Nothing, I'll just take a look
When Aiden uttered the title "Second Generation of the Tainted Blood Reaper," the scene fell into a deathly silence.
In the underworld, there wasn't a soul unaware of the name "Tainted Blood Reaper." It was a monster that could claim anyone's head.
Countless influential figures in the criminal underworld met their end at the hands of this monster. As long as a vengeful party offered enough reward to enlist the monster services, regardless of your influence or the size of your gang, it was challenging to safeguard your own head.
The heyday of the Tainted Blood Reaper coincided with the peak of the underworld's enchantress, Melusine. Many mob bosses with ties to her would regularly pay her hired killers a "protection fee" even if there were no assassination contracts, hoping she wouldn't accept assignments against them.
After Evangeline imprisonment, Melusine, losing this ace, saw a drastic decline in her influence in the underworld. To the extent that some of the gangs she had offended in the past started putting bounties on her head.
Under such circumstances, anyone could see that Melusine would spare no effort to cultivate another "Tainted Blood Reaper." However, with so much time passing without any action, people in the criminal underworld had begun assuming that the witch could no longer nurture a uniquely talented monster.
Yet today, this young man stood before them, declaring that he would inherit the title of the "Tainted Blood Reaper."
This was a title not anyone could bear; the "Tainted Blood Reaper" was synonymous with the king of assassins.
Next, something even more chilling happened—they witnessed a sudden transformation in the boy's body, rapidly expanding into a giant. The once loose cloak now hung taut on him.
He casually stepped over the nearly terrified doorman, approached the office desk, and looked down at Carlo from above. In an immensely deep voice, he said, "Exactly, that's the situation. Do you understand now?"
Carlo found himself overshadowed by Aiden's presence, feeling cold sweat trickle down his body as if he were a punctured water bag.
The mobsters standing around the office desk dared not make a move, and the bound bodyguards served as a cautionary tale.
At this point, no one dared to question whether this boy had the strength to claim the title of the second generation "Tainted Blood Reaper." The two most famous aspects of the original "Tainted Blood Reaper" in the underworld were the ability to manipulate the body at will and the deadly blood that sealed the throat.
For the former, the second-generation reaper had already demonstrated the identical ability, and no one present wanted to risk their life to verify the latter.
This was precisely the effect Aiden aimed to achieve. Although masquerading as "Melusine offspring" felt like taking advantage of the witch, it was the most efficient way to make these mob figures recognize him as a professional killer. The reputation of the "Tainted Blood Reaper" would instill greater intimidation, not only increasing the success rate of his plans but also saving him from many complications.
To make them acknowledge his role, the simplest method was to don a familiar persona.
Carlo nodded reluctantly and cautiously inquired, "What do you want to do? Is it money you're after?"
His initial thought was that this guy came to collect protection money. If Melusine could cultivate a second "Tainted Blood Reaper," restoring their former glory wouldn't be an issue.
However, he couldn't fathom why Melusine would target him. The Skull Gang was a newly emerging faction, and he had recently climbed to a senior position with no significant interactions with Melusine.
Aiden, who transformed into a giant, emitted a sinister laugh, akin to a corrupt crow. "Yes, money and reputation. I need an assassination mission to establish my name. Mr. Polpo just issued a bounty, didn't he? I'm here to claim that reward."
"Bounty?" Carlo was completely bewildered.
But others in the room shifted their gaze toward him—apparently, this assassin was genuinely here to negotiate business with their senior executive.
"Discussing such matters in public can be challenging; I understand," Aiden nodded as if in great understanding. "Let the others leave; we can have a private conversation."
"Di—"
Carlo was about to ask, "Discuss what?" but he choked on his words as a black claw, extending from Aiden's shadow, patted his shoulder.
"I believe Mr. Polpo is sincere, and not playing games with us," Aiden said with a smile, reiterating, "Come on, have the others step out. Let's have a good talk, just the two of us."
Understanding his predicament, Carlo knew his life was now in the hands of the other. He could only comply with the instructions of this assassin.
"You guys..., leave," Carlo commanded his subordinates in the room, struggling to maintain composure. "Everyone, out."
Meanwhile, Aiden, controlling the shadow demon, released the restrained bodyguards.
The crowd hastily shuffled out of the room without a moment's hesitation, and the last person even "thoughtfully" closed the door.
Even without orders from the executive, they had no desire to stay in a room with a killer who could take their lives at any moment.
In the room, only two people remained. Aiden calmly stepped back to a side wall, crossed his arms, and leaned against it. This position made it challenging to snipe him through the door or windows.
With Dailey shadow demon protection, he was virtually invulnerable in this well-lit room. Even if multiple armed thugs stormed in, ready to draw their guns simultaneously, he could counter all of them in an instant using their own shadows.
He only needed to watch out for unseen long-range attacks. To counter the typical gunfights in mob strongholds, the walls were thick, and the windows were small—excellent cover. By carefully positioning himself, he could ensure absolute safety.
Carlo settled back into his chair, using his experience from years in the mob to reluctantly maintain his composure.
After a while, he made an effort to speak calmly to the "assassin" in the room, "I say, is there perhaps a misunderstanding between us? I've never—"
Aiden didn't respond to the question but directly interrupted him, saying, "Bring out the money."
"What?" Carlo was perplexed once again.
"Bring out the money. Is that hard to understand? Your agency must have money, or valuable items will do. Bring them out," Aiden continued.
Sure enough, it's protection money after all. Why not just say so directly earlier? I could have had one of my guys help carry the money.
Carlo remained confused, but with his life at the mercy of the other, he had no choice but to comply. Money could be scavenged from the businesses on his turf, but once his life was gone, there was no getting it back.
"How much do you want?"
"Bring out everything in this room."
This behavior didn't align with something Melusine would typically do; it seemed more like the actions of a bandit. However, Carlo dared not question the identity any longer. He reluctantly approached a corner safe, opened it, and took out all the cash and precious metals, stuffing them into a sack.
"Don't put it in the bag. Just place it on the table and put it neatly," Aiden added.
Carlo turned back, puzzled, "What are you trying to achieve?"
"Do as I say. Don't worry, I won't take it. Just take a look," Aiden replied simply.
Now Carlo was utterly bewildered.
Is this guy... perhaps insane?