Chapter 25: Absurdity Itself Opened the Door for Absurdity—It

Too... too awesome?

Looking at the “luxurious” equipment on the table, Alvin suddenly developed the thought of joining Taker.

What the hell is this guy’s background?

Never mind the fragmentation grenades, energy batteries, nutrient paste, and energy bars.

The Baodanqiang and Shell Armor—these items are even in the Star Militia, only issued to a tiny few!

Especially the Shell Armor—the standard heavy ballistic vest—even laser rifles can’t penetrate it; it’s absolutely a life-saving artifact.

At least in the Lower Nest, with the weapons of those gang scum, even if you stood still, they couldn’t pierce it!

The Baodanqiang is even more so—though the Star Militia version is a degraded modification of the Astartes model, its rounds are far beyond what ordinary defenses can stop.

“How about it? I didn’t lie to you, did I?”

Taker grinned proudly, smoking a cigarette as he drew a deep breath and exhaled a wisp of smoke: “I went through a lot to get these—worth every bit.”

“Can I inspect them?”

Alvin forced down his excitement and asked.

“Go ahead.” Taker didn’t care, plopped back onto the chair, and crossed his legs.

【Detected item: Burst Rifle, Star Militia Model (Aged)】

【Tested in numerous battles; though worn, the sights and firing pin remain intact】

【Energy available: 0 units】

【Detected item: Fragmentation Grenade (Low Quality)】

【Only flaw: manufacturing accident caused detonation delay between 1s–3s; possibly useful for suicide】

【Energy available: 0 units】

【Detected item: Shell Armor - Heavy Ballistic Vest (Aged - Worn)】

【Paint completely worn off, unit affiliation unidentifiable; missing alloy plates, helmet, recycler, augur, wrist display, small power pack—but as a “turtle shell,” it’s still highly functional】

【Energy available: 0 units】

【Detected item: High-Concentration Compressed Energy Battery (Premium)】

【Commonly used in factory machinery; exclusively supplied within the Cult of the Machine; handcrafted by an oilman; reliable】

【Energy available: 1000 units × 3】

After examining everything, Alvin swallowed hard and a thought flashed through his mind.

This time... we’ve really hit the jackpot!

Three thousand units of energy—enough to last thirty days!

Most importantly, Taker actually got his hands on the Burst Rifle and Shell Armor—items only issued in the Star Militia—both perfectly filling his current gaps.

“Done checking?” Taker glanced at him, crushed out his cigarette, and stood up: “If everything’s fine, I’ll take you to the Middle Nest.”

“The gear is excellent, Mr. Taker.”

Alvin neatly packed everything away, then nodded to Taker: “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

In his imagination, smuggling from the Lower Nest to the Middle Nest should’ve been extremely difficult.

At the very least, he expected careful evasion of enforcers’ surveillance and Middle Nest entrance monitors, then crawling through muddy pipes, enduring hardship to reach it.

But... in reality, Taker simply led him straight to the Middle Nest entrance.

“Mr. Taker, I need to confirm again...” Alvin’s eye twitched as he stared at the enforcers guarding the entrance and the two automatic laser guns, swallowing nervously: “We’re smuggling—shouldn’t we take another route? That’s what ‘smuggling’ means.”

“Shut up. Follow me.”

Taker, smoking a cheap cigarette, ignored the enforcers and surveillance entirely, walking straight forward.

Is he this bold?!

Alvin, behind him, felt his heart pound, terrified they’d be shot dead.

But the situation didn’t match his expectations at all.

The enforcers at the gate spotted Taker from afar, beaming with warm smiles, opening their arms for a hug.

Honestly, in Alvin’s past experience, enforcers always looked disgusted and contemptuous toward Lower Nest scum—yet now they smiled like suns.

Even worse, Taker, with a look of disgust, shoved the enforcer away and tossed him a few cheap cigarettes.

What the hell is this guy’s status?!

Alvin was now 100% certain: Taker was no ordinary Lower Nest scum.

Who else could make cold-blooded enforcers smile like they’d just been punched in the ass?

They chatted briefly, but Taker turned and noticed Alvin hadn’t followed—he waved impatiently: “Hurry up! Don’t waste time!”

So embarrassing... Alvin obediently walked over silently.

“Alright, talk next time.”

Taker, cigarette in mouth, waved to the enforcers lazily: “I’m taking this kid in first.”

“Goodbye, Mr. Taker!”

“Goodbye, Mr. Taker!”

The two enforcers waved warmly, seeing off... the smuggling duo.

This is insane!

Absurdity itself opened the door for absurdity—it’s absurd to the extreme!

Even after stepping through the Middle Nest gate, Alvin still felt like he was dreaming—the whole “smuggling” process was too surreal.

Walking right through the front gate in broad daylight, right under the enforcers’ noses—does justice still exist?

Alvin subtly turned his head, studying Taker again.

Nearly 1.9 meters tall, well-proportioned and muscular, broad shoulders, thick back, hair hanging like instant noodles, covering half his face.

Features rugged, eyes sharp—except for the scar stretching across his entire face from nose bridge, which marred his aura—he looked like a weathered veteran.

The two enforcers had clearly shown respect in their gaze toward “Taker.”

Could this guy... be a retired soldier?

Alvin speculated internally about Taker’s suspicious background.

“Don’t overthink it. Normal procedure isn’t like this.”

Taker’s senses were sharp—he turned his head, meeting Alvin’s suspicious gaze, cigarette dangling: “First, you paid a heavy price. Second, time is tight. Otherwise, I’d never bring you in this way. Those two? Just long-term partners.”

The more he explained, the more suspicious it became.

Even with long-term partnerships, enforcers would never show respect to a Lower Nest scum.

Alvin stayed silent, choosing not to expose Taker’s lie.

“Kid, I know you’ve got secrets—but I won’t ask.”

Taker exhaled smoke, gazing at him meaningfully: “Your reason for leaving the Lower Nest isn’t just being chased, is it?”

Alvin’s movements stiffened slightly, then returned to normal: “Mr. Taker, I don’t understand what you mean.”

“You know, when people lie, they give off subtle cues.”

Taker stopped walking, turned around, and looked at him with a half-smile: “Eyes, breath, movements, every muscle in the face—I’m good at spotting them.”

“Mr. Taker, I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Alvin still denied it, smiling back, feigning innocent confusion.

“Kid, surviving in the Middle Nest isn’t that simple.”

Taker grinned, as if Alvin’s reaction was exactly what he expected, his expression turning sly: “For smugglers, once caught by enforcers, the outcome is always execution. You don’t want to end up like that, do you?”

Suddenly, Alvin understood why Taker brought him through the gate.

Because the enforcers had already seen his face—now, if Taker said one word, they’d hunt him down like rabid dogs across the Middle Nest!

“Mr. Taker, is this how you do business?”

Alvin shed his false innocence, his voice turning cold: “You’re threatening me with the enforcers?”

“No. Not a threat. A deal.”

Taker flicked his cigarette away, turning his head coolly: “Tell me your real reason for coming to the Middle Nest. In return... I’ll get you a job—something that lets you settle here, free from enforcer harassment. How’s that?”