In the country, there were several cities that if one were to look from the outside, were nearly impossible to see. This was due to the thick smog that covered most of them; these were the cities known as Tier 4.
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The thing was, with places that were regarded as Tier 4, all of them were cities. Tier 3 places could be a mixture of towns and cities, but all of the places classified as Tier 4 were large cities.
The simple reason for this was because they were the country's factories. Although there were factories in the Tier 3 cities, they weren't enough to pump out large amounts of smog in their cities.
Most of them, as well, weren't those types of factories that would produce so much pollution in the first place.
However, all of the Tier 4 cities were essentially factories. They made parts for the bigger corporations' businesses, the Tier 2 and the Tier 1s. Most of it was hard gruelling labour, and they were paid next to nothing.
There were schools in Tier 4 cities, just like any other place, but next to no one paid attention in them. They constantly fought, nonstop, just caring about who was stronger than the other.
There wasn't much of a police force either that could help these places, so they were filled with crime, making those who lived in a Tier 4 be somewhat stuck in it forever. Very few who were born there managed to break out of the loop and rise up.
A bus was seen driving through town; it was bouncing up and down It had been patched up with sellotape, and half of the windows had been smashed out.
as the wheels went over several potholes. It was a surprise that the tires didn't burst, but it was also a surprise the bus was able to run in the first place.
It had been patched up with sellotape, and half of the windows had been smashed out.
"This stop is Run Vile End!" the bus driver shouted before spitting out the window, and off he went to the next stop.
Having exited the bus, two people were standing on the pavement, each of them with black masks on their faces. It was common to see those in the city wearing face masks due to the high pollution so they didn't stand out.
"You were right, everyone wears these things," Austin said. "So do you have any idea where you want to go?"
"I'm... not quite sure. Why don't we just walk around for now? Maybe something will come up," Gary replied.
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He was somewhat hoping that his system would trigger if he met with some trouble, giving him quests and more experience.
The reason the two of them were here in the first place was because he wanted to level up and get stronger before the fight with Midwak. As for where the others were, they were getting ready to head to the next big auction by the Dark Guild.
It was important for the group as they wished to buy as many Altered solutions as possible in hopes to grow the gang. Gary just hoped everything would go smoothly this time.
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In turn, though, Kai suggested that Austin go with Gary. Ever since he had become an Altered, he was quite a strong ally to have by one's side.
While walking through the city, the two of them looked at the local people. There were next to no smiles; there were some that looked to be on the verge of starving. Then there were those with holes in their clothes.
What they also spotted from time to time were young secondary school kids that would just hang around a corner shop. Then when people came out, they would harass them, sometimes to the point where they would take their food.
"I don't think we came here to deal with high school kids. Shouldn't there be a gang or something?" Austin asked.
"My guess is, the gangs would be linked to the large factories," Gary replied. "So I'm just heading in the direction of one. Most likely, they hired the gang that runs this city to protect them and recruit workers."
"And what are we going to do once we beat them up? We have disguises on at the moment, and you said not to mention that we're from the Howlers."
"I just want to get some fighting experience." Gary smiled, thinking he had made a clever pun, but it was one only he would understand.
"Yes, but if you take out the gang of this city, then another one will just come and take over. Unless someone that no one wants to go against takes control, like us," Austin claimed.
"You might be right, but we don't want to gather attention by claiming that the Howlers are going around to the Tier 4 and 5 cities, cleaning up the place," Gary replied back.
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This was just one of the many places that Gary wanted to go to. Maybe as their information and reputation increased, the higher-tier cities would send someone a little stronger to try and defend them, and Gary would beat them with his disguise on.
If it became too big of a mess, though, they could always leave since this wasn't their city.
In a warehouse located next to one of the large factories, a meeting was taking place. A man stood in front of around thirty or so members, all carrying some sort of makeshift weapons, such as baseball bats and bike chains.
Meanwhile, the leader of the gang, Smithin, who had a rat-like face with two large front teeth, looked at them all.
"Our production has managed to increase by 100 percent this month!" Smithin shouted to all of them. "This is all due to our hard work of finding the right talent and showing them how they can be productive!
"As a thanks, one of our buyers has sent us a little gift."
Smithin, as well as the two next to him, opened up a briefcase. Inside each briefcase, there were five syringes with a dark-coloured liquid inside. It was the same for the other two cases as well, making a total of 15 solutions they had on them.
"With this... we will rise out of here!" Smithin yelled, lifting the briefcase up in the air.
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