(Trigger Warning) This chap and next chap have mentions of drug use and its effects.
...
___
Another week passed by and, while Alterra’s progress was steadily going upwards, while most of the others were dipping.
For example, Voumi Town, which was now experiencing the effects of a mass addiction, and many of its working men were losing themselves to the vice.
Somehow, ’discounted’ versions of the drug had flowed to the commoner and rich commoner houses, and they came in large amounts as well.
However, this discount was valid only for a limited time, and the next shots required quite a bit of money.
At this time, one of the streets was in chaos as two groups were fighting desperately to receive happy powder again. The single try made them so giddy and unable to forget it, so now they were doing what they could to get another taste.
Some people were either watching with amused smirks or with hearts filled with terror, afraid of being affected as weak bystanders.
For example, there was Rowan’s childhood friend Pasa, and his pregnant wife, Meer, who could only hide in the corner of their house. They could only embrace each other and hope that the fight wouldn’t get to their street.
"Why is this happening?" Meer asked, holding her husband with one arm and her bulging stomach with the other.
"Rowan said there was someone spreading the poison in different territories," he said. "This must be it."
Before Rowan left, he visited him while he was going home from work. The redhead had warned him that this was something meant to destroy lives, and he must not touch it.
He warned that it could seem like a good thing at first, and people would be happy, but it would only be for a moment. If anyone offered something that could change one’s perceptions, then he must reject it even if it were free.
He said that people above would likely spread it out to earn more money, and not to fall for it, no matter how much he was pressured.
Rowan said they’re trying to find ways to stop it, because it was a risk for their territory, too, but he didn’t mention anything else anymore.
It was good that he was warned because a week after that, a few coworkers got hooked on a mysterious powder, and they tried getting him into it. He escaped using his family as an excuse, though technically it wasn’t really an excuse.
Hopefully, Rowan’s words were true, and he and his territory would get rid of this soon. Those people at the top of his town really didn’t care for them at all!
...
A few streets away, the fights were still ongoing, and only escalating.
Crash!!
BANG!
Slam!!
Several men were punching each other, kicking each other, and strangling each other. Some were pulling another’s hair, and another biting someone else’s ears. Some were even using various weapons, and the street that should’ve been safe was washed with blood.
For the most part, these men only said one thing, or at least a variation of it.
"YOU BASTARD! GIVE ME BACK MY POWDER!!"
"That bag was sold to me, first!"
"IT’S MINE! MINE!"

"Sigh, when will it end?"

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