Mercy was one of those in the Beggars sect who was called a professional thief.She was in the service of a certain Beggar and was tasked with stealing from unsuspecting strangers.But her tactics were unlike others.She didn't outrightly steal but instead carried out an 'accident' while holding what looked like an expensive pot but was a clay pot painted quite well.Once the pot would get broken, she would claim the unsuspecting stranger a thief and demand a fee for ruining what she had bought.A simple way to get money off of people considering most would be flustered and in a bid to save face would immediately fork over the money.Naturally, seeing Richard for the first time, she saw him as a fish waiting to be caught however, unbeknownst to her, she had made quite the terrible mistake in her choice.***It reeked of a ploy and Richard wasn't about to be made fool of with one. He was hardly in the right frame of mind to tolerate nonsense from anyone, especially one who was trying
"What do you mean we can't pass?" Melinda asked in vague annoyance to the rather rude guard."Did I have water in my mouth?... Exactly what I said!... You can't pass." Richard furrowed his brows, unwilling to trade words with the annoying figure but knowing he had to."Is it because we have a brown coin?" Richard inquired. "Hmmph, so you have some common sense after all. No brown coin is allowed to go past this gate. If you want to pass, purchase a silver coin, and if you want to access the auction, purchase a gold coin.""How much are they?""Hmmph, I doubt he'd be able to afford it darling, why don't you come with me?"Richard and Melinda shifted their gazes only to find an unknown man, dressed in rather extravagant attire, approaching with a smug grin on his face.Accompanied by two women already, Richard didn't know why but he had a feeling that what was about to happen would be quite annoying to handle.***Lucien was a member of one of the hidden families within Intercity.He
The auction in the Beggars sect was unlike the previous ones Richard had been to.Those were held in extravagant halls with a lot of lighting and servants.Here, it was every man for himself.They actively pushed for violence among their guards.It was a dog-eat-dog event for lack of a better word.It wasn't unheard of for people to not bet on anything but still leave the auction with a lot of artifacts.It was in such a place that Richard walked in with Melinda.Even the guards at the door couldn't help but sneer."A lot of people always bring guards and men to ensure they aren't attacked yet this fool only brought a pretty girl. Foolish.""I doubt he would be able to survive the night.""Let's place a bet. He would return home but with nothing in his pocket.""Then I bet that he would die here tonight."As the men roared with laughter, Melinda grew tense, after all, their words held some truth.Now she regretted coming along with Richard.She might end up being a burden for him just
Richard grabbed Melinda's hand after the grenade had gone off, running down the passageway as the walls caved in due to the explosion.Throughout the run, even more bullets were fired with the thugs chasing after them.Not bothering to stop for a moment, they soon escaped the building and charged toward the entrance where no one bothered to interfere in the scuffle.It was a normal scene to them so they didn't deem it necessary to provide aid.Of course, Richard didn't bother to involve innocents in his problems and so kept running as his life depended on it.Once he got to the first gate, he did something daring, going as far as to jam the gates, keeping the thugs from gaining on him too quickly.By the time they found a way around, he'd already left the Beggars sect.Unfortunately, another problem was waiting for Richard outside.The car he'd parked was gone!Gritting his teeth, he swore to come back for reimbursement before taking Melinda to run through the woods until they arrived
Ignoring Mirabel's aggression, Richard glanced at the men standing behind her, wielding guns."Whatever she's paying you, I'll make it double. I want you to release Ms. Anna immediately." Richard remarked taking Mirabel and in extension, the thugs by surprise.Mirabel gritted her teeth. "What the hell are you trying to do?""I'll pay you each 100 million dollars to let her go and take down Mirabel," Richard remarked, ensuring he met the gaze of each man before adding subtly. "Do we have a deal?"Unbeknownst to Mirabel, Richard had utilized not only [Adam], [Golden Iron Body], and even [Healing Touch], but he'd also utilized [Silver Tongue] which was a rarely used skill of his.As long as he said the right things, people would be willing to listen to him.Thankfully, the Echo Martial Technique allowed his illusionary clone to be able to say what he wanted it to say.Unfortunately, it couldn't perform anything else apart from talking which Richard hoped wouldn't be a problem in the long
"Drop the gun, Mirabel. No need to make this worse than it already is!" Richard bellowed upon seeing Mirabel point her gun at Anna.Anna tensed up instantly, trembling as she feared for her life.Mirabel gritted her teeth. "You could have just done what I asked and no one would get hurt but you decided to flaunt my orders and now look, we are here, with everyone waiting to die.""You are a madwoman," Richard replied.Mirabel laughed out. "Maybe I am. But I won't let you humiliate me and get away with it. No way!""So what?...you want me to give you all I've worked for?" "And I won't have to put a bullet in Anna's head," Mirabel replied."Then what?... You run away?""Already have a getaway vehicle." Richard shook his head. "Even now, the Martinez family continues to disgrace themselves. You lot disgust me.""Shut up!... You don't know anything about the world!... Only those with money and power rules!... Everyone else has to follow behind them.""So you ruin good people?" "Damn it,
The news houses that were supposed to air the news Diego had paid them to air to humiliate Richard ended up airing something different.[Breaking news: Diego Martinez, head of Martinez Group, has been arrested today on multiple grounds of kidnapping, murder, bribery and so much more. His daughter has been similarly charged alongside four billionaires who, though their identity has been hidden, were all part of a crime syndicate known as Black Hand. Now we head to the station for some answers]"Commissioner, Commissioner!" The reporters called out as they tried to get James' attention.James, accompanied by special ops, decided to pause to answer a few questions. "Commissioner, can you please shed more light on the arrests made this morning?""This city is infested with several criminals and today, we have managed to bring down but a few of the miscreants.""Sir, we have information saying that the police had help solving the case.""Indeed." James nodded. "Mr. Richard Smith is a mode
"Good. How goes the acquisition of the properties left behind by the Black Hand?" Richard inquired as he leaned into his chair.Maria replied. "We tried to acquire them quickly but the government was faster in confiscating everything and now, they are planning on holding an auction to sell them all to the highest bidder.""Hmm." Richard pursed his lips, pondering something for a moment before nodding. "Alright then, ensure that I am informed when the auction is to take place. I have a promise I must fulfill no matter what.""Understood sir," Maria muttered, her expression betraying that she had something she wanted to say.Richard noted this as he inquired. "Is everything okay, Maria?... I noticed even when I was giving Mia her punishment, you didn't seem okay.""That…" Maria hesitated to speak, her eyes darting about for a moment before she inquired. "Sir… I can trust you, right?" "Hmm?" "Please sir, I need you to answer me.""... Of course, you can.""I'm going to tell you now, ev