I'm Not an Alligator, Though (1)
Alligator Gang. The city's one and only vigilante group.
They pretty much dominated the Swamp Zone.
With membership in the triple digits and most skilled hunters on their payroll, they boasted the strongest combat power and intelligence network around.
The Viper gang, packed with troublemakers, and the Fishermen, made up entirely of hunters, put up a decent fight as rivals. But even combined, those two couldn't match half of the Alligator Gang's might.
Still, the Alligator Gang had some reason to hesitate striking at them directly, leaving the Swamp Zone in a tense cold war between the three factions.
And my target was the Alligator Gang.
The Fishermen lacked the means or motive to buy it, and hitting up the criminal Viper crew would just get me backstabbed and robbed—if I was lucky.
Going to Seoul to track down that client was out of the question right now. For an escaped lab rat like me, even heading there was risky, and who knew if they'd be friendly about it.
So my options were limited.
"Long time no see, boss man. Heard you got your hunter license? Locked the instructor in a cave to pass, huh? That for real?"
"Stuck him in there so he wouldn't cause a hassle."
"That guy's an old buddy of mine. Said you got him chewed out."
Unlike when he'd escaped, he fiddled with his neatly trimmed beard and plopped down with a grin.
The rendezvous spot—tipped off through the boss lady—was a deserted lot. We eyed each other from opposite benches, keeping our distance.
"You got some wide connections."
"Over twenty years in this game, you know everybody worth knowing."
"How'd a guy like you end up caught?"
He scratched his head with a wry chuckle at my question.
"Got blackout drunk and stumbled outside. That's how."
His face clouded with something complicated as he said it.
Not just some drunken mishap—sounded like there were circumstances he couldn't spill.
Internal power struggle casualty?
"Haven't touched a drop since. Damn. Can't ignore the screw-up, though..."
"Might as well go full sober and work on your health."
"Boss man, how's a filthy world like this livable without booze?"
...Fair point.
Civilization got buried in the war, leaving scraps of ruins and a world slowly fading away.
The Seoul crowd preserved enough tech to live it up cyberpunk-style, sure. But step into Gyeonggi, and it's all outdated grids and blackouts—enough to bring tears.
Not that moving to Seoul was easy.
"So where do you even drink around here?"
"Surprisingly decent selection. You interested, boss man?"
"Not totally against it."
"I'll hook you up with some spots later. Know a few killer dives."
"Using me as an excuse to drink?"
"Heh heh."
Busted.
"Ahem... So, what's the business today?"
"I'd like to meet the Alligator Gang boss."
His cheeky grin vanished the second I spoke, turning dead serious.
He glanced around, then leaned in low.
"...Why do you wanna meet him, boss man?"
"Got my hands on something big. Wanna make a deal."
"Hm."
His soft gaze sharpened.
I sensed the shift—this was business now.
We had history, sure, but public and private didn't mix.
No beating around the bush. I laid it out straight.
"It's got some critical intel. Found it in a hidden bunker. Worth plenty to the Alligator Gang."
"Hm. Everyone says that. What is it?"
"A USB. Old-world data..."
I lowered my voice, scanning for eavesdroppers one last time.
Ability users could snoop from afar, precautions or not.
But it signaled this was serious—good for me.
"No one's around to listen here. Spill it."
"Good. It's dangerous stuff inside..."
"Yeah? Like what?"
"Military secrets."
"That rare these days?"
He tilted his head, skeptical—as expected.
"Military secrets" didn't hit home without details.
Time to tease just enough.
"If it was just boring docs, I wouldn't be here."
"Beating around the bush... Must be huge."
"Useless to me alone, but for a outfit like Alligator Gang? Game-changer."
"So what is it?"
"...One last thing. Can you get me straight to the boss?"
Wonder how high up this guy was.
Long-timer like him wasn't just some goon. Decent rank, for sure.
Not executive level, maybe, but solid mid-tier.
His outfit screamed it—clean, put-together, not flashy but rare in these parts.
Clothes weren't easy to come by anymore.
Affording that meant he wasn't low man on the totem pole.
"I can push it up the chain. Got a decent line to the boss myself!"
"The USB's got... weapon blueprints and military maps.
Bunker locations across Gwangju."
"Whoa... You found that?"
"Pure luck. Never dreamed I'd hook something this big."
I played it humble, stressing coincidence.
Couldn't exactly say "I knew from the novel."
"Smart choice coming to us, boss man. Vipers or Fishermen? You'd be ghosted by now."
"Everyone knows you're the only trustworthy buy around."
"Alligator Gang ain't perfect... Sigh. Forget I said that. Can't do it today—tomorrow, I'll send someone. That's it for now."
"See you then."
"Why not join up proper?"
Recruit pitch.
Half-joking, from his vibe—no big expectations.
"Just got my freedom. Not keen on tying myself down."
"Fair. Change your mind, say the word. Guy like you? Executive track, easy."
"If push comes to shove."
"Tomorrow it is, boss man."
We rose in sync, like clockwork, and parted ways.
"Uncle, have a safe trip."
"Eat well, get some rest."
"Uncle."
"Yeah?"
"Come back safe."
I turned, and Mina waved with a bright smile.
So pretty it stung my eyes.
Rubbing them, I headed to the hotel entrance.
A familiar face and a stranger waited there.
"Sleep well, boss man? Got the goods?"
"Naturally."
"This the guy the team lead mentioned? The one who busted out of the secret lab?"
Who was this punk? Lackey?
I sized up the sharp-featured guy in his mid-twenties.
"Yup. Thanks to him, I got back to the Swamp Zone."
"Who's he?"
"Power Tiller here—my right-hand man. Sharp one. You'll see him around; commit the face."
Power Tiller? What kinda name...
"Guy's a solid hunter. Memorize him, and half the bullies back off."
"Plenty like him out there."
"Enough chit-chat. Let's move."
Deals needed time.
I prodded, and Beard laughed heartily, turning toward Alligator Gang HQ.
"Right! Let's roll!"