I work as a sorcerer in the US, and my side hustle is building Gundams.

[You investigated and helped this poor street troll. Character experience +10.]

Looking at the illusory text that popped up from the system, Lynn felt a sense of absurdity about this world.

No, not the world, but the absurdity of the current state of Xida University.

Wasn't it supposed to be a beacon of freedom, democracy, and freedom of speech for humanity?

How come people get treated like this just because they publish some factual reports in the newspaper?

When I was a child, the adults in my family read magazines like Yilin and Reader, and they said that America was very free, and people could say whatever they wanted, even if it meant cursing the president or burning the flag without any crime.

He suddenly had a feeling that he wanted to use his phone to film these absurd things and post them online, so that people at Tokyo University, and even the whole world, could see this bizarre and strange country.

……

"Hey, you must be Lynn, the apothecary and witch doctor from Vanguard Square?"

After he and Mike spent another afternoon wandering the streets, treating two patients and wounded with antidote and linen bandages, they returned to the door of their rented basement apartment and saw two gang members waiting for them at the door.

Why are they said to be gang members?

He had tattoos on his neck and arms, and his waist was bulging with half of a gun holster showing.

Most importantly, they all have a large "18" tattooed on their necks.

The last time Lynn was browsing the internet as a student at Dongda University, she noticed a gang called the 18th Street Gang.

This gang is one of the largest in California, with approximately 15000 members spread across 32 states, including Washington. They are primarily involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, robbery, and murder. Although their organizational structure is loose, their infiltration capabilities are extremely strong.

"no……"

The two stopped and looked ahead warily, frantically trying to recall what they had done in the past few days.

It seems... we haven't done anything that would incur divine wrath or public resentment to provoke such a large gang, have we?

"Hey, what are you standing there for? The boss is asking you a question!"

Seeing that Lynn and Mike were both stunned and didn't reply, the thinner young white man among them frowned and walked up. He flicked the ash from his cigarette forward, covering Mike, who was standing closer to the front, in the face.

"Hey Luca, don't be so rude. We, the 18 Street Gang, are a polite Italian gang..."

The young white man next to him, who was a little older than him but no more than the same age as Lynn, smiled slightly and reached out to pat him on the shoulder.

The latter immediately retreated, but still gave Lynn and Mike a fierce look.

Lynn realized what was happening and quickly opened the system panel for the two of them to check their information.

Alessandro, a troll from the mountains of northern Italy, has just arrived in Washington state to join his Uncle Giuseppe. Two weeks ago, he passed the "18-second beating" test and became a full member of the 18th Street Gang's Soldado (meaning "soldier"), responsible for involvement in violent acts, drug trafficking, and robbery.

[Luca, a follower of Pressure Sandro, is an outsider (Clica) and unofficial member who assists his superiors in intelligence gathering, weapon concealment, and DP (Device Transport) operations. He has not yet achieved fully patched status.]

"I see. It seems they've both only recently joined this gang... Young people are eager to make a name for themselves! I wonder what they're in such a hurry to see me about?"

"It's me, Lynn. May I ask what business you two have with me?"

Lynn felt reassured, so he stepped forward and nodded to Alessandro.

"Hello, I am Pressure Sandro. My younger brother Luca is a bit naive, please don't mind him, witch doctor."

The person in front of me was clearly highly educated; his speech, manners, and demeanor gave the impression that he was not a gang member, but rather a well-mannered student fresh out of university.

"We've come to see you today because we've heard that you have incredibly powerful psychic abilities."

Unlike his younger brother Luca, Alessandro was not fierce at all. Instead, he took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one for himself, and then handed the pack to Lynn and Mike.

"No, thank you. My throat hurts and I don't smoke."

Lynn waved his hand slightly and pointed to his throat. Mike, who was standing next to him, did not refuse. Instead, he reached out, took out a lighter, and lit it.

After all, it would be unwise for both of them to reject each other's kindness.

"Oh? The 18 Street Gang has heard of me?"

Lynn was genuinely surprised this time. Such a large organization actually knew about someone as insignificant as himself.

"Hehe, I overheard it by chance, that's how it is."

The other person lit some cigarette ash and smiled as he spoke to Lynn.

"My uncle Giuseppe... oh, right, he's a Jefe local ("local boss"), and he's been in a bit of trouble lately."

Lynn asked what the trouble was, but the other party shook his head and didn't say.

Lynn thought for a moment, roughly understood what the other person was thinking, smiled without saying anything, and followed the other person into a Fiat parked next to him.

This time, their route was not as gloomy and hellish as their previous trip to Carlos.

On the contrary, the whole journey was just like any ordinary American city, with no signs of desolation or hardship.

This is the road leading to South Seattle.

"South Seattle?"

Looking at the street signs ahead, Lynn couldn't help but think of the place where Lily and her son, whom he had arrived too late to save, were located; it seemed to be in this district as well.

Not long after, the car stopped. It was a white building with only three floors. It looked like it was built in the 90s. The paint on the walls was a bit old and slightly peeling, but it was well maintained overall. The ivy on one side of the building had started to lose its leaves, and the leaves were gradually turning into a mottled yellow and red color.

"Please come in, you two."

After getting out of the car, Alessandro very gentlemanly made a gesture of invitation, and then led his underlings inside first, with Lynn and Mike having no choice but to quickly follow.

"Hey, Sandro, you're back?"

"Hey little Sandro, want to try some of your Aunt Maria's lasagna? I saved some for you!"

"Little Sandro, Marcus is playing for his school tonight, you'll be there to cheer him on, right?"

The apartment building has dozens of rooms on each floor. The hallways are filled with all sorts of odds and ends, and many doors are open, from which all sorts of sounds and smells can be heard.

Along the way, he heard all sorts of neighbors greeting him, and Alessandro himself greeted the neighbors along the way as warmly as a shy junior.

"I didn't expect this kid to be so popular?"

As they walked, Mike and Lynn kept peeking around, noticing that this place didn't look like a gang's hideout, but rather more like a gathering place for Italian immigrants.

They followed the other person up to the third floor, and then stopped in front of the door on the left-hand side as they entered the building.

"This is it, please wait a moment."

The enthusiastic Italian young man said with a smile, and was about to knock on the door.

"Bang! Bang!"

Suddenly, two loud gunshots rang out from inside, startling Lynn!

What happened inside?