I'm living off a woman in Arknights.

Page 44

Anso picked up the conversation, a smile returning to his face: "Thanks, Minerva ally."

"Sir, did you hear that? We have a full five days to complete the mission. Actually, we don't need you at all."

After such a long time, the task should be completed by now.

“You guys…” Rupert frowned and exhaled a breath of stale air. Was it really necessary?

They were just buyers, yet they had to give up two useful helpers for this, preferring to do more work themselves and bear the possible consequences of death?

“Those three showed no mercy; Rupert and Zalak were completely excluded.” Swire pondered, looking at the projection. “I didn’t expect that the treaty we added as a precaution would actually work.”

Temporary workers can initiate the voting mechanism at the very beginning.

—Through a public vote with more votes than votes, temporary workers who are considered to be a hindrance will be sent back to work.

“Well, after all, many victims saw these two people searching through things.” Yun Yi was not surprised.

During their conversation, Minerva clearly and logically informed everyone in the prison about the current situation and key information.

After the victims understood, several of them immediately spoke up and told the three temporary workers that the two were not victims and demanded that their temporary worker status be revoked.

Then, amidst the boiling clamor of the other victims, Minerva decisively led the other two to make a decision:

Voting mechanism activated!

Inside the projection, no matter how much Rupert and Zalak tried to persuade them, they couldn't change the minds of the three people opposite them.

When they were speechless for a moment, Minerva seized the opportunity to shout, "The voting process is complete, I agree to the expulsion!"

"Agreed!" "Agreed!"

The voices of agreement echoed by Amso and Connor were like boulders thrown into a deep pool, creating ripples.

In an instant, the entire cell behind them transformed into a boiling sea of ​​fury—the eyes behind hundreds of iron bars seemed to be ignited with eerie phosphorescence, weaving a chilling web of malice amidst the interplay of light and shadow.

Following this malicious gaze, long-suppressed roars surged forth like a tidal wave, echoing and roaming through the prison.

In the vast cages, those throats that had been suppressed for so long burst forth with hoarse yet deafening roars, flames of ferocity, pleasure, and ruthlessness burning in everyone's voice.

"Go back! Scum!" The sharp curse ripped through the air, piercing the brightly lit platform with deep-seated resentment.

"Hahaha! You've finally met your match!" The twisted laughter was mixed with uncontrollable pleasure, followed by the release of long-suppressed anger.

"Well done! I will cooperate fully! Hahahaha—" The maniacal laughter, along with the complex and incomprehensible hatred within it, was drowned out by the increasingly unified shouts and cries.

The shouts of "Agreed—Agreed—!" rose and fell like the beating of war drums, as if the earth itself was resonating in unison with the cries, and the entire prison trembled in the sound.

For some reason, the so-called vote turned into a trial woven by hundreds of eyes and hundreds of voices.

Behind the iron bars, every face seemed distorted by the intense fluctuations of emotion, and every gaze was filled with a thirst for revenge.

Amidst the overwhelming clamor and gazes, Rupert and Zalak's pale faces appeared so small and helpless—this expulsion was no longer a vote, but an overwhelming storm of revenge.

Affected by the incident, Anso and Conar swallowed hard, exchanged a glance, and found themselves both at a loss.

Minerva, who was also in the eye of the storm, remained calm.

Her gaze lingered on the areas where the shouts were loudest, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

No one paid attention to the reactions of the other three people on the platform.

All the victims stared intently at the fear on Rupert and Zalak's faces, their triumphant shouts growing increasingly frenzied.

"That's about enough. If this continues, it'll be hard to handle," Swire said, offering a reminder.

Yun Yi, as the executor of the expulsion, nodded in agreement. With a flick of his hand, the two people, despised by countless people, instantly collapsed on the spot, their figures disappearing from the place.

"Perfect, put them back on the interrogation table." Yun Yi rested her chin on her hand as she casually tossed the two of them into another room.

Shi Huaiya rubbed her fingertips against the armrest, her expression relaxed: "The choice of temporary workers was indeed a bit unexpected, but fortunately it didn't have any impact. It seems we'll be able to reap the rewards in a while."

"Perhaps, huh?" In the projection, Minerva was neither affected by the frenzied victims nor by the sudden disappearance of the two living people.

She immediately took the initiative to loudly call out the next step, requesting the distribution of extra supplies for temporary workers.

"That was efficient, you came right away." Yun Yi said something that the other person couldn't hear, raising his hand with his palm down and fingers spread, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Thanks to you guys!"

On the projection screen, five supply boxes and ten voice recorders immediately appeared in front of the temporary workers. The frenzied atmosphere in the prison instantly quieted down and quickly transformed into a frenzy for the supplies.

Amidst hundreds of intense gazes from all around, the temporary workers' supplies slowly landed.

These five boxes are much larger than the other supply boxes and bags, and they look like they're filled with lots of good stuff.

“So many…” Conar, having recovered, quickly got back into the swing of things. He turned to Minerva and asked, “What should I do next?”

With equally good mental fortitude, and having recovered quickly, An Suo, upon hearing this, tilted one of his rabbit ears towards Minerva, curiously watching her: "Hey? Don't abandon me! Tell me what to do too!"

"Go and find out who is unwilling to cooperate. Conar, come with me first and let's see how to operate."

Minerva didn't stand on ceremony and gave the order directly.

She carefully picked up the two recording pens using the robotic arm, then turned and walked towards the cell on the left, the place where the shouts had been the loudest.

"Okay." Connar nodded slightly and followed with his thick legs.

"Are you sure who won't cooperate?" An Suo had no objections.

She stood still and looked around, her gaze settling on a cell where no one was. "Let's check them one by one. I can run fast anyway."

He muttered smugly, swinging the chain. With a crisp click of metal clashing, the hook deftly snagged its target.

With a strong pull, her petite figure flew up the chain at an incredible speed.

Just as she said, she is indeed a rabbit suited for running errands.

"An Suo is quite obedient." Yun Yi sighed as he looked at the agile figure in the projection.

In her memory, An Suo was adept at speaking to people in a way that suited them, but it wasn't so easy for her to be honest and obedient.

Swire crossed his arms and tilted his tiger ears back: "An Suo... this girl must have realized that Minerva had already made up his mind, so she took the initiative to obey orders—after all, in her eyes, this was a life-or-death deal."

With a powerful figure present, one should definitely try to curry favor with them.

"A smart person," Yun Yi said with a raised eyebrow and a smile.

Swire nodded in agreement and continued to observe the three people in the projection.

Confirm the headcount and inquire about the reasons for refusal; learn to use a voice recorder and understand how to communicate; plan and define the information collection process, and guide colleagues to avoid mistakes...

Every step is proceeding in an orderly manner, and sooner or later we will be able to gather all the true information about everyone.

Swire's expression gradually revealed satisfaction: "It seems there are no problems so far. We just need to hand over the blank paper to them tomorrow. Now, let's go back and rest. I'll also tell you about the situation in Lungmen."

"Rest... Yes, we still need to rest. As for the situation in Lungmen, didn't you already give us a general overview?"

As he spoke, Yun Yi patted his not-so-bright head and suddenly remembered: "Aren't those two buyers being interrogated now? I remember you said they have important intelligence."

Volume Two: Fireworks at Longmen: Chapter Sixty-Five - Intelligence +1 +1 +1

“No.” Swire shook her head: “Most of their intelligence is outdated. We’ll just dump them at the hotel during the next operation.”

"Outdated?"

"Remember when I mentioned the excessive number of firearms? It's almost certain that those firearms came from the people behind Rupert, probably some gang in Syracuse."

“I remember firearms, but…” Yun Yi’s forehead was covered with even more question marks: “When was this news confirmed? How come I didn’t know?”

"When exchanging information with Hoshiguma."

After answering, Swire carefully chose her words and began to explain, trying to help Yun Yi understand the information quickly: "Among the gang members who intercepted me, one person has completely disappeared from the memories of the other gang members."

"At the same time, no one in the gang, including the leader, knew where the firearms they possessed came from."

"This gang is called the Azure Dragon Society. It has expanded rapidly in the past year. Its leader, who is also the boss, is known for being smooth and considerate. Under his leadership, the Azure Dragon Society rarely takes risks unless he cannot refuse or—he is unaware of it."

"You mean he was unaware?" Yun Yi sensed that Shi Huaiya was implying something.

She thought for a moment and offered a simple guess: "Because it wasn't the Azure Dragon Society itself that intercepted you, but the person who disappeared? And the firearms weren't from the Azure Dragon Society either, but were brought by that person?"

“Half and half.” Swire spread her hands, her left hand clenched: “This is the leader of the Azure Dragon Society. It’s true that he gave the order to intercept me, but he probably just had those people block me. In the literal sense, block me, no fighting, no sparring, just blocking the road.”

This information was revealed by gang members themselves at the time, and with the presence of Li Boli, who held a certain position, it was basically certain that the other party was involved—after all, he was the only one who could command them.

"Huh? What are you asking for?" Yun Yi was confused and greatly shocked.

Why gather a bunch of people, waste time and resources, and then do nothing but block the road?

Swire shook his left hand, which was gloved with a fingerless glove, causing the hem of his heavy uniform coat to sway: "Because he couldn't refuse."

So that's how it is; they were forced to do abstract things.

Yun Yi nodded in understanding, then a new question arose in his mind: "Is the reason for not refusing because of interests, the situation, power, or something else?"

“It’s hard to say.” Swire extended her index and middle fingers with her left hand: “He and the people behind him are quite shrewd.”

"However, one of the goals of the Azure Dragon Society is to take the opportunity to cut off old wounds, that is, to target the old people who have status but are useless."

Yun Yi slapped his right palm with his left hand: "I remember this one, Li Boli, the one who was in charge, right? When you guys were talking, I felt like that guy had been abandoned."

“That’s right, but this purpose should just be the president’s doing as he sees fit, and it has nothing to do with us.” Swire pressed down her middle finger, leaving only her index finger: “What’s related to us is the person behind it, he’s the one who really wants to block my way.”

"All my actions this morning..."

Swire paused for a moment, then looked at the culprit, Yun Yi: "It was all a spur-of-the-moment decision. Under these circumstances, who do you think could accurately block me and find me so precisely?"

"To clarify beforehand, I did not find anyone following me from the moment I set off until I was blocked on the 'road'."

Yunyi could arrive at the answer almost without thinking.

She only knew a few people, and after eliminating the likely candidates like Chen and Hoshiguma, that left only: "Wei and the Rat King?"

“It’s Wei Yanwu.” Swire first helped Yun Yi reinforce his impression before confirming, “It’s pretty much true. The Rat King’s orders are something most gangs can’t refuse, and the Azure Dragon Society is no exception.”

"As for the purpose of the Rat King and his men doing this, they are most likely trying to buy time so they can send someone to contact you, while also using the later-arriving armed forces to test the so-called contract between us, but..."

Swire then extended his right hand: "Another group of people has appeared first to cause trouble."

Looking at Swire's fair and delicate fingers, Yun Yi put aside his doubts about the "test contract" and tried to keep up with the pace: "Is this the person behind Lupo and Zalak?"

"To be precise, they are allies."

Swire spread his five fingers on his right hand: "There are always some shady characters in Longmen. They are usually wanted, but the wanted persons are not their real names, but their code names, or rather, the identities that the code names represent."

“I hadn’t thought of Zalak’s identity before, but the guy that all the gang members had forgotten was a gray-listed wanted criminal with relatively obvious Originium Arts characteristics, and she was also a member of a rare wanted criminal gang.”

Yun Yi understood: "Zalak is one of the members of this gang?"

"Yes, his code name is rather disgusting, so I won't mention it."

Swire's eyes showed disgust, and the tips of her ears twitched uncomfortably: "The nicknames are much more normal: The silver-tongued collector, a pervert who likes human body fragments."

"He especially likes to empty his mind during interrogations and replace it with filthy thoughts to disgust the interrogator, which is why I don't plan to interrogate him."

Yun Yi felt like he had grasped the tip of the iceberg and asked, "Clearing the mind and replacing thoughts, is this an Originium Arts technique or an ability he developed?"

"Originium Technique."

One can make you forget, the other can make you forget...

Yun Yi boldly speculated: "Does everyone in this group possess Originium Arts that can influence the mind?"

"That's right, there are five people in total, all with similar abilities to interfere with the mind. But they are not very active, and I only saw the relevant files and wanted notices by chance."

Therefore, Swire didn't actually remember clearly, otherwise she wouldn't have remembered the somewhat familiar female Zalak wanted criminal only after hearing Hoshiguma's words, thus recalling the tall Zalak's identity.

She would rather she hadn't remembered the latter; her trashy hobby truly crossed the line.

But the thought that not remembering it might make her even more disgusted during interrogation sent a chill down Swire's spine.

It's better to remember.

"In short, based on past information, this group of people tends to be ruthless and capricious, and they prefer to cooperate with various powerful forces rather than work alone."

Yun Yi successfully pieced together the information in his mind: "This time they've partnered with the forces behind Rupert, and the deal involves that batch of firearms?"

“You overlooked the drug that temporarily enhances strength; I reckon that's their main objective. As for the firearms—the quality is poor, and their value is too low to afford to hire this group.” Swire shook her head, the downy hairs on her earlobes swaying.

Yun Yi glanced at the fluffy creature, then quickly looked away, his expression unchanged as he continued to speculate along with Swire's train of thought: "Drug testing, drug testing requires intercepting you? Hmm... Considering the armed forces that arrived later, and Penguin Logistics being attacked by the Victoria forces, could it be that these people are just pretending to cooperate, and are actually from Victoria or the armed forces?"

"Don't overthink it! It has nothing to do with Victoria. These wanted criminals are locals from Lungmen!" Swire's ears twitched. He was guessing quite deeply, but it would have been better not to guess at all.

Swire rolled her eyes at Yun Yi, then wrapped her right hand around her left and explained, "The armed forces are the Victorian forces, they are third parties and newcomers. We are talking about the Azure Dragon Society and the wanted criminals. The wanted criminals are, in a sense, an outsider."

"They probably saw that the Azure Dragon Society had a large number of people mobilized at once, and on a whim, they used them as test subjects for the drug. I just happened to get caught in the crossfire. That's how this group is, crazy and reckless."