Lu Yuan looked at Pete and said.
"Hurry up."
Feeling lost, Pete put down his hands and answered.
"Our Blackrat Gang has been investigating this black shadow in the entire slums during this period, and it's true that we've made some discoveries. Four to five years ago, there were already witnesses who had seen that black shadow harming people in the slums. But back then, there were few deaths and not many witnesses either. However, in the past two years, the number of deaths has increased. Amongst just the cases that our Blackrat Gang discovered, over 100 people had been killed by that black shadow last year. The numbers are probably higher this year."
"Over 100 people? So many? There's more this year?!"
Lu Yuan opened his eyes wide, a little stunned.
The number of annual deaths in the slums wasn't just this.
However, the rest were mostly deaths due to situations like gang fights, starvation, or illnesses.
To be killed by this strange thing, amongst the cases found out by the Blackrat Gang, over 100 was considered a lot.
"Didn't anyone inform the Night Watchers about this abnormal situation?"
The Night Watchers was a government organization that was established specially to deal with mutations, spies from outsider races, and other abnormal situations.
It wasn't just for the Red Maple Empire. Other countries had also established an organization similar to the Night Watchers Department.
In Lu Yuan's opinion, they were similar to special police or secret agents.
A situation like this was considered to be very serious.
Lu Yuan couldn't understand why no one had informed the Night Watchers to deal with it.
Pete shrugged.
"In the eyes of those high and lofty characters, people from the slums are just lowly stink bugs. Why would they care for our lives? So many people die here every year. It's just over 100 people in a year now. Therefore, it'd naturally not attract their attention."
Lu Yuan frowned slightly. "If such abnormal situations aren't reported to the Night Watchers Department, the local officials will be punished, right?"
"Who said that it wasn't reported? Our people from the Blackrat Gang who work in the government office said that it had been reported last year. However, there hadn't been any action taken. That's why I say that those important characters won't care about us."
Pete grinned.
"But that thing seems to only target ordinary people and don't harbor thoughts against gene fighters like us. Maybe it can't hurt us? That's why, friend, you don't have to be too worried."
"..."
Lu Yuan smiled. "That thing came to look for me a few days back. If it wasn't because I'm quite strong, I'd have died."
Pete: "???"
He opened his eyes wide and looked at Lu Yuan, stunned.
Both of them looked at each other and fell silent for a moment.
Pete gulped and laughed dryly.
"That doesn't sound good."
From only targeting ordinary people, to starting to target gene fighters, anyone would know that this thing had probably gone through quite a big change.
"Is there any other information?"
Lu Yuan continued to ask.
Pete shook his head. "There isn't. Our Blackrat Gang is also very curious about this thing, so we're actively investigating it. We've only managed to find this much during this time."
Lu Yuan nodded and said, smiling.
"Then I can send you on your way now."
Pete was surprised and quickly took two steps back.
"Hold on! Hold on! Friend! This is different from what we agreed on! Didn't you say that you'd let me go after I'm done talking?"
Lu Yuan tilted his head.
"When did I say that? I only said that if you didn't talk, I'd kill you on the spot. You've lived for a little longer. You should be thankful."
Lu Yuan walked toward Pete.
Pete opened his eyes wide, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead as he kept backing off.
"Hold on! Hold on! Friend! Let's talk it out! We can sit down and have a good talk."
His eyes suddenly opened wide as he thought of something.
"That's right! Hold on! I'm still useful to you!"
Lu Yuan raised his brows slightly.
"What use?"
"Look, haven't you been targeted by that black shadow? Based on what I know, no one who had been targeted by that black shadow managed to survive. You must not want to be a victim to it either, right?!"
Lu Yuan's heart sank. To be honest, he was still feeling a little scared.
After all, that thing did seem very eerie, and he had no idea if it would continue to target him.
It was because of this that Lu Yuan was so concerned about that black shadow.
Otherwise, what would it matter to him?
Seeing Lu Yuan stop, Pete was elated and quickly continued.
"Our Blackrat Gang has a lot of powers and information networks that you don't have. As long as you let me off, I'll definitely inform you at the first instance if our Blackrat Gang obtains any information! Don't you think that this is a good deal?!"
Lu Yuan looked at Pete and fell silent.
To be honest, he was a little tempted.
After all, he was just a poor student and his influences would definitely not be able to compare to a local gang.
With the Blackrat Gang to help investigate things, it'd be beneficial for him.
Seeing that Lu Yuan was a little tempted, Pete continued.
"Moreover, Friend, look, our Blackrat Gang has quite a big influence in the slums. If you wish to join a gang in the future..."
"Scram!"
Lu Yuan glared at Pete.
He wasn't going to join these strange organizations.
He then said, "I can let you go this once, but you must inform me about that black shadow at the first instance. Otherwise, you'll know the consequences."
Seeing that Lu Yuan agreed, Pete quickly nodded.
"I've got it! I'll definitely inform you at the first instance!"
Lu Yuan took out his phone and smiled at Pete.
"Give me your contact information."
Pete smiled and took out his phone. They added each other as friends by scanning the QR code.
Only then did Lu Yuan notice that he had another friend request on his phone.
He looked at the remark.
Zhuo Ming.
It was the classmate he had met in the Sandstone Underground Palace.
Lu Yuan clicked approve.
After adding Pete as a friend, Lu Yuan put his phone away.
Pete heaved a sigh of relief and kept on smiling humbly at Lu Yuan.
At this moment, Lu Yuan smiled and said, "You'll deal with the two people up there, right?"
Pete quickly nodded. "Don't worry and leave it to me! I'll take care of them."
"En, come up with me."
Lu Yuan brought Pete back to the apartment.
The entire building was dead silent without any sound.
It'd be impractical to say that no one had heard the consecutive sound of gunshots earlier.
It was just that when encountering such situations in the slums, the safest way was to keep quiet and lay low.
Being meddlesome would cost one their life. This was the law of survival for those in the slums.
At this moment, Lu Yuan opened the door to the rental apartment and saw Li Qinghe walking out of her room.
She was wearing a plain white nightgown, looking warily at the two ruffians on the floor. She was holding onto her phone, looking a little shocked.
Lu Yuan was stunned for a moment.
"Elder Sister Qinghe, why did you come out?"
When Li Qinghe saw Lu Yuan, her eyes lit up and she revealed a surprised smile.
"Little Bro Yuan, I woke up after hearing the sound of gunshots. Thereafter, there weren't any further commotions for very long and I wanted to come out to see if you're alright. I also called the police."
Lu Yuan's heart felt warm. If it was any other people, who'd risk their life and show him concern?
The doors of the other two rooms in the apartment were still shut tightly, and it was very quiet inside, as if they were empty.
He smiled and said.
"I'm fine. Elder Sister Qinghe, don't worry. Hold on for a bit. I'll take care of this situation first."
Li Qinghe nodded. She took a look at Pete and said, "I'll head back to my room first then."
She returned to her room and closed the door.
After that, Lu Yuan turned to look toward Pete. "You can deal with them."
Pete nodded and squatted in front of the two ruffians.
The red-haired ruffian was already unconscious. Meanwhile, although the green-haired ruffian had a lot of broken bones, he was still awake.
When he saw Pete coming over, his eyes lit up and revealed a hopeful expression.
"Big Bro Pete!"
Pete took a look at the green-haired ruffian and then, without any expression, reached out his hand to press down the green-haired ruffian's neck.
Under the green-haired ruffian's gaze of disbelief, he exerted force in his hand.
Kacha.
The green-haired ruffian died on the spot.
Pete then ended the life of the unconscious red-haired ruffian as well.
He turned and smiled at Lu Yuan.
"Mister Lu, I'll be bringing away their corpses then?"
Lu Yuan nodded. "En."
Pete lifted the two corpses, one in each hand.
Just as Pete was planning to head out, Lu Yuan spoke up once again.
"Oh, right, the money for fixing the window?"
He was very poor right now and didn't have the money to fix the window.
Moreover, he was thinking about buying genetic potions.
"I'll fix it! I'll fix it! I'll transfer the money to the landlord!"
Lu Yuan nodded in satisfaction. "You can go back then. Remember to inform me on any news about that thing."
"Don't worry, Mister Lu! I'll definitely inform you at the first instance!"
Lu Yuan nodded in satisfaction
After Pete carried the two corpses and left, Lu Yuan closed the door gently after him.
Lu Yuan then let out an exhale and looked out of the window.
The night right before daylight was the darkest. Only those brilliant neon lights remained the same.
Lu Yuan went silent for a moment before knocking on Li Qinghe's door.
Li Qinghe seemed to have been waiting by the door. At the first knock, the door was opened.
"Little Bro Yuan, what was that just now?"