Ricks Harris took out a Camel cigarette without a holder from the limp package, struck a match, inhaled lightly, and blew out a puff of smoke with satisfaction.
He was in a good mood as he looked at the gamblers playing games at the gambling table - the casino's business was still so prosperous, and he was very satisfied with it. The boss, Jack Myers, promised to give the guys a dividend at the end of the month. Ricks, who had just given birth to his second child, needed such a sum of money.
But he didn't drink tonight and was more alert than usual. Because they received a tip that two or three explorers seemed to be looking for trouble, they had to be on guard.
The security personnel of the casino are also doubled than usual, with a total of twelve gunmen. In addition, in addition to Ricks himself, there is another person who masters the mystery.
"Twelve gunmen, two masters of mysteries." Ricks felt quite safe, "No underground casino in the city has security on this scale."
Rex is not afraid of any explorers. He himself was once a Jack-level, but after a tragic mission, he realized that the path of the explorer was more dangerous than being in the underworld, so he resolutely quit the exploration industry and made a living with the Miles Gang.
As a person who masters the mysteries, he can be considered a mid-level member of the Miles Gang, which has a small number of members.
Rex looked at the other mysterious person sent by Jack standing in the shadows in the corner. He wore a peaked cap, a white shirt and overalls, with his sleeves rolled up, revealing his veined hands. In the darkness, under the functionless black mask, his pupils were as bright as a wild beast.
He smoked a cigarette with some vigilance, seeming to be paying close attention to what was going on outside.
Due to professional habits, mysterious people are always wary among themselves. But as the caretaker of this place, Ricks felt that we should get to know each other to ensure better cooperation when risks arise.
So while the other party finished smoking a cigarette, Ricks walked over and handed over a camel: "A working explorer?"
The other party took the cigarette, lit the cigarette with the match struck by Ricks, squinted his eyes and nodded.
Standing next to him, Ricks felt a little unnatural: "I was also a explorer before. Now I am no longer in that profession."
"That's good. This business is not done by humans - in other words, only those who are not humans can be good explorers."
This sentence resonated with Rex, and the rugged man with a needle-like beard laughed.
"Call me Rex, what's your name?"
"Doug."
"Okay, Doug. I think we should explain to each other our... special abilities."
Under the light, Doug's eyes glowed yellow: "Agree."
"My function is 'gunner'." As Ricks spoke, he unconsciously touched the automatic pistol on his waist, a Colt M1911A1.
This gun is a good thing. Its ammunition capacity and rate of fire completely surpass that of a revolver. It is a standard weapon exclusively used by the New Zealand Skitarii. In terms of killing efficiency, it is better than most divine products. This is the evaluation given by the veterans of the Skitarii.
Like the Thompson submachine gun, known as the "Grego typewriter", due to its scarcity and high price, an M1911A1 can be sold for 800 New Zealand dollars on the black market.
Even if someone offered a C-class mysterious legacy in exchange for this gun, Ricks, who functions as a "gunner", would not agree.
Doug knew what the Jack-class "gunner" function meant - a gun-wielding "gunner" was a very powerful teammate when facing enemies that conventional weapons could take down.
Their use of guns has reached an extraordinary level, and their precise design capabilities and perception of danger are enough to scare the enemy.
Doug took a drag on his cigarette: "I'm a shapeshifter..." Ricks raised his eyebrows a little - the word "shapeshifter" means movement ability that far exceeds that of humans, and... bestiality that far surpasses that of humans.
The strongest shapeshifter in the association is an Ace-level explorer from Leon - "Kean's Hound".
Rex had heard about the deeds of "The Hound". Due to the delay in returning to sanity, he once swallowed an entire disgusting evil carcass when he could not return to human form.
The hound behaves more like a monster than a monster.
Therefore, some seekers fear and loathe shapeshifters.
"My transformation is degenerative." Doug's eyes flickered and his voice was low.
Ricks has seen explorers similar to Doug. When they encounter danger, they will "degenerate" into ape-like creatures that are unusually strong, violent and bloodthirsty.
"What's the limit of loss of control?"
"189 seconds." Doug had finished smoking a cigarette and spit out the dry tobacco in his mouth. "I will forcefully regain my sanity before then, so there is no record of losing control, for the time being."
"Okay." Although an uncontrollable feeling of disgust arose in Rex's heart, he tried not to show it on his face, "I think the two of us can work together very well..."
Based on their experience, the two guessed and deduced the attack methods that the explorers might adopt.
"If the opponent is like us and prefers combat, due to the numerical disadvantage, the opponent will not attack head-on, but will adopt a surprise attack. From..." Ricks pointed to the skylight above and the back door, " An attack from above and from the back door is most likely."
Rex has arranged relatively reliable guards in these two places.
"If the opponent is mentally attacking or has any special means, he or she is more likely to blend in among the gamblers or attract attention at the main entrance to ensure maximum control..."
For this possibility, Ricks also took precautions - all the gamblers who came to the game today have been screened, and the guards at the front gate have been prepared, and there are hidden sentries to ensure that the guards at the front gate will not be hypnotized or controlled at the same time. mind...
Doug nodded in agreement: "You should have served as the explorer captain before."
Riels lowered his head to smoke and did not answer.
"After a few days, you'll like the Miles gang - the Explorers need money, and Miles can solve your problems."
The night was getting darker, and a somewhat restless Rex left the noisy gambling table, walked out of the door, stood on the street, and chatted with the guards at the door.
Under the full moon, the brightly lit Brooklyn Bridge looks like a steel castle descending from a dream...
"Boss!" Ricks suddenly heard someone calling him in the casino, "Boss!"
That voice was so full of fear that it made all the punters look in the same direction.
So much so that the noisy gamblers fell silent.
Ricks put his hand on the holster of his gun and ran into the casino.
He found that everyone in the casino was looking at one place.
Empty workshop, deserted dark depths...
The dim candlelight was on in the depths of the darkness, and a figure who was soaked in water, with water plants hanging from his body, his eyes wide open but only the whites of his eyes, and his face blue and purple, standing in the darkness as if he had been drowned for a long time.
His mouth was wide open, and his throat made the numbing sound of a drowned person choking on water.
