"Over there is the black market, you can buy any kind of weapon, including military supplies."
"Turn left to Black Rose Street, most of the women working there are poor souls who were trafficked, controlled by three bosses."
"Up ahead is Blade Bar, if you want to kill someone, you can find bounty hunters inside, but there are a lot of robbers, better not go alone."
"The docks are straight ahead, but most of them are for shipping flour. See those warehouses? They're flour factories, don't get close."
...
Pardofelis seemed to have resigned herself, explaining the customs of Sundown Alley as they walked. It was called a street, but in reality, it was a vast town, even having its own military factory.
In this place, you could find every kind of illegal transaction in the world, presenting a chaotic scene.
They were poor, with rundown shantytowns where junkies roamed like zombies, and gunfights and vendettas were commonplace. But they were also rich, as Ryan saw many luxurious mansions with high walls and armed guards.
Ryan glanced at Pardofelis in front of him. She was wearing a strapless top and hot pants, looking quite hot, walking lightly like a little cat patrolling its territory.
As a pragmatist, Ryan hadn't studied this weakest hero in detail, but in Sundown Alley, Pardofelis was very useful.
She knew this place too well, she could find her way even with her eyes closed. She kept emphasizing how powerful her boss was, as if trying to make Ryan hesitate to act.
Timid, cautious, a bit clever, but kind-hearted and enthusiastic. In the talent-filled Sundown Alley, she was a refreshing change.
"When did Sundown Alley become like this?" Ryan asked.
"I don't know. It's been like this since I was born. I had a tough childhood. If I'd been a little less lucky, I probably wouldn't be here now." Pardofelis tilted her head, reminiscing, but there was no expression of pain on her face.
"Don't you resent your fate?"
"Resenting doesn't help. As long as I have food to eat and a place to sleep, I'm fine."
"Have you ever thought about leaving Sundown Alley?"
"Ah, the outside is dangerous too. With my boss protecting me, I'm actually safer here in Sundown Alley."
She's pretty optimistic, she'd definitely get along with Elysia. Tch, who wouldn't want to be friends with her?
Ryan suddenly remembered his social anxiety. He noticed a fairly normal-looking café by the street and patted Pardofelis on the shoulder.
"Hmm? Is my guiding work finally over?"
"Not yet, I'm not here for tourism." Pardofelis' head drooped as she spoke, then pointed at the café. "It's almost noon, I'll treat you to lunch."
So fast, just a moment ago she was sulking, and now she raised her head, her eyes shining with disbelief.
"You're really treating me to lunch?"
"Why, are you planning to treat me?"
"Hey, I just realized you're really nice. But just to be clear, it's only lunch. We're not talking business."
"Of course, it's just lunch. Is there some special custom?" Ryan asked, smirking.
"Heh, you don't get it," Pardofelis replied with a playful grin.
As they walked toward the café, Pardofelis began explaining to him. In Sundown Alley, when someone invites you to a meal, it usually means they have business to discuss, including things like assassination, robbery, or flour trading.
Along the way, she found a shiny coin on the street and smiled brightly. Her steps became lighter as she continued.
"I've never seen this pattern. Guess I'm having good luck today." Pardofelis tucked the coin into her pocket, feeling pleased. But then, her gaze shifted to Ryan, and she couldn't help but mutter to herself.
"But I've gotten caught up in trouble. This guy doesn't seem bad, though, so is my luck good or bad?"
Ryan didn't think much about it. He just glanced at her with interest. Pardofelis wasn't known for her combat abilities but for her luck. He had just witnessed it firsthand.
As for meeting him, he figured it was probably good luck.
The café had a fresh design. There weren't many customers inside, and the few people there were hiding in corners, casting suspicious glances at the newcomers before quietly discussing business.
'The news hasn't spread yet,' Ryan thought.
He narrowed his eyes as a large, muscular waiter walked over, at least two meters tall, with a cigar in his mouth.
"What would you like to drink, inside or outside?" the waiter asked.
Ryan gave him a once-over. The man's white shirt was almost bursting from his muscles. Ryan thought to himself, what kind of "special service" was this?
"Outside, two cups of coffee, two slices of cake."
"Cake? We don't serve that kind of effeminate food here. How about steak? Pork, beef, or human meat, pick one."
"Beef, thank you." Ryan was caught off guard, casually waving his hand as he sat outside, but noticed Pardofelis hadn't moved, so he cast her a puzzled look.
"I'll keep an eye on them. These guys promised beef, but they might add rat meat, cat meat, or something else to bulk it up," Pardofelis whispered.
"Are you sure they won't add human meat?"
"That stuff's too expensive, they wouldn't waste it," Pardofelis stuck out her tongue and ran into the kitchen.
Ryan didn't fully understand the dynamics inside but realized that the "simple folk" of Sundown Alley had deep tricks. He froze for a moment before sitting outside.
He wasn't worried that Pardofelis would run away. The girl's face clearly showed that she was starving.
He settled into a bench, watching the pedestrians pass by. Junkies moved like zombies, criminals were arrogant, and half-grown children were playing around, actually looking for targets to pickpocket.
This place was different from Snow Prison Town. The chaos seemed ingrained in its bones, no wonder so many talents came from here.
Another new landscape. The benefit of pre-civilization was the rich display of biological diversity.
Ryan muttered about handling business, but once he sat down, it felt more like sightseeing. With Sakura providing cover from thousands of miles away, he didn't need to hurry. He didn't even plan on visiting the clinic just yet.
'Who knows if Kalpas is around? With his instincts, he'll probably see through me and we'll end up fighting. That would interfere with the real business.'
In the southern wilderness of Mu Continent, he had already made contact with Kalpas. By all rights, he shouldn't be here, but fate was stubborn, and Ryan didn't dare gamble.
He decided to keep a low profile with the Fire Moth while gathering intel on what was real and what wasn't.
Ryan set his tone. Not long after, Pardofelis returned, carrying a tray with steak and coffee.
"I watched over it, so this one's definitely real. Ah, I haven't had steak in a long time."
"You didn't try to run away?" Ryan gave her a glance.
Pardofelis froze for a moment when she placed the tray on the table, then scratched her head.
"I was too hungry to think of running, but you're a good person. It doesn't seem necessary to run away."
"It's because running away would still get you caught by those guys, and they'd force you to find me anyway."
"Heh, this steak is really good."
Ryan couldn't help but laugh. He watched Pardofelis quickly cut the steak into small pieces, shoving them into her mouth while showing a satisfied smile.
This expression reminded him of Elysia, and Ryan couldn't help but cross his arms.
"You don't seem like a person from Sundown Alley."
"What do you mean?"
"Too happy too quickly. Look at the people on the street. Those pickpockets are only a few years older than you."
Pardofelis propped her head on her hand, quickly stuffing the last piece of steak into her mouth. Then, she glanced at the other plate of steak. Seeing that Ryan pushed it towards her, she became even happier.
"I've survived this long mostly because of luck. I've almost died or been caught several times. Over time, I realized—" The girl raised her knife and fork, answering without hesitation:
"Good luck is the friend of laughter!"
Because of good luck, she was optimistic, and because she was optimistic, good luck followed? That was a truly pure form of metaphysics...
Ryan also laughed. Pardofelis was easy to deal with, one meal and their relationship had already become closer. It was probably an instinct, like how a smart stray cat could tell which human had good intentions and which one was a cat abuser.
"I'm sorry to drag you into this, but once things are settled, I'll make it up to you."
Make it up to me? Uh, the steak is so good I almost forgot she was here for something dangerous.
Pardofelis stiffened, hesitating before speaking up: "I'm really weak. Can I not participate in the fight? Don't worry, I'll stay out of it, I definitely won't get in the way."
Her expression almost screamed 'coward', and Ryan almost lost his cold expression, but thankfully, the headgear had a delay function, which helped keep him composed.
"You just need to guide the way. I'll be staying in Sundown Alley for a while. Later, we'll head to your place."
"To my place?"
"Yeah, I don't want to stay at a hotel. This place is full of trouble, and I'll probably have to kill a lot of people. But I've already achieved my goal, so I'll try to avoid spilling too much blood."
But my place is pretty shabby, and I still have a stash of treasures I haven't hidden yet.
Pardofelis couldn't bring herself to say it. She was still a bit afraid of Ryan. In Sundown Alley, it was natural for the weak to follow the orders of the strong.
As she scratched her head, thinking of how to refuse, she heard a commotion and instinctively turned around.
Across the street, several men and women were thrown out of a building, huddling together to endure kicks and punches. The leader spat, looking pleased as he and his men began collecting the spoils.
No one passing by offered to help. After inquiring, people just ran away.
"Is this... a Honkai Disease patient?" Ryan sensed an abnormal Honkai energy reaction.
"Yeah, that's the rule of Sundown Alley. Anyone with Honkai Disease has to be quarantined. They can't stay on the street. Though, no one knows if it's contagious," Pardofelis replied casually as she ate, "Ah, surviving in Sundown Alley is tough. Nobody dares catch Honkai Disease."
"So, what happens if someone catches Honkai Disease? Do they just wait to die?"
"Not necessarily." Pardofelis licked the sauce clean from her plate, casually pointing to the distance.
"There's a sanatorium over there that takes in Honkai Disease patients. It's a way out, I guess. Hmm, you wouldn't be interested in that, would you?"
"Very interested," Ryan said, nodding without hiding his interest, a smile slowly spreading across his face.
"I'm a kind-hearted person, often doing volunteer work."