I descended the stairs and arrived at the first floor of the auction house, the marionettes following behind me. Our entrance did not go unnoticed and some of the guests observed our group curiously. Unsurprising given our group was a large one consisting of more than a dozen people.
But the mood quickly plunged once they scrutinized the men behind me more closely. Their weird, jerking movements and listless eyes were unusual, after all.
Then they saw the blood dripping down my marionettes' necks, leaving a crimson trail behind them.
A piercing shriek of terror signified the start of mass panic and the guests immediately began flooding for the exits. It was an amusing sight. Here they were, dressed in clothes fit for kings and queens thinking they were different from the poor because of their heritage and etiquette, but when faced with the possibility of death, they discard everything that make them the ‘upper class’ and return to their base instincts, for Death does not discriminate.
Any semblance of order was forgotten as the guests shoved and pushed against one another in a bid to reach the exits. Some tripped and fell to the ground, only to be trampled by the stampeding crowd.
I didn't even take a single step yet and somebody had already died. Pathetic fools.
I initially considered accomplishing my goals stealthily to avoid events such as this, but I grew tired of skulking about like a cornered rat, afraid of what the predators would do once they find out about my existence. Why did I have to hide my true power when they can do nothing to stop me? The kingdom can send their armies against me and they'll be powerless once I take control of their strings.
A painful headache started assaulting my mind. No, I must keep in control! I can't let my instincts manipulate me! I must resist the Awakening's urges—
I forcefully shut up the small corner of my mind that kept yapping like a pathetic dog. To cower behind the shadows and move unnoticed is an action of the weak, and I am not weak. No mortal in this pathetic kingdom can threaten me, and those that think they could take what's mine will become mine.
“Master. Are. You. Alright?” Taloress asked me with concern.
“I'm fine,” I replied succinctly before turning to the new group approaching.
A large group of armed guards arrived in the area to investigate the cause of the commotion and saw me. Their leader frowned after seeing the state of the men I turned into marionettes. “What have you done to them? Blackhood Rella will punish you severely for this.”
“We'll see who will punish whom later, but you won't be alive to see it,” I said before turning my attention to my marionettes. “It's time to see how effective my new toys are.”
With a single thought, the marionettes in my control charged toward the group of guards, their jerking gaits giving them a manic air that made the guards recoil. The guards looked confused as to why their former allies fought against them, but they stood their ground resolutely. I wondered how long their resolve would last.
The guards received my marionettes' charge quite smartly by using their weapons' superior reach. They expertly wielded long batons that they struck against my marionettes' limbs to neutralize their mobility while using their superior numbers with excellent teamwork. They even employed advanced tactics like splitting my marionettes into smaller groups and neutralizing them one by one. The good old method of divide and conquer.
Unfortunately for them, wooden batons wouldn't be enough to stop my marionettes. They could strike at my marionettes' limbs and joints all they want, but the damage is insignificant when I could forcefully move my marionettes' muscles without having to worry about their pain. After all, they are already dead.
Worry began to appear on the guards' faces when they realized that my marionettes didn't give up even through the harsh beating they received. Worry turned to fear when one of my marionettes still stood up despite having received a heavy blow to the neck. His head was bent to the side at almost a ninety-degree angle, yet he still stood up with nary a cry of pain.
“Shit, the bastard turned them into undead!” the leader of the guards cried out. “Crush their heads!”
The guards began targeting my marionettes' heads, much to my amusement. It took them only a few moments to realize that my marionettes didn't need their heads to function. Even when their heads were turned into pulps, my marionettes still attacked the guards relentlessly.
Unfortunately, my abysmal control over my marionettes along with their lack of weapons made it difficult to lead them to victory. Against the well-trained guards, my marionettes stood no match and they were easily outmaneuvered.
“As much as I'd like to keep on assessing my marionettes' capabilities, we have no time. Taloress, take care of our enemies.”
Taloress radiated extreme joy. “With. Pleasure. Master.”
Taloress transformed her arms into sharp spikes and dashed toward the chaotic melee. Her entry immediately spelled the end of the fight.
The guards perceived Taloress' approach and prepared to receive her, but their preparations proved useless in the face of overwhelming power. Taloress ravaged the first line of guards with her spike arms, stabbing their bodies with abandon before proceeding to the next. Her speed made it easy to dodge the guards' attempts at hitting her, and whatever lucky strike that managed to land was pointless on her durable body.
My puppet turned the fight into a bloodbath all by herself.
“Retreat!” the leader of the guards screamed when he witnessed the carnage that Taloress brought. But their retreat was hindered by my marionettes, who used their ruined bodies to slow them and block their paths.
Most of the guards fell under Taloress' brutal advance, but a few managed to successfully escape down the hall, including the leader. I relished the expression of pure horror on their faces as they looked back at the aftermath of the massacre.
But when the few surviving guards turned the corner at the end of the hall, I detected a few more entities that met up with the fleeing survivors. It seems like they had more reinforcements.
My expectations were immediately proved wrong when the new arrivals slaughtered the survivors without mercy. An internal dispute?
The newcomers turned the corner and paused when they saw the aftermath of the battle. Brutalized corpses littered the smooth marble floor of the auction house and blood was splattered everywhere. My marionettes, beaten and bloodied beyond recognition, and Taloress stood in the middle of the carnage, watching the newcomers patiently.
The newcomers had the same attire as the guards except for the white cloth tied around their biceps. They also wielded bladed weapons instead of wooden batons, and they readied their swords and daggers as they watched us warily.
“Hold on, hold on, everybody calm down,” a voice suddenly said. The group of newcomers parted to give way to a small man. A familiar man. “Mr. Marion, right? I believe we already met. Our meeting is unexpected, but I hope I can entice you with an offer.”
Kane stood in front of their group, his face graced with a strained smile as he took in the sight of the area. I remembered the small man. He was the traveling merchant in Wildpost, son of Kath Swiller, and he was the merchant who bought my products in bulk before the treacherous Rella came.
“You are one of them,” I said as I slowly approached Kane and his group. “You are part of the criminal organization that Rella is also a part of.”
Kane and his group shuffled restlessly as I neared. “Ah, about that. Yes, I was one of them, but you see, there have been a few changes in the dynamics of the organization's operations. The majority have deemed the current way of things as unfeasible and barbaric, so I and a few others have decided to—URGHK!”
“I don't need to listen to your reasons, little man,” I said coldly as I picked Kane up by the neck. His goons tried to stop me, but a single Force Blast was enough to scatter them. “I don't care about your petty criminal politics. Your organization has made a fool out of me and attempted to turn me into a lowly servant, even holding my companions hostage. And now, you have the gall to come to me with a ‘generous offer’ as if everything is water under the bridge? I don't think so, little man.”
I slowly strengthened the grip around Kane's neck and relished the look on his reddening face. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he looked at me with pleading eyes. It was a satisfying sight.
My enjoyment was cut short when another splitting headache assaulted my mind, this time with a greater ferocity that forced me to let go of Kane. I gripped my head with my hands as the pain stabbed at it repeatedly like a knife.
Must… take back… control… Kane… doesn't deserve… death…
The headache continued for a few more moments as the pathetic voice inside my head continued to whisper its childish notions. Spare the little man who was a part of the organization that sought to use me like a tool? That childish thinking is what got me here in the first place! If my enemies had known of my power long ago, they wouldn't have dared to act against me!
But the headache continued to worsen, and only when I finally decided to spare the damn midget did it abate.
“Master! Are you. Alright?!” Taloress exclaimed as she kneeled beside me.
“I am fine,” I replied as I stood up and dusted my clothes.
Master, Mr. Marion said. Your nose is bleeding.
Inside Mr. Marion, I brought my real hand to my nose and felt the sticky fluid. I took a small piece of fabric from Mr. Marion's body to clean the blood before pinching my nose closed to stem the bleeding.
I returned my attention to Kane, who was thirstily gulping for air as he caressed his neck. His goons surrounded him protectively as they watched me with fear and apprehension.
“I've reconsidered, little man,” I said. “Tell me your offer and if I find it satisfactory, you get to live another day.”
“R-Right…” Kane began as he stood up. It only took him a few moments to gather his wits and regain his composure. Impressive for a puny-looking man like him. “You already know that I am a part of the Hoods, but the situation is more complicated as it seems, Mr. Marion. You see, the Hoods is a syndicate composed of numerous gangs all led by a single leader, the Hooded Man, along with his close lieutenants, the Blackhoods. He has been—”
“Save me the lecture, little man. Get to the point,” I said impatiently.
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
“Suffice to say,” Kane said as he cleared his throat. “A lot of the gangs have been unsatisfied with the way the Hooded Man has been running things. I'm, uh, sure you are already familiar with the atrocities currently going on in the city, and even we find it abhorrent. And so we decided to depose the Hooded Man and dissolve the Hoods.”
“You, a member of the criminal organization currently responsible for every atrocious act happening in the city, find the state of things abhorrent?” I asked flatly. “If hypocrisy was a person, it'd be you, little man.”
“I know what it sounds like, but please understand, Mr. Marion. Things weren't like this before the Hooded Man came into power,” Kane said hurriedly. “The gangs weren't as heavy-handed as we are now. We strived to improve the city as well since it would mean more income for us. But when the Hooded Man came, he focused on short-term gains and ignored the city's well-being. The first few years during the Hooded Man's reign saw the highest profits the gangs have ever seen, tempting them to join willingly. But they've been blinded by all the riches and failed to see the greater picture, for the Hooded Man's operations were not feasible in the long run. Profits have been steadily falling over the past few years and with the violent way the Hooded Man ran things, it is only a matter of time before the King decides to mobilize the army against us. It would spell our doom.”
“I still haven't heard your offer, little man.”
“Help us bring down the Hooded Man, and we will give you a territory inside Halros when things finally blow over,” Kane said with a serious expression.
“Territory?”
“The gangs of Halros have designated territories in the city where they can perform their operations, Mr. Marion. If you help us, we will give you your own territory.”
“What do you think of me, a criminal?!” I shouted in outrage. This buffoon dared to invite me into joining them in their criminal activities?! For the very first time, I agreed with the small annoying voice in my head that vehemently opposed joining the criminals.
“N-No! Of course not!” Kane hurriedly said. “You don't need to use your territory for conducting, uh, extralegal procedures. You can use your territory instead to open your company there! I've heard that you sought to establish your company in this city, yes?”
I stared at the nervous Kane while contemplating his offer. I've already decided that I would establish my company in another city, but if the Hoods were to be eliminated from this city, then Halros wouldn't be so bad a place to open my first official store. Having criminal elements in the vicinity would be annoying, but once I make a few examples, they should leave me alone.
“How big of a territory are you talking about, little man?”
“I'm not at liberty to decide the size of your reward, Mr. Marion,” Kane replied. “But I assure you that rewards would be distributed according to contribution. I'll talk to Fang myself regarding your reward, Mr. Marion. By the way, he's the leader of our faction.”
“Leader?” I scoffed. “Let me guess, this ‘Fang’ person will depose the tyrannical Hooded Man, replace him as the big boss, and become the just and magnanimous leader of the gangs?”
“N-No, he will just dissolve the syndicate and return things to the way they were before the Hooded Man came,” Kane said, but I've already noticed the seed of doubt in his eyes.
“If you say so, little man,” I said. “Alright, I accept your offer. My assistance in exchange for territory whose size will be according to my level of contribution.”
As Kane and I shook hands, I leaned in closer to whisper in his ears. “Remember, little man. I don't care about your criminal politics as long as I have my due. Make sure not to disappoint me.”
“O-Of course,” Kane replied nervously.
With our deal in place, Kane immediately told me of their plan. The gangs that would participate in the coup would gather at the Hartman Headquarters where Fang would be waiting. Since the Hoods weren't aware yet of the incoming coup, we would be allowed entry.
Once we were inside, we would initiate a surprise attack and take over the headquarters. According to Kane, this would immediately lure the Blackhoods in the city to the headquarters where we could take them out all at once.
“What makes you so sure that the Blackhoods would come to the headquarters right away?” I asked dubiously. “They could just bide their time and gather their strength before assaulting our position. That would lead to your defeat.”
“Unlike most of the Hoods' businesses, the Hartman Headquarters is not just a front,” Kane explained. “It is their real headquarters, and inside that building is where most of their funds and important documents are located. A dragon's ransom is sitting in the vaults beneath the building, something that the Blackhoods wouldn't leave behind in enemy hands for long.”
“But what of the Hooded Man?” I pointed out. “Is he inside the headquarters? Is he even in the city? The point of this operation is to kill the Hooded Man, so everything would be pointless if our target is not even there.”
“Nobody really knows who or where the Hooded Man is,” Kane said sheepishly. “Only the Blackhoods are known to be in contact with the Hooded Man, so we hoped to interrogate one of them during the operation.”
“You ‘hoped’?” I asked incredulously. “What if these Blackhoods don't talk, you imbecile? How are you going to find the Hooded Man then? Do you even know what the bastard looks like?”
“Er…”
A strong urge to choke the midget came over me, which was immediately accompanied by a splitting headache. I quickly banished the thought from my mind.
“We will change our deal,” I said. “I'm not wasting my time chasing after some elusive criminal mastermind, especially with imbeciles like you who cannot even plan properly. I will help you take over the headquarters and capture whatever Blackhood arrives. But if the Hooded Man doesn't arrive, then that's no longer my problem. You will give me my territory after the operation.”
“But—”
“I was not asking for your opinion, little man,” I spat. “Either you accept our new deal or I will paint the walls with your blood.”
“A-Alright, I accept,” Kane quickly acquiesced.
“Good. Now lead the way.”
The city outside the auction house was not the same as the one I entered yesterday. The haughty and laidback citizens of the inner city were gone, replaced by panicking crowds as they ran down the thoroughfares. The main streets were congested with so many carriages that the flow of traffic was completely halted. Some of the carriages were even abandoned as their occupants decided to leg their journey.
The inner city was in chaos.
“What is happening?” I asked Kane as he led our large group through the chaotic streets.
“Word came in just before we met earlier in the auction house,” Kane said. “The revolution has begun. The people of the outer city rose in rebellion and are currently trying to find their way into the inner city. The Governor opened his palace as an evacuation area, and that is where most of the people are heading.”
I chuckled in amusement as I watched the flustered denizens of the inner city scramble in their expensive suits and dresses as they rushed toward the Governor's Palace. Ladies and gentlemen of high standing ran like headless chickens as their guards and servants carried huge suitcases filled with dresses and jewelry instead of food. They will soon regret their priorities once they realize that their situation is that of a siege.
Despite the crowded streets, our travel through the inner city was quick. Our large group composed of armed men scared most people from blocking our way. Our trip would have been even quicker if I brought my brutalized marionettes with me. Alas, their current states would have made infiltrating the Hartman Headquarters impossible.
I regretted not being able to bring my marionettes, but rigor mortis had begun setting in anyway, and it was only a matter of time before they turned into useless slabs of rigid meat.
The Hartman Headquarters soon came into view, and we passed by a checkpoint manned by paranoid guards who scrutinized each of us with suspicion. They looked extremely suspicious of me and Taloress, but Kane's word was enough to let us pass unhindered. The midget has his uses, I suppose.
Kane led us inside the large building and made me wait in the gaudily-furnished lobby while he spoke with Fang regarding our deal. I found it insulting that the midget wouldn't let me listen in on the conversation when it pertained to me, but I remained quiet as I sat down on a couch with Taloress.
As much as I wanted to punish the midget for his insult, this was a good opportunity to determine the credibility of my temporary allies.
●●●
“You have no right to be here, you shameless opportunist!” Purplehood Rutter shouted, his jowls shaking. “This is my city, you hear me?! Mine! This rebellion is nothing but a nuisance! I can handle it without your ‘help’! So you keep your greedy paws to yourself and leave my city!”
The man who listened to the obese man's tirade simply snorted and turned to leave. Before he left the room, he gave his parting words. “Then I wish you luck in your future problems, Rutter.”
Purplehood Fang left the fat man to stew in his office before making his way toward one of the meeting rooms in the building. He scoffed every time he saw the gaudy decorations that lined the halls. The obese bastard had no taste.
Fang decided that once he took over things, he would demand a complete refurbishing of the headquarters.
He arrived at the small meeting room where his most trusted confidant and right-hand man, Remmy, awaited.
“Is it successful?” Remmy asked from his seat by the table, a half-eaten sandwich in front of him.
“No,” Fang said as he took the seat beside his confidant. “The fat bastard is too blinded by his pride and stupidity and won't allow me to have my men enter the city to help him quell the rebellion.”
“Will this affect our plans?” Remmy asked with a hint of worry.
“Don't worry, old friend. Even without my men, we still have enough numbers to succeed with our plan,” Fang replied. “Besides, one of my informants told me Blackhood Rella blackmailed a mage into working for her. I've already given Kane instructions to convince the mage to join us. If he succeeds, then we will have a powerful asset to offset this setback.”
Someone knocked on the door of the meeting room, interrupting their conversation.
“Come in.”
A nervous-looking Kane entered the room and sat opposite Fang and Remmy, his forehead covered with sweat.
Fang immediately noticed the small man's countenance and frowned. “What's wrong, Kane? Did the negotiations with the mage break down?”
“What? Oh, not at all. In fact, we just gained a powerful ally,” Kane replied quietly as he took a seat opposite Fang and Remmy.
“Why the long face, then?”
“Well, the negotiations didn't go as smoothly as we planned,” Kane began.
“Was he not satisfied with the reward?” Fang asked.
“He liked the reward, but the lunatic almost killed me!” Kane exclaimed. “I was almost certain that I was going to die, but he changed all his mind all of a sudden.”
“Didn't we send a security detail with you? There were ten men to protect you,” Remmy said.
“A fat lot of good my bodyguards did,” Kane scoffed. “This mage we just took in isn't some bright-eyed graduate from the magic academies. We're talking about the real deal here.”
“A war mage?” Fang asked expectantly.
“Probably, although I don't think he's too happy with us,” Kane replied. “He's pretty mad with the Hoods and associates us with them. The only reason I'm still alive is that he's enticed with the territory we intend to give him.”
“A war mage is a vital advantage in the coming battle,” Fang muttered before looking at Kane with a contemplative look. “How strong do you think this war mage is, Kane? Do you think he's stronger than me and Remmy?”
“I don't know for sure, but I can tell you that the lunatic sent my ten guards flying with a single spell,” Kane muttered. “And I think he's a necromancer as well. He had been controlling these corpses when we arrived, although he left them behind before coming here.”
“He disabled ten men with a single spell?” Fang asked with a bit of shock. “You said you knew of this mage before he came to this city. What's his background?”
“I wish I knew as well,” Kane said. “Unfortunately, he's even more mysterious than the Hooded Man. He just came to Wildpost out of the blue peddling Artisan-quality clothes for a pittance, and when no one was interested, he approached me first to sell his products in bulk. Blackhood Rella found out about it and took over my place so she could handle him herself.”
Fang turned silent as considered the facts laid before him before finally nodding at Kane. “The mage's background is a bit suspicious, but his support could be a deciding factor in the coming fight. I'll meet him later so I can incorporate him into our plans. What's his name?”
“He calls himself Mr. Marion, although I doubt that's his true name,” Kane replied.
“Alright, that will be all,” Fang said, dismissing Kane.
When the small man was out of the room, Remmy spoke first. “What are you gonna do?”
“We'll make use of Mr. Marion's capabilities in the coming fight,” Fang said with a neutral expression. “But his mysterious background is a large risk, not to mention his strength and status as a necromancer. He will be too powerful to keep in control. We cannot incorporate him into our ranks once we take over the Hoods.”
“Then…”
“He will serve his usefulness in our plan,” Fang said coldly. “Then he must be removed from the board.”
A rat watching from the room's window scurried away.
●●●
“Will that be alright with you?” the man in front of me asked. He was a large man wearing a sleeveless shirt, showcasing his large biceps. His face could be called handsome in a rugged sort of way, with a thin beard covering his jaw and his short dark hair messy. He looked like an uncivilized ruffian, but the dark gleam of cunning in his eyes told of a dangerous man. The powerful flow of mana in his body also told me he was an augmenter.
“I agree with the plan, Mr. Fang,” I replied. “When will you begin?”
“Right after our meeting,” the large man said. “Everything is already in order and the gangs are just waiting for my signal.”
“Then I guess I'll get in position, then,” I said as I stood up from my chair. “Just make sure to keep your word after this.”
Fang gave me a large smile. “I will, Mr. Marion, don't worry. If we succeed, I'll give you the inner city's Business District. All of it.”
I didn't bother replying as I left the meeting room. No sense in wasting more words on a dead man walking. He'll pay with his life if he thought he could betray me easily. But for now, I will play along with their game while they still have their uses. Why take on the Hoods by myself when I can use these imbeciles to do it for me?
Fang's plan was simple. He and his confidant, Remmy, would make their way to the Purplehood of this city and kill him. Meanwhile, his men stationed outside the building would kill the other thugs that don't belong to our faction.
As for me, my sole job would be to make sure that only one survivor gets to leave the headquarters alive so he could contact his superiors and bait the Blackhoods into coming here.
The plan was too simple for my tastes, but I didn't expect much from the imbeciles I'm working with.
Taloress and I waited in the building's lobby for the operation to begin. With my fabric sense, I could detect fifty-two enemies inside the headquarters, as well as Fang and Remmy currently climbing the stairs that led to the third floor where the Purplehood was. Guards on the third floor tried to block their way, only to die as my allies cut them down with their swords. A guard who saw the betrayal quickly slammed his hand on a wall, presumably to push a button.
An annoying alarm suddenly blared throughout the headquarters, warning of an attack. That was the signal everyone was waiting for.
Fang's men waiting outside immediately drew their weapons and started slaughtering the surprised guards, who were caught unaware. They died in droves.
The guards inside the building rushed to the third floor to try and stop my allies who were currently trying to bash down the door of the Purplehood's office. The door must have been magically-reinforced since it was able to withstand the brunt of the two augmenters' assault.
When the guards arrived, Fang turned around to face them while Remmy continued battering the door. The guards charged, only to end up as broken pieces of flesh as Fang methodically cut them down. The floor ran with blood.
I knew everything that happened thanks to Squeaky, who was currently peeking from a secluded corner. Thanks to her, I was also able to hear the furious shouts of the Purplehood from within his office.
“Remmy, you fucking traitor! I swear I'll string you up when I get out of here!”
Remmy didn't bother responding and continued battering down the door while Fang proceeded to slaughter the next wave of guards. It didn't take long before the third floor turned into a charnel house.
When the third wave of guards was obliterated, the remaining ones finally realized that they were in over their heads. They began falling back, ignoring the Purplehood's shouts that slowly turned into pleading cries for help.
Only eleven guards were remaining after Fang's massacre of their ranks, and they all ran toward the main entrance in one group, which would make my job easier.
“Taloress, it is time,” I said as I stood up from my seat. “Make sure none escapes through the main entrance. I will handle the rear exit.”
“Yes. Master.”
I made my way to the back of the building and waited in one of the empty offices. While waiting, I accessed Taloress' senses to the fight.
“Who are you?! Move out of the way, lady, or you'll regret it!” the lead guard shouted as the retreating group finally arrived in the lobby.
“I am. Taloress. The. Blooming. Lady.” Taloress announced as she faced her numerous opponents. I could feel her pure joy from the simple fact that she could speak.
“We don't care, now move out of the way,” the lead guard snarled with annoyance as he and his group advanced.
“Then. Let. Me. Show you. Why. Master. Called me. The. Blooming. Lady.” Taloress said as she opened her arms to the side as if offering a hug.
The guards looked on with confusion, and even I became curious as to what Taloress was up to. From what I remembered, the title I gave her was randomly thought up.
My curiosity soon turned to surprise as Taloress' entire body except for her head morphed. Her torso quivered and writhed as if hundreds of snakes were moving beneath her clothes. The guards saw this and charged, aiming to strike at her before she could finish whatever she was doing.
They were not able to reach her in time.
Taloress' entire torso opened up and bloomed like a giant flower. Five giant ‘petals’ stretched out in five directions, revealing a circular teeth-filled maw right in the center of the flower. Thin, whip-like tendrils of thread emerged from the maw and wiggled in the air, looking like living pistils.
Time seemed to stop in the lobby as the guards froze in horror at the grotesque sight in front of them. The illusion was broken when the pistils darted forward and wrapped around the limbs of the lead guard. The man screamed in panic and tried cutting off the tendrils with his sword to no avail. With one sudden motion, the pistils pulled the man into the maw while the petals closed after him.
The man's scream was abruptly cut off and was replaced with the muffled noise of crunching bones and ripping flesh from inside the flower. It didn't take long before Taloress finished ‘processing’ the man and the petals opened again. A mangled pile of torn flesh, minced organs, and crushed bones fell to the ground with a sickening squelch.
“Behold,” Taloress said in the horrified silence of the room. “The. Power. Of. The. Blooming. Lady.”