"Who are you?" Richard inquired calmly.[You may call me Rat. I am the leader of the group currently gunning to make you pay for ruining our plans]"You will not get away with this."[Oh, but I will. Now then, enough about me. Let's talk about you, Mr. Smith, after all, you are the reason all this is happening]"What do you want?"[100 billion dollars as well as the death of General Watson. If you can't provide these two things by tomorrow morning, I won't hesitate to blow up the entire Glass House, killing everyone within and around it, do you understand?]"You want me to fund your terror acts?"[Say what you will but you have limited time, Mr. Smith. You'd best make quick use of it]With that, the call ended and Richard was left to his thoughts."Richard, is everything alright?" Edith worriedly asked, noticing the expression Richard held.Richard remained silent for a moment before replying. "Yeah… everything is just fine."Edith didn't know why but it seemed more like Richard was e
Up above the Glass House, a reporter helicopter hovered just out of sight as those within reported the situation in the area[Breaking news; The Glass House is under attack by terrorists with several dignitaries put in harm's way. Though no demands have been made, the terrorists have unleashed firearms on the people trapped in the building, giving them little opportunity to escape. So far, law enforcement has done little to repel the invaders though they have succeeded in disarming bombs that the terrorists had planned to use to threaten those in the Glass House. With little idea of how things are going to proceed, we can only hope that Intercity survives this disaster]Meanwhile, on the ground, the dignitaries and men of substance who were forced to stay in the Glass House began to complain."How long do we have to wait here?... What if those terrorists get tired of waiting and attack us?... Some are still even in the building right now!""What is the government doing with all our ta
Micky was left completely flustered.It was one bad news after another ever since the operation began.He hadn't thought much of it when he was sent to Intercity to ensure General Watson's death.He'd felt insulted. How could they send a great man like him to such a city?Regardless, he left and when he arrived in Intercity, he was met with the news that General Watson was still alive and Sage had been captured.Naturally, Micky didn't hesitate to bring out the bug guns to end the bastard that ruined their plans, after all, Intercity wasn't like those big cities with powerhouses in them.It was filled with fools who had no idea that they were frogs in a well.However, he quickly realized that not all of them were fools.No, Richard Smith was no fool.He gave him the greatest sense of danger apart from the General and now, he was coming for him.Micky contemplated running away but his pride prevented him from taking that step.Who was he?He was one of the ten terrorist leaders of the
[Whoa!... Did you see that?... What's going on?... Richard Smith is just standing in place yet the terrorist leader has fallen to the ground twice despite him being the one to attack. Is this Richard's doing or it's something else entirely?]The reporters in the helicopter flying over the scene were unable to understand what was happening with viewers were also left astounded."What the hell is happening?""I didn't see Richard Smith move so why is the terrorist leader falling like a fool?""There has to be something going on that we don't know."As viewers tried to figure out what was happening, Micky got back to his feet, his breathing uneven as he finally realized that he was falling because he was clumsy.Richard was just hitting him too fast for him to catch.How was that possible?... Isn't he a mere Alchemist?Micky was unable to get a good grasp of what was happening as he staggered back, now wary of Richard.Richard grinned as he remarked. "Oh?... Did something happen?... You
[Ah, Mr. Smith. Nice to hear from you. It's been a while] a calm voice intoned from the other end.Richard immediately recognized the voice to be the same one that had invited him to a gathering of the Golden Circle.He'd completely forgotten about the gathering due to everything that had happened but considering the man was calling him now, it either meant that the gathering was canceled or he was about to be informed about where it would be held.Remaining casual about it, Richard remarked. "Oh, it's you. Didn't think you'd call me back."[Oh, Mr. Smith, don't talk like that. I assure you the late call was our way of allowing you some rest, considering your heroics in saving this city]"I see," Richard muttered nonchalantly leaving the man no choice but to continue.[Regardless, I would like to congratulate you on your exploits. You truly are a man deserving enough to join the Golden Circle]"Are your members capable of stopping terrorists?"[Indeed we are though we hardly bother wi
Hannah was the sole daughter of one of the hidden families in Intercity.Engaged in various aspects of her family's business, she managed to carve out a name for herself amongst her fellow youths within the Golden Circle.She was known as a cruel witch who she thought was useful before disposing of them like they were trash.A horrible woman who used her brain and beauty to entice the most powerful men before turning them into brainless pawns.It was a game she'd played since she was old enough to understand the world and ever since then, several ended up suffering great losses at her hands.As a woman who was always on the lookout for the next man to pull apart, Richard seemed like the right target considering all that was known about him.A young man who somehow managed to become one of the richest men in Intercity within a couple of weeks.It was either he was incredibly lucky or he had the skills to back it up.Hannah had already dug into Richard's past, finding out about the fact
“How dare that bastard!” Vince Rider, father of Flynn Rider bellowed as he rose to his feet.He was currently on the top floor of the building being used for the gathering alongside a few other high-ranking members of the Golden Circle.Each one of them was part of hidden families that didn't bother themselves with the affairs in Intercity, instead seeking to dominate the business world in the wider world.Amongst them was Melinda's grandfather, Vincent, who was rather pleased with how Richard had handled the situation.Everyone present knew how deadly Hannah was and so she was sent to be the first test for Richard to pass.Who knew he would get past it so swiftly?... As expected of a man his granddaughter was in love with.Vincent felt quite proud that such a man was connected to him.“Quite barbaric, if you ask me. Such a man hardly has what it takes to create a family and even lesser what it takes to join our ranks. I suggest we teach him a lesson so he doesn't take the Circle ligh
Lyra didn't want to say anything at first to Richard about her personal life but with what just happened, she found herself unable to hold it in any longer so she told him.“My mother is dead.”“... I'm sorry for your loss,” Richard remarked, having not expected such sad news.Lyra managed a sad smile as she replied. “It's fine. Even though she'd suffered for most of her life, I'm glad she died happy.”“That's good.”“But her death brought with it certain changes, one of which I'm still struggling with right now.”“Tell me.”“I guess you don't know this but… I'm a sickle cell patient. I'm prone to illness and it's difficult to get things done as my body easily breaks down. This is why I haven't been able to assimilate the family's legacy of martial arts.“From a young age, I was already touted as a disgrace since I wouldn't be able to live long enough to take over the family business. My dad, disappointed as he was, did what all men would and abandoned my mother to marry another woman
Snorting derisively, Richard glanced at Queen Mother who was staring hatefully at him. “Due to your antiquated beliefs, you have allowed nonsense to remain, ensuring that progress is not made. Do you think that if this man rules, he would do a better job than his father?... I mean, at least the Emperor is sufficiently strong, but this fool?... Ah, well, what can I say?”Seeing as how everyone was silent, Richard continued. “My mother should have sat on that throne, she was the natural choice, but you all decided that because of her gender, she would not rule. Foolish. Too foolish. Now she lays dead, having tried her whole life to ensure that her family was safe and secure, a feeling she would have extended to everyone here had she remained.”The silence indeed deafening as no one knew what to say.The fact that Tabitha was dead was also quite shocking.“Regardless… I am here now and I plan to make changes. The first change I shall make as Crown Prince…”“You are not Crown Prince and w
Richard sat in his bedroom, already prepared for the bout that would bring everything to a natural conclusion.His expression is impassive, he sat before a mirror and wondered what he would do after he had won.It was a question he needed to answer before he could take the right to the Crown in good faith.He was no leader, so was he willing to become one all because he wished to avenge his mother?Letting out a sigh, he thought to call his beloveds only for someone to knock at his door.“Come in.” He calmly responded.Moments later, Gina entered alongside her father, Elder Wu, both of whom had their heads down as they found themselves unable to meet Richard's gaze.Seconds passed before Richard inquired. “Why are you here?”“... I… no, we are sorry, your highness. We were scared and…”“And so you decided as long as you survived, an innocent man paying the price would not be too bad.”“That…”“Sums it up nicely. If only you had stood your ground, I would have made sure you both got th
“Ahem, Princess Liliana.” An elder who could hardly control his curiosity any longer called out, drawing the attention of the first Princess. “Yes, elder?”“... Can you see me?” He inquired as it was common knowledge that the first princess had gone blind at some point as a result of her condition.Silence followed for a moment before the princess replied. “Of course, I can see you, older.”A flurry of gasps escaped the lips of everyone present as one exclaimed.“It's a miracle!”Soon enough, many more began to comment causing the hall to turn rowdy.“The princess is cured of her condition?... How is this possible?”“It makes no sense, the Princess couldn't have been healed just like that.”Just then, the Emperor erupted. “Silence!”Immediately, the hall went pin-drop quiet as everyone shifted their attention to the Emperor who had his eyes on Lily.“Are you truly cured, Liliana?” He inquired softly.Lily pursed her lips. “Yes… I am.”“But how?... Even your aunt Tabitha who was a pow
Eve could never have fathomed that Richard had anticipated her sabotage and carried out measures to make up for it.In her long life, she had never met someone who was able to match her cunning which was why even though Richard proved himself smart, she still considered herself superior.She had superior intellect, superior resources, and superior manpower and most importantly, Richard was on her home turf.There was no way he could pull a fast one on her yet here he was, doing exactly that.Her mind turned fast, trying to figure out how exactly she missed these drones but despite her efforts, she found herself pulling up repeated blanks with no end in sight.She'd made sure she destroyed all the drones after Richard had unceremoniously revealed that he had a network of drones currently spying on every portion of the capital.Of course, he hadn't said it outrightly but she had deduced it judging from what she had learned about his life so far.Which was why she had gotten her most tru
“It's not even been a week since he arrived yet he does something like this, so despicable.”“If he couldn't control himself, couldn't he have gotten a courtesan?... So cheap, utterly disgusting.”“I can't believe such a person is the Legacy. If he truly is the Legacy, he needs to have the Black Book stripped from him before he turns into a monster.”A lot of murmurs flew around amongst those Richard saw on his way to his destination, with many giving scathing remarks as they hurried past him.Whatever the first prince and Queen Mother were planning, its initial effect seemed to be quite good.They'd played an incredibly good card.Soon, he arrived at the courthouse where several elders both from the Right Hand and the Left Hands were gathered.Several looked upon Richard with scorn and absolute disgust with some even voicing their discontent.“I knew we should have never allowed him into the city. He looks like the textbook definition of a hooligan.”“To dare do such a thing and to E
Lily hadn't ever thought she'd be able to live a normal life again.From birth, she'd already been tagged as a child with little prospects and so was left to suffer alone for years.Few of her step-siblings ever showed any form of care, instead treating her as an opponent out of the race.That was the unfortunate thing.Every single member of the Royal family saw themselves as opponents to be defeated and not as a family.It was a situation born out of a desire to rule over millions.Very few were like Maverick, who didn't bother with anything and instead just tried to enjoy as much of their lives as they could.But here comes someone who has no connections to her, doing what no one else had ever deemed necessary to do.No, perhaps, she indeed had a connection to him.Hadn't he said it himself?... This was his attempt at finishing what his mother had started.Tears clouded Lily's eyes as she muttered softly. “Thank you.”Richard managed a smile as he reached out and cleaned a tear tha
The lady, having finished her heartfelt melody, took a deep breath before proceeding to empty her lungs, a look of satisfaction etched on her face.However, she soon paused with her expression shifting as she seemed to sense something, then she asked.“Who's there?” Her voice sounded hoarse, almost like it wasn't used as much as it was supposed to.Richard pondered on how best to respond before deciding to be straightforward.“My name is Richard Smith, I was attracted over by your zither playing. I must confess, it was incredible listening to you play, you are a genius.”The lady seemed to relax only for her expression to shift to curiosity as she inquired. “Smith?... You mean the man who claims to be the Legacy?”“I have been called that.”“I see, it would explain why I didn't detect you immediately. You carry a presence that despite being so immense, can be easily ignored… almost like a ghost.”Richard was unsure of how to respond and so, remarked. “Do you play this every night?”“
In a certain way, Richard had come to rely on the camouflaged drones as the best way to ensure he was never blindsided.If evidence couldn't be gotten from other sources, why not make your own?That was his understanding and so he didn't hesitate to apply it with necessary, hence the reason why he had already unleashed a good number of drones into the capital the night before.Ensuring they covered every corner of the city, nothing was happening in the capital Richard wasn't aware of.How he knew that Elder Wu wasn't doing as he had instructed and was instead meeting with his fellow Rights to discuss what he considered to be a potential disruption of the Order of the city.It seems he feared that Richard would cause chaos in his desire to get revenge.It was understandable why he would think that way but Richard was no madman and he had no desire to implicate innocents in his quest for justice for his mother.Regardless, that wasn't the point right now as he watched Prince Harry's exp
When was the last time he'd been so casually insulted that it felt like a compliment?Harry couldn't remember, perhaps because it had never happened.Those that had dared to look down on him had paid the price without question yet the man before him made him feel like that wouldn't be the case no matter what he did.Harry turned livid as he hated the fact that someone else, a nobody for that matter, would lead him to feel so wary.“How about we put that claim to the test then?” Harry inquired, unwilling to back down just like that.Richard raised a brow. “Wasn't this meant to be a party?”“Plans changed, let us compete. I believe it's a better way to decide if your words are true or you just have a big mouth, don't you agree?”“I see.”“Or perhaps, are you scared?” Harry asked in slight provocation.Richard shrugged. “Alright then, if you really wish to humiliate yourself, then sure, let's fight.”Harry snorted. “Good. We shall exchange three blows. Whoever can remain standing without