Chapter 134 – Restructurisation
<span style="font-weight:400">I turn to the woman who guided me here and gently graze her cheek as she stares at me in slight surprise. Moving a lock of her hair behind her ear, I lean closer to it while my fingers travel down her neck and caress it gently.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Make sure that whoever can leave this part of the building does so until I’m out. I don’t want to hurt you or any of your friends by ident if anything happens. And thank Gloria for me again,” I whisper softly.
<span style="font-weight:400">Her eyes widen briefly but she makes a faint nod so I withdraw my face from hers.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Susan,” she whispers back, looking at me with a tiny flush.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hm?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“My name. Be careful.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I nod with a warm smile and wrap my arm around her waist, turning Susan around. I escort her a few steps back towards the outside of the room, sneakily sliding my fingers into her short skirt. She sighs gently when I tenderly brush against her slightly leaking slit and shoots me onest nce over her shoulder as I back away. I close the door with a small wink.
<span style="font-weight:400">My enhanced hearing easily picks up her hurried steps so she thankfully sees to my advice without dying it. As I thought, she does care about her coworkers greatly. It was easy to deduct from how anxious she was when Gloria brought me in.
<span style="font-weight:400">But, unfortunately, I can’t let my mind wander around kind and pretty girls right now. There are some quite undesirable matters to resolve first.
<span style="font-weight:400">Feeling the gazes on my back, I turn around to see all five men looking at me. Fixing my cor, I start slowly walking forward.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No wee? I thought this was supposed to be one of the high-ss establishments but it feels like I’ve walked into some third-rate pub.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You are lucky to still be alive after crossing the doorstep, bastard,” Duke growls in response.
<span style="font-weight:400">I raise a brow at them, stopping. “Oh? I was pretty sure I came here with an invitation to join, not to lose my life. Did I perhaps mistake the buildings? I’m not interested in your suicide circle.”
<span style="font-weight:400">He opens his mouth to bark something back but one of the other men raises a hand, which instantly silences him. I move my eyes to its owner and theynd on an older guy with greying hairbed back into a samurai bun and a short, spiky beard growing down from his chin. If this was a movie set, he could easily y a kung fu master with that face. The onlycking part is his clothing. The expensive fabrics don’t really match him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Our guest is right. We’ve issued this invitation and it’s our obligation as hosts to wee the visitor,” he says slowly and then stands up. “Wee to the Travelling Tit, Mr Carter. I hope you can set aside any personal conflicts for today and join us by the table.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Figured out he is the boss here. As Gloria said, there are two older men here and he certainly exudes a more <i><span style="font-weight:400">dignified</i><span style="font-weight:400"> aura, even though it isn’t the best word to describe someone like him. The other, heavily balding dude doesn’t seem to be willing to stand at the front that much.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Since the president himself has asked me to, I’ll respectfully oblige. Thank you, Mr Vonhof,” I reply and make a courteous nod, resuming my walk.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oho. It looks like I’ve been easily recognized. You’vee prepared, Mr Carter.” He chuckles softly while pinching his beard.
<span style="font-weight:400">I nonchntly wave my hand. “It’s not an achievement to figure out that the head of the association would be the first one to greet me, nor is it to know the names of its members. I’m afraid that I’m not able to correctly ce them amongst everyone here.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Observing them, I arrive at the little lounge and take the spot the furthest from any of the dudes, dropping myself onto the curved sofa. I cross my legs and throw my arms behind me to let them hang over the backrest. It just so happens that I sit across from the president, with Duke located to my right.
<span style="font-weight:400">Krizdian ps his hands and a different door opens. A servant rushes in with a silver tray and ces one more ss on the shelf in front of me, quickly picking up a nearby wine bottle and filling it up. He then bows and escapes the room without a word.
<span style="font-weight:400">I raise my gaze from the wooden panel running around the entire stage at a convenient height to serve as the table and realise that the girls going at it on top of the tform have switched their positions.
<span style="font-weight:400">A woman with light chocte skin leans forward on all fours with her ass right in my face while another one with moremon, light skin lies under her on her back in a sixty-nine. Shezily licks her friend''s rosy flower from below while alluringly spreading the woman’s petals aside to disy more of the delicate, pink flesh to me. She shoots me seductive nces as they both moan quietly. The third girl seems to be rubbing herself on the side in the meantime.
<span style="font-weight:400">It’s painfully obvious what they are trying to do here. This is nothing else than a nned distraction to keep my thoughts in shambles while we talk about various matters. What man could ignore two or three beauties exposing themselves to him in such an inviting manner?
<span style="font-weight:400">Well, this one, I guess.
<span style="font-weight:400">They are beautiful and sexy, but thankfully, they are nothing but background images and noises to me. I’m sorrydies, but I’ll have to disappoint your masters today. No amount of pussy will save those pussies from their fate.
<span style="font-weight:400">~<i><span style="font-weight:400">Don’t intervene unless I tell you to, alright?~</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">I nce up towards a specific corner of the ceiling and feel a hesitant confirmation reach my mind through our bond.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">~They aren’t even worth considering a threat so don’t worry. I want to handle this myself, at least as far as it’s possible. Thank you for watching over me,~</i><span style="font-weight:400"> I add to reassure Hecate a little and return my gaze to the y unfolding in front of my eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">The president picks up his ss and everyone follows.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Let’s make a toast to wee Mr Carter and move to the proper introductions.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Really? Can’t they be more obvious? We haven’t even started talking and you want me to drink this clearly spiced-up wine? The balls on this guy. I guess they think I’m an idiot or something.
<span style="font-weight:400">Fine by me. That only ys out in my favour. It’s certainly not a poison but I wonder what they used…
<span style="font-weight:400">Picking my own ss with my right hand, I inconspicuously weave the fingers of my left to navigate the menus by my thigh. Since no one can see them, it goes smoothly. In a sh, I borrow Ailish’s Eyes of the Lust Demon passive. I don’t really need offensive skills to defend myself today and I’m confident that my quite lustful body won’t even notice me taking whatever is in the wine.
<span style="font-weight:400">I feel slight warmth in my eye sockets while activating the ability and instantly spot weird, swirling traces in the scarlet liquid. Pinkish lines float around in the wine and even emanate some weak fumes into the air.
<span style="font-weight:400">It seems that Ailish’s experience carries within the skill as I recognize the substance in a sh. As expected, it’s a quite strong aphrodisiac with slightly mind-numbing effects, basically a drug meaning to let them have an easier way of talking me into whatever they want while I stare at thescivious disy in front of my face.
<span style="font-weight:400">A quick nce confirms that no one else has such a thing in their sses. Since I don’t feel any danger from the substance, I take a few sips with everyone. In the corner of my eye, I spot a smirk on Duke’s lips as he ces his own ss down.
<span style="font-weight:400">Perhaps I shouldn’t be so fast to jump to conclusions. The president might not be aware of everything either.
<span style="font-weight:400">The wine itself is very tasty and I swear that I can easily distinguish the sweet aroma of the drug. I don’t think it’s thanks to Ailish’s sight so it has to be just my body taking it in quite well. There are no weird sensations or anything. It feels like I could drink entire barrels of it and just enjoy the taste.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So, I’m certain that you already know me, Mr Carter, but let’s start from the beginning,” the president begins and I nce at himzily. “I’m Krizdian Vonhof, the association’s president and the owner of this ce. To my left is my right hand and vice-president, Albertus Nogh.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I exchange a simple nod with the balding guy and move my eyes to the first man from the younger side of the association.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then, we have Quinfey Longhorn, the third in seat.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I do the same with the slightly chubby man. He wears blue robes and small, round sses. It’s pretty obvious just from his face and general appearance that he likes to indulge himself in various pleasures of life, not just women as Gloria mentioned.
<span style="font-weight:400">“After him, we have Todd Fush.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The skinny guy in a greenish tuxedo waves his hand at me with a friendly smile. He looks nothing special and that clearly stands out. Simple, short, brown hair and eyes of the same colour. Some freckles decorate his happy face. There’s an aura of airheadedness around him with how gingerly he handles himself, acting somewhat anxious from a social perspective. Yet, from my experience with actual idiots, I can tell that he might not really be one like my ck-haired, voluptuous friend suggested.
<span style="font-weight:400">“And finally, I think you’ve already had the pleasure to meet our newest member—if you don’t join us, that is—Duke Gloomveil,” the president finishes at another fatty, in white-purple fancy robes this time.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, pleasure is the perfect expression to describe it,” I reply with a smirk.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You dare to mock me after what you have done?!” Duke shouts and ms his fist on the curved bar counter. “I’m still not fully healed after your barbaric treatment! You have no idea how grievous of an impact your actions had on my business!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I thought you ran a brothel, not worked in one.” I raise a brow at the man.
<span style="font-weight:400">Duke turns a shade redder and ms both fists on the table this time, toppling one of the wine bottles, which then rolls off the edge of the short counter and shatters on the wooden floor.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shame. It was one of the clear bottles. Such a waste.
<span style="font-weight:400">But, while everyone nces towards the source of the noise, I act as if I’m supporting the wooden panel in front of me and swap the ces of the drugged bottle with a clean one just next to it.
<span style="font-weight:400">Now, I wonder if the servants have a way to differentiate them. If not, this meeting might actually be fun.
<span style="font-weight:400">I nce at the fuming guy to see why no more insults followed and find him gritting his teeth while under the gaze of the president. It looks like Krizdian has stepped in before more of his precious beverages get unnecessarily wasted.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Gentlemen, please,” he says, looking between the two of us. “I know that there’s a fresh feud between you two but I hope we can resolve the issue without any bloodshed. Everyone makes mistakes. I’m sure we can make some amends and move on. If you are going to be joining us, Mr Carter, we can’t have any open conflicts amongst the members.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Fine.” I switch my legs over and lean back again. “What’s your offer?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Pardon?” Krizdian blinks at me a few times while furrowing his brows.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m asking what form ofpensation can you offer me,” I rify while raising my brows and tilting my head a little.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Preposterous!” Duke explodes and the skinny, wimpy guy barely holds him down so he doesn’tpletely wreck the stage. “Mepensating you?! Are you out of your damned mind?! You should be begging me to ept everything you own!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why?” I ask calmly.
<span style="font-weight:400">“W-What?” Duke pauses in confusion and shakes his head. “What do you mean why?! You tortur—”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why should I be the onepensating you when it was you who arrived in my establishment, read through the rules, signed your agreement to follow them, chose a girl to spend a moment with, and then intentionally ignored them to openly abuse her for your own satisfaction?” I interrupt the man while staring straight at him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“T-That’s not—”
<span style="font-weight:400">“The rules clearly state that all girls have the right to defend themselves whenever they feel threatened or in danger, without holding back. You have agreed to not hold them ountable for any acts taken in such a situation, even resulting in death. While you should have been dead on the spot, you were spared only thanks to her kind heart. It doesn’t look like you made good use of that mercy.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Although I’ve heard a few rumours simr to this, it doesn’t really match the report you made earlier, Duke,” Albertus speaks up for the first time since the start.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Obviously! They are just rumours that he is spreading throughout the city to save his skin and face!” the angry bastard replies, crossing his arms over his chest.
<span style="font-weight:400">I wave my hand and bring a piece of paper out of my storage ring. Everyone nces at the faint, violet sh apanying its appearance and I push it onto the table, sliding it towards the other fatty to my left. Quinfey picks it up and starts reading.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What’s that?” Duke asks.
<span style="font-weight:400">“The very document you have signed,” I answer calmly.
<span style="font-weight:400">After just a moment, Quinfey passes it to Albertus and the balding guy nces at it with the president. They then pass it to the supposed idiot, who makes a few weird faces while examining the parchment, and flicks it towards the angry guy.
<span style="font-weight:400">Duke starts tearing it into pieces immediately. “You dare to conspire against me?! This is clear evidence of forgery and framing! Don’t think that we can be fooled by it!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“And that’s why you are destroying that evidence?” I raise my brows at him again.
<span style="font-weight:400">“These rules are utter nonsense and bullshit anyway! There’s no way you can enforce something like that and even execute people in the capital! It’s either an empty threat or you think that you are above the King!” He promptly switches the topic.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see. And which one do you think it is?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Both!”
<span style="font-weight:400">I let out augh while shaking my head, spooking the others a little.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sorry, sorry. That was just so you to say something like that. Do you even have any speck of a brain? These two practically contradict each other.” I sigh heavily and summon another piece of paper, a slightly fancy scroll. “Here’s an explicit eptance and permission to enforce the rules signed by the captain of the knights and the King himself. Do I have to remind you about the punishment for ripping apart the royal edict?”
<span style="font-weight:400">I throw the scroll to my left again and the four men cuddle up close to check it out together. They murmur something about the seal being clearly real and the royal sigil certainly being authentic. My ears easily pick everything up.
<span style="font-weight:400">The furious Duke steals it from their hands, gives it a single nce, and prepares himself to tear it into shreds. But, he stops himself in time and his eyes lock on the royal sigil next to the King’s signature, most likely. He hesitates for a moment, considering the risk, and rolls the scroll back.
<span style="font-weight:400">I flick my wrist towards him, snapping my fingers, and he hisses in pain. The edict floats through the air back to my hand and I store it inside the ring again while everyone stares at me in utter confusion.
<span style="font-weight:400">Not my problem if they can’t even see the invisible threads which carried it. Scrubs.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So, are we going to calm down and discuss this or should I act ording to the rules that you have broken thest time you came to visit?” I give Duke a curious nce.
<span style="font-weight:400">He grits his teeth and sits down at his previous spot, sending me deadly res. The president ps his hands again and a few servants rush inside, hastily cleaning up the mess and refilling everyone’s sses. I watch as one of the butlers pours a full one for Duke straight from the drugged bottle. The pinkish traces flow into the ss he holds for the servant and I barely hold back my grin.
<span style="font-weight:400">Sadly, they take all the bottles away after Krizdian whispers something to one of them, most likely the head honcho of the group, and the butlers scurry away. I guess the president doesn’t want to risk Duke getting even more riled up through the alcohol.
<span style="font-weight:400">He’s in for a rude awakening, if so.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright. Now that things have slightly calmed down, let’s share another one and discuss this matter in a more civil manner,” the kung fu guy suggests.
<span style="font-weight:400">I grab my ss first and the overweight idiot follows instantly, showing a half-smirk on his face. Everyone else joins in and we empty our sses together. This wine is quite fine but I already miss the sweet taste of the aphrodisiac. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to switch them.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So, let’s take a short break from this small conflict and talk a little more about you, Mr Carter. I’m sure we can reach a satisfactory consensus regarding it soon,” he continues.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure. What do you have in mind?” I join my hands together and ce them on myp with my legs still crossed over each other.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Since you have epted the invitation and came here, I assume that you are in fact interested in joining our ranks.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“President! You can’t really be still thinking about—”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Your turn is over for now. Let the president talk now,” Albertus jumps in to silence the unfilial member with a stern re.
<span style="font-weight:400">I ignore himpletely and bob my head to the sides a little. “You could say that, yes. Depends on what''s in it for me.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“A lot,” Quinfey answers instead so I look at the other fatso. “We exchange women, money, strategies, advertisements, and many other things. Knowledge of the market is of course part of it too, and there’s a lot of collective wisdom gathered amongst our ranks. There’s a reason why our businesses can flourish while no one else is able to prate the starting barrier.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yeah, because you nip any attempts right in the bud. There’s not much else to that.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t really need any of that, though. I’m well on my own, as you have seen. Plus, I have connections in quite high ces to assure that everything runs smoothly. My girls and services are quite special and peculiar. There is no point in really considering it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“There still could be ways to improve things,” the pushover Todd joins in. “You would have five more heads to think about it after you share your findings with us. As we all have learned here, an outsider’s perspective is often very beneficial.”
<span style="font-weight:400">That doesn’t really seem like a thing some random lucky idiot would say, to be honest. He might make it look like such but he is obviously luring me into sharing my secrets with them under the guise of help and advice. Quite cunning, even if too obvious.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Association this, association that. What even can <i><span style="font-weight:400">he</i><span style="font-weight:400"> do for us besides talking nonsense about his non-human whores?” Duke says, slurring a little.
<span style="font-weight:400">I give him a nce and notice that his expression is now slightly more flushed than before while his eyes are locked on the threedies fornicating alluringly on the stage. They must have realised that I tuned them outpletely and abandoned any ideas of distracting me, returning to pleasuring each other in general.
<span style="font-weight:400">Too bad. I was curious if she would have started fingering her chocte-skinned friend if I waited long enough but I guess it’s my fault for not paying attention.
<span style="font-weight:400">In any way, besides the red on his cheeks, Duke pitches quite a tent down there so the aphrodisiac must be doing its work properly. Perhaps we’ll wait a little more and he jumps at the pussies in front of him without being able to hold back. That would be a sight. Although, I would rather cut him down before heid his dirty hands on these girls.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I think I’ve already done plenty, though.” I shrug.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Plenty? What exactly do you mean?” The president turns to me.
<span style="font-weight:400">I move my gaze to Albertus. “How’s May doing?”
<span style="font-weight:400">The bald man’s brows rise while the others frown in confusion. “How… do you know that name?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“How else? It’s basic manners to introduce yourself when you are staying at someone’s home to receive proper treatment.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“There’s no way…”
<span style="font-weight:400">A weak violet sh surfaces again and I show my hand with a big, round white pill between each of my fingers. It feels a little weird disying them like that while knowing what exactly has been used for their creation. Perhaps the girls should have added some herbs or reagents to end up with a different colour other than white.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to check on all thedies kidnapped by Lord Jericho’s flippant son but they should be doing as well if not better than May and Gloria. Thetter certainly seemed very vigorous and eager a while ago.” I nce at Krizdian.
<span style="font-weight:400">His eyes narrow in an instant and I raise my other hand too.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Rx. I’m not him.” I gesture with my head at the quite distracted Duke. “She’s fine. Just resting after passing out from pleasure. I was surprised to learn that she could withstand four of my special hand techniques. The cure we have prepared really strengthened the girls.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then it is true,” Quinfey says, capturing my attention again. “I found it hard to believe but it seems that those women weren’t lying about being saved by you. I can vouch for their well-being and greatly raised libido myself. Dora and Jewel are practically inexhaustible now and wet twenty-four-on-seven.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I smile wryly at his testimony. I didn’t really need to know that he had personally checked, even though it was easy to figure out from what Gloria said about this guy. I bet he runs <i><span style="font-weight:400">checks</i><span style="font-weight:400"> on all of them.
<span style="font-weight:400">But, all Jericho’s girls were informed that they could expect more help from us than just getting cured and they still chose to return to their workces. As long as they are happy, it’s not really my business. Cornelia and Elea made sure to investigate if none of them was threatened or ckmailed into coercion and they found no evidence of such.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Did you do that while anticipating the invitation to gain a favour with us before the discussion?” Todd asks, reminding me again that he is sharper than he appears, even if he is wrong. “Every single member of the association is in your debt now. Each one of us not only reimed a lost girl or two but they even came back in a better state than before the incident.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No. It was just pure chance. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t know about this entire thing until I received the letter. Lord Jericho is one of my valued connections so I naturally helped him out, treating the girls alongside it. I wanted to see them healthy again, that’s all. But, it is true that you guys benefited from it too.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Everyone nods faintly while exchanging nces with each other. Except for Duke, who leans forward so much that his nose almost plunges into the pussy of the girl whose butt peeks over the edge of the stage floor. After she repositions herself due to finishing off another woman through oral, he blinks a few times and scrunches his face in mild anger. His muddled eyes lock onto me as he ms his fist into the table once more.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Enough! It’s clear that he’s been fucking with us for a long time! I do not approve of his candidature! He should be dealt with instead of epted!” he shouts in fury, standing up with a little wobble and an obvious stiffy.
<span style="font-weight:400">During his rant, I flick one of the pills his way and nail it right into his open mouth. The small marble rolls into his throat and he starts coughing while his hands shoot to his neck. As he is fighting for his life to push the <i><span style="font-weight:400">medicine</i><span style="font-weight:400"> down, a slightly stained spot begins spreading at the tip of his noticeable tent.
<span style="font-weight:400">Eww. Did he blow while choking on a tablet made from my cum? I guess survival instincts really are a thing.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You!” the throat-y enthusiast screams at me while pointing his finger my way. “You are going to pay for this disgrace a hundredfold! I will butcher you alive and then fuck all your bitches in front of your barely living body!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Eh. Dunno. It seemed to me like you enjoyed it quite a bit.” I shrug while raising a brow at him.
<span style="font-weight:400">I can literally hear the grinding of his teeth as he turns into a rage-filled tomato.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Fuck waiting! I’m going to end it all right now! Meeeeeeeeeeeeen!”
<span style="font-weight:400">All the doors except for the main entrance burst in and quite a lot of dudes in various armours and with different weapons barge inside. They quickly spread throughout the room, standing with their backs to the walls. They point their des towards the centre as the frightened women scream and hug each other on top of the short stage.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What is the meaning of this, Duke?” The president stands up and looks at the drugged guy with wide eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">Duke spits in his face but thankfully it doesn’t hit the man''s mouth. I can see traces of the aphrodisiac in his saliva.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ve had enough of being your fuckingpdog! From now on, I’m the association head and all your assets belong to me! Try anything funny and I’ll kill you right after I deal with that fucker! Actually, I might do it anyway. It’s easier to rece all of you rather than endure your shit.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Think it over one more time,” I say coldly, throwing my arms over the backrest again.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You shut the fuck up! I’m going to tear you apart in a moment!” he shouts back and an emerald-coloured rapier materialises in his hand.
<span style="font-weight:400">My brows rise as I examine the de and the handguard. “An enchanted weapon?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Finally starting to realise how fucked you are?” Dukeughs maniacally and waves his rapier a few times. “You like it? Want it? Don’t worry, I’ll give—”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Pass.” I wave my hand from side to side while looking away. “Sirgia would literally divorce me if I brought such third-rate trash back home and we aren’t even married yet.”
<span style="font-weight:400">He blinks in confusion for a good five seconds as silence envelops the room. Then, he turns even redder and lunges at me with his rapier gaining a slight, orange glow signalising an ability.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You dareeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”
<i><span style="font-weight:400">~Let me have some fun,~</i><span style="font-weight:400"> I send a Whisper to Hecate and raise my leg.
<span style="font-weight:400">The moment Duke arrives in front of me, I kick him square in that fat barrel of his and send him flying towards the opposite wall. He smashes into two thugs or whoever the fuck they are and they fall to the ground together while groaning.
<span style="font-weight:400">“G-Get him!” he stutters from under his men and the other guys brandish their weapons at me.
<span style="font-weight:400">“This is your one and only warning.” I stand up, put my hands in my pockets, and move my gaze all around the room while letting some of my killing intent out. “Throw your weapons down and get the fuck out or die a dog’s death.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I see a bunch of them tremble under my re but they share a look to reassure themselves and no one leaves. Sighing heavily, I bring out my draconic hilt.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright. It’s time to party.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The <i><span style="font-weight:400">mercenaries</i><span style="font-weight:400">—let’s just call them that from now on—throw themselves at me as one mass, to the apaniment of valiant shouts. I shape my trusty, old whip in a blink. Not even a strand of dark purple mist envelops my arm anymore. The artefact feels morefortable in my hand than ever. I bet it’s connected to my meeting with the remnant of Lilith’s soul.
<span style="font-weight:400">Raising my hand above my head, I spin my wrist in circles. The purple cord ils around my body, forming a cone of protection. All the des bounce off the vicious tongue and a bunch of thugs end up whipped from getting too close, receiving some minor wounds. It makes the others hesitate but that’s enough for me.
<span style="font-weight:400">I summon the Void Chains and tightly seal all the exits, noticing that one of the doors is open and that four members of the association are missing. They must have used me as a distraction to slip away, thankfully, taking the girls with them.
<span style="font-weight:400">Not a problem. I’ll chase them after getting some exercise here.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Surrender! You are surrounded!” one of the men shouts.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Surrounded?” I chuckle at him. “All I''m surrounded by is fear and dead men!”
<span style="font-weight:400">While I canunch spells and abilities anywhere I want, I should somewhat limit myself in doing so. I don’t want to hurt some poor girl doing her job past a wall or two. Thankfully, I don’t have Shino’s sword arts on me so I don’t have to worry about obliterating half of the capital.
<span style="font-weight:400">Perhaps also thanks to Lilith, or just me growing so much stronger, my understanding of the artefact grew exponentially. With a single thought, I activate apletely new ability from the Formless de Arts and send my whip forward.
<span style="font-weight:400">The scaly rope wiggles through the air like a living serpent and coils around the throats of about seven mercenaries. Then, I notice that the tip has actually turned into the head of a snake just when it sinks its fangs into the neck of thest guy it wraps itself around.
<span style="font-weight:400">I yank it back and all the heads fly into the air one by one as they end up decapitated by the sharp, living whip. Lots of blood sprays from the headless corpses as they fall to the ground. Some of the other dudes look in horror at theirrades.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I did warn you. Should have listened.” I rest the hilt on my shoulder and shrug with the other hand.
<span style="font-weight:400">Immediately, a few more opponents decide to throw themselves at me and I focus on the <i><span style="font-weight:400">battle</i><span style="font-weight:400"> again. I guess this is an excellent opportunity to test my control of the artefact a little.
<span style="font-weight:400">Spinning around, I flick my wrist forward and the tip of my whip strikes some poor dude straight into the nuts, shattering them to bits. He bends over with a high-pitched screech that sends shivers through the others and falls down.
<span style="font-weight:400">Grabbing the hilt with both hands, I spin it around and a purple mist reforms itself into an evil-looking scythe. Stepping to the side, I continue to spin it and cleave through three different men without an issue. I’m pretty sure the de grew even sharper than it was in the past.
<span style="font-weight:400">Avoiding a swing from each side, I jump backwards and cut off the hands of the recent attackers. They scream in agony so I hastily grant them mercy and stab through their hearts with the scythe, nailing both of them in one move.
<span style="font-weight:400">The rest has started keeping their distance so I spin the scythe and lower my posture. After the third rotation, it changes into a long and deadly ive. The closest enemies don’t even get a moment to scream as I cleave through them with a wide, all-around swing. Ten halves drop to the ground, sliced cleanly at the height of their belly buttons.
<span style="font-weight:400">There are still around fifteen thugs spread around but half of them are desperately trying to break through my chains blocking the exits. Unfortunately, they can’t even scratch the spiritual metal, wounding themselves in the process as the sharp spikes hurt them back.
<span style="font-weight:400">Parrying a handaxe to the side, I headbutt a guy so hard his neck literally snaps and he thuds to the ground like a log.
<span style="font-weight:400">“My bad. I forgot I’m fighting basic Humans.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Group up! We can only kill this monster by working together!” One of the remaining mercs tries to gather his peers.
<span style="font-weight:400">I chuckle to myself. “I guess I’ve finally be thest boss.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Firmly holding the pole with both hands, I pull them apart without a sweat. My ive splits into two, one crimson red and one dark sapphire, each of the same, initial size. The warriors in front of me pale greatly as I lower the weapons to the sides.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You are not prepared!” I shout at them with might.
<span style="font-weight:400">They look at each other in confusion and I shrug.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Just wanted to say it at least once. Now you can die.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I lunge forward faster than they can perceive it and mutte six bodies on my path. Screams erupt all around me as the others realise that they blinked and over one-third of their forces have disappeared. The valiant leader rushes at me while drawing a group of seven with him and I meet them head-on.
<span style="font-weight:400">He turns out to be nothing much and manages to block only one of my strikes before my other ive splits him in half with a vertical swing from below. I spin around like a ballerina imitating some cheap whirlwind technique from an aged MMO and turn half of his underlings into stered ham.
<span style="font-weight:400">The trio that somehow escapes such fate, tries to block my rotations by stabbing their polearms into one point together, but their weapons get shoved away with incredible force, effectively injuring each other rather than doing me any harm. Stopping the small tornado, I grant them quick death too.
<span style="font-weight:400">Five guys remain. I nce their way and raise my brows in confusion. They struggle with each other while pushing someone ahead, I guess to hide behind them while that person fights me. It looks kindaical as they argue, until one gets stabbed and thrown aside. The rest don''t even pay mind to what they have done and continue the squabble with one less member.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I considered sparing some of you but I’m now regretting even thinking about it. I’m sure the world will be a better ce without you in it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">They freeze and point their faces at me. I can clearly see their eyes go as wide as they can at the sight of me positioning both ives above my shoulders and drawing my arms to the back. Before they can react, I hurl the weapons forward like two merciless javelins.
<span style="font-weight:400">Each one nails two guys and plunges deep into the wooden wall. Nodding to myself at the perfectly calcted move, I walk up to them and pull my ives out, letting them merge back into one and then dematerialise.
<span style="font-weight:400">Then, as the four bodies fall to the ground, I notice the fat guy behind them, with two big gashes on his chest, and I suddenly remember the pig which started all of this. He must have hidden himself behind his men all this time, to the very end, most likely offering them money to stand in front of him. That could exin the weirdmotion.
<span style="font-weight:400">Oh well. Not like I expected anything from this utter waste. A random street whore would pose more threat than him and his toothpick.
<span style="font-weight:400">With the hilt still in my hand, I recall the chains and move through the door which has most likely been the escape of the association members. I follow the corridor while looking around. It doesn’t seem like they got into a fight. At least, nobody is bleeding. Therefore, I continue forward while listening out for any hints of movement or footsteps.
<span style="font-weight:400">After passing a bunch of doors, I notice some noise from a clearly muffled room. Holding onto my hilt firmly, I shoulder the door and open it partially, avoiding swinging them fully inside to let them serve as my cover in case of an ambush.
<span style="font-weight:400">Looking through the quite wide gap, I find two people on the bed in the middle of the room. Some young guy lies on his back while holding his knees to his chest and a pretty girl kneels behind him as they both stare at me with shock. From how her waist is somewhat connected to his bottom, I can pretty much guess what is happening. And, it doesn’t look like she’s using any props.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nice cock.” I give her a thumbs-up and slowly close the door.
<span style="font-weight:400">Well, whatever rows your boat, as they say. And she was quite sexy.
<span style="font-weight:400">Nevertheless, I continue on my path without being swayed by the obvious nature of this ce. Reaching an intersection, I put my hands on my hips and look both ways.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Now, this might be a problem.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sir Carter!”
<span style="font-weight:400">I look over my shoulder after someone calls my name and notice the topless madame jogging my way, with her delicious breasts bouncing out in the open. She reaches my side and takes a few deep breaths.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What are you doing here? I told you not to get close, didn’t I?” I ask.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Someone reported a bigmotion and many screams so I had to check it out just to be safe. Those men…” She winces a little but returns her eyes to mine. “I didn’t see your body anywhere so I assumed you either escaped or actually dealt with them. What is happening?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Looks like a hostile takeover to me. But, the initiator doesn’t seem to be with us anymore.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Duke Gloomveil? So he wasn’t assassinated?” She raises her brows at me.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nope. He got done alongside his own men. I’m now on my way to find the others. Do you maybe know where they could have run to hide?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Definitely our master’s office. It’s this wa—”
<span style="font-weight:400">I grab Susan’s waist and pull her towards myself as she lets out a surprised squeal. A thin de bursts out through the door next to us right where she has been standing a moment ago. I m my foot into it with full power and breach it with enough force to obliterate it into splinters.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shoving my free arm forward, I grab the disoriented thug by the throat and crush his windpipe with one squeeze, releasing a loud <i><span style="font-weight:400">crack</i><span style="font-weight:400"> into the air. His lifeless body slumps to the ground while Susan watches it with wide eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“T-Thank you…” she stutters out.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It seems that Duke had some guys lie in wait. We should quickly check on the others. Can you lead me to the office?” I ask her with a calm, soothing voice.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Of course.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Great. Don’t leave my side and stay close.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Susan nods and lets me wrap my arm around her waist with a tiny flush on her face. She then points to the left and we move out. No more surprises await us as she guides me through the short maze of hallways. We finally reach quite fancy double doors and I kick them open without an issue.
<span style="font-weight:400">A scream instantly escapes my femalepanion’s throat as the room bes open to us. Krizdian and Albertus hide behind a massive desk of bright wood while the other two stand in the middle of the chamber together.
<span style="font-weight:400">Todd pulls his hand away and Quinfey’s chubby body falls to the ground with no life in his eyes. He stands there with bloodied clothes and a dagger in hand, staring at us with a neutral expression.
<span style="font-weight:400">“How peculiar…” I mutter to myself with a smirk.