Melody Summers frowned as she scrolled through the group chat. A gang operation, destroying surveillance cameras... ’This is completely different from the individual robberies before.’

Lost in thought, Melody Summers walked all the way to Crystal Mart. The weather outside was scorching, so the supermarket was empty of customers. Winnie Summers and the three members of the Lynch family were gathered together, their faces grim as they discussed something.

Seeing Melody come in, Winnie Summers spoke with a hint of reproach. "You silly girl, why did you run over here in this heat? Aren’t you worried about getting heatstroke?"

Melody smiled, shook her head, and said, "Mom, I’m fine. I saw in the residents’ group chat that there have been a few robberies recently. Is everything okay over here?"

Winnie’s expression turned grim. "We’re fine, but something happened over in Building 9. This morning, someone in Building 9 reported a home invasion. Officer Tate and Officer Pierce went to handle it with a few security guards from property management."

Melody’s heart sank. She had thought it was just street muggings, but now there were home invasions too.

Melody handed the pork to Crystal Lynch. Seeing this, Finn Lynch said sheepishly, "Pork is so expensive right now. We can’t keep letting you spend money on us. We still have plenty of food at home."

Shawn Lynch added, "You’ve been providing the generator and gasoline for the store. Gas is so expensive now, we’ve felt bad for a while. Please don’t spend any more on our account."

Melody smiled and shook her head. "Mr. Lynch, Shawn, please don’t be so formal. My mother and uncle have been relying on your care here at the supermarket."

Winnie Summers also said, "That’s right. Sometimes my brother and I don’t go home and have to trouble Crystal to cook for us. It’s just a piece of pork, please take it."

Only then did the Lynchs reluctantly accept the pork.

They hadn’t been chatting for long when Hollis from property management and Colin Summers returned.

Winnie immediately went up to them and asked, "What happened? Are the residents in Building 9 okay?"

Colin Summers replied with a grave expression, "Four thugs committed a home invasion in Building 9. They were carrying axes and machetes. One of them knew how to pick locks; he could open any door that wasn’t deadbolted using just a card."

"They went to 504 first and killed the resident who lived alone. Then they went to 604 and killed the couple living there. By the time the police arrived, they were in 804. The resident in 804 was hiding in the bathroom, holding the door shut with all their might, and barely managed to survive."

Melody and the others looked shocked. Although The Metropolis Residences had seen home invasions before, this was the first time lives had been taken—and three at that!

A gang operation, skilled at lock-picking, armed, and well-coordinated—the nature of this crime was exceptionally vicious.

Seeing the worried looks on their faces, Colin continued, "According to Officer Tate and Officer Pierce, these four thugs are part of the same group that was destroying surveillance cameras and mugging people. They’ve formed an organized crime syndicate."

Melody was taken aback. "An outside criminal organization has infiltrated our complex?"

Hollis shook his head, his face etched with bitterness. "They’re not outsiders. They’re residents from our own complex. They had been mugging people on the paths individually, each of them at least twice. After they were caught by the police, they were given two warnings and banned from buying from the complex’s supply point."

"Unable to buy supplies and with nowhere else to turn, they ganged up and formed a criminal organization. They’d cover for each other, block cameras, and ambush any resident they saw who had just purchased supplies."

"After a few successful attempts, they got bolder. They figured that as long as there were enough of them, the police couldn’t do anything. Banking on the one guy who could pick locks, they gathered some tools and started committing home invasions."

"They probably didn’t intend to kill anyone at first, just restrain them. But the person in 504 didn’t cooperate and started screaming in panic. The robbers panicked too and killed them. After killing the first person, they figured they had nothing left to lose and decided to hit a few more places. That’s why they went on to 604 and 804."

Crystal Lynch gasped. "They’ve already formed a gang... If this continues, won’t more and more people join them?"

Colin said, "They’ve all been apprehended. They took lives this time, so it’s not going to end quietly."

Melody checked the complex’s group chat. News that the residents of 9-504 and 9-604 had been victimized was already spreading. The residents in the chat were both furious and terrified, afraid that they would be the next target.

They waited anxiously until evening. As dusk fell, the police posted an update on the outcome in the group chat.

"Officer Tristan Tanner: Recently, a number of criminals formed a gang and carried out organized, premeditated home invasions, robberies, and murders within the complex. An investigation has revealed the gang consisted of fourteen members. During this period, they planned and executed nineteen robberies, resulting in three deaths and sixteen injuries. The methods employed by this organization were brutal, the nature of their crimes heinous, and the consequences severe. Their subjective malice was profound. During this special period, they must be punished severely in accordance with the law. All fourteen members of this organization have now been neutralized."

"2-1908 Coco: Good! Glad they were killed! I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Desperate times call for harsh measures! This is exactly when you need to make an example out of them."

"6-702 The Lover: It’s good that they’re dead. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to sleep soundly at night. Those poor people in 9-504 and 9-604."

"9-503 Junjun: 9-504 was our neighbor, an old grandmother who lived alone. She was such a kind woman. She knew we had a big family and used a lot of water, so she’d give us any water she couldn’t finish. Those damn thugs! They sweet-talked her into opening the door. By the time we realized something was wrong and called the police, it was too late."

"2-1408 Bella Grant: Who would’ve thought our complex was hiding scum like that? I had my husband pull apart some steel pipes. I’m carrying one with me now. From now on, if I run into any robbers or home invaders, I’m swinging first. Even if I die, I’m taking a piece of them with me! It’s so infuriating!"

"Officer Tristan Tanner: Due to the recent increase in security incidents, all citizens are urged to actively defend their own interests. All actions taken to actively protect one’s personal safety and property will be recognized as lawful self-defense."

"2-1908 Coco: Roger that! Let me translate: if you see someone robbing or starting trouble, kill them on sight!"

"4-1209 Slacking Off: Got it! I’m carrying a kitchen cleaver with me now! I even sleep with it under my pillow!"

"6-702 The Lover: I’ve barricaded my door and windows with cabinets. It’ll be hard for thugs to get in this way. I recommend everyone else try it too."

"2-1908 Coco: @6-702 The Lover It’ll be hard for thugs to get in, but if a fire starts inside your apartment, it’ll be just as hard for you to get out. And if the fire department shows up to rescue you, it’ll be next to impossible for them to get in."

"4-1209 Slacking Off: The weather is so dry, fires could start easily. It’s probably not a good idea to block your own escape route. Besides, with water so scarce everywhere, a fire would be a catastrophe."

"6-702 The Lover: Sigh, you’re right. Now that I think about it, I guess I can’t barricade the door."

"3-805 Fruit Gummy: I don’t care. I think the chance of a break-in is higher than a fire. As a defenseless girl, I’m really scared. I’m going to barricade my doors and windows tomorrow after my parents leave for work."

"..."

While the group at Crystal Mart was still chattering about the robbery gang, Officer Tate and Officer Pierce returned.

Everyone quickly gathered around them. "How did it go? Have all the members of that gang been dealt with?"

Officer Tate nodded grimly. "They’ve all been killed. The bodies have been taken away for disposal."

Officer Pierce also spoke to Hollis with a heavy expression. "We’ll also need to trouble your property management center to help with the arrangements for the deceased in 9-504 and 9-604. We contacted the victims’ families, but they all said they can’t make it over for now."

Hollis replied seriously, "Of course, of course. Manager Grant just told me that the property management center is already starting preparations. Don’t you worry."

With three lives lost in an instant, everyone in the supermarket wore a solemn expression.

Soon, the sun set, and residents began lining up to buy things again.

Because of the murders that had just occurred, everyone was on edge. Many people were carrying weapons—one held a steel pipe, another had a kitchen cleaver tucked into his belt, and one person was even holding a frying pan.

The crowd was also larger. Before, to avoid the heat, each family would just send one person out to buy supplies for everyone. But today, many had come out with their entire families, moving in groups of three or five, terrified of being alone and targeted by someone with ill intent.

People muttered to themselves as they picked out their items.

"How are the crackers so expensive again? The price doubled from last week. We really can’t afford them anymore."

"Just buy rice and flour. Who has the spare cash or quota for crackers? Those are a luxury item now."

"So many things are out of stock. Are they really not going to be restocked?"

"The factories have all shut down, how can they restock? Ugh, it’s already October, and it’s even hotter than July or August. When will these days ever end!"

"Just wait a little longer. Things should get better in December when winter starts."

"..."