Baku's Suspicions and Response, Marsil's Gift

Green Forest City's Eastern Suburbs, Marauder Prison.

Habal's face was dark as a storm cloud.

"So you came back to tell me that two Enforcers escaped right under your noses, the supplies and organ donor for our deal with the Burning Fortress were stolen, and a Flame Priest was killed?"

He walked up to Tusi, who had been in charge of the operation, and slapped him on the head.

The blow drove Tusi's head straight into his chest. Blood sprayed everywhere.

Habal kicked the corpse more than ten meters away, then looked at Baku.

Baku merely shook his head. Rising to his feet, he pushed up the glasses on his nose with his middle finger.

"The rest we can handle. The donor is the real problem. We owe Victor an explanation."

"Send someone to bring the other donor here. We're going to the Burning Fortress."

Habal frowned.

"Baku, you can't go. The deal was already done. We handed over the slaves and donors, and the people guarding the supplies belonged to the Burning Fortress. It has nothing to do with us anymore. Besides, we lost our slaves, donors, and supplies. If anything, we should be the ones demanding answers."

"For all we know, the Burning Fortress robbed us itself!"

Baku signaled for his men to follow his orders before replying in a low voice, "We did suffer a heavy loss, but now isn't the time for that. Victor wouldn't be so shortsighted as to rob us after our deal and partnership were settled. Besides, he lost a Flame Priest too."

"That makes no sense."

"We're the ones in danger now..."

Habal stared at Baku in disbelief.

"What do you mean, Baku?"

Baku narrowed his eyes toward the Black Shield Police Department.

"Habal, remember that we asked the Burning Fortress to help ambush the Black Shield Police Department. We also proposed moving the exchange to Splow Park. Now every supply and donor at Splow Park has vanished, a Flame Priest is dead, and the Black Shield Police Department's Enforcers escaped our ambush."

Baku turned to Habal, his voice grave. "If you were with the Burning Fortress, what would you think?"

Habal's expression changed drastically. He disliked thinking through these things, but he wasn't stupid.

He immediately understood what Baku meant.

"You're saying the Burning Fortress will think we did it? How could they? What would we gain?"

"From Victor's perspective, we gained the most."

"That's why I have to explain this to Victor in person. Fortunately, we still have a transplant donor who meets his requirements, so there's room to salvage things. Otherwise, we may find ourselves caught between the Black Shield Police Department and the Burning Fortress."

Habal had nothing left to say. He looked at Baku, his gaze turning somber.

"But who stole our supplies? And how did the enemy know about Splow Park?"

Baku snorted.

"Isn't it obvious? Who benefits most from this? The Black Shield Police Department, of course..." His gaze swept over the Raiders outside, cold as ice.

"I didn't expect there to be another rat in our ranks. Once I've appeased Victor, I'll come back and give Mr. Rat the welcome he deserves for his fine work."

No. 7 Canchino Avenue, 11th Block.

Eight in the evening.

When Marsil heard the intruder alarm and checked the surveillance feed, she saw several large bags of supplies outside her home.

Her eyes nearly popped out of her head.

"How is this possible?"

If not for the familiar figure behind the wall across from her, she would have thought she was dreaming.

She immediately put on her gear, grabbed her weapon, and opened the door, taking cover behind the wall.

The bags were only two meters from Marsil, well within reach.

All four large bags lay open, giving her a clear view of what was inside.

Mechanical parts, electronic components, food, dried fish, canned goods...

Marsil's heart trembled.

The man's voice came from across the way.

"Marsil, these supplies are my investment in you. Take them!"

Marsil still found it hard to believe. They were strangers!

Anyone who could produce this many supplies was no ordinary person, but what did he want?

She couldn't believe someone would hand over so much for research whose value was still unknown.

This was the Wasteland!

Yet the proof was right before her eyes.

"You're sure all of this is for me?"

"No. I told you before: these supplies are an investment, not a gift. You can think of me as an angel investor. When your research produces results, that's when I'll see a return."

Hearing him earnestly correct her, Marsil didn't think the distinction made much difference.

It was just another way of putting it. Still, she was delighted that someone believed in her research.

"Marsil, are you refusing my investment?" Yu Yuan frowned when she didn't answer.

Why is it so hard to give things away? Is she an idiot? Just accept it already! he grumbled inwardly.

Then he heard her call, "Wait there," before she... ran back into the house.

Yu Yuan: ...

What?

Where are you going? Are you coming back?

Those are four bags of supplies! You're just leaving them there?

Yu Yuan was close to losing it.

Don't tell me she won't take them!

Less than ten hours remained on the Luxury Card task.

If things fell through with Marsil, where would he find another chance to get rid of the Luxury Card?

Would he really have to sell off every gun he owned to scrape together 150,000 Survival Points?

Fortunately, Marsil didn't keep him waiting long. She soon reappeared.

Yu Yuan watched her carefully set a long, narrow object on the ground outside her yard.

"This is something I made earlier. Consider it a gift for our first meeting. I'll accept your investment. These parts and electronic components in particular will help me a great deal."

"So I can take it all inside?" Marsil still sounded uncertain.

Yu Yuan eyed the long object, wondering what it was as he answered her.

"Go ahead. I'll come over once you're done. Oh, there's a symbol in the bag with the canned goods. Could you tell me which hotel it belongs to?"

"A hotel?" Marsil paused, then looked into the bag.

Sure enough, she found a sheet of paper bearing a purple-flowered emblem.

"This..." After a moment's thought, Marsil recognized it and turned to Yu Yuan.

"That should be the Olais Hotel's emblem. It isn't far from here. But... I wouldn't recommend going there."