Soti later.
“This must be it.”
The location Aiden’s group had arrived at was a temporary tent situated within the baseball stadium grounds.
A designated space for facilitating requests and trade negotiations between the alliance headquarters and outside junk dealers.
Considerably larger in scale than a re transaction booth, with a substantial flow of people coming and going through its interior.
“It seems there are quite a few other junk dealers here as well.”
Arian made that observation regarding the scene.
To which Aiden gave an acknowledging nod, as if it were only natural.
“It would appear so. An environnt like this bodes well for our profession.”
The loose alliance ford between the nurous gangs in the city. And this central alliance headquarters where all their requests and trades were concentrated. Combined with their welcoming disposition towards outsiders.
Every aspect was promising news for a junk dealer like Aiden.
No longer needing to risk their lives negotiating with each gang individually.
And with trade opportunities distributed across multiple factions instead of monopolized, they could expect relatively equitable compensation terms.
“Over there, people are gathering.”
At the central area of the baseball field, a particularly dense crowd had ford.
As they approached, Aiden noticed it was centered around a large communal chalkboard. Various requests had been listed upon its surface for open viewing.
Aiden scrutinized the board intently.
The sheer number of posted requests exceeded his initial expectations.
Each one concisely summarizing the core assignnt details alongside the offered compensation.
Broadly categorized, they could be divided into three main types.
The first category consisted of logistical resource exchange requests.
The most common type, essentially amounting to simple barter transactions rather than actual contracted assignnts.
Ordinarily, Aiden wouldn’t have paid them much heed.
However, in their current circumstances with their supply transport vehicle temporarily disabled, procuring replacent tires beca an imdiate priority for his group. Not to ntion their recent inability to replenish essential combat supplies like ammunition and grenades.
With their impending journey likely growing more perilous, it was an opportune timing to restock and conduct necessary maintenance on their weaponry.
“Hmm...”
Yet as Aiden perused the listed logistical requests, he let out a low sigh of displeasure.
Likely due to the prolonged conflicts with the cannibals... the value of Aiden’s group’s current food and water provisions seed comparatively diminished in this city of Albuquerque.
Conversely, weapons, vehicle components, and similar resources commanded substantially higher premiums.
Even if they solely sought to exchange for their most pressing necessities, the anticipated expenditure would be considerable – potentially exceeding their imdiate tradable assets.
It seed so degree of contracted work to earn additional compensation would be unavoidable during their stay here, regardless.
A prospect Aiden had already resigned himself to, albeit hoping to minimize that requisite duration as much as possible.
The remaining requests predominantly fell into two other categories – combat-oriented assignnts.
One subset involved the cannibals directly – primarily seeking retribution or the recovery of fallen comrades’ belongings.
“How about these cannibal-related ones?”
Arian inquired, gesturing towards that section.
However, Aiden gave a slight shake of his head in rejection.
While engaging the cannibals would undoubtedly present opportunities to replenish their blood supply, an advantage...
It wasn’t an urgent necessity at present, allowing them to postpone such requests for the ti being.
More importantly, neither Aiden nor Arian had fully familiarized themselves with the intricate tactics and potential pitfalls those mountain-dwelling tribes employed.
Unlike combating the familiar zombies, they lacked any substantial firsthand experience against such adversaries. Which could render those assignnts far more perilous than they might initially appear, especially while accompanying Sadie. Under those circumstances, even Arian couldn’t afford to let her guard down.
“For now, let’s focus on zombie extermination requests.”
Aiden indicated the remaining category listed on the opposite side of the chalkboard.
Zombie clearing assignnts constituted nearly half of all the posted requests, by far the most nurous type.
The reason was evident – during their war with the cannibals, the city’s interior regions had been neglected.
Only now were concerted efforts being made to eradicate the undead that had infiltrated those unprotected areas in the interim.
Furthermore, rather than a unified governing body, Albuquerque’s situation involved nurous smaller gangs establishing their respective territories throughout the sprawling tropolitan area.
As a result, while they collectively dominated a vast region, hazardous pockets infested by the undead still lingered scattered across that expansive domain.
The majority of the requests involved clearing out such hazardous zones.
“This one seems suitable.”
Among those zombie extermination listings, one particular request caught Aiden’s eye.
It involved hunting down a mutant present within an amusent park located along Albuquerque’s southern boundaries.
While the designated operation area wasn’t excessively vast, the compensation offered was substantially higher compared to the other requests in that category.
“The compensation is quite generous?”
Arian’s eyes widened slightly upon noticing the sa detail.
While itemized as material provisions like ammunition and rations, their estimated cumulative value was nearly two to three tis greater than the average requests.
Prompting a skeptical response from Arian instead.
“Isn’t this suspicious? Could it be so kind of scam?”
“That possibility certainly exists. But we should at least inquire further to verify the details.”
Aiden proceeded into the tent’s interior to gather more comprehensive information regarding that particular request.
There, a man greeted Aiden’s group upon their entrance.
“That request again? The compensation does seem quite generous. You’re not the first to ask about it today, that’s for sure.”
The man’s brow furrowed slightly, as if he had fielded similar inquiries nurous tis already.
“So, what would you like to know?”
“Precisely what kind of mutant are we dealing with in that location?”
“No idea.”
The man responded with a casual shrug.
When t with Aiden’s perplexed gaze, he let out a brief sigh before elaborating.
“The exact nature of the mutant hasn’t been conclusively identified yet. That’s why the request’s compensation is set so high in the first place.”
“You an this is a request to eliminate an unidentified mutant?”
“Well...”
Scratching his head, the man seed reluctant to provide a straightforward answer to Aiden’s inquiry.
“Let start from the beginning. This request originated from one of the gangs situated near that amusent park area. Three days ago, a mutant suddenly erged and attacked them, inflicting severe casualties upon that group.”
So the gang had issued this request as a ans of exacting vengeance for their fallen comrades while ensuring their own safety – that was the gist of his explanation.
Aiden gave an understanding nod in response.
“And then?”
“The problem is that the attack occurred in the dead of night. Most of the eyewitnesses perished, and the few survivors were just cowardly individuals who hid without catching a glimpse of the mutant’s appearance. As a result, there’s no one left who actually saw what it looked like.”
“But couldn’t they at least make an educated guess based on the traces it left behind?”
“Of course, you would think so. But therein lies the issue.”
“...”
“The gang’s fortified periter was utterly decimated, with concrete walls confird to have been demolished. At the very minimum, we’re dealing with a large-sized mutant here. It could be a Wielder or Hedgehog... but the most likely possibility is a Brutal.”
At the ntion of that fearso breed, Aiden let out a contemplative hum.
So there was indeed a justifiable reason behind the request’s exorbitant compensation.
“A Brutal hunt... that would certainly be a formidable assignnt.”
“That’s why, while many junk dealers have inquired about this request, only one has actually accepted it so far. Unless you’re utterly unhinged, it’s not the kind of job you’d want to take on lightly.”
The man punctuated those words with a mocking chuckle.
In response, Aiden gave a slight tilt of his head before posing his next question.
“So soone has already accepted this request, then?”
“Of course. Did you really think they’d entrust the elimination of a Brutal to a single junk dealer alone?”
It was an understandable precaution, to be sure.
Tasking an ordinary junk dealer with solo combat against such a formidable mutant would be an exercise in futility.
“Ultimately, this request is intended for recruiting rcenaries. That gang has already suffered near-total casualties, so they’re essentially hiring outside muscle with this bounty... though even then, it’s a foolhardy endeavor. You’d do well to simply abandon any notions of accepting it yourself.”
“...”
While the man had advised Aiden to pursue alternative requests, he remained undeterred.
For his group, currently facing substantial expenditures, the lucrative compensation offered by this assignnt held considerable appeal.
anwhile, the risk of confronting a Brutal was significantly mitigated by the presence of Aiden and Arian – an advantage most other junk dealers lacked.
From their perspective, it could hardly be considered an outright reckless undertaking.
“What do you think?”
After exiting the tent briefly, Aiden posed that question to his companions.
“I’m fine with it. Even against a Brutal, I can handle it in my current condition.”
Arian responded with self-assured confidence.
Having consud ample blood from the cannibals they had encountered along the mountain passage, her combat capabilities were currently at peak levels.
Upon receiving Arian’s unequivocal affirmation, Aiden gave a nod of acknowledgnt.
His own judgnt regarding the feasibility of this request had been predicated on Arian’s ability to exert her full powers.
“But to deliberately choose the more hazardous option, that’s rather unusual for you. You typically favor the safer approach, don’t you?”
“Winter is approaching.”
Aiden provided that succinct explanation in response to Arian’s inquiry.
Autumn was already well underway.
If they lingered in this city for an extended period, winter would inevitably arrive before they could reach LA.
Even in a comparatively southern location like Albuquerque, winter temperatures would undoubtedly plumt below freezing.
Moreover, the remaining portion of their journey would involve traversing mountainous and desert terrain – conditions Aiden wished to avoid compounding with the additional hardship of bitterly cold weather, if at all possible.
“Ah... I suppose you have a point there. We should strive to make haste, then.”
Acknowledging the validity behind Aiden’s reasoning, Arian gave an understanding nod.
If that was the motivation behind selecting this higher-risk, higher-reward assignnt, it was an understandable choice.
“But you ntioned there was another junk dealer who had also accepted this request.”
“That part is... unavoidable, I suppose. We’ll just have to tolerate their presence.”
Aiden responded with resignation.
Since neither party was the original client, there was little justification for them to pry excessively into each other’s affairs.
Aside from being a potential inconvenience, the presence of another junk dealer didn’t constitute a significant obstacle.
With that, both Arian and Sadie voiced their agreent as well.
Having decided upon the request they would undertake, Aiden’s group returned to the tent once more.
* * *
The next day.
Aiden’s group arrived at the designated amusent park – the location specified for their accepted request.
Before the vast entrance plaza... stood the dilapidated ticket booths and gateways that had likely once been vibrantly painted in bright red hues, now faded into an unsightly decrepit state.
Overhead, the partially shattered face of so whimsical mascot character dangled listlessly from its fra, lending an eerie, almost staged atmosphere to the entire scene.
Disturbing enough to elicit a slight flinch from Sadie as she witnessed it.
Aiden idly fingered the pistol at his side while surveying their surroundings cautiously.
If there were any other junk dealers who had accepted this request, they would likely be present here as well.
“Over there.”
Arian indicated a rusty bench situated in one corner of the entrance area.
Soone was seated upon it, prompting Aiden to approach.
“Are you a junk dealer here for this request?”
The individual turned out to be a middle-aged Caucasian woman.
Reclining on the bench with her eyes closed, she only opened them upon hearing Aiden’s voice.
“...”
Rather than responding verbally, the woman appraised Aiden with an evaluating gaze instead.
He could sense her scrutinizing every aspect of his ard equipnt without exception.
“An Elephant’s Gun? Nice piece. Where’d you get your hands on hardware like that?”
She seed particularly intrigued by the large-caliber pistol Aiden had brought along.
However, Aiden simply t her inquisitive stare with an impassive silence of his own.
Recognizing that the helted gaze wouldn’t waver, the woman finally answered Aiden’s initial question.
“Yes, that’s right. The request to deal with that mutant in the amusent park – I accepted it too. Honestly, I thought anyone crazy enough to take on that job must be utterly insane... but you seem like a reasonably capable junk dealer, at least.”
Those words were accompanied by a sardonic curl of her lips.
However, aside from this woman, no other individuals were visible in the vicinity.
Did that an they were the only two junk dealers who had taken on this particular request?
A scenario where the assignnt would likely be deed infeasible, under normal circumstances.
Yet for so reason, this woman didn’t seem inclined to withdraw from the endeavor.
Aiden introduced himself in a asured tone.
“I’m Aiden Lee. And you are?”
“Maria Roberts.”
Maria extended her hand towards him, as if requesting a courteous handshake.
Aiden’s gloved hand grasped hers in a firm grip.
During that exchange, Maria’s gaze suddenly shifted towards the area behind Aiden.
Her brow furrowing as she noticed Sadie and Arian accompanying him.
“Wait a minute. Who are those kids?”
“My companions.”
At Aiden’s response identifying them as such, Maria’s head tilted montarily in puzzlent.
However, she soon seed to grasp the implication, her expression hardening perceptibly.
“Surely you don’t intend to bring those children along?”
Inwardly, Aiden let out a resigned sigh at her predictable inquiry.
Of course, that had been his very intention.
While undeniably hazardous, there were no suitable alternatives in Albuquerque – no refuge where he could leave Sadie behind, nor any appropriate accommodation for her to reside separately.
Keeping her by Arian’s side was the most prudent option available.
However, convincing an outside junk dealer unaware of their circumstances would be an arduous endeavor.
Which was why Aiden opted for an outright dismissal instead of attempting to rationalize his decision.
“That’s none of your concern.”
His curt response elicited an incredulous scoff from Maria.
“...I’m rescinding my earlier assessnt. You’re not just reasonably capable – you’re outright insane.”
Maria proceeded to berate Aiden further.
Condemning the notion of treating this request as so trivial ga, accusing him of intending to use the children as literal human shields, ranting that he must have completely lost his mind.
Yet Aiden found himself entirely unperturbed by her vitriolic reactions.
From an objective standpoint, they were perfectly understandable sentints.
Had Aiden not witnessed the reality of Arian’s vampiric nature firsthand, he likely would have shared Maria’s perspective without hesitation.
“If you have such grievances, then feel free to withdraw. I’m perfectly capable of proceeding alone.”
Even so, Aiden deliberately feigned offense as he issued that dismissive statent.
Inwardly hoping it would prompt Maria to voluntarily abandon the assignnt here and now.
“...”
However, while she fell silent, Maria showed no signs of actually withdrawing her participation.
It seed the issue wouldn’t be resolved that easily.
“Then let’s proceed.”
With no other recourse, Aiden began making his way towards the amusent park’s entrance with resolute strides.
His companions followed behind, while Maria watched rhem with an exasperated gaze – particularly fixated on Sadie and Arian trailing after Aiden.
And so, Aiden’s group, accompanied by Maria, ventured to the amusent park where zombies were hiding.
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