, Zhuang Xiaolin waved it around as if showing off, then wrapped it up and stuffed it into Rope's arms as well.

His interaction with Rope reminded Zhuang Xiaolin of the time he had spent in the mountains with those innocent, simple children. They had merely been poor. The people here were different. They were not only poor, but afflicted with a strange disease and oppressed by a cruel world. They could die at any moment over some insignificant cause.

Rope was the clearest example. If she had not been driven to her limit, who would steal another person's money just to buy food?

After spending the past few days with her, Zhuang Xiaolin confirmed that he had not misjudged her. Rope was like a somewhat naïve but sensible girl who wanted to stand on her own, yet could not find the right way to do so.

Zhuang Xiaolin knew that feeling well. Those children had been the same—left-behind children, children whose parents had died in accidents. They all had to stand on their own because they had to be strong.

This warm moment did not last long. Not long after Rope left,

several black pickup trucks suddenly charged into the western slums. Pedestrians scattered in every direction before the trucks, while several passersby who failed to escape in time were instantly crushed beneath the wheels, ground into pulp.

"What happened outside?" Upon hearing the commotion from the crowd, Zhuang Xiaolin hurriedly asked Mozzie.

"A group has forced their way in. They're running people over." Mozzie rapidly swiped across the portable terminal in his hand.

"Everyone, prepare for combat. We'll watch and see what happens." Zhuang Xiaolin frowned slightly, but still decided to observe first before taking action.

Everyone quickly returned to their positions. The small pharmacy had already become a fairly sturdy fortress. Nearly every person here was a master of defense and offense. Anyone who wanted to break through its defenses would have to pay with dozens of lives first.

The pickup trucks barreled forward recklessly. Black skulls were painted on the doors along their sides.

Several black pickup trucks crushed their way forward and soon arrived near Zhuang Xiaolin's pharmacy. Their purpose was clear. Dozens of trucks formed a semicircle, completely blocking the street in front of the pharmacy.

"Siracusan profanity Siracusan profanity, get the hell out here! You dare cause trouble on Mafia territory? Then be ready to pay with your lives!" A fat middle-aged man in an expensive suit stepped down from one of the pickup trucks, spewing curses the moment he opened his mouth.

More and more people climbed down from the pickup trucks. Heavy crossbows were set up in the truck beds, and some of them were even equipped with guns.

Zhuang Xiaolin showed no sign of panic. He looked displeasedly at the fat middle-aged man leading them. These people were all Lupo. They appeared to be foreign gangsters from Siracusa who had come to Lungmen. The fact that they could cause such trouble without being completely wiped out meant that the ruler of Lungmen's underworld likely had some plan concerning this matter.

"Not coming out, are you? Then say goodbye to everything you have!" the fat middle-aged man shouted, taking several flaming bottles from his subordinates. He raised both hands behind him, preparing to throw them forward.

Bang! A gunshot rang sharply through the area around the pharmacy.

One of the bottles in the fat middle-aged man's hands suddenly exploded. High-proof liquor splashed all over him, and the spray caught several faint tongues of flame.

In an instant, roaring fire spread across the fat middle-aged man's entire body. He howled miserably, rolling across the ground like a dog. His expensive suit looked especially ironic at that moment.

However, the people around him reacted immediately, raising their weapons toward the pharmacy and pulling the triggers or charging forward.

Zhuang Xiaolin did not hesitate either. He decided to strike at once, and a battle erupted in the western slums.