Chapter 195: A New Light Purple Masked Leader

Zinnia found herself in front of Zed’s hideout and walked in. Everyone stopped and nodded, some greeted her politely. Things in the eastern slum were running exactly the way she wanted and with Mojo gone, she knew exactly who to promote.

"69, a word in 67’s office please," Zinnia said sternly.

"Certainly," Dak responded and followed her into Zed’s office.

"Hey Zinnia...what’s up?" Zed asked politely.

She pulled a purple mask from her back pocket, which she grabbed on the way over.

"For 69. You will take over Mojo’s slum. Is there anyone you’re interested in having as your black mask?" Zinnia smirked.

"Me? Already? What’s going on? Where’s Mojo?" Dak asked, confused.

"His black mask killed him and I was given orders to find a replacement. This isn’t a choice," she said while handing him the mask.

’I wonder if the light purple has dark magic infused in it or not. My system didn’t give me a warning when I touched it but I didn’t exactly get a warning when I put my dark purple one on either.’

{Ding!

Limitless Demon System scanning light purple mask.

No traces of dark magic found.}

’That’s a relief. But if they move up one more, there’s no turning back from it. I wonder why they only have so many slowly poisoned with dark magic.’

"Is a black mask required?" Zed asked knowing he would need a replacement as well.

"Highly recommended. Do you think you can manage all the recruits while running this slum?" Zinnia snickered.

"No, I don’t think I can and with 69 gone, I think I’m going to go with 27. He was honest and discovered a recruit who tried to kill him. What about you Dak?" Zed asked, almost regretting using his name.

’He’s lucky it’s just Zinnia and the others can’t hear us. Such a dumbass sometimes,’ Dak thought.

"I suppose I’ll go with 55. He’s powerful and got everyone out as ordered the other day. So what do I do, just take over the slum? What comes with the job?" Dak asked Zinnia.

"Yes, you run the slum and make sure people are consistently recruited. Eliminate the people who become a problem and make sure you keep everyone in line. We’re trying to improve this place so I’ll give you some of the credits from the exchange so you can invest in the people. The more we invest in the people, the more will come to respect us and not Tyler." Zinnia grinned.

"So that’s your reason for improving the slums? Makes sense," Zed admitted. "I don’t see Tyler or the local government doing anything about it so if we’re the ones to help them, maybe they’ll be more likely to jump to our side."

"What about the Necrams though? Are they going to hand the people of the fucking slums power? I highly doubt that. So we’re just raising them as fodder?" Dak asked.

"Precisely what we’re doing. Do you have a problem with that?" Zinnia asked coldly.

"Not at all. Just trying to deduce what the optimal strategy is, that’s all," Dak answered.

’I can see right through their bullshit now. How did I miss it before? Is it the system? Is it because I went past the limits of SSS? I have so many damn questions for Tyler right now but it’s not like I can just go snuggle up to the man. I could use his dick though, fuck I’m stressed.’ Zinnia thought as her head started to pound.

"You alright Zinnia?" Zed asked.

"Yeah, this situation is frustrating and annoying. I went from someone who recruited you two to someone who is responsible for this entire fucking city, I got this new damn power. Zed, have you experienced any side effects?"

"No, not really. I feel a lot more powerful and like I can do a lot more in much less time. How do we get more of it?" Zed asked eagerly.

"I have no fucking clue Zed, stop asking so many damn questions. You’re making me thinking you’re a fucking spy or something," Zinnia snapped back quickly.

"So now we’re spies? Then why the fuck promote us? Take your stupid mask back I don’t want it," Dak said while tossing her the light purple mask.

Zinnia sighed. "Put the fucking mask on. I’m simply saying Zed needs to shut his mouth and stop trusting people so much. What happens if Agent Z comes in and someone is asking about how to get more Necram power? You think that looks good for any of us?"

"Good point. Sorry boss," Zed frowned, which was visible through his light purple mask. "I’ll go get 27, get out of here 69. Take 55 with you."

"You’ll need these," Zinnia said, handing them both a black mask.

"Thank you," Zed said while leaving his office and returning with 27 and 55.

"Well, 69 and 55, with me," Zinnia said before leaving the hideout, which she finally noticed was considerably nicer and had plenty of blood, flesh and food in new refrigerators.

"Nice job with this place," Zinnia shouted. "All of you, keep up the good work."

"Thanks boss!" 27 said joyfully.

"You’re the best Zinnia, 67 is doing a great job! Where is 69 going?!" 55 asked excitedly.

"Don’t you see his new mask? He’s taking over Mojo’s slum. The truth is simple so do not buy into any rumors. His black mask tried to kill him and I wasn’t in time. My boss told me to appoint a new leader, so 69 has chosen 55 as his black mask. We are off to the southern slum. Do as he and 67 say," Zinnia said proudly.

As they walked out, Zed’s hideout started cheering and clapping. They were slightly disappointed to see their black mask go, they liked Dak. However, they knew the bigger picture was getting Tyler and if they improved their hideout so quickly, they figured 69 as the light purple and 55 as the black mask would do the same. That left Topa running the northern slums and Vivi on the west.

"Good luck 69! It was great working with you!" 47 shouted.

"Yeah thank you for helping us make this a better place now go help the boss get the big guy!" 48 yelled.

"Thank you all, I will do my best!" Dak said while waving to the people before they headed out.

They followed Zinnia through the eastern slums and noticed the streets were much more lively. People were out and the place didn’t look as horrible as it did the day they arrived. The work they put in was already showing and tons of black and purple masked people were interacting with people in the area.

"Nice work. It looks like you’ve started to win them over. One of the level 1s is over there bringing food to a shelter. How did you two pull it off?" Zinnia asked confidently.

"Team effort with the money you left us. I will ensure the southern slums are no different. Right 55?" Dak asked cheerfully.

"Absolutely! Thank you again for the promotion. I will not let you down!." 55 answered with a hint of nerves, but Dak didn’t mind.

"Make sure you always sound confident," Zinnia reminded him.

"Yes boss! Got it." 55 sounded much more proud this time.

"Well, this is where I leave you. I trust you can handle it. Remember, a lot of Mojo’s people and this entire area are used to being treated like absolute shit. Win over the people, fix the area. I’ll have funding for you later," Zinnia said while turning to walk away.

"Hey Zinnia," Dak yelled.

"Yes?"

"Thanks. I see great things in our future!" Dak yelled.

Zinnia laughed. "Yeah, me too."

******

Tyler and Amanda were sitting on his bed.

"I’m going to cut to the chase babe, so, the man I killed was an elf named Mojo," Tyler said empathetically while giving Amanda a firm hug.