Black Dog stood at attention, unbound and respectful, before Thomas Smyth.
"That's what happened, Conqueror."
Thomas absorbed Black Dog's explanation, a low whistle escaping his lips.
"Holy shit... Mad Dog, that bastard. Figures the guy who'd lead refugees and cook the books would have a brain like a steel trap."
After confirming Black Dog was on the level, Thomas had cut him loose. Then, he'd gotten to the question burning a hole in his mind all day: How did Mad Dog smuggle goods out of the Trading Center?
The answer blew Thomas's expectations out of the water.
Turns out, Mad Dog had his people toss the goods out from inside the Trading Center. Since the supplies weren't touched by any refugees the moment they left the building's perimeter, it didn't trigger the [Toll Tax I] effect.
Genius.
Now, with Black Dog firmly under his thumb, thanks to the [Refugee Conqueror] title, Thomas could move on to the next phase.
"Black Dog, I need you to lure Scorpion upstairs. Any way you can... you understand?"
"Yes, Conqueror."
Black Dog left the room without hesitation. Thomas, in turn, donned his [Dark Mask] once more.
A dozen or so minutes later, two sets of footsteps echoed in the hallway, accompanied by conversation.
"Black Dog, you said you'd treat me to drinks tomorrow night. Why the sudden change of heart, huh? I told you I'd bring something up, but you insisted. Makes me feel bad, you know?"
"Between us brothers? Don't even mention it. My uncle's been under your care, it's the least I could do...Mainly, I just couldn't sleep. Wanted some company. You know how hard it is to find someone you can talk to these days..."
"No problem then, I'll keep you company till the end..."
As they spoke, Black Dog opened the door, ushering Scorpion inside.
The moment he stepped into the room, Scorpion's eyes darted around, taking in the situation. Seeing only Black Dog, he visibly relaxed.
His gaze swept across the room, taking in its emptiness. It was as bare as a licked-clean food bowl. Apart from the walls and floor, there wasn't a single thing in sight.
"What the hell...? Everyone says Black Dog's loaded. Why's his room look like a shithole?"
But the instant Scorpion crossed the threshold and the door clicked shut, Black Dog's friendly facade crumbled. A cruel smirk twisted his lips as he pulled a pistol from his waistband, bringing it down hard on the back of Scorpion's head.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Only, Scorpion seemed to have anticipated the move. He spun around, blocking Black Dog's arm. In his hand, a wickedly sharp military knife appeared, its blade arcing upwards towards Black Dog's chest.
Just as the knife was about to connect, Scorpion froze, his eyes widening in disbelief as he looked behind him. Then, slowly, he crumpled to the floor.
Half an hour later, Scorpion groggily came to. His eyes landed on a figure cloaked in black, and his body stiffened before he began to struggle.
Such a familiar silhouette...
Unfortunately, his mouth was stuffed with a towel, muffling his protests into faint grunts.
Thomas, seeing Scorpion awake, chuckled. "Not bad. You really screwed over Stephen Chow and Mad Dog. I'll give you that, you're cautious."
He then proceeded to reenact the earlier scene on Scorpion.
Two minutes later, Thomas stopped, checking the [Refugee Conqueror] panel.
This Scorpion guy was still resisting. Thomas frowned, glancing back at Black Dog.
"What the... this double-crossing rat has a stronger will than Black Dog? No way!"
He lashed out twice more with the whip.
Still nothing.
Something was off.
Thomas thought for a moment, then crouched down and removed the towel from Scorpion's mouth.
He was met with a chilling smile.
"Hit me! Why'd you stop? You dare commit such blasphemy against a god's follower? The god will punish you!"
Scorpion's words, dripping with a cult-like fervor, made something click in Thomas's mind.
"Right, wrong approach."
Slowly, Thomas stood up. He unequipped the [Refugee Conqueror] title and put on the [Nightwalker] title.
In his left hand, he now held a bizarre-looking weapon - the Sacrificial Blade of the Evil God Cultist.
The moment Thomas brandished the blade and donned the [Nightwalker] title, Scorpion's demeanor shifted dramatically.
The arrogance, fanaticism, and disdain vanished, replaced by reverence and faith.
"A...Agent?"
"My god... Agent, is it... really you?"
Thomas remained silent, looking down at him imperiously.
"Say that again. What did you say your god would do to me?"
Scorpion trembled. "Agent, I was blind! I was blind!"
Thomas, without another word, re-equipped the [Refugee Conqueror] title. The whip cracked again.
This time, it worked like a charm.
A new entry appeared on the Conqueror's Servitor panel.
Name: Ruen.Cagette
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Personality: Ruthless, Calm
Traits: Patient, Cunning, Zealot
Talents: Undercover Genius, Master of Acting, Theology Enthusiast
Trust Level: Worship (Locked)
Current Physical State: Injured
Current Mental State: Excited, Fearful, Agitated
Note: Conquered refugees have their trust level locked to 'Worship'.
————————————
Holy...
Thomas was floored by this guy's stats.
This Ruen.Cagette was practically born to be a double agent.
Patient, cunning, an undercover genius, and a master of acting?
The guy had a full house of buffs.
A true jack-of-all-trades.
And a zealot with a passion for theology? This guy was a prime candidate for the Evil God cult.
Damn.
With Scorpion thoroughly subdued, Thomas had Black Dog untie him.
He tossed a High-Grade Restorative to Scorpion.
"Patch yourself up. I've got questions."
"Speak, Agent," Scorpion said, ignoring his wounds and standing respectfully before Thomas.
His expression was devout.
Thomas gestured impatiently at the blood still seeping from Scorpion's back.
Only then did Scorpion, with Black Dog's help, quickly tend to his injuries.
Soon, the wound on his back was healed, and he stood before Thomas, awaiting orders.
Thomas sat down on a chair Black Dog had brought, crossing his legs and fixing Scorpion with a stare.
"Alright, spill it. Tell me your plan with Ghostface, and how The Butcher is planning to kidnap Stephen Chow tomorrow night. Don't leave anything out."
"Yes, Agent..."