Chapter 370 175: A Way to Prove One's Strength

"She went to run some errands for the union," Genduo said.

He and Konina had been in the union for less than three months, so they were still "probationary" rookies. They were usually the ones sent on gofer jobs like this.

"Doesn't that seem off?" Sean asked, confused. "Procurement involves finances and the creation of Magic Potions. Shouldn't that be a job for someone trustworthy?"

Genduo: "You're overthinking it. It's just a regular supply run. Like buying tampons for all the female Wizards."

Sean: "..."

"Pretend I didn't ask."

"Come on, I'll take you to the union."

Genduo tossed his car keys in the air and led Sean and the others toward the garage.

At first, Sean wanted to ask how so many of them could fit in one car.

But when he saw the vehicle, the question died in his throat.

It was a fucking truck!

The kind with an enclosed container on the back, and it even had a refrigeration unit.

"Sorry for the tight squeeze," Genduo said, scratching his head. "This is how we usually transport people."

It was the same as in Siracle State. Most Wizards were Wanted Criminals in Sonaros State. The Witch Potion was expensive, and they didn't want to spend money or risk being seen and reported, so they had no choice but to use the "freight channel."

Sean held it in for a long moment before forcing out a few words.

"Very good. Very thorough."

He led the way, "loading" himself into the container, and said to Genduo, "Don't turn on the AC."

Genduo: "Don't worry, this is like a sixth-hand truck. The cooling system broke a long time ago. Couldn't turn it on even if I wanted to."

"Oh, right. See those retractable straps built into the walls of the container? I modified those into seatbelts myself. Remember to buckle up."

Everyone: "..."

'He's surprisingly safety-conscious.'

The White Bear Union's territory wasn't far from the apartment. Traffic was light on a weeknight, so it only took a little over twenty minutes to get there.

Genduo parked the truck on the side of the road and gestured for everyone to get out.

Before them was a half-finished, abandoned building. The name of the construction group was faintly visible on the corrugated iron fence surrounding it.

Henry Big

Yisha casually scooped up a handful of dirt and sand and threw it at the sign.

She hated irresponsible companies like this the most.

Sean, however, asked Genduo, "It's underground, isn't it?"

Genduo was slightly surprised. "How did you know?"

Sean: "A guess."

'Isn't that how it was in Blake City?'

'The only difference is that the building on the surface is an abandoned high-rise instead of a villa.'

"Follow me." Genduo led them into the building and to an elevator.

Elise asked, puzzled, "There's an elevator?"

'The building isn't even finished, but they installed an elevator first?'

"We installed it ourselves," Genduo explained. The elevator buttons weren't lit, and the display screen was dark. "It looks like it's broken, but if you press a button five times in a row—three long and two short—it'll work just fine."

Sean: "...You shouldn't have told us that."

Genduo grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "It's fine. I trust you guys."

Elise: "I'd also recommend you get rid of the elevator."

"It's not a question of whether it's broken or not. An elevator in a half-finished, abandoned building is weird in itself."

"It'd be one thing if no one ever came here, but what if some thrill-seeking couple decides to check out the abandoned building one day? They'd spot the problem in a heartbeat."

Genduo nodded. "I'll suggest it to the Chairman."

The elevator arrived quickly.

Genduo pressed the button for the second basement level.

Sean had expected to see another magnificent, grand Underground City, but when they arrived, he realized it wasn't an Underground City at all. It was just an ordinary underground parking garage, completely unmodified.

The roar of a generator echoed in their ears.

The entire second basement level was lit by old light bulbs hanging from the ceiling, the dim light making it feel like a massive dungeon.

There were quite a few people, though.

Some were playing cards, some were drinking, and some were performing Alchemy.

The smells of smoke, alcohol, and Magic Potions... all kinds of scents mixed and mingled in the air, causing Elvire and the other girls to wrinkle their noses instantly.

"It stinks..." Yisha pinched her nose.

Realizing how rude she'd been, she immediately shot Genduo an apologetic look.

Genduo just smiled. "It's okay. I wasn't used to it when I first came here either. Now, well... haha."

He didn't say anything more, but his smile was tinged with a hint of resignation.

They couldn't change their environment, so they could only adapt to it.

This was the reality for all Wizards in Sonaros State. In fact, the White Bear Organization's base was already considered one of the better ones among all the Wizard Union strongholds. At the very least, they had electricity, water, and plenty of space. It wasn't just the second basement level; there was a third and a fourth below it. They could easily accommodate several thousand people, and if they squeezed, even ten thousand wouldn't be impossible.

In other cities, many Wizard Organizations had to hold their meetings in batches.

Sean remained silent, taking in the scene before him.

The Wizards playing cards and drinking noticed them and turned their heads.

But they didn't say anything. After a single glance, they went back to their own laughing and chatting.

Sean sighed softly.

'He really didn't get it.'

'They were Wizards, possessing Magic Power beyond the imagination of ordinary people. How did they end up like this?'

Under the dim lights, no matter how clean or well-dressed these people were, they still looked like a pack of filthy rats hiding in the sewers.

'And yet, they seemed to be enjoying it.'

Genduo clapped Sean on the shoulder and said, "Come on, let's go meet our Chairman."

The group took the stairs down to the third basement level.

The lighting was still dim, but this floor was much quieter than the one above. Small rooms had been simply constructed from stone slabs and glass. It seemed that only the higher-ups in the White Bear Organization had a spot here.

The Chairman's office was at the very end.