Anthony waited until Benjamin had answered the call before fishing out his phone and accessing the mini app Thalia sent.
He had not texted anything after logging on earlier. However, when he opened the group chat that time, it was flooded with messages.
Someone wrote: Is it really Anonymous?
It should be. It's not like just anyone can pull off pretending to be Anonymous. Otherwise, someone could just come along and expose him easily.
Who would step forward using Anonymous' name at a time like this anyway? That person would have to be someone who truly has nothing better to do.
One of the people in the group chat said: You have a point.
Why doesn't Anonymous come out and say something?
Isn't that how he always is?
Another person asked: So, what's all this? Why has he added us to this group?
There's probably a mission of some sort.
What kind of mission requires so many people?
After accessing the group chat, Anthony saw that a heated discussion was underway. Some of them were even sniping at each other already.
He recalled Thalia's advice that if he did not take a firm stance now, he would have no way of keeping a leash on this group of people.
Hence, he immediately sent a message: It goes without saying that I gathered everyone here for a reason. However, don't blame me for being rude to anyone who stirs up trouble here.
After he sent that, the group chat was silent for almost half a minute.
Anthony frowned when he saw no one reply and thought that the network was lagging.
He stared at his phone for a long time. The connection is fine, but why isn't anyone saying anything?
Just then, someone typed: What's the reason?
As soon as that question popped up, the others resumed chatting like before.
Will we get paid?
Things will be easy if the remuneration is satisfactory!
Anthony chatted with them for a while before finally saying: I never ask someone to work for nothing.
Somebody responded: In that case, tell us what's the deal.
Well, Thalia was right about one thing. These people are outlaws who're willing to do anything for money. With that thought in mind, he continued replying to the messages.
Anthony: It's still the same matter as before. I know everyone is gathered in the uninhabited zone now, and my previous promise still stands. I'll reward anyone who kills Boss.
Somebody sent: Then what's going on today?
Anthony: I may have a confrontation with Boss in two days, so I hope everyone can lend their support when the time comes. Of course, there'll be a separate remuneration for this that has nothing to do with the previous one.
Another person wrote: This place is Vermillion Base's headquarters, so you might not be able to win in a direct confrontation.
Anthony: The outcome isn't dependent on whose turf we're on but on technology and brains. However, after pondering for a moment, he added: Of course, if everyone agrees to help, I believe that victory is in the bag.
He felt that his response reflected his arrogance while showing the others enough respect at the same time.
One of them replied immediately: Done. As long as I get paid, I'll do anything.
If I have the chance to partner with Anonymous to go up against Vermillion Base, I won't have lived in vain.
Someone else said: I agree. It'll be a legendary feat to boast about in the future!
Another responded: I'm going to retire from all this once this is over. And if this is where I fall, perhaps it's the best resting place.
Gratitude flashed across Anthony's eyes when he saw most of them express similar sentiments.
Suddenly, someone sent: It wouldn't be impossible to stay where we are and fight. However, there's a shortage of food and water here. Over the past few days, the food in the uninhabited zone has almost all been taken. I'm afraid we won't have anything to eat if this situation persists.
Once that topic was mentioned, everyone else immediately started talking about it.
That's right. There won't be a need to go up against them then because we won't even have the strength to do so. They'll win without a fight.
As soon as they said that, Anthony also noticed the issue.
It's the sudden influx of people into the uninhabited zone. There weren't many people staying in that area initially, so there's no way there'd be enough food and water with the drastic increase of residents. It's the same when I go out to buy fruits. Even if a fresh shipment arrives, it gets snapped up in the blink of an eye.
Observing more and more people in the group chat discussing their concerns on that matter, he told them after some thought: I'll take care of this. You don't have to worry. Also, from now on, I'll cover the food, clothing, accommodation, and transportation for everyone in the uninhabited zone.
Everyone was stunned at that.
They asked: Really?
Anthony: Of course!
Another person pressed: You're not playing us, right?
Anthony: You'll know whether I'm kidding or not when you wake up tomorrow, right?
Since you've said that, what else is there to say? I'm staying here!
Okay! Because of what you just said, I'll wait right here.
Me too!
As long as there's money, I've no problems with going without eating or drinking for three days!
Anthony saw that and was about to respond when his phone suddenly rang. When he saw that it was Thalia calling him, he hesitated briefly before answering it.
“You're spouting hot air again, aren't you?” she asked bluntly.
“Um, what's going on?”
“You tell me! You're even covering their food, accommodation, clothing, and transportation now? If you're such a saint, why don't you just die and go to heaven?” she retorted.
“How do you know that?” he demanded. Suddenly, a thought popped into his mind. “You're in the group chat too?”
“What do you think? Who do you suppose defused the tension for you after that thirty seconds of radio silence?”
Anthony fell silent.
No wonder I felt something was odd.
However, since Thalia called, it saved Anthony the trouble of having to do so himself. “That's great. Seeing that you already know about it, could you help me take care of it?”
Thalia breathed in deeply. “Anthony Watson, do you take me for your housekeeper?”
“Of course not. You're like a sister to me. How could I possibly think of you as my housekeeper?”
She gave a mirthless chuckle. “A sister? I'm not that much younger than your mother, you know.”
“Oh my. Why so serious? Nat wouldn't mind at all,” he said.
“She might not mind, but I—”
Before she could finish her sentence, her phone chimed as she received a notification that someone had transferred money into her account.
Anthony was not even giving her the chance to refuse. “I've already transferred the money to you. Thank you for handling this matter.”
“Anthony Watson, how are you so shameless?” she muttered.
“I hope the uninhabited zone will have a whole new look when I wake up tomorrow. Thalia, I trust you have what it takes to do it!” Anthony carried on, taking no notice of her protests.
“Who the heck wants your trust?”
“When everything is over, I'll thank you properly.”
Both of them were ignoring what the other said.
“In your dreams, Anthony Watson. I'm keeping the money, but you'll have to find someone else to do what you asked,” she snapped after taking a deep breath. Then, she hung up immediately.
He stared at his phone. After pondering for a while, he sent Thalia a photo of him making a heart with his fingers.
However, she swiftly responded with the text: Get lost.
He laughed when he saw that.
I know she'll definitely do as I asked.
As that thought crossed his mind, Benjamin walked over with a grim expression.
Seeing that, Anthony asked, “What is it?”
“Something has happened back home,” said Benjamin.
Anthony saw that and was about to respond when his phone suddenly rang. When he saw that it was Thalia calling him, he hesitated briefly before answering it.
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