The Scam

Inside Island Manor

The carriage slowly rolled into the manor. Through the small window, they could see Gangsters in Black Suits everywhere throughout the estate.

No, not just inside the manor.

In fact, guards in Black Suits had been posted since a thousand meters away from the manor.

"Due to certain special circumstances, someone may come looking to cause trouble for our Felke Family soon, so our defenses have been strengthened somewhat."

Besides Rod's group of four, the carriage also held two members of the Felke Family, including Jason. Seemingly sensing Gray's confusion, Jason spoke up to explain.

"I'm sure you noticed, Mr. Gray—we use Flintlock Guns, which need to be reloaded after every shot.

"I'm very much looking forward to the repeating firearm you designed. If it can be mass-produced, our family's influence will surely grow by leaps and bounds."

Gray merely nodded without saying anything.

To him, firearms were nothing more than a means of obtaining research funding. What he truly wanted to study was a warship that could sail the seas and surpass [Hades].

But could he really build the warship of his dreams by simply burying himself in research without experiencing the sea for himself?

Even if others could conduct the tests for him and provide detailed experimental data, could data supplied by people without talent truly be accurate?

Gray only felt that the shipbuilding plan he had mapped out had become much more difficult.

As he pondered, the carriage came to a stop. They got out, then followed Jason through the gates.

Inside the lavish hall, Gangsters in Black Suits stood in rows along both sides. A massive long table occupied the center of the hall, and at its far end sat the burly Fulk Kyle, his slicked-back hair visible through the thick smoke shrouding him.

"No matter how you look at it, this doesn't seem like a dinner party."

Aside from a glass of red wine before Kyle, the enormous table held nothing else.

The doors behind them slowly closed. Jason placed a wineglass on the end of the table nearest them, then opened a bottle of red wine and slowly poured a glass.

"You're Dr. Gray, right? I quite like the weapon you designed before. Drink this glass of wine and join the Felke Family. From now on, you'll be responsible for designing all kinds of weapons. Whether it's fine wine or beautiful women, whatever you want, I'll provide it."

Kyle exhaled a cloud of smoke. He held a cigar in one hand and raised the wineglass before him with the other in a distant toast.

"That sounds wonderful. I like fine wine and beautiful women too. And about the warship design I mentioned earlier..."

"I said you only need to design weapons."

Kyle frowned slightly. The underlings standing throughout the hall immediately drew their guns and aimed them at Gray and the other four.

"Are the heads of researchers all this slow? Do I really have to spell it out so plainly?

"We're Gangsters, not pirates. What does a warship have to do with us? Just follow my arrangements and design weapons properly. You don't need to concern yourself with anything else.

"If you do well, I can arrange for you to go out to sea and relax once in a while. Consider that special treatment for a scientist."

"As for you three."

Kyle shifted his gaze to Rod and the other two.

"My apologies, but this matter is the Felke Family's highest secret. I can only trouble you to die."

"What? You bastard!"

Gray's expression changed drastically upon hearing Kyle's words.

"From now on, you'll call me Boss Kyle!"

Kyle's face darkened as he stared fixedly at Gray.

"Hurry up and drink it!"

Gray looked at the glass before him, his eyes filled with struggle.

"If I agree to your demands, can you let the three of them go? They were merely dragged into this by accident. I don't think they'll spread what happened here carelessly."

"Are you really going to join them, design weapons for them, and give up your dream of building ships?"

Rod looked at Gray. When Gray had spoken of his dream before, his eyes had shone—but now that light had gone out.

"But... if I don't agree, the three of you will die."

"You've already been deceived once. Why are you still so naive? Do you really think he'll let the three of us go?"

"You're a smart one."

For the first time, Kyle gave Rod a proper look. He had seen plenty of mercenaries like this on the sea; they were merely insignificant small fry. The only person he cared about was the young scientist named Gray standing before him.

The other man was a genius in weapon design. Having grown up with firearms since childhood, Kyle was absolutely certain of it. As long as they had the new firearm Gray had designed, the Felke Family would surely become the largest arms dealer in North Blue in one leap.

Kyle turned his gaze back to Gray, impatience creeping into his voice.

"If you drink this glass, you'll become a member of the Felke Family. Work for me faithfully from now on, and you'll have no shortage of benefits. Otherwise, you can only die here together with them."

"I really can't do it after all..."

Gray slowly stepped forward and reached out to pick up the wineglass.

Seeing this, a faint smile appeared on Kyle's face.

"Building a warship that surpasses [Hades] has always been my dream! Asking me to abandon that dream and become a puppet who designs weapons exclusively for trash like you—how could I possibly agree to something like that?!"

Gray smashed the wineglass in his hand onto the floor, then immediately grabbed the wine bottle and hurled it viciously at Kyle across the long table.

Bang—!

Grey was, after all, only a researcher. The bottle did not hit Kyle, only smashing against the table in front of him. It shattered, and scarlet liquor splashed across Kyle's face, making his expression look even more terrifying.

"Grab that kid! Kill the other three on the spot!"

Following Kyle's furious roar, the lackeys in the hall chambered their guns, drew their blades, and charged forward with howls.

Though he had spoken firmly enough, Grey immediately retreated in fright when he saw dozens of gangsters rushing at them.

"Seriously, I got led around in circles and then had to watch such a lousy little act. I'm really annoyed right now!"

Nia pressed a hand against the retreating Grey, her yellow vertical pupils narrowing slightly.

"At the very least, pay me first!"

With a sharp shout, Nia raised her long leg high. Then her legs became a blur, and the few men charging at the front were instantly sent flying backward.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Just as Nia kicked several people away, a group of gangsters in the distance opened fire on the three of them.

At the same moment they fired, Nerl flicked his wrist. The black gun in his hand fired repeatedly, emptying all ten rounds in an instant. After precisely striking the bullets coming at them, the shots continued onward and hit the enemy gunmen. Blood bloomed on all ten of them almost simultaneously before they collapsed.

"Let me borrow your blade."

Rod shifted his body slightly, grabbed the hand holding the enemy's knife, and turned the blade around, slicing it across the man's throat. After weighing the knife in his hand for a moment, Rod gathered a little strength and swung fiercely. A slash tore through the air, sending all the tables and chairs before them flying.