Saiyan stowaways on the Ark

As for impressions of character, the Rat King, who considered himself to have seen countless people, would not be swayed.

He didn't think Tomat could be controlled by Wei Yanwu—perhaps his stay on Rhodes Island was just a passing fancy.

The Rat King knew very well that Tomat was a free spirit, and that no one was restraining him. Trying to control and exploit such a person would often backfire.

He decides what to do and what not to do.

“It doesn’t belong to ‘me,’ but to ‘Longmen.’” Wei Yanwu corrected the Rat King’s statement in a serious tone, and then said, “I can’t let someone who needs to work for Longmen feel unwilling, so I will make him ‘willing’ to act for Longmen.”

"Using Lungmen's name to restrain him? That's quite a show, very much in line with your style. But I remember that's the same trick that guy used on you. Now it's your turn to use it as a substitute?" The Rat King's sarcastic words were full of disdain for Wei Yanwu's thoughts, but he didn't directly refute or stop him. "However, I also know that you planned to take advantage of the Reunion Movement's disturbances to do something to the slums under the banner of Lungmen. This young man's actions prevented you from doing so. Now you want to use the same name to drive him—I ask you, what if he doesn't care about Lungmen at all? Or do you think he fought against Reunion for Lungmen? I'd rather believe it was just the righteousness of a young man."

The Rat King didn't care what methods Wei Yanwu would use to firmly control Tomat.

The Rat King doesn't care if he can't control it.

After all, this was a decision made unilaterally by Wei Yanwu, who did not naively expect others to be selfless, for the safety of Longmen.

However, if Wei Yanwu's arbitrary decision were to harm Longmen and affect the slums that the Rat King had been protecting, he would not stand idly by.

Therefore, he did not want Wei Yanwu to control Tomat too blatantly, thereby causing an irreversible outcome.

Does the Rat King not care about Lungmen and not want Tomat to provide further intelligence here? He does care, and he does want it, but unlike Wei Yanwu, the Rat King is not worried that Tomat will be controlled by Rhodes Island and become a tool to bind Lungmen.

People that Lungmen can't control, Rhodes Island can't control either.

Instead of racking your brains to give Tomat what he wants, it's better to let Tomat choose what he wants to do.

He believed that the young man would make a choice based on his own considerations, rather than the "charity" that Wei Yanwu described.

Who knows what he's really thinking?

Wei Yanwu could keep track of Tomat's location and what he was doing through his network of informants throughout the city. However, the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he could not understand the other party's true thoughts.

But he still decided to follow his original plan.

"I'm wondering whether this Coral Coast outdoor casual outfit is better, or this Kazdel Malte uniform is more suitable."

"Let's skip the previous part! It's December already... By the way, does the boss really want to go to Siesta that much?!"

Taikoo Plaza is a large shopping plaza established in Lungmen through trade cooperation by a Victorian multinational conglomerate. Located in the center of the plaza, a huge sign with a glittering image of a feline fanged beast and a dragon, written in both Victorian and Yan languages, indicates that the conglomerate belongs to a certain Felin tribe.

As one of the most upscale shopping destinations in Lungmen, it not only guarantees the quality of its goods, including well-known international brands, but also caters to a wide range of consumers, allowing people to choose the area that best suits their shopping needs and spending power.

Of course, this place was originally a stockpile of supplies and was once a key target of the Reunion Movement, but before they could do that, their march came to a complete halt.

Meanwhile, the person who should be the biggest contributor is currently in a high-end clothing store, picking out clothes that suit him.

"The first set really won't work?"

"No."

[Main Text] The Journey to Longmen: Chapter Nineteen - Night Walk at Longmen (Part 1)

"Hello, this is the Rhodes Island operator hotline. How can I help you?"

"Pre-S-092, Thomas, E3 Reserve Special Agent, can you transfer me to Dr. Kal'tsit? I have some things to attend to."

The operator hotline suddenly ringing at 2 a.m. pulled the operator, who was about to make a cup of coffee to wake up, back to the terminal. On the other end, Tomat seriously reported his number, which made the operator realize that something important had happened, so much so that it was necessary to contact Kal'tsit, who was in charge.

"Dr. Kelsey is currently performing surgery on a wounded soldier. I can transfer you to the Doctor if needed."

"Doctor... well, that's fine too. Connect me to him."

A minute later, the operator received another call from Tomat, but this time Tomat's tone was somewhat impatient.

"Please contact Dr. Kal'tsit after the surgery is over. The doctor was sent for CPR after hearing the price of 180 million LMD."

"What? 180?"

Let's go back to that afternoon, to a brand clothing store in Daigo Plaza.

Because of Tomat's unique tail, he could only choose from some Feline tail styles that were similar to his own.

The brand he ultimately chose, Marte, designed by Kazdel, is a well-known sportswear and casual wear brand in Terra, and is said to be exceptionally popular in the Ursus region.

A fitted shirt and a functional coat paired with athletic trousers—a practical combination that aligns with Thomas's personal style—although he himself doesn't know how long it's been since he wore anything other than his uniform. Normally, he always wears the Legion's inner jumpsuit and combat uniform, and even after arriving at Rhodes Island, he still wears ordinary uniforms. This is the first time he's had the freedom to dress as he pleases.

However, Thomas seemed to prefer the rejected Coral Coast Explorer outfit, but since he couldn't change into it here, he decided to buy it separately, pack it up, and take it back to Rhodes Island.

Who knows, we might need it someday?

More importantly, the expenses will be reimbursed by Rhodes Island as payment for helping them with the integration; a few pieces of clothing are hardly valuable items.

"Doesn't it look pretty handsome now?"

Exusiai, who was waiting outside, watched Thomas and Croissant walk out of the clothing store and gave a brief evaluation of Thomas's outfit.

“At least I won’t be seen as a tasteless nouveau riche,” Croissant, who was helping Thomas find clothes, said.

"Where's Lappland? Was she driven away by Exusiai?"

When Tomat came out and found one of them missing, he thought they had really followed his earlier suggestion to have a final showdown. However, Exusiai didn't look like she had been beaten up by Texas.

“I sent her to book a hotel,” Texas replied. “We won’t get back to Rhodes Island until midnight.”

She had considered having Tomat stay overnight at Penguin Logistics' various temporary outposts in Lungmen, but considering that their outposts were known for their "unconventional" style and were not suitable for entertaining tourists, and also not wanting to expose more of Lappland's visiting locations, she decided to have him stay overnight at a nearby hotel.

Moreover, not far from Daigo Plaza is the Lungmen Guard Bureau building, which was set on fire by the Reunion Movement. It is currently under renovation and is filled with a large number of Guard Bureau personnel, engineering experts, and even Rhodes Island assistant operators.

No one would be foolish enough to cause trouble in a place like this, and spending the night nearby can greatly reduce the possibility of accidents.

"Yo~ I'm back! I booked a nice hotel. There are high-end boutiques and all kinds of restaurants downstairs, so I won't be bored if I can't sleep at night."

Lappland soon returned to the group and cheerfully pointed out the way to everyone.

"—But there are only four single rooms left."

However, there were five of them.

This means...

"Doesn't that mean you, Lapland, are going to find a new hotel and stay alone?"

The halo above Exusiai's head seemed to flash briefly, replacing the light bulb that appears above people's heads when they have a flash of inspiration.

Just as Lappland and Exusiai were about to put Tomat's earlier suggestion into practice, Texas, squeezed between the two with a helpless yet used expression, said, "I'll take care of the guard duty. It doesn't matter if I don't sleep. You can arrange your own rooms."

"Me too, it doesn't matter if I don't sleep, and the night market in Lungmen is worth a visit."

Upon hearing this, the two immediately stopped their intense eye contact and looked at Texas, then at Tomat.

This guy just finished fighting a gang and still has the energy to go shopping all night?

"It's fine to cancel the reservation for that empty room. Texas can sleep there, you guys should get some rest first."

As the sun sets and night falls, Longmen does not lose its bustling atmosphere despite the slightly chilly nighttime temperature.

Various shops that stay open all night begin to light up their signs, silently inviting any Longmen resident who is not going home at night to come in for a short while, to eat something hot in the December weather, or to buy some exquisite items that have a better atmosphere at night.

"Ugh... I feel like my boss thinks I'm a nuisance."

Exusiai scratched her head under the halo, recalling the previous events in a shameful tone.

“A normal person would probably ask what your relationship is, since it feels so awkward. But he didn’t seem interested at all and just brushed it off with a couple of casual words.” Croissant was quite impressed with Tomat’s reaction.

“I thought he’d give the room to Texas, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a gentleman, nor does it mean he needs to be one.” Lappland, though slightly disappointed that their plan to share a room had fallen through, casually joined the others in discussing Tomat. “So? Texas, what do you think?”

"...I don't have any thoughts." Even when the topic was turned to Texas, who didn't comment much on the matter, she gave a brief response similar to her usual one. "However, his coldness probably wasn't malicious."

Avoid unnecessary complications and don't create trouble for yourself. If trouble comes your way, resolve it decisively and promptly.

This is a habit that only those who have experienced similar bitter consequences develop.

"Indifference" is just one of the effects of this habit.

"No matter how much you try to escape it, the past will still catch up with you."

Texas added a comment without much thought.

“Hehe, actually, people like this seem to be avoiding trouble, but they're actually looking forward to some kind of excitement.” Lappland grinned after listening to Texas’s words. “On one hand, they deny the past, but on the other hand, they hope that the past is not meaningless and want it to become part of their own value—well, Wolf, I win.”

Lappland laid her cards on the table and unceremoniously took the snacks and late-night treats as her chips.

While Tomat went downstairs to browse the night market, Penguin Logistics and others were playing Syracuse poker in Lappland's room.

"People choose their lifestyle, rather than being chosen by it. Just as I can't interfere with your choice of how you live now, that young man will also make choices that can't be changed."

Texas looked thoughtfully at the cards in her hand, as if she was deeply moved by Lappland's words.

"What's wrong, Texas? Are you touched by me?"

Lappland was quite confident in the power of her language, although this confidence was never proven.

You cheated!

However, Texas simply flicked her wrist and stuck another wolf card into Lappland's forehead, angrily taking back the chocolate cookie she had wagered.

[Main Text] The Journey to Longmen: Chapter Twenty - Night Walk at Longmen

Nightfall shows no favoritism; as the bustling night of Lungmen arrives, the desolate ruins of Chernobog also fall into silence.

There is also a bright light here, but it is not the light of thousands of homes, but the firelight accompanied by a dark smoke.

At this moment, it is slowly burning on the bridge of the core city of Chernobog.

A huge skylight had been cut into the top of the bridge, and moonlight, along with the firelight, illuminated the main hall inside the bridge, which was no longer powered. The throne had collapsed, the steps had crumbled, and the falling ceiling had almost caused the entire bridge to tilt. The transparent walls covered with high-strength tempered glass were completely shattered, and the cold wind of the wasteland blew mercilessly into the interior, gently caressing the lifeless corpses—the fragmented limbs emitted a stench, and the charred bodies exuded a burnt smell.

"General! We've checked; everyone inside the hall is dead..."

"Report! No body suspected to belong to the leader was found, but neither was the body of the king killer or traitor W!"

"..."

The colossal black body, clad in old, heavy armor, stood amidst the flames-filled ruins of the great hall, casting a shadow on the ground with twisted, antler-like horns.

He listened silently, then spoke in a hoarse but firm voice.

“W, we can’t kill her, the leader, even though she’s badly injured.”

He walked towards the direction where the ceiling was collapsing, his steps steady and slow, but each step produced a deafening roar and a sound like metal scraping against metal that was about to twist and break at any moment.

He raised the long spear with its broad blade high and swung it down without the slightest hesitation.

"boom--!!!"