Lumian Lafayette hadn't expected Richard to react so calmly to the situation.When he'd learned of Richard's survival, he intended to use this incident to gauge Richard's reaction.Did he know about the masterminds behind the attack?... And if he did, how would he react to seeing them trying to bully him mercilessly?A single word spoken out of turn would have doomed Richard to a sure attack from all members of the upper echelon.Surprisingly, he didn't react aggressively and was even calm enough to twist the sword in their direction.One wrong move and everything would go to shit and that was something Lumian needed to avoid.Even with the money he collected, Richard not only managed to get compensation for the insults and destruction of property, he got it to look like he was being magnanimous.“A dangerous opponent indeed.” Lumian thought to himself as he managed a fake smile to avoid revealing too much of what he had in mind.Meanwhile, Richard hardly cared for what the old geezer
Many were in attendance as several began to make conversations with those they were interested in while keeping a wide berth from those they were not interested in. However, once Richard arrived, several states were sent his way as they began to ponder the depths of the young man.His heroics were enough to make many ponder if he was truly all that.Of course, not all dared to approach to test that as there was a hierarchy, and at this moment, only the upper echelons had the right to dictate his depths.Richard ignored their suggestive stares as he walked forward with Lucia beside him.She looked quite different from usual, having made herself up and worn a rather impressive gown that brought out her incredible shape.“You look wonderful tonight.” Richard complimented, earning a blush from Lucia as she found herself lost for words.“That…” Before she could articulate herself properly to offer a response, they experienced their first approach of the evening.“You must be Mr. Smith, I'
Richard sighed before shoving Sergio aside after which he began to move in a different direction with Lucia.“You coward!... Run as much as you like but know that you will always remain a coward!”Richard finally paused in his step, Lucia's gaze on him as she seemed inclined to do whatever he wanted.Sergio grinned from ear to ear knowing he'd done well in ensuring Richard's disgrace at the party with several already looking upon Richard as a coward, instead of the deadly man the Golden Band was proclaiming him to be.What Reaper?... He was just a pathetic fool parading as a great man.As Sergio prepared to say even more slandering things, Richard turned to face him and most reasonably, took off his suit jacket and handed it to Lucia who calmly took it.Then he took off his tie which Lucia took as well, then he unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them before finally adjusting his hairstyle.Sergio immediately realized what he wished to do and so, didn't hesitate to reach for the spirit
If Rubio's words had done anything, it wasn't the intended effect of getting Richard to fear for his life considering he was surrounded by enemies.On the other hand, all it had done was reveal to him that things were about to get out of hand.However, it also gave him ample time to prepare for what was to be an inevitable attack from either the Estebans or the Lafayette or both.Though neither had brought in more than was allowed by the Golden Band, Richard wasn't naive enough to believe that there was no way around the rules the Golden Band had put in place.He guessed that the only reason they hadn't broken it before was because there was no need to.However, he was a new face threatening to dismantle the hierarchy already set in place for several years.It was only natural that they would view him as a threat to deal with even as they were on Golden Band property.The fact that the Golden Band was losing its control of the Mafia families wasn't helping matters as well.Regardless,
“You are here,” Lumian muttered as he watched Marco close the distance to take a seat across from him.“Your plan failed.” Marco began harshly. “I had told you. Man that could do what Richard Smith had done wouldn't be so easy to defeat. You insisted on continuing with your little games. Now where has it led us?”“It would have worked.”“But it didn't. I'm not here to speak about what would have happened. I'm here to speak about what can happen.”“Destroying such a special specimen would be a monumental loss!”“But allowing it to grow under anyone but us would lead to losses as well. I am not willing to take that chance so though regretful, Richard Smith must die.”“Damn it.”“Why are you acting so caring now?... Hadn't you also placed a bounty on his head with the Hitmen?”“That was for capture, not killing. Richard Smith is a treasure that must be owned.”“I have heard enough of your nonsense. My men are in position. I expect to see you make a move when the time is right.”With tha
James was a trained Hitman who ranked amongst the most dangerous men who worked with the Hitman association.Even those from the Assassins Guild respected him for his methods that seemed to merge the brusqueness of the Hitmen with the silent but deadly approach of the Assassins, an almost perfect blend of both worlds.Naturally, he was also a Cultivator who had practiced several assassination techniques as well as techniques that boosted his capabilities in combat.This was why he considered Richard to be dead the moment he found his way into his quarters.It was a simple case of getting into the air vents which would have been too tight for a man like him but because of a technique of his that allowed him to move like a worm, adjusting his bones as he did so, he found it no problem at all.The truth was that he had arrived several minutes ago but was wary of Richard Smith's hidden strength, after all, he was a man called the Reaper.Such a man would surely have some tricks.So far, h
The next hitman to rush in was a woman.Confronted with the room covered in sleeping gas, she was quick to react, utilizing a nose mask to protect herself as she looked around the sitting room to find no one there.Then she turned her attention to the bedroom and rushed over, intending a sneak attack only for the door to swing open and the muzzle of a gun to aim at her head.BangLucia didn't hesitate to shoot, her eyes glowing with rage at what she felt was the most humiliating point of her life.She was faced with death and if not for Richard, she would have died.She could blame him for the current situation considering the enemy was after him but she didn't dare to even think like that.What she had in mind now was ensuring those who dared to block the path Richard wished to take would be met with hot lead from the gun she held.Just then, yet another grenade was tossed into the sitting room through the broken window but this time it wasn't a smoke bomb but was an actual grenade.
There were two reasons Richard did what he did, earning further ire from Marco Esteban and his allies.The first was to draw attention to himself alone, ensuring those that had been attacked because of him, would get some reprieve from the attack.The last thing he wished for was for others to pay the price for him.So for that reason, he got Marco to send all Hitmen his way.The second reason was much simpler.It was to instill fear in all those working with Marco Esteban and Lumian Lafayette.Once they realize that their target isn't some scared fool, they would surely become wary of him and that would be more than enough to ensure that with each victory, the Mafia heads would slowly begin to fear him.And so, knowing that the enemy would be rushing to get him, Richard turned to Lucia.“You should find someplace to hide until everything settles. You have weapons and since they'd be searching for me, you won't need to worry about getting attacked.”“What if I get captured and then us