Real world, Station 13.
'Waaah! When did Chen Kong become so reliable? Boyfriend power MAX!'
'Something's wrong, 100% wrong. Is this still the cowardly and insecure Chen Kong I knew? How did he suddenly become so dependable!'
'They say a girl changes eighteen times as she grows up, but I feel like Chen Kong's a man who changes eighteen times too!'
Amidst the explosive barrage of comments from the Dimensional Audience.
Chen Kong led Vivian and Bertrand into the back kitchen of the Rusty Nail Bar.
"Introduce yourself, noble Silver Knight of the Upper City."
"Because if I'm not mistaken, unless it's something incredibly important."
"A bald eagle like you, who only appears in clear skies, would absolutely not suddenly descend into our smoggy, muddy hell of the Lower City."
Although Vivian couldn't sense any starmance energy fluctuations from Chen Kong.
The ease with which he handled those gangsters' guns just now.
Still made her feel a significant sense of danger from him.
Because it meant Chen Kong definitely had the confidence to be fearless of his opponents.
While Vivian wasn't yet sure what Chen Kong's confidence stemmed from.
She trusted her intuition.
And so, facing Chen Kong's inquiry.
She ultimately chose to be partially honest, revealing what she could.
"The Church has lost something very important, and according to our investigation, this item should now be hidden in the Rust Iron District."
"And what does that have to do with this guy next to you?"
Hearing Chen Kong mention himself.
Bertrand, who vaguely understood what was happening, immediately spoke up: "I know, I know! Because I just recently helped a group of people smuggle from the Upper City to the Rust Iron District."
"But I swear I really didn't know they stole something from the Church!"
"If I had known, I definitely would have—"
"Hold it, hold it."
Chen Kong didn't let Bertrand continue to ramble.
He immediately lowered his head in thought, seemingly weighing something.
A moment later, he looked up at Vivian, frowning, and said, "Miss Knight, if what you say is correct, then this matter... might be a bit tricky."
"How so?"
Facing Vivian's curious inquiry.
Chen Kong explained, "If what you're looking for is in District 12, where our Rusty Nail Bar is located, then it's easy to handle."
"What I'm afraid of is that what you're looking for... isn't here."
"Are the other districts very dangerous?"
As it was her first time in the Lower City.
Vivian wasn't familiar with the situation here.
"It's not about being dangerous or not, but rather that the situation will become very complicated, hard to explain."
"Forget it, let that guy next to you explain."
"After all, he should know by now that you're his lifesaver."
"So I guess whatever you ask him, he'll tell you truthfully, saving me the trouble of speaking further."
Vivian turned to look at Bertrand.
And the other party was frantically nodding at this moment.
Indicating that he would definitely tell everything he knew, without holding anything back.
Soon, under Bertrand's explanation.
Vivian finally understood why Chen Kong said that if what she was looking for wasn't in District 12.
Things would become extremely complicated.
First, the entire Rust Iron District was divided into 12 districts.
District 12, where the Rusty Nail Bar was located, was the universally acknowledged safe zone in the entire Rust Iron District.
Meaning no one would easily commit crimes here.
Everything was simpler to handle.
Therefore, if the item was in District 12.
Then as long as Vivian offered a reasonable price to Old Jack, the owner of the Rusty Nail Bar.
Getting the item found for her would just be a matter of Old Jack's word, nothing major.
But if the item wasn't in District 12.
Then this matter would become huge.
Because the Rust Iron District was currently experiencing an unprecedented war.
The three major gangs of the Rust Iron Hell: the Grey Rat Gang, the Blood Skull, and the Iron Brotherhood.
Were currently engaged in a fierce struggle for territory in the Rust Iron District, a battle that was proving incredibly difficult to resolve.
If Vivian appeared at this time.
Then, let alone finding people or things.
Whether she could survive until tomorrow was an unknown.
Because to eliminate the other gangs.
The three major gangs, now with bloodlust in their eyes, would absolutely resort to any means necessary.
Keeping Vivian permanently here, then finding a way to frame another gang.
Thus, borrowing the Upper City's hand to kill with a borrowed knife.
Don't doubt it, the current three major gangs could absolutely do something like that.
Looking at the grim-faced Vivian, Chen Kong pulled out a bottle of mineral water from the nearby refrigerator and said with a smile, "Miss Knight, if I were you, I would leave here first."
"Then, after the situation below stabilizes, bring others to search together."
"No."
Vivian refused very firmly.
And this made Chen Kong curious.
"Why?"
Vivian thought for a moment and said, "The Church must find the item within a month, or the top will fall into chaos."
"Is that so?"
Although Chen Kong wasn't clear what the item Vivian was referring to was.
The fact that it could make a Silver Knight like Vivian personally descend indicated that this thing was absolutely crucial.
And important enough to affect the stability of the Upper City.
After all, in the Gear Church of the Upper City · City of Clouds.
A Silver Knight was already the highest-ranking person, second only to the Bishop, Saintess, and Golden Knight Commander.
A position that could only be held by a Level Two Starmancer.
And Chen Kong, as a Child of the Stars, knew very well what a Level Two Starmancer represented.
Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, Chen Kong suddenly spoke, "Can you tell me specifically what you're looking for?"
Vivian shook her head, indicating that she could not disclose this item to anyone outside the Church.
Not even the Starmancer Association branch in the City of Steam.
"Can't say, can't leave."
"Miss Knight, do you naively believe that just your pretty uniform will allow you to strut around the Rust Iron District?"
"You should know that, to my knowledge, the guys in the Rust Iron District who can pose a threat to you are too many to count on one hand."
"So if you don't want to die here and be disassembled into parts by some disgusting individuals, sold to various black markets in the City of Steam, I advise you to go back up as soon as possible."
"After all, no one knows better than me how dark this 'hell' truly is."
Before Vivian could reply, Bertrand on the side grew anxious first.
"Yes, yes, let's go, let's go, esteemed Silver Knight! As long as you take me up with you."
"Then I'll tell you everything you want to know, down to the last detail."
"I can even expose the black market strongholds in the Rust Iron District that I know of, help you in the Upper City take down these rat nests, and atone for my sins."
"Heh, your brain works pretty fast."
Looking at Bertrand, who had a strong will to survive.
Chen Kong immediately laughed.
But this was normal.
In the Rust Iron District, any slow-witted fellow would have long been completely devoured, their bones sold as parts to who-knows-where.
And under Bertrand's hopeful gaze.
Vivian unexpectedly looked at Chen Kong.
"Can you help me?"
"Hmm?"
Chen Kong looked at her in surprise.
Seemed he hadn't expected her to ask that.
But after some thought, Chen Kong frowned and said, "It's a bit tricky, after all, what you're saying is vague, and I feel there's quite a bit of danger involved."
"So... are you refusing?"
Chen Kong shook his head, then said solemnly, "No, what I mean is, you'll have to pay more."
Vivian: "..."