Chapter 150 - Seri Versus The Thieves Guild

I quickly grabbed my things and followed Bertram out. I looked at him as we snuck out and hurried to the red light district.

"So why am I just now hearing about this Thieves Guild?"

Bertram explained, "At first it was just a few people. I thought me and Charles would be able to handle it. But I guess you have a lot more enemies in the red light district. People kept joining the Guild. Before we knew it, it turned into a much larger group."

I frowned, "How do I have that many enemies?"

Bertram just stared at me.

"What?"

He sighed, "The question should be how do you not have more enemies? Most of these people were part of that gang you destoyed when you were younger."

I rubbed my chin, "Oh yeah... What was that gang leaders name again?"

"You don't remember?"

I shook my head, "I don't."

Bertram paused, "Actually, I don't remember either."

"I feel like it was some bird? I'm not sure. I do remember he had a really nice dog. I wonder what that pup is doing now."

Bertram continued, "In any case, most of the people in the Theives Guild belonged to prior gangs that you managed to crush in a span of a few months. It's only natural that they resent you."

I stuck my tongue out, "Those ungrateful bastards. I offered them a spot in my gang if they followed me."

"By offering them a spot, you mean that they would just do whatever you asked. No prideful person would ever take that offer from someone that killed their fellow brother's in arms."

"Hey, I didn't mean to kill all those people. I just got excited when Charles gave me those explosives. I wanted to try them out..."

Bertram sighed, "That's exactly why I told Charles to not let you have explosives ever again."

We went down a deserted alley and started changing into our disguises. We walked back out and made our way into the red light district.

"So where are we going now?"

Bertram answered, "To Charles' store. He's been investigating the matter. He will be able to fill you in better."

We walked to Charles' store and noticed the closed sign on the door. We knocked on the door and waited patiently. A small peep hole opened up.

Charles' eyes looked at us through the peek hole, "What's the password?"

"Password?" I glanced up at Bertram.

Bertram glared at him in irritation, "Just open the door, Charles."

Charles chuckled mischievously, "That's not the password."

Seeing Bertram so irritated that he was about to rip the door down, I patted him on the shoulder. "Stand aside, I got this."

Bertram complied and I moved in front of the door. I quickly jabbed my fingers into the hole.

"ARGH! MY EYES!" Charles cried in agony.

I smiled, "How's that password Charles?"

He unlocked and opened the door. He rubbed his eyes with a pitiful expression, "You two are no fun..."

Bertram glared at him, "We don't have time for games."

Charles spoke in a childish tone, "Yeah, yeah. I get it. You have more important matters than to entertain me."

I rolled my eyes, "Don't act so childish Charles. Now just what is going on?"

Charles locked the door behind us and started explaining, "I'm sure Bertram has told you about the guild. At first it was just a few people. It wasn't so bad. But then, they started recruiting more and more people. Recently, they started causing trouble for the shopkeepers around here. They stole, destroyed, and got into fights. A lot of people are scared and want the Black Death to do something about it. They do pay us for protection after all."

I nodded, "I see." I walked around his shop and looked at the swords lining the wall, "Other than that, how's your business going?"

Charles smiled, "Which one? My weapons are being sold at alarming rates. And that little friend of yours has a really incredible father. He can make anything he wants to! I've never met someone so brilliant."

"That's good to hear." As I walked around inspecting the swords, my eyes caught sight of something enticing.

Charles raised an eyebrow, "But what does that have to do with our problem?"

I picked up the switchblade and started playing with it. I snickered to myself, "Just like riding a bicycle." I turned to Charles, "It has a lot to do with the problem. I need to make sure we still have a lucrative business operating."

Charles smiled, "Ah, I see. Well, don't worry about money. Thanks to the monopoly you created, we have more than enough. Business has been great!"

I smirked, "And out of curiosity... Just what happens to those who oppose the Black Death?"

Charles looked confused, "They meet with a fate worse than death?"

I nodded, "Exactly."

I turned to the doorway which led to the back room. I glared into the dark room with a fierce expression. I threw the blade. It flew past Charles and stuck into a person hiding in the shadows. Charles gulped as he heard a body thud to the ground behind him.

Bertram and Charles looked at the body in surprise. Charles shouted, "Whoa! How did he get back there?! I never noticed!!!"

Charles poked his dead body. Bertram looked at me, "How long was he back there?"

I shrugged, "Not sure. I just noticed. But, I'm more concerned with the fact that he was there waiting."

Charles pushed him over and looked at the knife that was stuck between the poor dead man's eyes. He gasped in admiration, "I say! Not only are you good at the sword, but you can also throw knives with such precision!"

I scratched my cheek awkwardly, "Actually, I was aiming for his arm." I sighed, "Looks like I'm still rusty."

I paused at looked at Bertram, "Bertram, go greet our guests."

He frowned, "Guests?"

Just then, two masked men broke into the store. Bertram grabbed a sword from the wall and looked at them with a threatening expression. Charles yelped and hid behind his counter.

"Get them Bertram and-" Before I could say anything else, Bertram had already massacred them both with no problem. The men didn't even have a chance.

"Bertram! I just wanted you to knock them unconscious!! Not kill them!"

Bertram glanced at me, "Oh... Why?"

I groaned, "How else would we send a message to that stupid Theives Guild?!"

Charles popped his head out from behind the counter, shaking with fear. "Is it over?"

I frowned at him, "Are you even a man?"

He chuckled and stood up. He brushed himself off nonchalantly, "Of course I'm a man. I'm just a cowardly man."

I rolled my eyes, "Well, grab a body."

His face twitched, "What?"

I grabbed a body and started dragging it, "Grab a body and follow me."

Bertram and Charles looked at each other with confused faces.

I called after him, "If we don't send them a message, they'll send more people after us to try and kill us. Do you want that?"

Charles sighed, "No..."

He grabbed a body with Bertram and they both began to follow me. As we walked through the red light district, people stood by and gasped when they saw the dead bodies being dragged.

I wasn't concerned about any authorities. Just like in any world, the authorities stayed out of poor, crime filled areas. This was a place where every man and woman had to look out for themselves.

But that's precisely the reason why I started offering protection. Everyone deserved to feel safe. Even the people who society looks down on.

However, these stupid pricks are trying to ruin all my hard work. They're lucky that I'm a kind person or else I would have destroyed them all ruthlessly already.

Once we made it to the center of the red light district, I pointed to three poles in the middle of the street. "String them up there."

Bertram frowned, "Isn't this... A bit much?"

I shook my head, "Actually, I'm worried it won't be enough."

Bertram did was I asked and put their bodies on the poles. After he tied their lifeless bodies up, I pulled out the knife from between the man's eyes. Charles gagged in response.

I ignored their horror and I carved my insignia into their foreheads. I nodded at my handiwork. I turned around and faced the crowd that had gathered.

I bellowed out, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Black Death has heard your pleas for help. Those who have remained loyal to the Black Death have nothing to fear. Those who have decided to join this supposed Thieves Guild, should leave town while they still can. Any who stay will not be shown mercy."

I started walking away ignoring the whispers around me. Charles and Bertram followed after me quickly. I looked at Charles, "Bring me to the places that have been troubled by the Theives Guild."

He nodded, "Right away."

Each establishment I visited, I made sure to reassure them that the Black Death would handle the situation. I provided them with monetary compensation for any damage they may have had from a visit from someone in the Thieves Guild. My goal was to make sure they still had confidence in my Phantom Boss.

I also had another purpose in doing this.

I wanted to make sure that these people stayed loyal and didn't dare give in to the Theives threats. To my surprise, no one did. They would rather die or lose everything rather than make the Black Death angry.

I really did create such a formidable villain. I can't help but feel a bit proud.

After I finished doing my rounds, I yawned and rubbed my eyes. "Ugh, is that the sun?"

Bertram nodded, "Yes. Looks like the sun will be up soon."

I groaned, "Ugh. I haven't gotten any sleep these past few days."

"Should we head back?"

I yawned once more, "Yeah. I've done all I could do today."

We said goodbye to Charles and I made sure to leave him with some bodyguards. The Theives were probably targeting him because of his close ties to me and Bertram.

As we walked out of the red light district towards the Academy, I quickly changed course.

Bertram looked at me in confusion, "Where are we going? Isn't this the wrong way?"

I whispered in a low tone, "It seems we have some rats on our tails."