Chapter 77: Gated

George parked the car near a convenience store that stood out from the other buildings in the area.

Unlike the dilapidated structures surrounding it, this convenience store was actually functioning and appeared well-maintained.

The vibrant signage and clean exterior hinted at a business that took pride in its appearance and service.

"7-10?" Reign muttered to himself, remembering a big chain store from his past life with a similar name.

The recollection brought back memories of aisles and a wide selection of products. It felt familiar, stirring up a hint of nostalgia.

"Is this place not gonna get robbed?" Reign asked George as they got out of the car.

His mood became better; now, he wasn't feeling as down because he knew that he was in for a feast tonight.

"Don't worry, this store is protected by The Chamber of Commerce. Robbing this place is basically asking for trouble," George explained reassuringly.

"Chamber of Commerce?" Reign asked, the term unfamiliar to him.

George close the car door first before answering.

"The Chamber of Commerce is an association of multiple merchants corporation in the nation," George began, his tone firm.

"Basically, they form this group to protect their assets and build connections. As a whole, the Chamber of Commerce could be considered a huge business conglomerate," George continued.

Reign's brows furrowed as he processed this new knowledge.

"I'm curious, why do conglomerates have so much power in Summit City?" Reign asked, intrigued by the complexities of the business world in this new environment compared to his old world.

George's lips quirked into a knowing smile as he leaned against the car, ready to explain.

"That's because we're a capitalist nation," he replied,. "Most of the funds the government uses come from taxes paid by these conglomerates." He paused for effect, letting the significance of his words sink in "You could even say they're the lifeline of the nation."

Reign nodded thoughtfully, but he couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that George's explanation didn't fully address his question.

In his previous world, he had also lived in a capitalist country, but the extent of power held by corporations was much smaller. There was something missing in the equation, something he needed to understand better.

When Reign inspected the price tags of various items, he noted that they were significantly more expensive, at least five times the price compared to what he saw in the city.

He was aware of this because they had bought some supplies before coming here. It didn't take long for him to deduce the reason behind the inflated prices: the added cost of hiring security guards, and also because this store was located in a pretty dangerous place.

As they reached the counter, they saw a man wearing a red uniform.

They paid around 2000 credits for parking for the day. It was on the expensive side, but considering the alternative of risking their car being stolen or vandalized, the fee seemed like a much better choice.

"Now we just need to find a place to stay for the night," George remarked as they exited the store.

"No need for that. I'll finish the mission tonight, and let's get out of here," Reign declared with a chilling smile, his sadistic expression hidden beneath the bandage wrapped tightly over his eyes.

"Hey, I'm not doubting your skills, but I think we need to do some recon. Chances are that this gang also hired more people, maybe even Divergent, after the first group failed," George explained, his tone cautious.

"No need for that. I'm a monster, so I'll deal with it like one," Reign declared confidently. He had witnessed the weakness of the Divergent firsthand during the test, and he was not at all intimidated by them.

"But.."

"You stay here and wait for me," Reign cut off George.

He knew George would only be a liability for him. It would be much more convenient for him to move alone.

Seeing that Reign had already made up his mind, George sighed resignedly and turned back towards the car. He would wait here for him , because this place was much safer than hotel.

***

The laboratory that Reign planned to destroy was situated within an abandoned warehouse, a gated structure with watchtowers stationed at intervals around its perimeter.

From a distance, he could see guards patrolling the area, their vigilant eyes scanning the surroundings. .

There were even huge spotlights, reminiscent of those used in high-security prisons to ensure that even at night, infiltration would be nearly impossible.

In addition, atop the walls were vibrating wires, adding to the fortress-like appearance of the structure.

'This place is perfect,' Reign grinned, his satisfaction evident in his creepy smile.

He could tell there were plenty of people inside to feast on.