The underground world dripped with water, and occasional faint tremors rumbled from above, as if heavy machinery was passing overhead. In the distance, muffled explosions and sporadic gunfire echoed before fading back into silence.
Sitting on a stack of crates, Dolores leaned against another wooden box, her eyes closed as she slept. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, revealing a glimpse of her fair neck. Her soft, delicate figure seemed out of place in this dark, damp underground world. Her beautiful dress contrasted sharply with the dusty crates and sacks around her.
Some of the others were resting with their eyes closed, while others sat on the ground.
The few Red Hat gang members who were here tried to move quietly, bringing supplies from hidden corners and attempting to assemble new firearms.
At noon, the two groups discussed their next steps. Although Thilan's group didn't want to get involved in the conflict between the two factions, they had to consider some level of cooperation. After all, they were unfamiliar with the area, and if they wanted to escape safely, they needed the help of the local powerhouse, Red Hat.
"I saved you, so you owe me something," Red Hat had said.
Thus, Thilan's group agreed to provide some assistance in protecting the underground base and Red Hat himself during this time.
Now, Xelian and Guro had gone with Red Hat to scout the surface, while the rest stayed underground to rest and recuperate.
…
On the surface, at the headquarters of Burning Iron Energy.
A sprawling jungle of rusted steel stretched out, with pipes and valves occasionally roaring as raw materials flowed through them. Industrial exhaust filled the air, carrying a faintly pungent smell.
Some personnel wearing gas masks and protective suits patrolled the area with guns, guarding against potential saboteurs from the enemy side. Inside the sturdy steel fortress, the higher-ups of Burning Iron Energy were also holding a meeting.
"Since the oil depot explosion last night, the enemy has started moving. First, there were sporadic clashes in the north, and then they began blocking the exits of Lebion. It's hard to believe this was unintentional or spontaneous," a man with short brown hair reported.
Dressed in a neat red-and-black uniform with a diamond-shaped badge on his collar, he appeared to be a mid-level executive of Burning Iron Energy.
"This doesn't need analysis. It's obvious they're coming for us. Now that their main forces are mobilized, we should just go all out and fight," Maziza, standing at one end of the conference table, spoke up excitedly.
However, the second son's words didn't stir much reaction. The many mid- and high-level executives present remained silent, their eyes fixed on the man at the center of the table.
Compared to Maziza, this man was clearly more mature and composed. He had a square jaw and wore a neat red-and-black uniform, exuding a military-like demeanor.
"Sit down, Maziza," he said in a deep voice, his gaze still fixed on the slowly shifting projected map in front of him.
"Uh..."
Seeing that no one paid him any attention, Maziza reluctantly sat down. While he was the second son of Burning Iron Energy, his prestige and actual abilities were far inferior to those of his older brother, Brod. The two were nearly seven years apart in age, and Brod often treated Maziza like a strict father.
"The movements of Black Hammer Heavy Industries are strange. They didn't launch a full-scale attack right away, as if they were probing or searching for something. This isn't their usual style," Brod analyzed slowly as he looked at the projected map.
"Our informants over there say that Black Hammer was attacked by assassins last night. Kukin's youngest grandson was critically injured and near death, and the eldest son, who was supposed to be the successor, was also sniped and is now undergoing treatment."
"Was it our people who did it?" Brod looked up, his cold gaze sweeping across the room, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
"No, it wasn't us."
While the two sides had been in conflict, the situation hadn't deteriorated to this point yet. Acting rashly wouldn't be wise.
"This means someone is trying to stir up trouble," Brod said solemnly.
"It's inevitable that we'll clash with Black Hammer, but if a third party is watching from the shadows, the process becomes much more dangerous."
"But who could be the third party in Lebion?" someone in the room wondered.
Aside from the two remaining industrial giants, there were no other notable forces in Lebion. The gap in power between the two and any potential third party was too vast.
"What's the situation with the other forces in Northern 2nd District?" Brod closed his eyes in thought.
"Since Thousand Towers City left, it's been chaos over there. Various gangs have risen, but most have only 50 to 100 members. They're disorganized and constantly fighting among themselves. They don't have the capacity to interfere with us."
"As for Burning Sun City... they lost a lot of high-level combatants in their raid on Thousand Towers City last year. They've been in a defensive stance ever since. Withered Tree Garden has been obsessed with improving cash crops. Last year, they managed to cultivate watermelon seedlings that can grow in wasteland soil, which helped them recover some funds. Now they're busy expanding production and don't have time to bother with others."
"Improving cash crops, really..." Brod shook his head.
"How are they dealing with the toxins in the soil? Even if the plants survive, the fruits will accumulate toxins. Will the Federation’s market accept such products?"
"Apparently, they select soil that's been washed by rain and has fewer toxins, then neutralize and settle it before using it to grow fruits. They've also built special glass greenhouses to protect the crops from toxic rain."
"Even if they barely meet the standards, such products are likely capped at the low-end market," Brod said, shaking his head.
He wasn't optimistic about Withered Tree Garden's only achievement in years.
"What about the other cities? Dipat, Silicon Bay—what's their situation?"
Dipat, the only city in the Northern 2nd District that still produces ore, has a smaller population and area than Lebion but is still a significant gathering place. Silicon Bay, a small city, was once the chip and AI manufacturing center of the North Star District. After most of the equipment and personnel were evacuated, only a small remnant remained, reportedly descendants of the technicians who were left behind.
"Dipat is the same as always. They send us and Black Hammer raw ore every year in exchange for income. As for Silicon Bay... it's heavily sealed off. No one has been able to enter the inner area for a long time. The outskirts are patrolled by autonomous units. Rumor has it that the original residents have been modified into half-flesh, half-machine beings."
"Doesn't the Federation government care? I remember that such modifications are mostly banned by the Ethics Committee. The highest allowable degree of mechanical augmentation is 30%."
"Maybe they just don't care. The technology in Silicon Bay isn't advanced, and the area has been isolated for a long time. The planetary government has been focusing on economic recovery in recent years, cutting costs and rarely mobilizing the military."
For the Northern 2nd District, successive governors and administrators of the star region have chosen to ignore it. Once they intervene and stir up trouble, they have to consider how to resolve it. It's easy to get involved, but hard to get out. Northern 2nd District is explicitly prohibited for habitation, so they would have to relocate the residents, which would cost a lot of money. And the benefits would be minimal, as the planet doesn't lack the small population remaining there.
"External forces, internal forces..." Faced with the unknown third party, Brod fell into deep thought.
"We have very little information. We need to proceed cautiously."
"Divide the mechs into five groups. Two groups will engage Black Hammer Heavy Industries, while the remaining three will stay at headquarters to respond to any emergencies."
"Also, deploy reconnaissance drones to monitor the entire city at all times."
"Yes, sir!" The attendees stood up, signaling the end of the meeting.
After everyone left, only Maziza and Brod remained in the conference room. Realizing he was alone, Maziza thought it was time to slip away rather than stand there waiting to be scolded by his brother.
However, he realized it too late.
"Maziza, who were those people you had dinner with yesterday?"
The sudden question made Maziza stop in his tracks. He turned around with a forced smile.
"They're some new friends I made."
"How strong are they?"
"Uh... probably around Sequence 3 to Sequence 4?" Maziza tried to recall.
Evony's impressive skills had left a deep impression on him, while Alen, the strongest at Sequence 4, was conveniently ignored.
"How many of them are there?"
"Four, but I heard they have a few more companions?"
"Four, plus a few more, let's say seven in total. Reaching Sequence 4 before the age of 20 is considered outstanding talent in the Federation. Don't you think it's strange for them to suddenly come to a place like Lebion?" Brod analyzed.
"Strange? Maybe they're just here to travel? I think that girl comes from a good family. She's familiar with all kinds of luxury goods and even criticized my taste..."
Strangely, if anyone else had insulted him like that, Maziza would have been furious. But when it came to that blonde girl, he found himself increasingly drawn to her, even wanting to please her.
Seeing his younger brother still stubbornly indulging in his desires, Brod felt a pang of disappointment, though he had grown somewhat accustomed to it over the years.
"You can go. Don't go out unnecessarily during this time."
"Yes, brother."
With that, Maziza quickly left the suffocating conference room.
Left alone in the room, Brod stared at the projected map, sinking into silence and thought. After a long while, he sighed and stood up, looking back at the surveillance camera on the ceiling.
"Father, do you have any instructions?"
"I have no instructions. Proceed as you see fit. 'Red' is almost complete. As long as we don't lose, we win," an elderly voice came from the speaker on the ceiling.
"Not losing is winning, huh..." Brod's lips curled into a bitter smile.
He found it hard to agree with that sentiment.
"Let's hope so."
…
In Lebion, the two factions began exchanging fire. Although the higher-ups on both sides had no intention of going all out, the lower-level members didn't know that. All they knew was that if they defeated the enemy, their side would be the sole power in Lebion, and life would undoubtedly be better. Many also hoped to earn promotions or rewards through their performance in the war, so their desire to attack was high, even enthusiastic.
"Fire! Fire! Blow them up!" commanders shouted over the communication channels.
Glowing high-energy projectiles were launched into the air, landing in the distant buildings. Violent explosions followed, tearing holes in the already dilapidated structures, leaving the city even more scarred.
"Help! Help—" Cries for help echoed through the city, some already hoarse.
Clearly, the warring factions had no regard for the civilians caught in the crossfire.
Some people wailed in the streets, while the ground was littered with melted and re-solidified metal fragments. In some places, the ground had even been scorched into pits.
“This is truly horrifying,” Xelian thought as he stood in the corner of a ruined building, watching the scene outside. He came from the prosperous and well-policed southern regions, and this was his first time witnessing the front lines of war.
"Hah, what's there to sigh about? This is how it's always been in the Northern 2nd District. Gangs fight each other, shopkeepers and transporters scheme against one another, and the weak are like ants on the ground, trampled without a second thought," Red Hat sneered.
"Is there any way to change this?" Xelian couldn't help but ask.
"Change? If I were the boss of Lebion, I'd establish a solid order. After all, this would be my property, my things, so of course I'd protect them. But it's not mine now, so I don't have the motivation to care."
"Uh, isn't there a better way? Treating people like slaves is so backward. Even capitalism would be better than this," Xelian shook his head.
"All this talk of ideologies... you educated folks think too much. It's troublesome. In my opinion, if I give them food and a stable life, they should repay me. I can't just raise a bunch of useless freeloaders. Otherwise, why should I help them?"
"That makes sense, but it's too blunt and cruel. Can't you be a bit more compassionate?"
"Compassion? Don't you find that laughable? Can compassion feed you or make the other side listen to reason?"
Red Hat, having been exposed by Thilan earlier for his scheming, had dropped the act. He could tell that this group had principles. As long as he didn't truly offend them, speaking bluntly wouldn't cause any conflict.
"The world is like this. You're just not used to it because you haven't seen much. I bet you're from the south, where it's prosperous and peaceful. That kind of environment breeds your kind of thinking," Red Hat said with a hint of disdain.
"Listen to me. You're all quite capable. If you can sneak into the enemy leader's base and take them out, both sides will be thrown into chaos. That'll be our chance to clean up the mess. If I become the boss of Lebion, you'll get your share of the benefits," Red Hat continued to persuade.
"You're really something, aren't you? Big bro, they have thousands of people and mechs patrolling. A few Sequence 4s like us would just be cannon fodder," Xelian finally couldn't help but argue with Red Hat. He was usually calm and reserved, but this was too much.
"I'm not joking. You don't understand my capabilities. While I'm not much of a fighter, I have a lot of connections and informants in Lebion. Otherwise, how do you think the two sides suddenly started fighting? If you cooperate with me, I can get you into their headquarters."
"Really?"
Xelian turned to look at the short man in the gray jacket and reddish-brown pants. Considering the handful of lackeys in the underground tunnels, it was hard to believe this man was some powerful underground boss.
"Of course it's true," Red Hat tilted his head up, trying to make his less-than-160cm frame seem taller.