Code Collector

Allen had to cover his mouth after hearing the words from Jeremy's lips himself. He was the actual son of John Smith, the actual brother of the B*tch Sisters.

The revelations between them are getting more intense that Allen couldn't help but listen intently. This was useful information and he was going to gather as much juice as he can to use in the future. Who knows, he might get a deal with the men with scars.

Chen on the other hand had no expression on his face. He didn't look surprised nor impressed by the revelation. The man simply shrugged and turned around, looking back at Jeremy one last time.

"You have three days to give me the files," Chen warned. "If you fail to do so, you and your family will get it. I'll start by taking your sisters and make them my personal toys."

"Don't you dare hurt them, Chen!" Jeremy growled. "If you dare lay a single hand on them, I'll tell Verta Carta everything."

This statement seemed to shake the large scar-faced man. He fully turned to Jeremy's direction and walked in front of him, leaning down to match his face with the police officer who was kneeling on the ground.

"If Verta Carta knows where we are," Chen pulled Jeremy's hair back so the man would look up. The former's eyes were burning in anger and they were bearing holes in Jeremy's face. "We know who to blame."

With that he slammed Jeremy's head to the ground and left with his men. Allen wanted to go to Jeremy to see if the was still alive, but his cover will be blown. He was already wearing the cape and the mask after all.

He waited for a few seconds until Jeremy was coughing. His body was laying flat facing the ground and he slowly turned to lay on his back. "I know you're there."

Allen didn't answer, but he had a hunch that Jeremy was referring to him. He waited a couple of seconds more by letting Jeremy cough until the man sat up and looked above him.

"The Wandering Trader," Jeremy called out. "I know you're there."

Allen's eyes widened. Jeremy knew where he was and he also knows the alias he was using. His persona was known as the Phantom Cunt in the entire camp, but this man knew what name he was using.

"I heard you're looking for clients," Jeremy said. "Can I apply for one?"

The opportunity went knocking on his door without him acting. Allen can't pass this offer. Jeremy was his target and he was trying to figure out how he can get him on board. But Jeremy himself went to him. This could be good.

Allen leaped from the roof and landed on the ground right in front of Jeremy. He can now control his body freely— even when he was falling he could slow down and reduce the shock and impact as he fell.

"You know me," Allen said with his deep voice. He used a tone of a statement rather than a question to assert dominance. He still doesn't know what Jeremy has up his sleeve, so he has to be very careful when dealing with him. "From which rat did you get my name?"

"Let's call her Mary," Jeremy said. "And she didn't really tell me right away. I had to use "methods" to get my answers."

"And I assume your methods would involve her son?" Allen asked, fully knowing it was the only one of Mary's weakness. The woman had lived through shame and poverty while raising her child, needless to say, she was a very strong and capable woman.

But when it comes to her son, Mary is powerless and she is submissive. She would do anything for her child— even begging the two people who ruined her life just so she could save him.

"Yes, and no," Jeremy said. "I merely threatened her by telling her that she's an accessory for the crime. I know you know which crime I am referring to."

"The Smith Sisters," Allen finished. "Wise, Officer Jeremy. But you are from the force. What do you intend for me to do?"

"Do you kill?" Jeremy asked with a serious tone. He stood and stared at Allen, the boy feeling the intense eye contact of the police officer even through his mask. "I can pay you any amount. I also have a lot of clients that wants me to kill this specific person."

"I do not kill," Allen said truthfully. It wasn't his intention to become a mercenary just to rise through the ranks and become one of the leading Hunters. After all, he wanted to eradicate the darkness in the society, not join it. "If you want murder, you have contacted the wrong man. I merely deal with Codes and money, further than that I'm afraid I cannot fulfill."

"Then why don't you give me a Code?" Jeremy asked. "A Grand grade Code and I'll give you ten Rare grades."

"The value of a Grand grade far surpasses ten Rare grades," Allen said. "I'll pass on this offer."

He saw Jeremy start to panick. Allen was waiting for this moment just so he could put his offer on the table. He was like a snake, staying still and waiting for his prey to use up all their energy just so he could strike at the most perfect moment

At this time, Jeremy had used up all his bullets. He was out of options, but his problems were still haunting him. It was either he let the Wandering Trader give him a deal or he walk out if this trade and face Chen himself.

"Then, do you have anything you want?" Jeremy asked. He tried to hide his desperation but Allen could see through them. Jeremy was afraid.

"I do," Allen replied. "I can help you injure Chen to the point of no return, but you have to fulfill three wishes."

"Three?" Jeremy scoffed. "And I thought you don't kill? What happened to that?"

"I just said "injure", not "kill"," Allen clarified. "You know my abilities well. I even had to face you along with the Smith Sisters and won—"

"You escaped," Jeremy corrected. "And you played a cheap trick that time."

"Nonsense," Allen smirked. "Fighting requires you to use everything to win. You don't have to be so chivalrous and courteous when fighting."

"That does make sense," Jeremy pursed his lips. "Then let's do it. Let me hear your wishes and I will fulfill them."

"Good," Allen said. "The first would be to answer a series of questions I have. The second one is a trade for two Codes, and the last one is a task for you."

"Just to injure Chen?" Jeremy asked. "Don't you think you're having the longer end of the stick right here? I'm at a huge disadvantage."

"I can also keep the fact that you were the son of the Minister of Defense," Allen said. "Biological son. And the fact that you were involved in a scandal that your father tried to bury— even when he was the one who inflicted it in the first place."

"H-How…" Jeremy trailed off. "How do you know? Where in the hell did you get ahold of these information?"

"Officer Jeremy Young, famous because of his looks and skills," Allen walked circles in front of Jeremy. "A man with a sad past and a big scandal not long ago. He even deals with the gangs in the streets at the moment, meaning he still wasn't done with his scandals."

"Did you threaten Mary like this too?" Jeremy asked to which Allen shook his head to answer. 

The latter walked closer to Jeremy and pointed his finger on the police officer's forehead. "No, you did."

"Fine," Jeremy pushed Allen away and took a couple of steps back. "I'll do it. You can start asking your questions now so we can complete the first part of the deal."

He is desperate. Allen smirked. Jeremy was a desperate man trying to crawl out of the pit he was pushed into. He was all alone at the bottom where it was cold and dark. And the only way for him to get out was a rope made to be cut when he was almost at the top.

Jeremy might not be the brightest man out there, but he wasn't a fool. He knew that when he takes his father's hand and goes on to deliver what the old man wants him to do, he will perish forever.

Now that there was another rope for him to get out, he was clinging to it tightly. At least for this rope, he wouldn't fall alone when things go south.

This was what Allen had wanted when he was dealing with clients. He wasn't just improving his own name and strengthening himself, but he was making sure he stood on the same ground with his clients.

That's why he pursued on becoming the Wandering Trader at first. He was trading, not selling.