Thea's eyes widen in surprise as Wanderer reveals the true answer. She scoffs, a mixture of annoyance and amusement on her face.

  "Hmph. You really enjoy these little games of yours, don't you, old man? Trying to read me, manipulate me. Well, I suppose you're not wrong. Yes, I am quite manipulative. I've had to be, to survive in this world."

  "But I still say the queen is the closest answer. She's got the king wrapped around her finger, and the knight is devoted to her."

  Wanderer replied, "Yes... and do you know... what rebellious general will answer on that same question?"

  Thea purses her lips,"Hmm... let me guess. The rebellious general will say the knight, right? Because the knight is a warrior, a symbol of strength and glory. And a rebellious general would value those things highly. Is that the answer you're looking for, old man?"

  "Yes... but sometimes they will answer the queen too... since they need the tactic to get what they want."

  Thea nods, "Hmph. Well, that makes sense. A rebellious general needs to be strategic, to use every tool and every person at their disposal to further their goals. Whether it's the queen or the knight, they'll use anyone they can to achieve their aims. They're not bound by loyalty or affection. They do whatever it takes to win."

  "Hmhm... yes."

  "That's how you see me, isn't it? As a 'rebellious general'," She says with a hint of amusement in her voice. "Always manipulating, always scheming, willing to use anyone to get my way."

  "No... I just see you as... a rebellious daughter."

  Thea raises an eyebrow, "A rebellious daughter, huh? And what makes you think that, old man? Do I give off a youthful, rebellious vibe or something?"

  "Hehe... yep... some... kinda... cute vibe."

  She crosses her arms, a scowl on her face."Hmph. Cute. That's not exactly a compliment. Are you trying to flatter me, old man? Or are you just trying to provoke me?"

  "No, I just said what I think."

  "Hmph. I am far from a timid, innocent, 'cute' woman. I've been through things you can't even imagine, no matter how 'cute' I may seem."

  "Good..."

  "Good indeed. It's always refreshing when someone recognizes my true nature, even if you are a little too cheeky for my liking."

  "Hmhm? You need validation from others? You still need that in this situation?"

  Thea bristles at Wanderer's words, "Need? No, it's not about needing validation. I just recognize the value of being seen and understood for who I truly am. And don't try to psychoanalyze me, old man. I'm not some damsel in distress seeking approval."

  "I will psychoanalyze anyone... So you are needing acceptance, isn't it?" Wanderer smiled.

  Thea huffs, "Alright, fine. Yes, maybe I do need a certain level of acceptance and recognition for who I am. But that doesn't mean I'm weak or needy. It's just a basic human desire, to be understood and accepted by others, even if I don't show it often. As for you psychoanalyzing everyone, you're quite the busybody, aren't you, old man?"

  "Hehe... cute... hmmh... hmhm. Indeed cute hehe."

  Thea rolls her eyes, "Hmph. You just can't help yourself, can you, old man? Keep calling me cute and I might have to start thinking you've got a crush on me."

  "Hmhm... if you weren't bald and I didn't have a wife, I might will marry you."

  Thea raises an eyebrow."Is that so? So it's just my lack of hair that's holding you back, huh? And what about your wife, don't you love her anymore?"

  "Well, I love her... I love anyone... even my enemy..."

  Thea tilts her head, "Love, huh? Anyone and everyone, even your enemies? Aren't you just a bleeding heart, old man. You shouldn't go around loving everyone. That's a dangerous game to play."

  "Yes... but just feeling loving and doing the act of loving are two different things... People perceive and calculate the act of loving one... And I don't act love to anyone."

  Thea nods slowly, "Hmm, I see your point. Loving someone is a deep, emotional thing. And it's true that the act of loving someone can be different than the actual feeling itself. So you're saying you feel love towards everyone, but you don't necessarily act on it. Is that correct?"

  "Yep... I love my enemy... hmhm. They give me a sense of purpose..."

  "Purpose, huh? But don't you think that's a bit twisted, loving your enemy because they give you a reason to fight? What does it say about you, old man, if you derive your purpose from your enemies?"

  "... I just like fighting... and killing... that's..."

  Thea purses her lips, her expression turning serious. She looks at Wanderer with a mixture of disgust and curiosity. "You just like fighting and killing, huh? You're a sick man, old man. Loving someone just because they give you a chance to indulge in your violent tendencies, that's twisted. You're no better than a savage beast."

  "Thanks... I know who I am... I'm a lashed monster." Wanderer rubs his finger, "But with the approval of justice light."

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Thea studies Wanderer's face as he speaks, intrigued and slightly creeped out by his words. She can't help but feel a little sympathy for him, despite his savage nature.

  "A lashed monster, huh? And you say you have the approval of this 'justice light', whatever that means. You're certainly an odd one, old man. A savage beast who takes pleasure in bloodshed, yet believes he's doing it all in the service of justice."

  Later, there is a message on the monitor. A disturbance in the wasteland. "Well... I think you better stop talking and do something... Bring their heads... whoever they are," Wanderer said while he finished reading the report.

  Thea glances at the monitor, her expression shifting from curious to determined. She nods in agreement with Wanderer's command,

  "You're right. We shouldn't waste time talking when there's work to be done. I'll bring back the heads of those causing trouble in the wasteland. Consider it done,"

  "Good... go... my knights... hehehe."

  Thea smirks faintly at Wanderer's words. She gives him a quick salute, a sarcastic one.

  "Yeah, yeah, old man. Your 'knights' are on it. You just stay here, keep that chair warm," she says, her tone teasing yet serious at the same time. She then turns on her heel and marches off, ready to confront whatever disturbance is taking place in the wasteland.

  When Thea reaches the door, Wanderer speaks, "You are a monster too... like me... but you don't realize it."

  Wanderer then watch Thea leaving. she was become his new Lieutenant for a month. and showcasing high degree of loyalty and skill beyond her mutant control ability.

  where the lines between ruler and puppet, love and manipulation, and hero and monster are blurred.

  ,

  ,

  Meanwhile, in a dimly lit corner of Sin City, not in tall glamour tower. but beneath the city. a dozen men in suits sat on plastic chairs arranged in a circle. Before them, two women dancing provocatively, their bodies contorting in ways that defied gravity. A heavy, oppressive atmosphere hung over the room, punctuated only by the rhythmic thump of the music and the low murmur of conversation.

  On the balcony overlooking the scene, four figures stood, watching stoically. They were a stark contrast to the debauchery below, their faces etched with a mix of indifference and contempt. Each figure was shrouded in darkness, their identities concealed by the shadows.

  The first figure, who had a bald head, spoke after puffing the smoke. "Look at that woman... and the music. It's trash."

  The second figure with tattoo on his neck tried to smile but failed to make his face into an irritated smirk. "Tradition... It's... tradition."

  After a long, silent while their gaze still on the initiation progress,man in suits below them start using the green syringe offered by the bunny girls, then they start using it and soon they hallucinated, the third figure in the military suit then spoke. "How long are we sitting here?"

  Then the fourth figure finished his glass of wine and spoke after burping. "Patience, young boy... You must start learning to take it slow..." Then he nodded to the other two figures across from him. "Alright... The death of Nero is beneficial for us... One arrogant fool is down... Now we must start having patience with this... Wanderer on the surface... When the time is right... We will take our land..."

  Then the bunny girl arrived on the balcony with a tray of the same green syringes. Each figure took a syringe. And the fourth figure spoke with the syringe in his hand, "We live once..." Followed by the others, "We live only once. dear shareholder.."

  then they inject themself with the syringe.

  meanwhile with spy camera. the scout see the event in shadows

  he observed through the shadows, The scene unfolding before him was disturbing, yet strangely captivating. His mind raced with questions and curiosity, trying to decipher the mysterious figures on the balcony. Despite the unease he felt, the scout knew that he must continue his observations,

  The scout's heart raced as the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the warehouse. He quickly closed his portable laptop and placed it in the box, trying to blend in with the surroundings as a worker of the warehouse.

  "Just act natural," he whispered to himself, praying that the approaching figure wouldn't notice his presence.

  as the scout passing the other 2 worker who newly arrive. he then speak at scout "hey.. i never see you before" the scout stumble a bit, then reply. "yeah im new.. sorry i had to go" then the worker grab his shoulder "you must follow us"

  As the worker grabbed the scout's shoulder, a chill ran down his spine. He didn't expect to be confronted like this, especially not by these workers. Trying to maintain his composure, he replied, "Why do I have to follow you? What's going on?"

  2 worker grin "just follow us."

  He took a deep breath and nodded reluctantly. "Alright, I'll come with you. But tell me where you're taking me."

  "we going to mess.."

  "Alright, lead the way then," the scout said, trying to keep his voice steady and show no signs of his unease. He followed the workers, his mind racing with possibilities

  the worker just push the scout while put their hand on his shoulder later in mess hall., then there is a crowd who shouting. they are circling a food processor machine

  In the center of the room, a crowd of people had gathered around a food processor machine. Sensing something was amiss, the scout tried to make his way through the crowd.

  As the two workers disappeared into the crowd, the scout was left to fend for himself. He felt a pang of unease. However, his attention was quickly drawn to the horrifying sight before him. A man was being ground alive in the mixing machine. The scout couldn't tear his gaze away from the gruesome scene, his stomach churning in disgust

  after the longest minute he experienced, the machine stop. and the man in mixing machine is been take away while he passing out, and the other man in guard uniform speak "that is the rival boss who trying playing around that is what happen if against us".

  The scout's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the situation. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. The callousness with which the guards disposed of the man in the mixing machine was both terrifying and unsettling even his experience in Swat barrack is never touch this level of hardcore. He felt a mix of anger and revulsion, struggling to keep his composure.

  after that when the crowd broke away to their duty. the scout still stand there. until the same guard meet his gaze

  The guard who had spoken earlier sauntered over to the scout, a smug smile on his face. "You look a bit green around the gills. Not used to seeing such... discipline methods, are you?"

  The scout clenched his fists, summoning all his strength to maintain a calm demeanor. He met the guard's gaze with a steely look in his eyes. "Discipline methods, huh? That's a pretty heartless way of putting it when a man gets ground into a pulp."

  The guard chuckled darkly, "We do what we have to do to maintain order here. It's a harsh world, and we don't have time to coddle those who oppose us."

  the scout know the people in wasteland behavior from Swat tv channel propaganda. but he realize if the what he see with his own eyes feel more emotional,

  The scout bit his tongue, realizing that arguing with this guard was pointless. He knew he had to get out of there as quickly as possible. But there was a problem. The guard's sharp gaze was fixed on him, waiting for an answer or a reaction.

  The scout forced a neutral expression on his face, praying that the guard would buy his indifference. "Yeah, I get it. You do what you have to do. I just... didn't expect to see something like that around here."

  The guard studied the scout for a moment, assessing his words. Finally, he seemed satisfied with the response. "Yeah, well, this is Sin city for reason... You're lucky you weren't the one in the machine. Count yourself lucky."

  The Scout swallowed hard, a shiver running down his spine at the guard's words. "Yeah... I'll count my lucky stars, I guess."

  later when spy can able go to secluded place he put a chip on trained rat. then the rat is run to the sewer

  The spy took a deep breath, watching as the trained rat scurried off, the small chip hidden carefully on its back. The rat scampered towards the nearby sewer entrance, disappearing into the shadowy depths.