Chapter 7: Sinister Plan?
With the plan of conquering the blonde beauty in mind, he slips out and goes towards the town.
The town is a mile away from the stronghold, with his strength,it took him a few minutes to cover such a distance.
Instead of heading to the bustling town center, Ace veered toward the northern outskirts, where the slums are located.
He looked for a hidden alley and bought a black robe and mask on the system.
Dressed in the dark concealment of the robe and mask, Ace made his way toward the Black Tiger Gang's base, a place etched vividly in the memories of the body's previous owner.
It was a notorious gambling hall and a moneylender's lair, where exorbitant interest rates preyed on the desperate. This knowledge came easily, for the former Ace had walked the gambler's path himself.
The gang's feared leader, Eustace, was no ordinary thug but a formidable Second Tier Knight.
The road was coated in thick, black mud that clung to boots, wooden houses roofs heavy with moss, lined up on each side.
Amidst the alleys, frantic shouts and crying voices seeking help could be heard.
Malnourished children, elderly and women with crying babies on their backs, begging for a morsel of food.
Ace wanted to help them. Yet, he realized that the remaining silver coins in his bed were left behind.He only has gold coins that can be exchanged on the system.
Yet, handing out gold coins to the beggars wasn't the solution. Such wealth could ignite disaster rather than relief.
Soon, Ace arrived outside an imposing three-story wooden house that served as the Black Tiger Gang's stronghold. Outside the door sat two men, their faces twisted into ferocious, cruel smiles.
One was tall and gaunt, his long hair tangled and matted, as if he hadn't bathed in years. The other was short and greasy, his large belly stretching the seams of his worn coat, his thick beard unkempt and wild.
The moment they caught sight of Ace, both rose to their feet.The rotund man squinted at him and sneered, "Are you here to play or to borrow money?"
Ace met his gaze steadily. "Tell Eustace I want to see him," Ace stated calmly.
"Bold? The boss isn't someone you can meet so easily," the big-bellied man bellowed. He grasped a thick iron rod beside him as the tall, thin man with disheveled hair drew a dagger from his waist, licked the blade, and cracked his neck with a sinister smile.
Seeing their expressions and their audacity, Ace moved before they could react, a blur of speed leaving only afterimages.
He struck the big-bellied man's jaw, the force of the blow knocking out several yellow teeth and sending him flying. Blood erupted from the man's nose and lips as he soared through the air.
Even as the big-bellied man fell, Ace was already moved. He appeared beside the tall man, seized the hand holding the dagger, and twisted. The dagger clattered to the ground as the tall man groaned, his face contorted in agony.
Before a curse could escape his lips, a thud echoed – his companion had already crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Then, a hand clamped around his throat. He looked up in terror as Ace lifted him into the air.
Gasping for breath, the tall man stammered, "My Lord, we didn't mean any disrespect! We're just blind fools. Please, have mercy!"
The commotion drew gamblers and Black Tiger gang members but sensing Ace's power, they held back.
One man stepped forward."My Lord, I beg you, show them mercy," Henry, the gambling den manager, said. A faint aura, indicative of a middle-stage, first-tier knight, emanated from him. "If they've caused you trouble, I assure you, they will be punished severely."
No need.They've already received their punishment.
In that case,may I inquire as to the purpose of your visit?
I wish to speak with Eustace.
Hearing this, the manager bowed. "Please, give us a moment to inform our leader," he said calmly, his eyes subtly signaling for someone to fetch Eustace.
Henry's composure was earned through years of experience. More than that, he sensed that this cloaked figure possessed a power far beyond Eustace's.
Despite the deliberately altered tone, the youth in the man's voice betrayed him – he was likely just entered adulthood.
If Henry could somehow earn this individual's favor, reaching the second tier of knighthood might become a reality.
Meanwhile, Ace watched Henry, noting the manager's controlled demeanor.
Meanwhile, inside the room on the third floor, Eustace, completely naked, was pounding a woman from behind.
All of a sudden ,the door pushed open, boss I have something to report to you, one of his lackeys said, kneeling on the floor.
Eustace, who was about to come, was interrupted , he was displeased and got angry.How dare you disturb me? he growled.
"Boss, someone is looking for you, he said he wanted to meet you."
Damn.. if someone wanted to meet me. Why don't you let him wait?
But boss, the man was about to explain.
However Eustace roared, that person what? How dare you disturb me? Someone dragged him out and fed him to the dog, Eustace ordered.
Soon two individuals came in and dragged the man out. The man was unwilling so he shouted, "that person is powerful, reaching a second tier knight."
Hearing this, Eustace stopped, gripping the women's ass hard.
Ahh.. she screamed from pain, but Eustace did not care.What did you say? He asked, pulling out his two inch cock, and stood up.
The two men dragging the man stopped, allowing him to explain.
"Boss, a mysterious man wearing a black cloak and mask appeared and wanted to meet you. The guards already tested him but one was unconscious and the other suffered a broken hand.
Furthermore that person is exuding the aura of a second tier knight," he explained.
Eustace contemplated for a moment, "released him and brought that person over," he ordered.
"Yes boss," the two men replied, following his order and quickly departed.
Soon, the two men bring Ace to the third floor.
Eustace was sitting on the wooden chair, drinking a mug of booze.
Ace scrutinised Eustace. A burly man with a thick beard and bronze skin.
Eustace also observed Ace, but when he felt his aura at the middle stage, second tier knight.
He smiled, stood up and asked, "my friend, please tell me? Why did you visit my decapitated abode?"
Although he was reckless, he was not stupid, sensing that the person is more powerful than him, he immediately changed his attitude.
"Please have a seat," he gestured at the other chair beside the table.
Ace sat down and went straight to the point.
"I want you to set an act and frame a man named Leighton, then he placed a low-grade healing potion on the table.
Eustace's eyes flickered with greed as they fixed on the potion.
"You mean the prodigy knight who ascended ranks within just four years of rigorous training?"
"Exactly," Ace confirmed. "All you need to do is frame him using this potion. Make sure he breaks it—if he can't pay for the damage, seize him. Then, hold him until he submits the payment for the potion, and release him afterward."
Eustace hesitated, his reluctance evident. "Isn't that a waste?" he protested. "Healing potions can cost anywhere between five and ten gold each. Even with my gambling den and the profits from lending, affording such losses won't be easy."
"It's up to you whether you replace the potion or not, as long as you carry out the job flawlessly."
He leaned forward and produced five gold coins and placed them on the table. "And make sure to break one of his legs as well."
Pausing for a moment, he added, "Once the job is done, I'll add another five gold coins. On top of that, any payment collected for the broken potion will be yours to keep."
Eustace and his men exchanged glances, their eyes widened with barely concealed greed. The prospect of earning at least twenty gold coins—or potentially far more, given the potion's market value—simply for framing one man was irresistibly lucrative. It was a straightforward task that promised handsome rewards.
Without hesitation, Eustace nodded his agreement. All that remained was to wait for Leighton's arrival in town and execute the plan to perfection.