Contemplating between hanging up the call or not, Arthur decided to remain, just in case he would be able to extract anything useful.As if on cue, the system window once again popped up to notify him of his original mission so as to help Arthur understand that the call he was on was related to it.Glancing at the system window that read; [Destroy the culprit, “Loid” and his sponsor,] he sighed tiredly."My apologies sir," Arthur replied impassively, continuing, "so how can we be of help to you?""I don't need to speak to any lackeys, connect me to your boss." Arthur paused, assuming that the man had some valuable information, hence his insistence on speaking to the head of the mercenary group directly.It further confirmed what the system's sudden notification had already hinted at.Pushing forward curiously after clicking a button on the phone to record, Arthur replied, "Unless you would prefer to wait till my boss returns, I would advise you to leave your message with me now.""Wh
There was no one in the hall who didn't turn to the door which opened suddenly. The occupants also shared confused expressions at the suited masked man who walked in, their eyes widening at the entourage that followed.The man with the white mask with a red rose at the side looked around the hall, his gaze resting on the head of the auction hall before he resumed walking."Just who the hell do you think you are?!!" The man yelled, igniting a feeling of annoyance in the minds of a few of his peers.Ignoring his rant, the masked man signaled a staff member and handed her a flash drive, gesturing to the projector that stood on the stage.Growing frustrated at his nonchalance, the man yelled once more, "Security!! What the heck am I paying you all for?! Toss these men out of the building this instant!" A few of his colleagues shouted in support of his order.Sharing a nervous look with themselves, the security personnel moved towards the masked man and his men. Raising his gloved palm, t
Wellesley bit his lips in frustration, remaining silent. He averted his gaze for reasons unknown to the middle aged man.But he wasn't fazed as he continued right after, "First you practically defrauded our clients?? Do you know how much of a scandal that could cause if it was leaked to the press?! And yet you dare call yourself an owner?"Turning to Arthur , the man took on a more business like tone, approaching him cautiously while eyeing the armed suited men who surrounded him."As a client of ours, if I'm not mistaken, that must mean you are an enthusiast of the arts?""That isn't wrong." Arthur replied, his tone hinting at interest of the sorts.Clearing his throat, the middle aged man continued, "Then I'd like to offer you a few of our finest pieces alongside some of Mr Wellesley's shares."Wellesley attempted to protest, but the firm grip on his shoulder instantly replaced all his thoughts with pain. Without sparing the groaning Wellesley a glance, Arthur replied to the man,
After checking in on Arthur and helping to choose an outfit for the occasion, Luna saw him off, only returning after his car had left the compound. She returned to the office, her eyes widening at the wrapped box on the desk. Facepalming with a sigh at the fact that he had forgotten to place the gift in his car, Luna moved to the phone, dialing his private number to alert him as soon as possible.Tapping his steering wheel, Arthur glanced about, his eyes flitting back to the red light that hindered him and several cars from moving.His car's speaker alerted Arthur of a call and he tapped the screen to pick the call, returning his gaze to the road."I'm really sorry about that Arthur, I forgot to place the gift in the car."Glancing at the back seat, he replied casually, "No wonder I felt something was missing. It's no problem, you don't need to apologize, I'll get something along the way.""But sometimes I wonder why even you can be so careless at times." Luna stated, her familial a
But even then, the act at some occasions seemed to annoy Arthur, so he wasted no time putting them down should they stand in his path.The war god showed no mercy to anyone deemed an enemy and that was a fact that was not going to change.The man spun and pulled out the gun, shocked that Arthur was already before him, his left gloved hand firmly holding his attackers right, rendering him unable to move.The man's shock changed to anger and he attempted to headbutt Arthur; but in one swift movement, his face was planted on the ground, and the gun was wrenched free from his hand, a crack cueing his muffled scream.He couldn't have ever believed that out in the world there would be a man capable of such movements while still being human.The man had heard about the war god, anyone who stepped into the military field did as he was a legend. But he simply wrote it off as a myth or some ploy by the Emperor to motivate his soldiers to fight harder for his cause.But after seeing what Arthur
Upon getting there, commissioner Geston noticed that Isabella was being confronted by a familiar man. Instinctively glancing back to note Arthur's presence, he rushed forward holding Isabella tightly in his arms."What's the meaning of this?!" He asked in a tone that although was calm, still conveyed the anger he felt.Arthur watched the interactions take place, his eyes widening slightly in recognition of the man who was the center of attention.Exhaling tiredly and stepping forward, he said, "It seems you didn't learn your lesson from last time. What are you doing here?"The man who turned out to be the one who challenged Arthur to an antique inspecting contest frowned in annoyance upon recognising Arthur."The name is Mark and I'm simply here to take what's mine. My father and the commissioner had an agreement so you have no right to interfere." The man stated, shaking his fists angrily at the Gestons.Looking back at them for confirmation and noticing that the commissioner averted
Many were surprised; from the bold threat to the declaration that followed right after, but the only person in the party that had the most understanding of the situation was Isabella.After all, though she didn't know how the man named Saul was able to get a hold of her younger brother's information, but the Arthur she knew who had handled an entire truck of mercenaries and according to rumors dealt with the people who put a kill order on him, wouldn't back down from a challenge.Especially if that challenge appeared to be directed at him.Glancing back at the silent commissioner, Arthur started, "Commissioner.""Hm?""There's no need for trash at a hearty event such as this. I propose you have them thrown out before they fill the place with their stink." Arthur suggested, the previous iciness in his tone replaced instead with a business-like voice."I agree, father." Isabella stepped forward, meeting Arthur's gaze with a look of gratitude."Very well then. Guards, throw them out." Co
Meanwhile, in another area in the city, a group of young girls with their male counterparts occupied a table in a club, most of them bobbing their heads to the loud music that filled the hall.The only exception to the enthusiasm for their outing that the group shared was none other than Anais Lefevre, and a moment later, her close friend Ana had a similar expression.“What's going on? Aren't you having fun?!" Ana asked loudly enough for Anais to hear her over the booming music. Holding her gaze with a polite smile, Anais leaned in and replied, "You of all people know this isn't my scene.""C'monnn," Ana playfully shook her friend, a light-hearted groan escaping her, "it's not everyday you get to celebrate recovering after being bedridden for so long."Remembering her benefactor, Anais averted her gaze, smiling fondly as the image of the suited masked man lingered in her mind. The masked man was none other than Arthur Rhyfel, but even after asking her father over and over, he mentio
Leonard Hughes sat behind his large desk in his study, a chilled glass of whiskey in his frail hands.If he had been told this would be how the great Hughes family that had survived and prevailed for centuries would fall, he would not believe.But that was the cold harsh reality.It was ironic and somewhat of a sick joke that it all ended on the same day that it started.Like someone had chosen it particularly because of its significance. Perhaps they had.On that very day fifteen years ago, The Hughes family, Burton family and Williams family, three of the seven great had joined hands together to bring the downfall of the Rhyfel family.Their actions against them had long begun, but that day marked the finale, the end of it all.They had pooled their resources together and attacked the Rhyfel family estate with the intention to spare not a single soul.And surely they would have succeeded at that, if not for the bravery of the young flower of the Rhyfel family, Luna Rhyfel.Pushing a
His eyes widened as he took in the information: financial records, names, operations, evidence that implicated the Hughes family in countless crimes. It was the breakthrough he had been waiting for, but even more comprehensive than he had hoped."This is… beyond what I expected," he murmured, still processing the weight of what he held. Then, snapping into action, he pressed a button on his desk intercom. "Bring in Agent Marlowe and Special Operative Ryder."Within moments, the door opened, and two figures entered. Agent Marlowe, a sharp-eyed woman with an air of calm authority, and Special Operative Ryder, a tall, muscular man with a cold, calculating demeanor. They had been sent from the capital, handpicked by the emperor to assist in cleaning up the city, a task that had proven more daunting than either had anticipated."Commissioner," Marlowe greeted, nodding as her eyes flicked over to Isabella, recognizing the family resemblance.The commissioner wasted no time. "We’ve just rec
His voice, though weakened, was laced with bitterness. “Saul... if only you had been more competent. We wouldn’t be facing this now.”With a final, pained sigh, Leonard collected himself, his expression hardening into a grim resolve. “Summon all the Hands back to the estate immediately. We cannot let Rhyfel breach our defenses.”Ian nodded sharply, understanding the gravity of the command. “Yes, Father. I’ll see to it.”As Ian departed to carry out his father’s orders, Leonard muttered under his breath, his words dripping with venom. “Uther Rhyfel… you’ve always been a thorn in my side. Even from beyond the grave, your son continues to cause me trouble.”Meanwhile, Arthur Rhyfel was making his way through the bustling city streets with a purposeful stride. The same city that had seen his return for the first time was once again unaware of the storm that was brewing beneath.He approached a sleek black vehicle, where Elias, his driver, waited at the wheel. Arthur’s destination was Is
As he rounded a corner, he saw her, Luna, his older cousin, the only living family he had left and his only true reason for engaging in such a war. Yes, he wished to avenge his deceased family, yet if she had not saved him on that day, fifteen years ago, he would not have been alive to do so.She was his sole purpose for being alive and the one dearest to him. The one he had to protect at all costs.Many would claim that the war god had no weaknesses, and that was in fact true. Luna Rhyfel was not his weakness but his strength and while she might be the weaker of the two, should anything befall her it will not break the war god, no.It would simply unleash the demise of the ones foolish enough to commit such an act.The earth itself would not hide them from his fury if they were to do something as hopelessly stupid as even attempting to bring about the demise of the flower of the Rhyfel family.She was standing by the large windows that overlooked the estate’s gardens, her gaze dist
But what he did not expect was that his former mission would be erased and replaced with a new one. This had never happened since he had first got the system and the message alongside it hinted that he was in the endgame now.[New Mission: Destroy the final family involved in the downfall of the User's family, the Hughes family.][Rewards: The avenger, Acquisitions of the Hughes family possessions and the revelation of the origin of the {System}.]He leaned back in his seat, holding his chin in thought. There was no time to waste and failure was not an option.It never was.A rapid knock alerted him as the door opened and the three he had called in, walked inside, prepared for their new tasks.“Take a seat, all three of you.” He ordered, his tone cold and reserved.The three picked up on it, doing as they were told immediately. While one would have assumed that Leon would be the first to pick up on the graveness of the situation from his tone, it was actually Briar.Due to her previou
Ian took a deep breath, knowing the next part would be the hardest to convey. “To gain more information about him, we need to surrender information on the Hands of the Hughes family.”Leonard’s eyes sharpened, a dangerous glint appearing in his gaze. The Hands of the Hughes family were their most protected assets, their identities known only to the inner circle. To give up that information was to expose the family’s very core, to lay bare their most guarded secrets.He leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment as he considered the implications. Ian waited, his breath almost held as he watched his father’s face for any sign of what he might decide.Outside the warehouse that served as Charles’ base, Laura sat in the backseat of the car, her fingers tapping against the leather seat in a rare display of impatience. The weight of the conversation with Ian earlier still hung over her, the gravity of what was at stake gnawing at her composure. She glanced at the warehouse, its weathered
So while she was not one to so readily show emotions outwardly unless she deemed it necessary. Her experience growing up as the daughter of the patriarch in the Hughes family had made her this way.It was necessary for her survival, so her visible nervousness had hinted to her bodyguard and driver who watched her from the side, on how drastic the situation was.Her mind drifted to the response of her father should the news be delivered. She wondered if he would side with her uncle, his brother who had blamed the fall of two of the Hands on her “bad management.”As if that wasn't enough, more stray thoughts seemed to emerge, only further worsening her nervous state.What would the patriarch say? How would he react to the news of the war god’s return? And more importantly, what would he decide about the information Charles held?Taking a deep breath, Laura pushed those thoughts aside and steeled herself. She had a role to play, and she would do it to the best of her ability. The Hughes
Laura stepped out of the study, her heels once again clicking against the marble floor as she moved briskly through the corridor. The conversation with Ian and their uncle still echoed in her mind, but she couldn’t afford to dwell on it now. There were more pressing matters to attend to.As she stood by the car that had brought her, she began to consider her next course of action. While she was granted authority over the Hands of the Hughes family due to her father, the patriarch's current state as well as her older brother, the heir apparent’s view on handling things, her authority was limited.Something as drastic as handing over information on the group whose identities were the most secured amongst all of the seven great families was not something she had the clearance to do, so in that case, she needed to seek who could.This was a one in a million opportunity and she was sure no one else but Charles could grant her the information that would help both her and the rest of the Hug
It was what the likes of a treacherous family like them deserved.The Hughes family would get no mercy from the war god, just the pain, suffering and tears they had brought upon the Rhyfel family.Their actions had birthed the unstoppable existence that was the war god, and that very same existence that their actions had created would now be what would bring about their demise.Truly ironic if one were to consider it.And so following his order while having an idea of Arthur's intentions, the prominent information broker returned to his seat, eyeing the bodyguard as he prepared to carry out his plans.“So, are you done compiling the necessary information?” She questioned, her tone hinting at the sense of urgency she felt, although she tried to hide it.“Well, I am now, lady Laura.” he replied, adjusting his posture on his chair.“Then why the delay? Is he that important of a person that revealing his identity is problematic?” Her question did little to hide not just the sense of urgen