Chapter 15: Black Card

Tap! Tap! Tap!

The atmosphere had grown unnaturally quiet, and it was not a peaceful or comforting silence. Instead, it felt like the quiet before a storm.

A few more minutes passed. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Evan watching me discreetly.

"Well, the people you both are looking for are waiting for you inside that alley."

"Waiting for us there, you say eh?"

"Indeed."

"Shall we, Evan?" I said to my companion. We entered the alley, and as I suspected, we encountered a group of people dressed like hooligans, including the two men from the previous day.

In total, there were about seven of them. At the end of the alley, a man dressed in formal attire stood, his coat removed. I couldn't help but notice the holster with a pistol and the adjacent wand.

He had a cleanly shaven beard and a well-groomed mustache, reminiscent of the Chevron style.

"Hmmm, so you're the one my boys were talking about," he said as he approached me.

'Hmm, he doesn't recognize me?' I wondered inwardly. My investigations indicated that I had previous interactions with the Bree family, especially their leader, Zohar Bree.

"And you are Karl Bree?"

"Yes," He confirmed.

I thought, 'Things might get risky.' Thankfully, I had that card. I already anticipated that I might encounter such a situation, and that's why I had considered seeking help from a security company or tipping off the police. However, it seemed I wouldn't need to do that anymore, thanks to this card.

"Well, mister Karl," I said as I took out a cigarette and placed it between my lips, igniting it the next second. "Let's sit down and talk like civilized people."

Puff!

"Like civilized people, you say, eh?" said Karl Bree with a smile. The next second, he suddenly took the cigarette from my mouth and placed it in his.

Puff!

"Ah~ I taste luxury." A smile formed on his face. "Like civilized people, eh? That's some funny shit."

The laughter of the hooligans filled the alley, echoing off the narrow walls.

"He brought a kid along with him? This ain't no place for kids! Come and fight like a F*cking man!" jeered one of the two men that I met yesterday night. I shifted my gaze in his direction.

"Looks like you're trying to be a tough guy today," I remarked, but he brushed it off, and the mocking continued.

"You heard them," Karl Bree commented from behind as he leaned against the dead end, a sly grin on his face.

"Sir," suddenly I heard Evan's voice from the side. I quickly glanced at him and asked, "What is it, kid?"

"I want to try out the hand-to-hand combat techniques you taught me. If you were to fight with these jerks, they wouldn't even stand a chance. Allow me," he said, seeking my permission.

'You think quite highly of me don't you.' I scoffed inwardly. "Alright, go ahead."

"Thank you, sir," he said, but then hesitated. "This is an expensive coat. Can you hold this for me?"

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Alright," Expensive? The corners of my mouth twitched. One could clearly make out this was some cheap knockoff brand.

Another round of laughter echoed through the alley. These people seemed to revel in their low-grade villainy, and it was getting on my nerves.

My gaze shifted to Evan. In the novel, he had a minor role, serving primarily as an informant, so I was unsure of his physical capabilities. Concern washed over me – he was just a seventeen-year-old boy with average attributes except for his proficiency with firearms.

His stature was below average, and his appearance was rather unassuming, with a gentle demeanor, brown hair, and brown eyes. It was mainly his choice of attire that made him stand out a bit. Maintaining a neutral expression, I observed the scene unfold before me.

One of the hooligans stepped forward, boasting, "Ha, I'll take care of this kid. Don't worry!" He charged at Evan. What transpired next took me by surprise, although I concealed my reaction.

Evan reacted swiftly, dashing toward his opponent. The hooligan clenched his fist and aimed it at Evan. I couldn't help but cringe inwardly; What was Klemort teaching him for the past one year? Engaging in a direct clash with someone with a stronger physique was a foolish choice. Sigh, not like I knew much, shouldn't judge a move or person too soon.

Just as their fists were about to collide, Evan displayed a surprising agility. He twisted his left leg and bent slightly, skillfully dodging the punch. Without wasting any momentum, he utilized all the force in his right foot and delivered a swift kick to his opponent's legs, causing the hooligan to topple to the ground.

Thud!

Evan's voice dripped with sarcasm as he taunted, "What's the matter? Found a coin on the ground, eh? The only thing I see in you is openings and a lack of wits. Can't even see a F*ckng brain. Your father must be disappointed in you, right?"

In a swift motion, another hooligan charged toward Evan, but he skillfully twisted his torso 45 degrees and executed a powerful kick with his right leg, landing it squarely on the hooligan's left cheek. The force of the blow sent the man sprawling to the ground. Blood sprayed from his mouth, and two teeth were sent flying.

Meanwhile, the hooligan who had fallen behind Evan tried to stand up to launch another attack, but he was met with failure, as his leg appeared to be broken. Evan was swiftly gaining the upper hand in this unexpected brawl.

"Attack together, pick up your weapons!" Karl Bree ordered. In an instant, the hooligans armed themselves with sickles and hammers, surrounding Evan.

I couldn't help but comment, "Ganging up on a kid? Where's your manliness?"

Karl Bree retorted, "Well, we're giving him a chance by not using guns."

I didn't react but turned my gaze toward Evan.

Five minutes later...

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Blood dripped from Evan's fists, but it wasn't his blood. He dragged the hooligan by the hair and repeatedly smashed his head against the wall.

'Sigh, he's a beast,' I thought to myself.

"Is he already a master?" Karl inquired as he observed Evan. I shook my head in response.

"Peak scholar?" Karl asked again. Once more, I shook my head and replied, "A new apprentice."

"You have our attention now. Two minutes, explain everything. Why you need the guns, how you know about all our illegal businesses? Your time starts now," he stated, taking a puff of his cigar.

Two minutes?

I couldn't help but smile. I reached into my coat pocket, retrieved my wallet, and produced a black card, pressing it against his chest. He had already cocked the hammer of his pistol, ready to shoot me when he saw me reaching for my wallet. In this world, various charms and artifacts existed, and his instincts had nearly led him to pull the trigger. However, as he realized what the card represented, his body froze, and his face contorted through what seemed like five stages of grief.

His mouth moved, but no words came out. He opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish, struggling to find his voice. Finally, he managed to speak a few words, "Dark wizard association."

"In ten seconds, you've got your answer." I withdrew the black card, placed it back in my wallet, and handed him the address to the detective agency with a smile.

"I expect five rune guns, ten high-pressure steam rifles, and the Lee series gun, around twenty of them," I continued. Then, I remembered Evan and added, "Oh, and a basic pistol for a beginner."

I then added, "And I'll pay for it upon delivery, don't worry." With that, I walked away from the stunned Karl and approached Evan, who was still pounding the face of the hooligan like a beast. His physical strength was dangerously formidable, capable of breaking bones with a single blow. Fortunately, he was holding back, or else the hooligan's face would have been reduced to pulp.

"Boy, stand up. That's more than enough," I said as I approached him and tapped his head. Finally, Evan snapped out of it.

"You wanted a pistol, right? I've placed an order for it. It'll arrive in a few days."

"Huh?"

...

Knock!* knock!*

"Coming!" A voice echoed from the house. The next second with a click, the door opened and a lady emerged from the house.

"What's bothering you, brother? You seem quite serious," Selena Bree, Karl's sister, asked as he entered the house.

Forcing a smile, he replied, "It's nothing, but I need you to do something for me. Call for a family meeting."

Seeing the seriousness in her brother's face, Selena nodded and went off to summon the other members of the family. Meanwhile, Karl walked into the washroom, turned on the tap, and splashed water on his face, and then stared at his reflection.

"We F*cked up a big time."