My Players Are So Fierce

As the crisp sound of the mechanical lighter echoed, the person in front of me lit a cigarette and said:

“Sister Doris is currently not in Transylvania, but if she comes back and finds out such a big amount hasn’t been recovered, many people will find their positions unstable, Excellency. In the worst case, heads might roll.”

Alas, Crimson Castle is getting more competitive, even us rats of the sewers have KPIs now.

You see, we used to be friends, and with friends, you should act wholeheartedly. What you’re doing is gambling with our future. Is this how the Nord treats their friends?

So, if you don’t give me an explanation today, I’ll have to show you what true ‘wholeheartedness’ means.”

“Damn, I also want to pay back, but the problem is, I need money for that!”

Ivankov panicked a bit; he knows the style of the Blood Rat Gang.

As the largest gray force in Transylvania currently, seven out of ten bad things in this shadowy land are related to these guys. However, the fact they’ve developed this far under Transylvania’s strict management policies only shows that the Blood Rat Gang’s background must be an officially trained black glove.

When thinking of the rumors about the Blood Rat Gang’s connections with the Shadow Intelligence Bureau, Lieutenant Colonel Ivankov felt a surge to relieve himself.

During the years in Shadow Valley, fighting against the Wolf People alongside the Transia People, he personally witnessed how the agents of the Shadow Intelligence Bureau treat their enemies.

Those vicious henchmen trained by vampires have many bizarre ways to extract the information they want from the toughest Wolf People. If the Wolf People’s hard bones couldn’t withstand those tortures, he probably wouldn’t be able to either.

So he shouted:

“Give me some more time! I’ll figure something out.”

“What the hell are you gonna figure out!”

The person in front grabbed his collar and roared:

“You have no wife, no children, just a few familiar floozy sluts as lovers. Your relationship with your cheap father is terrible, and your only cared-about mother died a few years ago. Now, you’re a fearless bachelor! There’s nothing worthy of your protection left in this world, so you feel you fear nothing. I bet if we let you go here, chances are you’ll run off into the Great Wilderness by tomorrow. But… We didn’t just invite you here for debt collection, His Excellency Ivankov, we have a business that needs your assistance.”

“Pah!”

The glaring light was turned off, saving Ivankov’s sore eyes from enduring the harsh glare, as much softer lighting illuminated the room, allowing him to see the person in front clearly. Then the major widened his eyes and cursed more furiously:

“Damn! 003! You bastard, why are you here?”

He cursed.

The guy pretending to be a member of the Blood Rat Gang in front of him was none other than the domestic 003 who had fought Wolf People with him in the trenches of Shadow Valley before. The two weren’t close friends, but at least they had shared arms and killed enemies together.

For men, this meant extraordinary friendship.

“I just happened to pass by to see, didn’t expect you were doing so miserably.”

Domestic 003 chuckled, popped out a cigarette, handed it to Lieutenant Colonel Ivankov, and lit it for him, leaned back on the table, folded his arms, and said:

“Even so, you count as a war hero. How come after returning, you’ve only been promoted in rank but deprived of command?”

“Don’t mention it, General Hillock is just an arrogant fool; he thinks we’re disloyal.”

Bound to the chair, Ivankov puffed a ring of smoke and sighed:

“It’s not just me; many brothers who’ve participated in the Shadow Valley war have been stripped of power, given a marginal post in the guise of living a leisurely life.”

Dammit!

I’ve struggled for over a decade, and in the end, haven’t got anything but a medal. If it weren’t for this mess, I wouldn’t have run to Treasure Bay to gamble and live lavishly. But you just mentioned a business you want to do with me?”

Ivankov raised his head, stared at 003 in front of him, and nervously said:

“Look at this setup; I’m a bit scared, buddy. Can I quit now?”

“Of course, the choice is in your hands, friend.”

Domestic 003 shrugged, said:

“Outside are real debt collectors from the Blood Rat Gang, ‘proud disciples’ personally trained by the Blood Inquisitors of the Shadow Intelligence Bureau, skilled in various torture penalties. Rumor has it they’re recently practicing a thing called ‘Lingchi.’ If you don’t want to talk to me, shall I invite them in?”

“No! I was just kidding.”

Lieutenant Colonel Ivankov awkwardly chuckled as he observed 003’s expression and said:

“So, exactly what is the business?”

“It’s a grand business from Count Bai of White Mountain. You know, the Earl’s status is noble, and some matters are not appropriate for him to deal with personally; hence, he needs a reliable agent. His subordinates already applied for a company name at North Wind Castle, and now require a professional manager to handle the commerce. Since the main trade location is in the Kavkhoka region, it’s best to find someone with local connections and networks. From every aspect, you’re very suitable.”

003 shrugged, placed a piece of paper and a pen on the table beside him, and said:

“As long as you agree to join, there will be dedicated personnel to teach you how to operate and act.