"You mean I have to eat the first cake I receive today, all by myself, within five minutes?"
"Not a word less."
"But where is the cake?"
"I believe it is on its way."
"What if I don't receive a cake today?"
"There is no 'if'."
The Messenger, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, looked like a refined, seasoned office worker. She had carefully recited the prescript word for word.
She doesn't want me to pay someone to buy one, does he? But this prescript seems harmless, even normal.
"By the way, do you think I have the potential to join the Index?"
For the Index, with its unusual regulations, Putato felt that both the difficulty of joining and advancing were very uncertain.
After all, the Index didn't care about achievements or money; it only cared about executing prescripts. If the prescripts could somehow make him quickly rise through the ranks, that would be great.
He's a person of The City too, so why don't the prescripts follow his will?
"Well, as long as you execute the prescript, you are a member of the Index. Of course, you can also refuse, but I don't recommend it."
"It's that simple?"
"Haha, I hope you truly execute the prescript. Farewell then."
This Messenger nodded politely and turned to leave, leaving Putato bewildered.
That Index Messenger looks too imposing. If she used the prescript's name, how much protection money could he collect?
"By the way, have you seen Elena?"
Only then did Putato remember the Bloodfiend who helped him get to the grand cathedral. Why did she disappear afterward? It felt like she was hiding something.
The mysteries of The City were like the starry sky, but they absolutely couldn't stop him on his path to work!
[Lesti: I'm here!]
Putato hastily told Katae to tidy up the room, then grabbed his jacket and went out. After all, this was his good friend.
...
A yellow car stopped on the street.
Two men and one woman were fighting near an automatic vending machine, while Lesti sat inside the driver's compartment, engrossed in watching. Suddenly, she noticed someone leaning on the car window.
"Lesti, what are you looking at?"
Putato looked down and saw Lesti wearing the dress he had seen before, and a yellow fedora that made her look youthful and lively. Her messy short hair had become casual and carefree.
Wait!
Why does this person feel so familiar?
After Lobotomy Corporation released the Seed of Light, the next continuation of the plot was Library of Ruina. This person seemed to be a newcomer from the Library'sW Corp cleanup crew.
Even knowing the existence of parallel world inconsistencies, Putato immediately felt an immense urgency surge from his heart, because this meant the Seed of Light could be released this year, or even this month.
No, don't! I haven't even gotten out of this mess yet!
"Ah, that leech killed someone. I didn't expect the killer to be a rookie who couldn't bring himself to do it, so he let the woman film a video to try and bluff his way out. But the woman directly collected evidence and wanted Zwei Association to deal with those two."
"But Zwei Association seems too busy to bother with small commissions like theirs, so they just started fighting."
While Lesti was talking, a frail woman, covering her swollen face, pulled out a credit card and bought stimulants from the vending machine. After injecting them, she immediately sent the assassin and the man tumbling onto the ground.
Immediately, they began frantically buying stimulants, making Putato frown deeply.
Lesti moved to the passenger seat, and Putato got into the driver's seat, driving the car to the front of the tall building.
"But it's my first time at your place. Don't you have any gifts to entertain me with?"
Looking at Lesti's mischievous, bright smile, Putato shrugged.
"Syndicate activity just now."
"No problem, I have one!"
Putato looked at Lesti with suspicion as she went to the back of the car and opened the trunk. He immediately had a premonition.
"You didn't bring me a cake, did you?"
"Huh? You knew! Anyway, I'm about to start my staff training. I probably won't be able to see you for a long time, so of course, I have to celebrate properly."
Putato suppressed his surprise about the prescript and approached to examine it. It was a huge, three-tiered fruit cake. His scalp tingled.
"You, why did you buy something so big?"
"Actually, I know it's a bit big, but for a trainee like me, W Corp gives out shopping mall gift cards that can only be spent at designated stores."
"The portions there are super huge and very expensive. It's clearly just a way to reclaim our salaries. Even if I sold the card, it would be too much of a loss."
Lesti complained but still hugged the large cake, intending to give it to Putato.
"You also contributed to my smooth entry into W Corp. Don't be so polite with me!"
What a torment.
This thing wants me to finish it in 5 minutes?
But if he didn't execute the prescript, the Index Proxy would come to enforce the punishment. That wasn't an enemy he could resolve with a smile. If he resolved it once, there would inevitably be a next time.
The communicator suddenly rang.
Putato, seeing Lesti holding the large cake, hastily tried to decline the call.
"Putato, you idiot! Get your ass over here, quickly!"
"It's you who's been spreading rumors that I'm going to die?! And like a damned idiot, you went to the grand cathedral alone, and you're still not dead!"
"They all said not to provoke those crazy cultists! When you get back, I'll show you what 'obeying orders' means!"
Damn it, Gyeong-mi's drug resistance is too strong. He's already awake.
Putato wasn't flustered by their strength. However, due to Stray Dogs' affiliation with the Thumb, he immediately thought of a brilliant idea.
"No, Gyeong-mi."
"I don't want to hear your bullshit! Immediately! Now!"
Putato ignored the furious Gyeong-mi, following his own lead.
"Sorry, the Index Messenger just gave me an irresistible prescript."
"What?!"
"I must execute the prescript. I'm afraid I can't return to Stray Dogs."
Looking at that huge cake, Putato felt that once he finished eating it, he would be so exhausted he could just collapse into sleep. Where would he find the energy to go to the Syndicate?
Gyeong-mi's voice immediately became serious; even his emotions stabilized.
"You'd better not be lying to me."
"The Messenger just left me. Even if the higher-ups know about this, they'll make me abide by the prescript. Actually, I've been doing pretty well in the Syndicate, and you've taken good care of me too."
The talents and items from Stray Dogs started to roll in, and they were quite good. The content was still substantial.
"Mhm."
Gyeong-mi didn't reply for a moment, because the Thumb made the hierarchy incredibly clear, even to outsiders.
Faced with the meaning of the prescript, a guy of Putato's caliber simply couldn't refuse.
"Then that's that, Gyeong-mi. We'll be in touch if there's an opportunity later."
"These Five Fingers are all insane, for f***'s sake!"
A panting sound came from the communicator. Putato hastily held it further away, contemplating who the next Syndicate to take over would be.
Fixers needed to advance, and Syndicates also needed to progress simultaneously.
These Thumb guys had too strict a hierarchy, making it difficult to exert subjective initiative. And The Index, entirely obeying prescripts, didn't offer the same opportunity for a working person to give their all. Perhaps he could investigate other Syndicates.
However, the most pressing matter was to finish the cake and become a member of The Index.
"Alright, Putato, I understand your situation. I'll remember your loyalty too. In The City, things always happen before one can react."
"Waiting won't solve problems. I'll tell the others about your situation. Goodbye."
Immediately, the call ended. Only then did Putato consider how to eat this large cake in 5 minutes. He might need a surgical knife.
...
Putato leaned against the wall uncomfortably. The excessive eating made him feel like he had a rock in his stomach. The fatigue and drowsiness made him want to sleep immediately.
[Work Talent: Unfettered]
[Description: !@#$%...&*]
[Effect 1: You will not be chosen as a prescript subject.]
[Effect 2: You can issue prescripts to yourself, with the latest prescript as the standard.]
[Effect 3: When you execute a prescript, you gain a certain degree of The City's assistance. The more difficult the prescript, the weaker the effect.]
This seemed somewhat different from the powerful talent Putato had anticipated, but it wasn't exactly weak either.
"What is this?"
Lesti, with a strange look, was right beside him, anxiously asking, seeing his gluttonous state. She had never seen anyone eat by stuffing their face before.
Originally, she had wanted to go inside and share the joy of entering the Wings of the World with Putato, but never expected her cake to be too small.
"Nothing. Why don't you stay here for now? It's not safe outside for a while."
Clutching his distended stomach, Putato decided to go to Molar Office for a bit of activity. Olga had just sent him the location. After completing the commission, he could also change his equipment.
His original clothes from these past few days were so tattered they looked almost like a beggar's rags.
"What about you then?"
"I have business."
...
The commercial district was still bustling.
Those rampaging beasts, along with Syndicate members seizing the opportunity to commit crimes, all wanted to infiltrate the most brightly lit areas.
Zwei Association had established a security building here as their defense operations center. Putato still had to present his identification before being allowed in.
Upon entering, he immediately spotted Section 6 Director Walter, with a scowling face, and a grinning Olga beside him.
"Your Office is responsible for clearing the west! Don't let any messy bastards in!"
"Understood, understood. The money must be in place."
"These damned stray dogs always come to disturb people's peace."
After distributing the commissions, Walter, with a grim expression, walked to the window, looking at the chaotic scene outside.
Olga hastily called Putato over, taking him out to meet the rest of the Office, and conveniently introduced him.
"Oh, and your new certification."
Putato accepted the item and found it was a brand new Grade 7 Fixer certification. His mood immediately improved quite a bit.
Later, he might be able to establish an independent Office, and then work for all the major Wings of the World. It felt a bit like collecting stamps.
"However, advancement won't be as easy later. High-grade commissions aren't encountered that easily, but they're the dividing line between elite Fixers and those just making a living."
"And if you're lucky enough to solve a big order, you might directly become a Grade 5 Fixer like me. We are the backbone keeping The City safe. That Walter only has that much skill."
Putato was completely knocked two steps off balance by Olga's arm around his shoulder. He watched her pat her chest, boasting about the dangerous commissions she had completed. Even without drinking, boasting didn't need a draft.
Beside them, Rain and Mika skillfully assigned defensive positions to the remaining Office members. Occasionally, a few beasts would be spotted and driven away from a corner.
"So, if we eliminate a Syndicate like Myn Church, is that enough for promotion?"
"Don't daydream. The rating of this cult is somewhat inflated. You know, people in The City are easily fooled. They only have so much monetary value because of their large scale."
"You seem very keen on promotions, right? Why don't you go handle Smiling Faces? I guarantee you a smooth path to Grade 5."
"Is that the Syndicate always surrounded by smoke? I heard they've been active around here recently."
Mika interjected at this point, seeming to know something about Smiling Faces. Putato's heart immediately stirred.
Smiling Faces was an Urban Nightmare-grade Syndicate. Its members wore iron masks and could use specialized smoke to enhance themselves.
Myn Church, despite its grand facade, was only Urban Nightmare-grade. This was enough to prove Smiling Faces' strength. Perhaps he could explore job prospects in that direction.
Slapping away a thrown wolf-man, Putato quickly turned back and questioned.
"Senior Mika, I'd like to hire you to help me select some Workshop weapons later. Do you have time?"
"Ah, Vanda, you're quite sensible, aren't you?"
"That's a small matter. You don't need to specifically pay for it."
Hearing that, Mika shook her head, causing her two waist-length ponytails to sway.
"I think Vanda has other intentions. Otherwise, why would a Fixer need a guide to pick out Workshop weapons? Let me see if your face is pretty."
Olga, carrying her weapon on her shoulder, revealed a mischievous smile and reached for the bandage on Putato's face.
Putato hastily dodged Olga's large hand. Mika, however, frowned and glared at Olga.
"Actually, I wanted to ask Mika about this Smiling Faces situation."
"I was just kidding! You really want to make a move on them? Only someone desperate for money would go looking for death."
"Even the Association treats Syndicates like that cautiously. Don't even think about it! I'd have to fire you from the Office immediately!"
Olga warned Putato as if it were true, waving her weapon and scaring away the Rats who were trying to sneak up.
Mika ignored Olga's antics, recalling and pondering for a moment.
"I have a Workshop friend who said that the situation in Backstreet 23 has become very dangerous recently. It's like some kind of cooking competition, but you know, the food tastes there are completely different from ours."
"So I speculate that Smiling Faces were merely hired by those cannibalistic chefs to find fresh ingredients. It's easiest for us not to provoke them. Don't touch their eyebrows."
"Otherwise, our entire Office might end up on a platter."
There's more to this?
In District 23, with its human meat restaurants, Putato could imagine what they were up to. He immediately thought that Yixin had also been very quiet lately.
Could that place be holding some kind of special master chef competition?
This time, it seemed somewhat promising. Smiling Faces, who he was about to join, might be busy preparing food for the Eight Chefs, and he just happened to know one of the Chefs.
"Of course, I won't act recklessly."
Molar Office finally finished work a while after dark. After all, later the Sweepers could clean up for Walter for free.
After resting for a period at the inn, Mika proactively took Putato to the Workshop market.
A cement clearing, strung with colorful lights. Large cargo containers of various colors were stacked together, forming a peculiar market maze.
At the entrance, Putato even saw a busker whose sandbag had been cut.
"Generally, good Workshops also take private custom orders. After all, the price is high and the pressure is low. Small Workshops rarely get such things."
"So this is a consignment market for those Workshops. As long as you have money, you can rent a container. We call it the Workshop Cannery here."
Mika was right. This place was like an opened can, bewildering Putato. Whether it was heavy or light weapons, or all sorts of strange-shaped weapons, everything was there. Only firearms were nowhere to be seen.
However, Putato wasn't very satisfied with what he saw. He wanted these items purely for stacking talents. As long as it was a Workshop weapon, the more portable, the better.
Suddenly, he thought of the strange talent he acquired from The Index.
[Find a Workshop weapon suitable for me.]
After setting the prescript, Putato turned a corner and found a container selling concealed weapons. This was already the edge of the Workshop Cannery; beyond it were the high walls of containers.
"I advise you not to buy these kinds of things. You'd be better off picking up some rocks on a construction site."
"Workshop weapons usually use special materials, sturdy and durable. But buying these kinds of things is simply being a gullible fool."
"You'd be better off buying a crossbow set, or even saving up for a handgun."
Mika watched Putato leisurely selecting, and also needing small threads to wrap those small items around himself. With his jacket on, the traces of concealed weapons on his body were invisible.
But concealed weapons were truly useless in The City. Couldn't you see the owner of this container smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum?
"No problem. By the way, how did you know about Smiling Faces?"
"Neighborhood watch. Every Backstreets basically has one. You can't expect everyone to have money to hire Zwei Association to protect themselves. But the strength of these spontaneous organizations is uncertain; it depends on who lives there locally."
"I know many Workshop people. They said the neighborhood watch took on a big order to resist Smiling Faces."
"Can you introduce me?"
Mika's eyes, strangely fey, scrutinized Putato.
"Don't tell me you actually want to provoke Smiling Faces. You'll truly be cut into pieces."