"And although this situation is dangerous, it also presents an opportunity, a chance!" This statement left everyone looking at him with confusion.
Lindsay smiled, "You still haven't realized, have you? This world... has descended into anarchy, hasn't it? You kill someone now, even if their phone has battery and signal, can they call the police? Will the police come?"
"What does this mean?"
"It means that there's no law!"
"So, if we unite, can we... make something out of it?"
Lindsay surveyed the crowd, seeing everyone's eyes beginning to gleam, their breath quickening. He continued, "First step, we establish dominance over the entire neighborhood, becoming the de facto rulers. With enough manpower, we can then plan for expansion outward."
"I believe this hailstorm won't last forever, and as soon as it stops, even if there's still fog, with our knowledge of the surrounding area, we can scavenge for supplies from nearby supermarkets, convenience stores, and even... expand into other neighborhoods!"
"Don't you all want multiple partners, people serving you?"
"But now, as long as you dare to think, dare to act, dare to strive, you will definitely achieve!"
All 19 individuals became impassioned, their emotions stirred, raising their arms and roaring in agreement.
Seeing the fervor, Lindsay knew the timing was right. He said, "Who's willing to join me?"
"I am!"
"I am!"
"I am!"
All 19 individuals stood up, loudly affirming their willingness.
Lindsay nodded, not needing to stoke their emotions further, and continued calmly, "First step, we need to take down Eugene."
"Firstly, Eugene has been openly killing people in the neighborhood, not just one, but many. Many already see him as a demon, so if we take him down, our prestige will skyrocket."
"Secondly, Eugene must have a lot of supplies. Once we take him down, we shouldn't have to worry about going hungry for a while."
"Then, we can wait calmly until the hailstorm stops."
However, these words made the crowd hesitate.
One person said, "Lindsay, many have tried to go after Eugene, but they all ended up dead! Some say there are already 20 bodies piled up outside his villa!"
"Yeah, this guy is too ruthless and terrifying. It's better not to provoke him." Others nodded in agreement.
Lindsay smiled and said, "No matter how strong Eugene is, he's just one person. Can't we, with so many people together, subdue him? And, we can plan!"
The eyes of the crowd lit up. "What plan?"
Lindsay smiled, lowered his voice, and began to explain.
After he finished, the crowd's eyes gleamed with determination, no longer hesitating or fearing as before.
If they couldn't handle Eugene with this plan, they wouldn't believe it!
"If there are no problems, then let's get ready to move!" Lindsay concluded with a decisive tone.
"Alright!"
At noon, Eugene was getting ready to eat when his phone started alarming.
He checked and saw that there were intruders in the basement.
He thought it might be a maid or someone, but it turned out to be a man, around 50 years old, looking quite honest and straightforward.
The man began knocking on the door.
Eugene didn't go to open it; instead, he used his phone to transmit his voice through the speakers, "What's the matter?"
The man stopped knocking and looked towards the source of the voice, quickly saying, "I have some information to sell to you!"
"What information, and how much?" Eugene asked.
The man replied, "Someone wants to deal with you. Give me a box of instant noodles and a box of water, and I'll tell you their specific plan."
Eugene watched him through the surveillance, pondered for a moment, then a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he said, "I can give you three packs of instant noodles and two bottles of water every day, provided you're useful."
The man considered for a moment, then nodded, "Deal, we can cooperate long term."
"Go ahead," Eugene said.
The man said, "I'm Kobe, the owner of Unit 1902 on the 2nd floor. Today, Lindsay, the head of our building, called us all together for a meeting specifically to discuss how to kill you!"
"What's the specific plan?" Eugene asked.
But Kobe didn't answer. Instead, he said, "What about my food and water?"
"Step back," Eugene said.
Kobe complied, moving away from the door, impressed by Eugene's caution and prudence.
Click, the iron door opened.
Then, two bottles of water and three packs of instant noodles appeared on the ground. But in the next moment, the iron door closed again.
Too cautious! Kobe couldn't help but comment, then he spoke towards the door, "They're planning to ambush you tonight. Among them is an electric welder. Can this iron door withstand a welding torch? Plus, there are nine of them, all armed. Can you handle it?"
There was a moment of silence, and just when Kobe thought Eugene might not have heard him, Eugene's voice finally came through, "Infiltrate them and report back to me at all times."
But Kobe refused, saying, "The things you've given me are only enough for me to provide information. You want me to be a spy? It'll cost you!"
"Okay."
The iron door opened again, and on the ground, there were two more packs of instant noodles and one more bottle of water. Then Eugene's voice sounded again, "Keep an eye on them and report to me constantly. From now on, I'll give you the same amount of food and water every day."
"Deal." Kobe didn't negotiate further, picking up the instant noodles and water from the ground and hiding them under his thick winter coat.
He turned and walked away, using the flashlight on his phone.
After walking a long way, suddenly, several beams of light shone towards him. He shone his light back, only to see that it was Lindsay and the others.
However, Kobe showed no fear, but instead, a smile appeared on his face.
"How did it go? Did that kid take the bait?" Lindsay asked.
Kobe took out the instant noodles and water, "Four packs of instant noodles, three bottles of water. Do you think that kid believed it?"
"Hahaha!" Lindsay and the others immediately burst into laughter.
"That kid would never think that among us, there's a traitor, or rather, someone who intentionally became a mole!"
"The power's out now, can the welding torch even work?"
"Stop worrying. Tell us about the situation in the villa."
Kobe shook his head, "That kid is extremely cautious. He didn't even let me in. But I took a look at the thickness of the iron door. It's about 20 centimeters thick and controlled by electricity. Even pushing it open requires a lot of effort. Even if there's electricity, using a welding torch to cut it open isn't practical."
"Wow!" The crowd exclaimed. What does a 20-centimeter thick iron door mean? The iron door for civil defense bunkers is probably only about 20 centimeters thick, right?
"Thankfully, we didn't plan to attack from the basement. Otherwise, it would have been futile."
"But we still haven't figured out the internal structure of the villa."
"It's okay. Now that kid's attention is all on the basement. Tonight, we'll proceed with the plan as scheduled. The second team will pretend to attack from the basement to distract Eugene, while the first team will attack from the ground, catching Eugene off guard!"
"And once we break into the villa, what can that kid, alone, do against us?"
Lindsay cheered loudly, boosting everyone's morale, and they all roared as if pumped with adrenaline.
Inside the villa.
Eugene chuckled. Would he really believe Kobe?
Of course not. Not even half a word.
Right now, he only believed in himself.
He was just pretending to believe, After all, a monotonous life with no change was too boring.
"Tell me they're attacking from the basement, then the real attack should come from elsewhere."
"Divert my attention."
"But, would they really dare to attack from the ground?"
Eugene pondered for a moment. It was indeed possible.