After discussing the matter, Li Andy prepared to leave.
But as soon as he opened the door, he heard the commotion from the alley outside.
Screams, curses, clubs, and even gunshots....
Sophia instinctively tensed her body.
Old Du Lin looked at the two standing at the door, rocking his mechanical chair, and chuckled:
"This is Black Alley at night. Gangs often fight, which is why I suggested you come during the day."
"Haven't the gangs here unified yet?" Li Andy frowned slightly. He remembered that when Youxi came two years later, there was only one gang, the Black King Snake Gang.
Gang-related commissions were low-paying and troublesome, so he hadn't delved much into the origins of these forces.
"There are a few ambitious fellows who want to unify Black Alley, but the authorities above don't like unity here."
Old Du Lin pointed upwards.
"From the sounds outside, tonight's scale should be larger than usual, and it'll probably be chaotic for a while out there.
"So, do you want to stay overnight? The upstairs is a hotel, friendship price, seven hundred pence a night."
"Seven hundred?!"
Li Andy hadn't spoken yet, but Sophia bristled.
She was currently only earning one hundred twenty pence a day. This rundown place wanted to charge her almost a week's salary for one night??
Why don't you just rob us?!
Old Du Lin shrugged his shoulders indifferently, with the smug look of a landlady's lover:
"Heh, this is one of the safest places in all of Black Alley. If you think it's expensive, I think I'm earning too little."
Sophia glanced outside. Gunshots occasionally rang out, and she began to hesitate.
Given the current situation, it was indeed better to stay temporarily.
She looked at Li Andy, but he took her hand and walked straight out.
"Hey, hey, are you really leaving?"
Old Du Lin was stunned.
"Outside are a bunch of rootless, hand-to-mouth outcasts. Don't expect them to show any restraint just because you're dressed properly! I've seen many unlucky people in our circle get into trouble with ordinary folk."
Li Andy was unmoved and had already walked out of the shop.
"Hey! I'll give you another discount, how about 600?"
Old Du Lin quickly promoted,
"We also have many auxiliary toys upstairs, guaranteed to make you and your sister have a happy night.
"500! No less! I won't even take a commission!
"Hey.....
"Bang...!"
The shop door closed, and they were gone.
"Tsk!"
Old Du Lin slumped back into his chair, annoyed.
...
Outside, the gang fight grew fiercer, the scope already expanding to several alleys. The street women and vagrants were nowhere to be seen, and all residences and shops had their doors tightly shut.
Only some ill-intentioned figures remained, wary of each other in the darkness, trying to take advantage of the chaos.
The entire Black Alley was like a dark forest.
Li Andy led Sophia forward, occasionally seeing a puddle of unknown blood mixed with oil.
With his soul-level perception, he easily avoided all unnecessary trouble.
Just as they were about to leave the alley, he pulled Sophia to the right, turning into another path that led to a dilapidated industrial tower.
"What are we doing here?"
Sophia's delicate brows furrowed. From here, the echoes of the riot could be clearly heard.
"Taking you to see the sights and a show."
To her astonished expression, Li Andy picked her up, then lightly leaped onto a ventilation pipe, and then, like a nimble cat, quickly climbed upwards.
Sophia wrapped her arms around his neck, looking at the increasing distance below, a look of envy on her face.
If only she could possess such strength....
"Sophia." Li Andy suddenly called out.
"Hmm?" Sophia was slightly startled.
"Sorry."
"What?"
Li Andy didn't explain immediately. He set her down at the top of the tower, then carefully led her across a suspended beam, winding around to the back of the building.
Here, the view suddenly opened up.
Below, they could take in the labyrinthine Black Alley, and in the distance, they could gaze at the magnificent skyscrapers of Central City.
Decay and prosperity outlined a peculiar picture.
Li Andy sat down on the half-collapsed railing, his feet dangling, and looked at the distant scenery, saying:
"Sophia, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have constrained you too much. From now on, no matter what you choose, I will support you."
Sophia froze, remained silent for a long time, then sat down slowly beside him, and gently nodded:
"Mm."
Li Andy glanced at her, a slight curve to his lips, and took her hand. Sophia didn't refuse, just shyly averted her gaze.
The night wind was cold, but neither of them felt chilly.
"Look at the widest alley down there, they should be fighting soon."
"Where? Oh, I see it. So many people hidden there. They seem to... have split into three factions?"
"Probably."
"Hey, look quickly, that person has a mechanical arm guard, similar to Emi's."
"Hmm, standard issue weapon, but much lower quality than Emi's."
"Wow, that person actually smashed the wall. Ah... his head was also smashed by someone..."
From their high vantage point, the two safely pointed and commented on the bloody chaos below, feeling a strange, contrasting thrill.
Ancient people enjoyed watching gladiator fights, probably for the same reason.
Li Andy came to watch the show, besides finding some amusement, he also wanted to understand the situation of ordinary civilian combat power.
Currently, it seemed that the physical quality of most people did not exceed the norm, and there wasn't much difference from his previous life's world.
It was just that the effects of some steam-powered black technologies looked a bit exaggerated, and he didn't know if some physical constants were different.
"Hey, Andy, look at that guy, he's really lucky."
Sophia suddenly tugged his sleeve, pointing in a direction.
A shabbily dressed young man was seen desperately dodging and hiding in the chaotic firefight.
He was weak in strength, but always, at critical moments, he coincidentally avoided various fatal attacks.
And because of this, he would touch something, causing various chain reactions that would wipe out both enemies and teammates.
Just like... a child favored by Lady Luck.
Compared to the dark and tragic scenes elsewhere, his situation looked like a comical silent movie.