Lord of Prayer

Chapter 428: Chapter 276: The Death God Reaps

Ten minutes later, Zhou Chen got the equipment provided by the Plague Doctor.

—Supernova VK47 Assault Rifle, with 90 rounds.

—Peace Defender Shotgun, Gamma Model, with 12 rounds.

—Aluminum Thermite Grenades x3, Fragmentation Grenades x3.

—Tactical Ballistic Vest x1, Tactical Helmet x1.

Seeing the weapons and ammo laid out neatly on the table, Zhou Chen couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in surprise.

The Supernova VK47 Assault Rifle and the Peace Defender Shotgun, Gamma Model... These two guns were no joke. Twenty-five years ago, the former had been a popular weapon system in the American military. It was stable, accurate, and well-balanced. To this day, some city garrisons still used it, renowned for its rugged quality. The latter was a firearm introduced by the Russian arms industry twenty-three years ago. Exquisitely crafted and incredibly lethal, a single shot could reduce a man to mincemeat. It was very popular in Russia proper and with the Abyssal Expedition Corps.

By today’s standards, these two guns were admittedly a bit outdated, but they weren’t something North Carolina gang members could normally acquire. The Plague Doctor had said his Poisonous Sore Gang was well-funded and that it wouldn’t matter if this set of equipment was lost. This implied the Poisonous Sore Gang had more than just one Supernova VK47 and Peace Defender—they had enough to be careless with them.

For a gang in a hellhole like North Carolina to have this level of an arsenal was obviously suspicious. Add to that the "comrade-in-arms" relationship between the Plague Doctor and the Black-robed Man who possessed the Wish Box... No matter how you looked at it, the Plague Doctor didn’t seem like a simple gang boss.

Zhou Chen silently geared up. Then, someone in the private room took out a map of Rusted Iron City and spread it on the table.

The Plague Doctor pointed to a spot on the map. "The Fierce Tiger Gang’s stronghold is here. More than twenty men patrol the area. They’ll shoot any suspicious individuals on sight. The Fierce Tiger Gang has over two hundred members, but only their leader, Green, is a Tier One Ascender. His ability is a common physical enhancement, and his weapon is a pair of Alloy Gloves, not an Extraordinary Artifact. As long as you have the range, the Peace Defender can take him out in one shot."

Zhou Chen studied the map and mused, "This is a high-difficulty mission."

"Don’t worry," the Plague Doctor said. "We have our people among the patrols, so you’ll be able to slip in easily. Once you’re inside, I recommend a decapitation strike. Kill Green, and the rest of the regular members will be no match for you. The Fierce Tiger Gang’s firepower is limited; only five or six of their top guys are armed, and they’ll probably run the moment they see Green die. They’re no threat, and the remaining gang members won’t fight you to the death.

When the mission is complete, you can keep the equipment. I’ll give you another ten thousand US Dollars... As for the Black-robed Man, I’ll help you contact him, but I can’t guarantee you’ll be able to meet him. That part depends on luck."

’The Plague Doctor and the Black-robed Man have a special relationship,’ Zhou Chen mused. ’He’s probably just paying me lip service, finding an excuse to get me to do his dirty work. In reality, he has no intention of actually getting the Black-robed Man...’

’Right now, the Black-robed Man is stirring up trouble in North Carolina and is considered a thorn in the government’s side. As his comrade, there’s no way the Plague Doctor would casually let the Black-robed Man meet a stranger, even if that stranger is only a Tier One Ascender. It’s too risky.’

’Making the Plague Doctor change his mind is actually pretty simple: show off overwhelming strength, shock him, and make him want to recruit a rare talent like myself.’

’In other words—I need to pull off something big.’

’But where would I find an opportunity to do that?’

"Since we’re partners now, can you tell me your name?" the Plague Doctor asked.

"Siegfried," Zhou Chen replied.

The Plague Doctor nodded. "Well then, Mr. Siegfried, I wish you a successful mission."

·

Leaving the bar’s black market, Zhou Chen cut through the dark alleys, heading for the Fierce Tiger Gang’s stronghold.

’I want to know the Plague Doctor’s objective.’

He made the wish in his mind, wanting to figure out what exactly the Plague Doctor was up to.

[To sweep through the gangs of Rusted Iron City, absorbing their scattered members to strengthen the Poisonous Sore Gang. In reality, they are to be used as bait to lure in the Government Army. When the Government Army moves to encircle them, he will lead the Poisonous Sore Gang’s true main force to attack the city center and seize power, making Rusted Iron City independent and free from the North Carolina Government’s control.]

’Another gang leader trying to carve out his own territory and become a warlord?’

Zhou Chen was speechless. ’The last gang that occupied a city and declared independence was annihilated by the North Carolina Government Army. Their leader is still hanging in the public square, yet this guy still dares to try the same thing. The Poisonous Sore Gang is probably next on the chopping block.’

’Never mind anything else, the Plague Doctor is only a Tier Two. How the hell is he going to take on the North Carolina Government Army? Even with superior firepower, it’s not enough. Just a few Tier Three Ascenders could show up and wipe the Poisonous Sore Gang off the map.’

’Hmm... But the Plague Doctor knows the Black-robed Man. They might be on the same side. If the Black-robed Man is a Tier Four Ascender, and they use the power of B-025: Wishing Box, maybe they really could make Rusted Iron City independent, sow internal division in North Carolina, and establish an independent regime.’

’But if that’s not the case... then they’re basically on a suicide mission. North Carolina has a Tier Five Crowned King, and under him, a Tier Four Uncrowned. With those two present, it wouldn’t matter if every pauper in North Carolina rebelled at once—it would be utterly hopeless.’

’In a World where the Extraordinary exists, might makes right is the one eternal truth. For ordinary people to resist tyranny and oppression is undoubtedly harder than climbing to heaven.’

「A little over ten minutes later.」

Zhou Chen arrived near the Fierce Tiger Gang’s stronghold. They had occupied a department store, setting up roadblocks on the surrounding streets to mark their gang’s territory.

Following the intel from the Plague Doctor, Zhou Chen quickly found the undercover patrolman. The man stood behind a roadblock and waved, gesturing for him to hurry over.