https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-153-The-Bigger-the-Storm-the-Pricier-the-Fish/12610955/
Chapter 154: The Heist
Chapter 154: The Heist
Even though it was still morning, quite a few people had already shown up to enjoy themselves.
Some had been drinking since last night and were still going strong.
Others had just arrived and were dragged here to seek pleasure.
Sarge's voice even drowned out the music performance on stage, causing everyone to fall silent. However, most of them soon wore angry expressions.
Only a small number of people, upon seeing Sarge's face twisted into a sinister smile, turned deathly pale.
"Bastard!"
A man with drunken swagger, his tie wrapped around his forehead, stood up and shouted loudly, "What are you making such a ruckus for? You even stopped the music! Get the hell out of here!"
Smash!
As soon as he finished speaking, a bottle flew through the air and smashed into the man's face, exploding into a spray of liquor that mixed with the blood on his face before splattering onto the sofa behind him.
"You're right, the music mustn't stop!"
Sarge retracted his hand and strode towards the largest stage in the hall. He snapped his fingers at the performers, who were already stunned, and said, "Get ready."
"There's a disturbance over there!"
The commotion in the nightclub naturally attracted the attention of those tasked with keeping watch.
For businesses entangled with the mob, you either cultivated your own group of people or paid protection money to the local mob to maintain order.
After all, there were always troublemakers.
Usually, in such situations, you just needed to drag the person out and then discuss compensation.
However, this time was clearly different.
Swish!
Hawkins stood up, stepped out of the private room, drew his longsword, and effortlessly sliced through the body of the person who charged at him first.
One sword strike, bisected at the waist.
A massive amount of blood gushed out from the bisected body, soaking the floor even before the other mob members could react. The longsword then swept through the air, transforming into several whip-like tendrils that lashed out and sliced through them one after another.
The surrounding onlookers stared with wide eyes, and the accompanying ladies were about to scream, but at that moment, the ceiling shook inexplicably.
Boom!
A gaping hole was blasted open in the ceiling, and Bellamy crashed through it, stomping on a man dressed in fine clothing as he fell to the ground. He planted his foot on the man's face, now drenched in blood, and surveyed the people in the hall with a bloodthirsty smile.
Flickers of firelight could be faintly seen above the hole.
How much longer could they hold out upstairs?
With a bounty of 55 million berries, they might as well be a natural disaster compared to ordinary people.
"Music, begin!"
The sound of crashing through the ceiling served as the prelude to this performance, and whether it was out of fear or because of Sarge's innate commanding presence, the performers on stage, after hesitating for a moment, actually resumed playing their instruments and filling the room with music.
Of course, the nightclub had music. After all, both music and alcohol served to unleash the surging desires within humans.
Sarge stood at the front of the stage, facing the crowd exuding fear, and like a maestro, he pointed his index finger downwards, conducting with rhythmic gestures to the music.
At the same time, on a street somewhere outside.
Lily, accompanied by some underlings, walked out of a store carrying bags filled with perfume, leaving behind the sycophantic smiles of the shop attendants.
This street was part of a commercial district and was quite bustling, filled with tourists.
Lily looked up at the sky and asked the underlings behind her, "Do you have a signal?"
Her underlings shook their heads unanimously.
"It seems the intelligence hasn't been gathered yet. You may also act freely for now. Once the signal is sent, we will act with this commercial street as the center." Lily instructed.
"Yes, Lady Lily!" The underlings replied in unison and were about to disperse when a dull thud suddenly drew their attention.
It came from a nearby store whose glass door had been smashed open, and a woman was being dragged out by her hair.
"This store's lease has expired!"
The man dragging the woman by her hair was robust and wore minimal clothing, revealing tattoos on his arms. He appeared to be a local gang member, and with a menacing expression, he declared, "We already gave you notice long ago. You should have handed over the store by now. Are you not taking us seriously? Smash the place!"
"This is my store!"
The woman, in pain, held back her tears and shouted, "The money was already fully repaid, and the store originally belonged to me. You can't do this!"
"Fully repaid?
"Impossible!" The man coldly sneered, "Let me explain the situation to you. While the loan for this shop has been repaid, the foot traffic has increased recently. Naturally, with more customers, you'd make more money, which means the original selling price was a loss for us. So, you need to make up the difference. That's what our boss said. We told you about this last month. You need to make up for the loss to the tune of 5 million berries. If you're three days late, you'll be charged a 30% daily interest, so you'll need to pay back a total of 10 million berries."
"Our boss knows you don't have that kind of money, so he's willing to let this store make up for the debt. We already sent you the notice, yet you still refuse to leave. Are you looking down on us or something?"
With a vicious grip on the woman's hair, his face inches from hers, he continued, "We've been more than generous giving you so many extra days. Now, if you still refuse to leave, we'll smash up your shop, throw your things out, and then..."
"Then it's time to fight back."
A clear, cold voice suddenly rang out behind the gang member, and he turned around instinctively, his eyes lighting up. "Oh! What a beautiful young lady!"
He released the woman's hair and straightened up, appraising Lily with a lecherous gaze. "Are you interested in working at our place? You could make a lot of money, especially with your looks. You'd definitely earn a lot of—"
Szzz!
A flash of light crossed the man's neck, freezing the words in his throat. Even his smile remained as his head tilted to the side, sliding off his neck and falling to the ground.
Lily casually flicked White Lightning to the side, allowing the blood on the blade to drip down. Before it could fall, one of her subordinates knelt and wiped the sword clean with a white cloth.
She glanced at the flower shop behind the woman, which was filled with exquisite blooms. The woman herself was also quite well-dressed.
"You..." The flower shop owner stared dumbfounded at the head on the ground, then at Lily, her expression one of shock rather than fear.
"Why didn't you fight back?" Lily asked.
"Their boss is the big businessman who controls this street," the woman replied reflexively. "I can't possibly win against him."
"Whether you fight or not, the outcome will be the same. Since you're already being oppressed, why not try to fight back?" Lily suggested.
She extended her other hand, and a subordinate respectfully placed a flintlock pistol in it. She caught it and tossed it to the woman, then looked at the worried owners of the nearby shops and said, "Wondering if you can win or not is pointless. It's the weapons in your hands that will determine victory. So..."
"Pick up your weapons."
...
In a slum somewhere...
Marika smiled at the children gathered around the table, drooling over the delicious food but too shy to eat. "Go on, enjoy your meal."
...
At the amusement park...
Renetia held her extended mechanical hammer and stomped on a man lying on the ground. "Get to work!" she shouted.
...
Hawkins stood amidst the corpses, brandishing his straw sword and facing the terrified crowd. "Hand over your money!" he demanded.
Szz! Bang!!
High in the city sky, Agin pulled out a mechanical tube and lit the fuse, releasing a dazzling display of fireworks that added a touch of color to the night's performance.
Sarge's hands danced as if he were entranced by the music. With his eyes half-closed, he heard the fireworks and conducted the musicians into the main piece, a smile on his face. "The seventh movement, Carnival Tune, begins."
(End of Chapter)
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