Chapter 90: Chapter 90 Just looking if there’s nothing else_1
The second-generation "Filthblood Reaper," when Aiden announced this title, the scene fell into a silence as still as death.
In the underworld, there was no one who did not know the name of "The Filthblood Reaper," a monster who could take anyone’s head.
Too many mob bosses who thought they could reach the sky had died at the hands of this monster. As long as an enemy offered enough reward to mobilize this creature, no matter how powerful you were or how many underlings you had, it was very hard to keep your own head on your shoulders.
The times when The Filthblood Reaper was active were Meiruki’s most glorious days. Even if they weren’t involved in murder contracts, many gang leaders associated with her would regularly pay "protection fees" to the assassins she sent out, hoping to prevent them from taking contracts against them.
After Avansa was imprisoned, Meiruki’s influence in the underworld plummeted without this trump card, to the extent that some gangs she had previously offended started to put bounties on her head.
Under such circumstances, everyone would have expected Meiruki to try everything to cultivate the next "Filthblood Reaper," but with no news for so long, people in the underworld began to assume that the witch could no longer produce such a monstrously talented creature.
However, today, this boy stood before them, announcing outright that he was going to inherit the title of "The Filthblood Reaper."
This title was not one anyone could carry lightly; "The Filthblood Reaper" was synonymous with the king of assassins.
Next, something even more horrifying happened—the boy’s body suddenly started to transform, quickly swelling into a giant. The cloak that had been loose enough to drag on the ground now stretched taut over his body.
He stepped slowly over the doorman who was nearly scared out of his wits and lying on the ground, moved to the front of the desk, and looked down at Carlo from his elevated position, his voice deep and sonorous: "It’s just like that, do you understand now?"
Carlo, engulfed in Aiden’s shadow, could feel his body sweating profusely as if his insides were a punctured water bag.
None of the gang members standing around the office dared to move; the bound bodyguards were a clear warning.
By now, no one dared question whether the boy had the power to proclaim himself the second-generation "Filthblood Reaper." The two most famous aspects of the original "Filthblood Reaper" in the underworld were the eerie ability to change his body at will, and the blood that sealed throats upon contact.
The former, this second-generation reaper had already proven he had the exact same ability, and no one on the scene was willing to risk their life to have him prove the latter.
This was exactly the effect Aiden had hoped for. Although disguising himself as "the child of Meiruki" always felt like letting the witch benefit at his expense, it was the most convenient way to make these gangsters see him as a professional assassin. Moreover, the notoriety of "The Filthblood Reaper" would make him more threatening to them, not only increasing the success rate of his plan but also saving a lot of trouble.
To make the other party recognize one’s role, the simplest method was to wear a mantle they were familiar with.
Carlo nodded stiffly, carefully speaking up, "What exactly do you want to do? Is it money you’re after?"
His first thought was that this guy was here to collect protection fees. If Meiruki managed to train a second "Filthblood Reaper," regaining her former glory wouldn’t be an issue.
Yet, he couldn’t understand why Meiruki would target him. The Skull Gang was a newly developed and expanding faction with no real ties to Meiruki, and he had only recently climbed to the senior ranks...
Transformed into a giant, Aiden let out a "cackle" of laughter, like a greedy raven: "Yes, money, and reputation. I currently need an assassination mission to make my mark, and isn’t Mr. Borbo offering a bounty? I’ve come to take on that reward."
"A reward?" Carlo was completely baffled.
But others in the room turned their gaze toward him—it seemed the assassin had actually come to conduct business with their executive.
"It’s hard to talk about this kind of thing in front of others, I can understand that," Aiden said, nodding as if he completely understood, "Have everyone else leave. We can discuss this just the two of us."
"Discuss—"
Carlo began to ask "Discuss what," but he only got out one word before swallowing his question back down because a pitch-black claw had suddenly extended from the shadow enveloping him and patted his shoulder.
"I believe Mr. Borbo is sincere, not playing games with us," Aiden said with a smile, then repeated, "Come, let the others leave, just the two of us can have a good talk."
Carlo understood his situation, his life was now in the hands of the opponent, and he could only do as the hitman had said.
"You, get out," Carlo ordered his subordinates in the room, managing to maintain his composure, "Everybody out."
Meanwhile, Aiden manipulated the shadow demon to release the several bodyguards.
The men hurriedly jostled to leave the room without any hesitation, and the last one even closed the door very "thoughtfully."
Even without the order of a superior, they really didn’t want to stay in the same room with a hitman who could take their lives at any moment.
Now, only the two of them were left in the room. Aiden slowly moved back to one side of the wall, crossed his arms and leaned against it, a position tough to target blindly through the door or window.
With Daili’s shadow demon for protection, he was nearly invincible in this well-lit room. Even if multiple armed thugs burst into the room ready to draw their guns and fire at him, he could use their shadows to counterattack everyone in an instant.
He only needed to guard against attacks he couldn’t see from a distance. To prepare for a gunfight, the gang’s stronghold had very thick walls, and the windows were tiny, offering quite good cover. He just had to be slightly cautious of his positioning to ensure his absolute safety.
Carlo sat back down in his chair, struggling to maintain his composure with the experience he had earned from his years in the gang.
After a while, he tried to start a conversation with a calm tone, "Say, is there some sort of misunderstanding between us? I have never—"
Aiden didn’t answer the question but instead interrupted directly, "Get the money out."
"What?" Carlo was confused again.
"Get the money out; is that hard to understand? There must be money in your office here, right? Valuable stuff works too, take it all out," Aiden continued.
So he was after protection money after all... why didn’t he just say so in the first place? It would have been better to let him keep a subordinate to help pack the money.
Carlo was still completely bewildered, but now that his life was in the other’s hands, he had no choice but to comply, for while money could be collected again from the shops on his turf, a lost life could not be replaced.
"How much do you want?"
"Whatever is in this room, take it all out."
This behavior didn’t at all resemble something Meiruki’s servant would do; it was more like that of a robber. But Carlo didn’t dare to question his identity anymore and had to go to the corner safe. After opening it, he took out all the cash and precious metals and stuffed them into a sack.
"Don’t put it in a bag, just lay it out on the table, stack it neatly," Aiden added his request.
Carlo looked back, puzzled, "What are you trying to do?"
"Just do as I say, it’s okay, I’m not taking it away, just want to have a look," Aiden simply replied.
Carlo was completely baffled now.
Is this guy...a lunatic?
