In the sky, dark clouds were densely packed, casting a gloomy shadow over everything overhead.
On the ground, a bustling crowd gathered within a courtyard.
The men were all dressed in dark-colored clothing, holding a few chrysanthemums symbolically in their hands; some had even stuffed them directly into their trouser pockets. The ladies, meanwhile, gathered in groups of two or three by the long table, discussing how the food served later would be.
In the very center of the courtyard, a brand-new coffin stood there, yet not a single person approached it.
Only one man, dressed formally and holding a bottle of wine, stood with his eyes closed in silent mourning before the coffin. Even though he knew that inside this coffin there was no one, only a few pieces of clothing.
"How are things going?"
"Rest assured, Big Brother. Those little rabbits have already started their move."
Hearing the reply, the man's expression slowly relaxed.
"Very good. Move quickly. Finish it as soon as possible while these wild dogs are fighting over food."
The voice gave no further reply, simply retreating silently from the man's line of sight.
After a while, he turned to look at the Red Fang Gang members behind him, who were merely going through the motions. Clearly, just yesterday they were fighting to the death for the title of the Red Fang Gang's leader, yet today, even if unhappy, they had to gather here together.
This was the deterrence of [Boss White] Miguel. Even after his death, he remained a hurdle in these people's hearts that they could not overcome.
And rumor had it that such a Miguel had left behind a very precious treasure, said to be the most valuable thing to him in his lifetime.
"Miguel's treasure... Heh, by the time you all remember such a thing, it will have to be renamed 'my treasure'."
The man's shoulders shook for a moment, appearing unable to suppress the excitement in his heart. However, to others, this action undoubtedly looked like he was overwhelmed with grief over Miguel's passing.
"Tch, what a pretentious guy."
Some of the younger gang members were very dismissive of the man's performance, but this still changed nothing. Neither the fact of Miguel's death nor the future of the Red Fang Gang.
-----------------
Silver Base. Twiggy and Geno were busy unloading cargo.
Although there wasn't much, for the Silver Squad who had been cut off from supplies for more than half a month, it solved their urgent need.
"Thank you for the gift of nature."
"We were the ones who brought it back, okay? Number 9, you really are..."
As soon as he got out of the car, Geno saw this muscle idiot running over while making a ruckus. He couldn't understand—they all shared the same face, so why were the other sisters all so steady, while this one alone was an idiot?
Could it be that training her muscles had trained her brain away?
Accompanying her was another member of the same squad conducting Hollow exploration, Number 8. Compared to Number 9, Number 8's personality was much more normal, at most just a bit softer in temperament than the other sisters.
"Thank you for your hard work. Number 5 and the others are already waiting for you in the laboratory, Twiggy."
"Got it, I'll head over right away."
Hearing Number 8's words, Twiggy immediately walked towards the laboratory without stopping, leaving the unloading task here to the remaining Geno and the other sisters.
With the help of Number 9 and Number 8, Geno quickly completed the unloading task. Looking at the fully stacked warehouse, a happy smile appeared on Geno's face.
"Alright, with this, this month's consumption is taken care of. I'll ask the Night Watcher and the others to help deliver next month's supplies."
"That really helps a lot. This way, Number 10's nutrition can keep up."
"Hey! What do you mean my nutrition can keep up?!"
While Geno and Number 8 were chatting, a slightly immature voice came from behind. Geno turned around to look but saw no trace of anyone. Then, as if remembering something, he lowered his head to see the owner of the voice.
"Ugh~ What's the point of growing so tall! I will be as tall as the other sisters in the future too!"
Number 10 was somewhat indignant, while her eyes couldn't stop looking at Geno, her expression filled with envy.
She didn't understand. They clearly had the same genes, yet for some unknown reason, her height was a cut shorter compared to the other sisters. Even the food they ate was the same, but her height just wouldn't grow, and along with it, even that part was...
"Alright, Number 10, how about we let Number 1 make you a special nutritional meal tonight? For now, go play with Number 8."
"Why even you... I am not a child!!"
Feeling a massive insult, Number 10 ran away with a crying face. Worried, Number 9 followed after her, leaving only Number 8 and Geno present.
"Really haven't changed a bit," Geno lamented.
Before leaving the Hollow, it was them who had conducted exploration missions with Geno, so they were very familiar with each other.
"Yeah, we haven't changed a bit. However, you and Twiggy have changed quite a lot."
A shrewd light shone in Number 8's eyes. Although she had a soft personality, it didn't mean she was an idiot.
"Really? Why haven't I felt it?"
Hearing Number 8 say he had changed, Geno began to lift his arms and move his legs to check himself.
"Um, it's not a physical change."
Several black lines dropped down Number 8's forehead. In this aspect, he was still the same as before, a bit clumsy. She didn't know what exactly Twiggy saw in him.
Although the two protagonists involved seemed not to have noticed, in the eyes of this group of Silver Squad sisters, the relationship between the two was just short of being spoken aloud. But the two of them just had to be disappointing; it had been over a year, and there was no progress at all.
Having finally gone out for this half-month, everyone thought there should be some progress this time, but it turned out to be the same old story. It really made Number 8 furious.
"Alright, let's not talk about this for now. Let's go to the cafeteria to get something to eat. After bustling about all morning, I haven't eaten anything yet."
Seeing that she couldn't get anything out of Geno, Number 8 found an excuse to change the subject first, planning to prod Twiggy about it later.
Afterward, Number 8 headed to the cafeteria with a bitter face, while Twiggy, who had gone ahead to the laboratory, was the complete opposite. Looking at the item before her, she was extremely joyful.
"It actually succeeded."
"Hehe, don't underestimate us!"
Inside the laboratory, Twiggy, Number 5, and Number 6 looked at the item on the table in front of them—a black wristband—with excited smiles on their faces.
"Derived and improved based on the Ether Inhibitor wristband on Geno's hand—the Ether Corruption Inhibition Wristband, development successful!"
Number 6 puffed out her chest proudly, hands on her hips, awaiting applause from the others.
However, after a long time passed without any feedback, Number 6 finally couldn't help but open her eyes, only to see the other two huddled around the wristband, studying it incessantly, completely ignoring her.
"Hey! That's too much! It wouldn't hurt to praise me, you know!"
But complaining wouldn't solve any problem. Helpless, she had to lean in as well, and the three of them studied it together.
____
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