Chapter II Nervous Rick

"Why did he drink this much again?"

In “The Ruin” at the Second Undercity District, Clyde's deputy, Rick, disgustedly looked at the person in front of him, who was still clinging on a wine bottle while already drunken like a pool of mud. He waved his hand to tell two young Brotherhood members to take Clyde away.

"Lock him up for a day, only release him after his mind turns sober again."

Drank himself to such a state - Seem like he doesn’t care that much about that child - Rick (who prefers people to call him by his surname over his name) showed a mysterious smile.

Nell Rick, unlike Clyde whose strength went backward, fell from the being the boss of the thugs to beggar business and since then did not recover; Rick was an ambitious and also capable Brotherhood member.

He had studied in the Calcutta College of Accounting in the southern part of the Kingdom. If it was not for a crime committed by the scribe father of him, Rick might now be an accountant in a city’s department or even a n.o.ble family’s, or he could even go further since it is not entirely impossible for him to become a professional merchant in some kind of business. By the time it takes him to buy a Lords.h.i.+p, he will be able to step into the highest cla.s.s of the Stella Kingdom. Three hundred years ago, wasn’t house Schurz - who used the sunflowers crest - also born of this origin and now one of the kingdom most influential and prestige houses?

But even if he fell into the same league as those gangsters and forever cut off the path to be an aristocrat, Rick also thought he was more qualified to be the one who had the power to speak in the Brotherhood than his colleagues, whose brains were only full of muscles and women.

When Brotherhood's business expanded to the southern sh.o.r.es of the kingdom, Rick, a southern local, was absorbed into this plan. By exploiting his expertise, he succeeded in planning several human trafficking channels from the south to the capital, the higher ups of Brotherhood finally noticed him and promoted the man to Aloftstar City - the capital of the kingdom, the heart of the stars, the brightest pearl on the western part of the continent - and had him manage the Brotherhood accounting in the capital.

Yes, Rick knew that although the higher ups only allowed him to be the deputy and manager for Clyde, it was equivalent to be entrusted by the Brotherhood with all the beggar business in Aloftstar City. Look at his "boss", Clyde, a dread-nicking thug who used to carve out his name with an axe in the three Undercity Districts, now became a piece of useless waste that would only find dignity over beggars. If not for being the son of some high-ranking Brotherhood member, he had long been drowning in the sludge of Aloftstar City’s slums.

Not to mention most the losses of beggars were caused by him.

Fortunately because of that, Clyde's father would give him a lot of allowances every month, and Rick himself could benefit from it.

With such a son, if Clyde's father wasn’t a giant in arms trading business, he would have lost ground in the gang.

What is the result of a gangster boss losing ground?

Rick shook his head and watched as Clyde was dragged away.

The beggar business, when compared to the smuggling of drugs and arms, compared to the Eternal oil and Limestar ores transactions, even compared to collecting “protection money” and street patrolling, it looks very petty and humble.

But Rick believed that this was his chance.

The Brotherhood has risen rapidly, but human trafficking has always been its major source of profits. With the Brotherhood's human trafficking channel completed, it ranges from intelligent infants to the elderly, from human beings to elves, and even covered some of the sentinel creatures in the Magus Empress’s distanced territories. But its most crucial thing was actually being the source of Brotherhood's members, of which infants and young children were collected and nourished by “wicked widow” Berth, who at the same time sells a portion of these kids. Latter the older ones are sent to Rick and "beaten" into beggar children, and when they again grew a bit into beggar teenagers, they will be sent to the one who’s responsible for training thugs, " metal " Locke, or trained into prost.i.tutes by "unfaithful" Veronica, or in the hands of some other special bosses, then finally honed to become a member of the Brotherhood.

Therefore, Rick, who managed the beggars, thought that he was on the fundamental chain of the Brotherhood's business, served as a future crucial transport link for the gang and also supplied a trail of spy network on the capital's streets. Think about it, he was the future of all the new Brotherhood members. In these early days, maybe he had a chance to meet the Brotherhood potential leaders in their childhood, so he can reach out with a helping hand toward these seeds at the right time, and then…

See, so I said, I, Nell Rick, am an ambitious man.

And moreover, Rick is always very excited when it comes to this: And here is the Aloftstar city! The capital of the second largest kingdom in the western part of the continent – Stella Kingdom, and the birthplace of the Brotherhood of Black Street. If one can work here on behalf of the Brotherhood, meaning his contributions will always be under the eyes of the Brotherhood’s leaders, meaning there’re opportunities for promotion.

Of course, the chance for accidents is also not very small.

Fortunately, Rick put his hand together behind his back, frowned at the drunken Clyde in the far distance, when a disaster comes, there is this guy to hold it.

In the moonlight, Rick turned and continued to walk while looked at the dozen or so shabby houses in front of him. He knew that there were not a small number of beggars in each of those houses, and these were the things he had in order to climb up in the future, his most precious seeds and bargaining chips.

For example, that dark-haired Thales in the sixth house, two years ago when the infant’s manager Berth sent him that child, he already made Rick showed a different att.i.tude toward him.

Sure enough, even today, the child is only eight years old (or seven years old?) but clever and crafty, he actually came up with an act of begging a week ago - a cute kid being beaten by other big children, his money and food taken away, so when he hides in the corner and weeps the pa.s.sing by ladies could not help but give him more compa.s.sions - Rick thought, compared to those crying to hoa.r.s.eness and making others unbearably uncomfortable beggars, we gangsters lack too much these kind of people who has brainpower.

This child, after growing up will certainly climb much higher.

He should give him some rewards to win over Thales’s appreciation. Of course, if there is no contrast between reward and punishment, one will not be grateful.

That is why, when that boy from Thales’s houses told Clyde that Thales may secretly possessed some money, Rick would encourage Clyde to find out why. And when Clyde beat Thales to near death, he would come out again to stop it, even to put himself on Clyde’s opposite for that purpose (that useless waste served no better avail anyway), then Thales would consciously or unconsciously regard himself as a backer of his.

Rick did not care if every beggar's “payment” was paid, which was only what short-sighted people would care about. Rick knew that human beings and their mutual feelings were more important property than several pieces of copper coins.

But the boy Thales was a bit too clever. Rick knew that it didn’t matter if Thales had the money or not for Clyde, who would still torture him to death (it would be worse if Thales had really brought out some money), but apparently the boy had escaped this fate - as it usually would be, the high spirited Clyde would carefully "crafted" these disobedient children for his own entertainment, whether if they were truly disobedient.  

It does not matter, what needed to be done must be done even if the effect isn’t very good. Big deals, if necessary just find another reason for Clyde to beat him up again.

Rick reached the sixth house and walked across the dilapidated door.

He saw the through bushes of weeds in the yard, Thales was gasping, lying on the ground, and next to him were a few children rubbing something onto him - G.o.d, a few seven-year-old children could actually grew the Ouches leaves in their yard? Only veteran gang members and poor people who lived for many years generally know that this wild plant can be used as a convenient and cheap herb for treatment of external injuries.

"Mister Rick!" Cripple Ryan was the first to discover the arrival of Rick. The experience of losing one leg made him more sensitive to the surrounding environment.

It was only less than an hour after Clyde was gone, the fear in the yard was yet to be dissipated. Ned-the snitch boy – still had trails of tears on his face, Kelly clutched his black face and Clint, the oldest child, stood backwards and shrunk in fear.

Especially the youngest girl, even scared to cry out.

Berth has ordered that since Carina is an aristocratic descendant, there is likely a big chance that she will turn out to be a beautiful girl latter, do not ruin her so Veronica could “educate” her for a while to get a lot of profit from her. It is a pity that beggars will be handed over to the gang after the age of ten, at most it would be twelve; if only I can keep her till the age of fifteen ... and then send her away, otherwise, even age of thirteen would be ok too.

"Mr. Rick!" Rick's subtle thoughts were cut off by Thales, only to saw the boy could hardly turn his head which implicated his injured back. It was so painful that Thales had to bite his teeth.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Thales," Rick sighed and showed a look of compa.s.sion: "I cannot stop him - Clyde - I'm just his deputy after all, and I can’t offend his backers."

"I could only quietly come after the event," Rick squatted under the cautious eyes of the children, worryingly looked at Thales's injuries "Luckily he didn’t deal some heavy blows today, if not then-"

"Mr. Rick, I'm fine," Tiles struggled to say. "I'm sorry. The money I made last week really did-"

"Just forget about the payment!" Rick took the broken bowl in Clint's hand, drained the water inside then washed it, took off a few pieces of Ouches leaves, picked up a stone and began to grind them. "You only just started to understand things when you kids were sent to me. In a few years, I watched as you changed from the s.h.i.+vering little guys into clumsy thick-skinned children. For me, you are far more important than a few copper coins. "Rick’s face showed a trace of pain, "At this age, you children shouldn’t be on the streets to beg, but this is still the Brotherhood’s rules -"

"Mr. Rick," Thales seemed to be a little touched, he tightened his fist, "I-"

"Come, grind the herbs with stones, it is better than chewing them with your mouths," Rick wiped the herbs from the bowl and rubbed them on Thales by his own hands while Kelly was biting his lip and whimpering next to him.

"Thank you, Mr. Rick," said Carina in a soft and thoughtful tone. "It would be nice if you were in charge of us, not Clyde."

"Do not let Clyde hear those words," Rick smiled helplessly. "To be honest, I'm scared of him."

The children also smiled heartily - Rick knew it was a good way for others to accept him into their heart if he showed a common ground with them, and a sense of humor at the appropriate moment.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Rick." Thales solemnly said, he knew that in the eyes of many he seemed more mature and therefore didn’t need to be too childish.

Rick nodded: "Protect yourself, you're a smart kid and I believe you can do it."

"That’s right," Rick seemed to suddenly remember something. He gave the bowl to Ned, took out a bag of coins from his waist and handed it over to the bewildered Clint. "I also have to pay the higher up myself every month so I didn’t have much money. Here are thirty copper coins, go to Grove pharmacy - the shop at the border between the Undercity district and the Twilight district - buy some medicine for your wounds, the money should be enough if there is no increase in price."

The money is certainly not enough - Rick thought, as he had been to Grove Pharmacy that weekend and it just had a raise in price. So when the kids found the money was not enough, they would think Rick didn’t know about the temporary raise.

But what can they do if the money is not enough? Of course, take some from the “payment”, so they will certainly not have enough money for next week's “payment”, then -

"Take care when you buy the medicine, do not let others - especially Clyde learned about it." Rick said with a smile and stood up.

Of course, Rick thought, Clyde will know.

If they do not buy the medicine, which would be for the better, then Clyde will know that they really did hide some money.

Rick’s mouth curled up a bit.

At that moment, he can reap their final loyalty.

"Mr. Rick," said Carina, looking at the bag of coins in Clint's hand and nearly fell to her tears. "You, you really are a good man."

Ned bit his lip and nodded.

Even the oldest child Clint was moved a little, he touched the bag of coins, considering its weight.

Rick sighed and waved his hand. "No, I should be the one who apologize. I can only do this much for you."

"Mr. Rick," Thales, still lying on the ground, hesitantly looked at Rick, "I don’t know if-"

"Yes?" Rick frowned. "Don’t know what?"

"I've heard that when we grow up, we have to be trained in other places," Thales asked cautiously, as if he feared that he may offend Rick. "That - can we work under you after we are trained?"

Hearing this, Kelly, Ned, and Calia all hopefully looked at Rick.

Popped, Rick snapped his fingers in his mind.

Acquired.

Faster than what I thought.

"Oh, only this small matter?" Rick gave a smile. "Do not only look at me like this now, but in the Brotherhood, I'm a man with his own ideal."

Rick smiled and bent down, touching Thales's hair, making himself more affable: "My boys and girls, you will be the best in the Brotherhood, the strongest!"

This my true words, Rick thought.

"So if you want to be my underlings, you have to work hard!"

"Yes!" The children all nodded at once with their heart full of hope, even Thales was no exception.

"I'll be going now, Thales and the other children," Rick turned round and tilted his head to reveal the side of his face. "next time if you encounter such a thing just tell me in secret. Though I cannot directly stop him, but causing some troubles to not let him get close to you kids is always possible. "

To finish his speech, Rick exposed his white set of teeth which emitted a flash under the moonlight, and finally walked out of the sixth house’s small yard without turning back.

"Mr. Rick is such nice guy," said Ned who face had dried of tears, "unlike that evil Clyde."

"Agree," said Carina nodding, her eyes were smiling like she was eating candy.

"But” cripple Ryan, who has been in a frighten state since, hesitated and said," I always feel that Mr. Rick scares me even more than Clyde. "

"That is just you being a coward!"

"Coward Ryan, how could you get money with a face like this!"

Only with Thales, after Rick left, his eyes gradually calmed down.

When seeing Clint, who was counting the thirty copper coins bag one piece and one piece at a time, Thales exhaled a little.

He still felt the pain on his back, and he knew that the regular medicines were better for his injuries. But Thales just went to the Grove Pharmacy yesterday morning and took Ant.i.typhoid medicine at the back door from Jenny’s hand. He heard she complained that her stingy boss have raised the price of the medicine, even the one for external injury treatment was up to thirty-five copper coins - just five more coins than the amount Rick gave.

However, he also knew a crucial point from Yara, the daughter of Sunset bar’s owner.

The person who was responsible Clyde's luxurious spending at the bar, was Rick.

However -

“I also have to pay the higher up myself every month so I didn’t have much money…”

Rick’s words from just now, reverberated in the ear of the reincarnator, he could not help but look at the bag of copper coins.

The beggar children have already forgotten the fear and were jokingly playing with each other.

Only Thales frowned, he struggled to turn his head, looked at his bruised back, and sighed with his heart plunged heavily.

This d.a.m.n world.

Rick went to the tenth house, there should be an eight-year-old kid named Karl here, a young but ruthless kid, but after knocking and pulled the door behind his arm, he suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck.

This was his innate mystical power.

During absolute calmness (absolute calmness, meaning not even a little s.h.i.+ft away attention), once in the distance about five meters, if there are any biological creature close by he will fell a chill on the back of his neck.

That was only it.

Not to mention that he wasn’t a soldier, even if he was a soldier, compared to those in the army of the kingdom with superior combat capabilities and various mystical powers, as well as the mysterious Magus and Terminate Knights, this small ability of him is simply beyond unworthy of mentioning. Even a.s.sistants in the great divine temple could press him on the ground for a good beating.

However, Rick felt that one day, this ability will save his life.

For example now.

Rick quickly turned his head to search around under the moonlight, while his left hand reached into his pocket, holding a tiny but deadly miniature crossbow.

Bright moonlight.

Empty street.

No covers.

But not a single sign of a man.

Rick took a deep breath and kept himself absolutely calm.

He felt it, the cool feeling behind the neck still continued.

Is it the sewer under his foot, a rat crossing by?

Rick shoved in three different directions and ran for a while, but the chill was still there, making him remove that possibility.

What kind of rat would stay just below and followed him in three directions for twenty meters?

Rick got even more frightened.

He shouldn’t have come out alone even though this place is The Ruin in Brotherhood's territory.

He should bring along twenty good thugs, each must have one Magictech Gun in their hands no matter how heavy those d.a.m.n toys are.

Just like Roderick Firefear, the boss who was in charge of the Brotherhood’s drug trade, he had like 30 people with him when he traveled outside.

Even with enough money, he should hire two Terminate Swordsmen, or a warrior with mystical power, and even a Magus - forget about that, the Magus is really terrifying.

Nell Rick, you have to be calm, he told himself. In the future, you shall rule over all the men and women in the entire underworld of Aloftstar city and even Stella kingdom, you must be calm, calm.

He tried his best to remain calm, walked back toward where he just came from as if he was just doing some exercise jogging.

Did I offend someone myself? Who would want my own life? Is there something worth investigating in this neighborhood?

He walked for about hundreds of meters under the moonlight, surrounded by no one.

But behind his neck, the chill was still there.

End of chapter II