A couple kissed softly in the dim light.
"Sasa, I never thought we'd both survive. It's all thanks to Putato."
"Yes, we're lucky we were stuck in the ruins, starving while hiding from the wild beasts."
BANG!
A violent crash nearby interrupted their intimate moment. They immediately gripped their Workshop weapons, nerves on edge.
...
A disheveled Putato tumbled directly out of the shattered car window. He quickly found Parui squatting by the house door, clutching his head in regret.
"Putato?!"
"Shut up!"
"Tell me, what happened?"
"The neighborhood watch said they saw someone distributing flyers under my door, and then my sister just ran out."
Leaning against the wall, Putato's leg shook constantly. He couldn't find any solid clues from such meager information. He turned a vigilant gaze toward the man and woman who had followed him.
"If you hadn't brought us to the Church, our Office representative would be dead, and we'd be unemployed. Let's exchange contact info."
Putato frowned, waving them away, completely uninterested. He turned back to continue questioning Parui.
"What kind of flyer? You don't know?"
"The person just left a flyer at my doorstep and didn't give it to anyone else. I was helpless."
"Is that really a flyer? How can they just distribute one?"
"Damn it! I don't know either! It's the first time I've encountered something like this!"
Anxiously biting his fingernails, Putato pressed on.
"Is this the only time your sister ran off? Isn't she shy? Why would she go out alone?"
Hearing this, Parui hesitated. Fury boiled over, and Putato grabbed his collar, delivering a punch so hard it made Parui's mouth bleed.
"Tell me!"
"My sister was sold by my parents when she was six. She came back to live with us for a year when she was ten, then left again. No matter how I asked where she was sold, she said it was a Secret. I just had to accept it."
"At that time, I was just a Rat myself. I knew my place and had no connections. Besides, she seemed to be doing well, adorned with luxury goods."
"She returned at eighteen, but her mental state wasn't stable. She feared everyone was trying to deceive her. It was hard for her to manage daily life."
"She's my only family. She has to survive, or I don't know how I'll carry on."
What kind of human trafficker would allow a year for visiting family?
This kind of thing, even in The City, was bizarre. The more Putato asked, the more bewildered he became. There was no clear point of entry.
"Parui, grab your weapons and follow me closely."
"What do you mean? Do you know where she went?"
"Shut up!"
Putato's tyrannical commands made Parui instinctively bow his head. He obediently went inside to gather his equipment, while Putato looked at the two people who had just spoken.
Sasa and Darcy waved kindly at Putato, reminding him that a car had just exploded and caught fire nearby.
"Who are you two?"
As they explained, Putato realized these were the Fixers he had met at the Me Me Me cathedral, the ones who wanted to capture the Pontiff with him.
"We're from Glove Office. We'll grab a meal and chat another day. It looks like you're busy."
Parui rushed out of the room fully armed. He didn't dare speak loudly in front of Putato, only standing silently beside him. Sasa and Darcy tactfully decided to leave.
Putato greeted the two Fixers and walked through The Backstreets, hands in his pockets.
[Find Parui's sister.]
He had to rely on his ingenuity talent. Putato suppressed his anger and casually strolled through the district.
On the left, a shop was open, its sign reading Embrace of Love. A scrolling electronic screen read, "A person needs eight hugs a day." A fluorescent board at the entrance added, "Offering a completely safe, reassuring, and peaceful hug."
He and Parui walked one after the other, bypassing startled customers.
There were challenge competitions set up on the street. If two people could make eye contact without blinking, they could win a prize. Many fools even kowtowed to virtual idols, praying for blessings. Vending machines for electronic indulgences offered customizable styles.
"Where exactly are we going?"
Parui couldn't help but ask. Putato was just strolling, giving no reply.
As the architecture became more familiar, Putato felt an increasing sense of unease. The places he was passing were notorious.
"Damn it!"
Putato, equally unsure, suddenly realized something the moment he saw the Moon in Water art exhibition. He always said evil deeds in The City were normal, but who would commit such an abstract crime?
Could the Ring Wym be behind this mischief again?
A flash of inspiration hit him. He pulled an Invitation from his pocket to show Parui.
"Ask the neighborhood watch if the flyer looks like this."
Parui took a photo and typed quickly, looking up at Putato with a surprised expression.
"That's right!"
"Then you can go back."
"But what about my sister?!"
Putato said nothing, merely pointing towards the direction of the Zwei Association night shift. Association Fixers were dutifully patrolling the perimeter, and even Walter himself was present for the inspection.
This luxurious lineup made Parui's face turn pale. Even if he charged in, they would likely cut him down in minutes. He understood that Putato meant he wasn't qualified to look for trouble.
"Don't worry. Judging by your sister's previous situation, she won't be harmed too quickly. I'll go scout the area first. Wait for me to contact you tomorrow."
"Go contact Molar Office and post a missing person commission. They're quite reliable with these jobs. This isn't the time to save money."
"I understand."
Seeing that Night in the Backstreets was approaching, Parui immediately looked for a nearby hotel, but found all the rooms were full. He had no choice but to take a taxi home for now.
Putato, remaining in place, actually needed to sneak in and investigate. At the very least, he needed to figure out which other formidable characters were inside this exhibition. He immediately crept forward.
"Why are there tire marks here?"
"Director, two lunatics had a car accident today."
"As a diligent and responsible member of the Zwei Association, one should reply that this is a dereliction of duty as a shield, am I right?"
This annoyed tone made Putato immediately realize that Walter was giving a lecture. This guy was very skilled at gaslighting his subordinates, and the one he was scolding was Julia, who had just helped him earlier.
He had to find a way to lure them out.
"Elena, are you there?"
Putato immediately remembered this so-called Bloodfiend who had always been watching him. He called out three times but received no reply. He felt a bit lost but quickly thought of a solution.
[Encountered Elena at the turning point.]
This talent for finding people was truly convenient. It seemed it could also be used to find high-ranking K Corporation personnel. Putato still remembered that time: if not for Death Tattoo, he might have been captured by the Death squad.
Fortunately, it was already dark, and Putato, staying near the exhibition, hadn't been discovered. He tiptoed around the corner and then called out.
"How did you know I was coming?"
The familiar calico cat, tail swaying, walked along the corner. Putato looked at the cat's deliberately elegant gait, feeling that Elena was acting a bit pretentious lately. She had even stuck out her tongue at him before when talking.
"Putato, you're too good at running. Every time I finish eating, I can't find you. Good thing I won't forget your scent. Can't you just stay put in a room?"
"Elena, help me."
"Okay."
Seeing Elena agree so readily, Putato was very happy but also felt a rising sense of doubt and vigilance.
How could anyone be so obedient to another in The City? Moreover, this person was the former Star of the City, the Blood-red Night who had committed countless massacres.
"Create some chaos to lure out those Association personnel, but don't cause any deaths to blow things up, can you?"
"I can, but you can't make me do all the work for nothing."
Putato, carefully observing the exhibition hall, unexpectedly looked at Elena, and his pupils immediately constricted.
Elena, originally in the form of a calico cat, had disappeared. In her place was a tall, slender woman with short, curly black hair. Just standing there, she exuded a cold and aloof aura. Her excessively pale skin made her appear somewhat delicate.
Elena's lips curved into a faint smile, complementing her long, narrow cat-like eyes, giving her a cunning and mysterious look. She was very pleased with Putato's shocked expression.
"Am I beautiful? This is the first time I've returned to human form since escaping a year ago. The Association has been tracking me closely, and they only recently presumed I was dead."
She twirled around playfully. Her plain jeans and white short-sleeved top were form-fitting. To be precise, her only "imperfect" feature was her completely flat chest.
Putato narrowed his eyes, looking at Elena's smiling face. He immediately thought that this elusive individual probably resorted to sucking blood to recover from injuries. A very complex emotion surged within him.
"It's alright."
"What do you mean 'it's alright'? I don't want to hear that. Is a normal, reasonable evaluation that difficult?"
Elena took a step back, arms crossed, waiting for Putato's definite answer.
As soon as he thought about the exhibition, Putato had no choice but to brace himself to look at this Bloodfiend. Now, ignoring her blood-sucking tendencies was no different from Olivia.
"Why care about that? Anyway, we're friends. Even the most beautiful face becomes familiar after seeing it enough."
As the words left his mouth, Elena paused slightly, looking down at the shadows the distant streetlights cast on the ground.
"You really don't mind that I'm a Bloodfiend? It's still a bit different from humans."
"None of my business."
Elena looked up in surprise, meticulously examining Putato's expression.
"Aren't you worried about being discovered colluding with Blood-red Night? My past actions were too extreme. Once exposed, there was even a Grade 1 Fixer dealing with it before."
I'm still Grey Howl, and I'm doing just fine.
Putato met Elena's gaze, speaking with determination.
"None of your business. Are you helping or not?"
Elena laughed excitedly, unable to stop. She slowly retreated into the shadows, only her flickering blood-red eyes still fixed on Putato.
A faint voice drifted over.
"Don't worry, I'll consider your feelings. Now, I'll go after the Syndicate."
SWOOSH!
A crimson flash, and Putato couldn't see her traces. He immediately adjusted his Mindcord jacket's hidden weapons, then crept towards the alley beside the exhibition hall.
As Putato peered in, he saw a car directly speeding towards the back entrance, immediately attracting Association personnel from all directions. However, the chaos grew worse, prompting Walter to stop his lecture and lead his people to assist.
Good opportunity!
Reaching out and drawing two throwing knives, the nearby streetlights exploded in response. Putato activated his Hematic Pump and quickly crossed the street, crouching at the main entrance.
The exterior of the exhibition building had no lights or lighting system whatsoever. Compared to other buildings, it was simply a black box. Putato gently opened the main door, and a strong light hit his eyes, making him squint.
After Putato stood in the room and adapted to the light, he realized that this was not at all the museum layout he had imagined. Instead, it resembled an entertainment club.
There was an indoor swimming pool, a rotating buffet, and various forms of gambling. Even now, quite a few people were comfortably enjoying themselves, leaving Putato increasingly perplexed.
"Hello, please present your invitation."
Putato suddenly spun around, only to realize that the Docent statue at the entrance was talking to him. He immediately became vigilant, but a quick glance revealed no security personnel coming to evict him.
The pure white Docent seemed very understanding. It waited until Putato looked at it again before continuing to speak.
"It seems this guest does not have an invitation, but that's alright. Maestros Wym says that relatives of invited guests may also enter."
"May I ask whom you are looking for? Or would you like me to introduce you to this exhibition hall?"
"Who are you?"
Putato hadn't expected this guy to greet him without an invitation, nor was he likely to easily reveal his objective.
"I am the apprentice of Maestros Wym, but you may call me Docent for now."
"Is this your exhibition? Performance art?"
"Forgive my arrogance. I originally thought a Backstreets person like you wouldn't understand exhibitions, but you actually comprehend art classifications. That's commendable."
"I heard the Ring earns money by selling artworks. How does this performance art of yours make money?"
"Hehe, your understanding is too shallow. We provide our guests with a feeling, not a rational impulse. It's the novelty you won't see in everyday life."
Bullshit.
Putato was too lazy to talk nonsense with this guy and quickly inquired about the three-story exhibition structure.
If there were no other circumstances, Parui's sister should be imprisoned within the exhibition hall.
It was only at this moment that Putato remembered that this idiot Parui hadn't even told him what his sister's name was. He was truly flustered by the urgency.
"The first floor is the daily experience area. Tomorrow, we will display various artworks, and honored guests will receive the exhibition catalog, allowing them to freely interact with them."
"The second floor is the situation area prepared by Wym Maestros. Unfortunately, that's only for honored guests to experience, I apologize."
Seeing the Docent frankly explain the layout of all floors, Putato immediately discarded the idea of ditching him and going upstairs.
"I have a lot of patience. Do you want to compete with me?"
Putato seized the opportunity when no one was nearby and decisively acted. He grabbed the shoulder, covered in white pigment, and pulled back, dragging the guy into the restroom.
BANG!Putato kicked the restroom door shut and pushed him onto the white tiles, but the other party didn't immediately cry out.
"I know you're looking for someone, but why don't you wait a bit longer?"
"Aside from Maestros Wym, who paints skin, the artworks here will not be sold, because the exhibition is an experience."
"Just wait until the exhibition ends, and you can smoothly take them away. You might even reunite with them earlier by attending the exhibition every day."
"Furthermore, the pigment we use is very expensive. You'd best not touch it, or you'll feel dizzy and even faint."
The Docent calmly stood up, then sat on the washbasin and fell into thought.
This hooligan-like attitude made Putato extremely uncomfortable. He immediately realized their intention.
They were clearly making the victims' families part of the exhibition. It would be a miracle if they actually released anyone after the exhibition. Chances are, they'd use the families as additional material for the show.
A wave of nausea and dizziness hit Putato. He raised his hand and saw that the area touched by the pigment was red and even itchy.
"Don't follow me!"
Putato left the restroom, turning to see that the staircase leading to the second floor was also guarded by Zwei Association Fixers, not to mention the Ring's own armed forces.
Now that the Docent was watching, stealth was out of the question. This time, he could only leave first.
The scenery before him suddenly had double vision, probably due to the pigment. Putato wondered if that guy was even human anymore, applying such highly toxic pigment all over his body.
Fortunately, the powerful resilience brought by Workshop Hamster allowed his movements to be completely unaffected. He quickly walked out of the exhibition hall.
"This guy looks familiar. Isn't he the one we saw during the day?"
"Then go report it to Walter. He's irritated."
"Forget it. Anyway, the others inside haven't reacted. We probably saw wrong."
...
As soon as Putato arrived home, he found an unexpected visitor.
Finn, opening the refrigerator, found a hotpot pot inside and his eyes lit up, his hands reaching to take it out.
"Why bother cooking? Isn't there already some here?"