Chapter 8: The To-Do List
Fighter internally formulated a list of his most immediate priorities:
Go to UCA: This was his critical path for survival and finding the main protagonist, as suggested by the novel's lore.
Get Food and Supplies: Immediate survival—he needed to eat, clean himself, and get new clothes.
Find Heena: Fulfilling the promise to the Old Man, which was now intertwined with his motivation to change what he could not see.
Investigate Transmigration: He needed to discover the identity and intent of those who transmigrated him. Were they benevolent, malicious, or simply using him? What purpose was he meant to fulfill?
Fighter knew he was currently too weak and ignorant to act against any powerful entity. He wouldn't be able to resist if they came for him now. He needed power, and fast.
The Station Buzz
He followed Rechel's directions, and two hours later, he stumbled into a bustling transit station. People were rushing about, absorbed in their morning commute.
Near a newspaper stall, a man with a tired expression was engrossed in the headlines. The morning air was heavy with dust and industrial pollution.
Man 1: "At last, the Blood's are taking action against the [Seven Totalitarian] of the sea! Because of those Totalitarians, we are still suffering."
A man standing behind him sighed, replying in a deeply disappointed tone.
Man 2: "Do you actually think they can do anything to them? Don't make me laugh."
Man 1: "What are you laughing about? Do you know how tight the food situation is? The government can't do any shit. The Blood's are our only hope!"
Man 2: "What can they do? Blood Logun near the sea area is at their breaking point, barely protecting their territory."
Man 1: "That's the thing! The headline says they are taking action! Many Blood's with Blood Logun are forming an Alliance to protect and increase the sea territory."
Man 2: "What! Is that true?" the second man shouted in shock, drawing a few sideways glances from passersby.
Man 1: "Yes, it is the headline of today's newspaper!"
Man 2: "I'm very doubtful about this Alliance. Did you hear the news? One of the [Seven Totalitarian], Blood Sea Jon, just sank an Imperial ship. Also, how did this alliance suddenly come to be?"
Man 1: "One of the Supreme Bloods, Blood Roseter, is almost finished. The power vacuum he'll leave behind is not small. I think the new alliance is taking advantage of it."
Man 2: "I think you a—"
Confrontation
In the middle of his sentence, a foul odor assaulted both men's noses. They clamped hands over their faces, turning quickly to identify the source.
They saw a young man approaching. He was wearing black clothes soaked and stained with dried blood and filth, and a pair of intense blue eyes glared out from a dirt-caked face. The source of the horrific stench stopped directly at the nearby food stall.
Fighter: "I want two protein paste, a bottle of water, and a bread."
The stall owner looked him up and down, recoiling slightly from the smell. "Do you have enough money to buy those things, boy? I am not a charity. If I give you that food for free, I'll be broke sooner or later. Don't beg here, boy."
Man 1, the one discussing the Blood's, felt a twinge of pity. What a poor boy, he thought. He looks like he'll die from hunger. I should help him at least. He started to move toward the stall, intending to buy the items for the boy.
Before he could take a step, Fighter unleashed his hunger-fueled rage.
Fighter: "Who the f**k said that this is a charity! I am f**king hungry! Do you see me begging? I'm here with my own f**king money! You *** s**k**g motherf***er, give me the items and I will go!"