Filed to story: A Bullied Boy Died: A Mafia King Woke Up In His Body
Fucking shit. What is happening?! Wrent tried to recall what had happened.
Did Kyle somehow infect the base’s utilities? How is this happening to us?
Wrent had been taking antidotes for the last two days, which had barely managed to stave off the symptoms. He had even tried a precious Health Potion, but it didn’t work at all.
It isn’t poison… So what is it?
His eyes landed on the broken crates of Stamina Potions, a sense of understanding finally hitting him.
Did they drug the potions? How in the world is it so addictive?! But I tested it!
Addiction was not a particularly new symptom, but he had not seen anything on the black market that came even remotely close to the level of addiction and mass production as this.
The strategy employed by the Seven Snakes was finally as clear as day. Before Wrent could think about doing anything, a loud bang at the base entrance was heard.
It was the Seven Snakes.
Kyle walked in, dressed in a clean, formal suit, unlike the arctech equipment he had worn previously. Damian and Keith flanked him, along with a dozen other members.
“You dare come to your own death? Red Lions, attack him!” Wrent grunted weakly. Instead of complying, the members merely staggered about, and some others suffered from mild seizures.
Kyle snapped his fingers, with the Seven Snakes moving forward to restrain the barely resisting Red Lions. The most they could muster was an infantile resistance.
“Useless!” Wrent grunted as he grabbed his sword with his right hand, about to unleash another red arc with a swing. But in a single instant, Kyle sprinted toward him with the Aero Shoes, closing the distance in merely four strides before gripping the right hand of Wrent and forcing it down.
“ARGHH!” Wrent yelled in pain as Kyle crushed his right hand with the hilt of the sword. He tried to muster the strength to fight back, but the withdrawal symptoms made it impossible. Wrent could feel that his muscles were severely weakened.
“This is no way to treat your esteemed suppliers, is it?” Kyle flashed a sinister grin.
At this point, Wrent heavily regretted not asking for help from the main base, realizing he had fully underestimated Kyle. He had become too used to the image of the Seven Snakes being useless under Ulon.
“Do it then. Kill me,” Wrent said through gritted teeth as he was brought to one knee, forced to look up at Kyle. “The leader of the Red Lions will never let you off.”
“Ah. Why would I ever kill my precious customers? Please, no need for such courtesy. You can stop kneeling.” Kyle let go of his hand, and Damian moved forward to lift Wrent up.
They dragged him into the office, sitting him down at a table facing. Kyle retrieved a parchment from a message tube and slid it in front of Wrent for him to read. “I believe the samples we provided in the previous contract were much to your liking. In fact, it seems your members love it so much they’re even dying for it.”
“Y-You!” Wrent cursed as sweat dripped down his forehead. He could barely move his body now, and the bones in his right hand had been fractured by Kyle’s grip.
“Now for our next contract, we would like to enter a mutually beneficial supply contract. If you sign this, we will immediately provide a few crates in advance for your perusal. How does that sound?” Kyle motioned outside the office window, where Wrent could see two additional Seven Snakes members carrying crates.
He could already see the hunger in his members’ eyes as they watched the crates come in. They weren’t dumb, knowing they were addicted to the potions now, but they didn’t have the willpower to fight their bodies.
Wrent took another look at Kyle, who was patiently sitting with Damian and Keith standing behind him. While Kyle’s expression was calm and serene, Wrent knew there was a cruelness hiding within.
What’s more important-my loyalty to the boss or my life?
He glanced at his members suffering outside. Wrent grimaced and finally decided to look at the contract, rationalizing to that he was doing it for his subordinates. He began reading through it, noticing the clauses were roughly the same except for the fact that he now had to pay for the potions.
He read the changes to the non-aggression clause, noticing the contract had extended it to a year minimum. This was expected, but the next clause was what threw him off.
It stated that the Seven Snakes would publicly admit that the conflict had been their fault and their loss. They would then pay reparations in the form of potion discounts and the release of prisoners.
Wrent was utterly confused, but as he looked up into Kyle’s eyes, a realization rose within him.
He’s leaving me a way out-a way not to be replaced by my boss. And if I or our side in general renege on the reparation contract, our reputation will go straight into the gutter.
With this additional clause, the Red Lions would not suffer any reputation loss, and the Seven Snakes would also have their non-aggression pact. Wrent would have a much higher chance of retaining his position and control over the district, which was precisely what Kyle wanted. In his mind, Wrent vowed to kill Kyle in any way possible.
This man is far too dangerous. At this rate, he’ll take over the entire sector within two years.
Wrent eventually relented and signed the contract with his personal stamp. “Good. I’m glad we’ve come to an agreement. Enjoy the potions. We look forward to your future cooperation.” Kyle smirked and left immediately. While the contract was between equals, Wrent knew he had become the underling in the unspoken hierarchy, gripping his fist tightly.