Chapter 327 - 246: Launch! Devil RTS

Chapter 327: Chapter 246: Launch! Devil RTS

Old Mike packed up his things and headed home alone.

He had been in a great mood lately. Although he’d lost his job at the Factory, a much better one had come along.

After appearing in a short safety announcement for the Zog Group’s Magic Vision Device, he had become the most famous Tiefling.

At least, he had been until yesterday.

Because starting yesterday, the title of "most famous Tiefling" now belonged to Morris.

Come to think of it, the most prominent Tiefling public figures right now had all been transformed.

Thanks to his fame, Old Mike had gained considerable prestige among the Tiefling community in Twin Tower City.

This led to him becoming one of the interviewers for the recent recruitment drive. In the future, he would also be heading to Deepwater City to join the junior management at the Factory there.

A promotion he hadn’t managed to get in nearly a decade at the Twin Tower City Factory was finally within his grasp.

His wallet was fatter, his confidence was back, and the middle-aged man had gotten his groove back.

Moreover, people’s attitudes toward Tieflings had noticeably improved.

People on the street still watched him warily, but they no longer veered away from afar. When he tried to help someone, they didn’t scream and run away anymore.

The only thing he hadn’t gotten used to was people constantly asking for photos with him on the street. The photos themselves were fine, but he had already seen them appear with all sorts of bizarre captions.

Usually, his eyes were censored with a mosaic blur, and the accompanying text would assign him all kinds of identities and backstories.

"The most vicious Tiefling killer, who once killed three men with a single pencil."

"Exploring the evil Panjiao Gang, your intrepid reporter risks his life for a photo with the gang leader."

"Woman frequently goes out late at night. Husband secretly follows, only to discover her tryst with a mysterious Tiefling..."

Stuff like that.

Start with a picture, make up the rest.

As a result, he was now wary whenever someone wanted to take his picture.

Old Mike walked down the street, holding a bouquet of flowers with a small gift box nestled inside—a crystal necklace.

Today was his and his wife’s wedding anniversary. Back when they were poor, they never paid much mind to such occasions.

Now that they were a little better off, he was starting to appreciate the sense of occasion.

The Zog Group had always encouraged all sorts of ceremonial activities and holidays.

The Zog Group dug up and promoted just about every festival, big or small, from every race.

In Zog’s words, what holiday it was didn’t matter. What mattered was finding an excuse for people to spend money.

He could already imagine his wife’s expression when she received the gift. She would surely scold him for wasting money, but then she’d happily put on the necklace and admire herself in the mirror again and again.

After becoming a Tiefling, Old Mike had moved his family to a neighborhood populated by non-Human Races. Rent was rent, and this place was cheap and more convenient for his current identity.

Lately, some bold thrill-seekers had started coming to the neighborhood to "explore"—the latest internet trend was to visit the "most dangerous" districts for clout.

People were finally getting interested in this race that had existed for so long, yet about which they knew so little.

However, Old Mike didn’t encourage this behavior. For people who didn’t know the local rules, it really could be a bit dangerous.

For example, if you saw a small group of gang members gathered on the roadside, you shouldn’t look at them. It would be seen as a provocation.

As Old Mike passed a group of Panjiao Gang members, he deliberately lowered his head and paid them no mind.

Unexpectedly, however, after he walked past, the group of Tieflings started following him with a swagger in their step.

Old Mike glanced back and cursed under his breath. ’What a pain.’

He then turned into a small alley.

Once deep inside the alley, Old Mike stopped, turned around, and spoke in a calm voice.

"I don’t believe I’ve done anything to offend you gentlemen, have I?"

The one in the lead sneered. "Didn’t we just see each other a couple of days ago? You don’t recognize me already?"

"Oh!"

Old Mike put on an exaggerated expression of sudden realization.

The Tiefling across from him began to shake his leg smugly.

"And who are you again?"

Old Mike wasn’t trying to be provocative; he’d been interviewing at least a few hundred people a day lately and genuinely couldn’t remember.

"You don’t think you can get away with pretending you don’t know me, do you? The Panjiao Gang’s best pickpocket."

The speaker was indeed the habitual thief from the interview.

"You should’ve given me a job. It’s too late for regrets now, though. Say, I’ve taken a liking to that Magic Vision Device of yours. How about you let a brother play with it for a bit?"

This whole robbery speech sounded exactly like something an uneducated punk would say.

It had the strong vibe of an adult trying to extort a kid.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Old Mike showed no signs of fear.

"I suggest you hand it over yourself. Otherwise, I’ll have to take it. That big oaf of a Beastman can’t save you now, can he?"

"Sigh..."

Old Mike sighed helplessly. ’I gave him a chance and he didn’t take it. How am I supposed to improve the image of Tieflings with vermin like these around?’

"Go easy on them."

"HAHAHA!" The thief burst out laughing. "So now you’re begging for mercy? HAHAHA, too late!"

"I wasn’t talking to you."

"Pretending you have backup is useless." The thief’s expression was incredibly smug, as if he already had Old Mike in the bag. "I’m not falling for that."

"Look behind you."

"How old are you? What’s behind me?"

"Hello. Thank you for using DiDi-Beatdown. Beastman Spike Shield at your service," a booming voice rumbled from behind him.

The thief froze on the spot.

He didn’t dare turn around.

It was as if not turning around would save him from facing the cruel reality.

「Three minutes later...」

If you were to compare the combat power of the Beastman Spike Shield and this group of Tiefling punks, the odds would be about three-to-seven.