The Way of a Demon Lord

Chapter 177: Syndicate (2)

The room was quiet- with only one rhythmic sound permeating through the air. There were subtle cracks on a few of the furniture. But the sofas Adrian and Irene were sitting upon were completely free from such imperfections.

*Tap. Tap. Tap*

Adrian’s right index fingers were clashing against the wooden armrest while his head lied on his other hand- the one that was pillared on the other arm of the crouch.

Irene, on the other hand, was looking into nothingness- her body still, and face nonchalant.

*Step. Step.*

Soon, sound footsteps joined the constant taps. Two young men arrived. 

One of them was the sleeveless shirt wearing muscular man from before- Asmond. And the other was a new face, at least to Irene.

“He is Eustace.” Asmond introduced. “Eustace the Greedy.”

“Tap.” The rhythmic sound stopped.

Both Adrian and Irene scanned ‘through’ the newcomer- from top, to bottom.

Eustace- the blue eyed young man with brown hairs felt chills running down his spine; he felt as if he were like an open book in front of the two pairs of eyes- one purple, and the other- dark.

He knew he was not wrong because he was infamous for his sharp eyes. And he knew- that the eyes which had their gazes fixed upon him were sharper.

*Gulp*

“Greetings.” He wasted no time and knelt on the ground. One of his hands reached his chest. “I am Eustace Banks, and I take care of the finances.”

“Hmm…” Adrian rubbed his chin. “Someone titled ‘The Greedy’ is taking care of the finances. Interesting indeed.”

Asmond, who just got over the surprise from his comrade’s action chimed in. “It’s because of his greed that our coffers are filling up with a steady pace.”

Eustace put a smug smile on his face. 

“Look at me.” Adrian ordered. Even his casual tone carried authority.

The light blue eyes met the abyssal ones.

The young man suddenly felt as if his entire being was being sucked by those pair of black holes. He panicked. But before he could think of anything, everything turned back to normal.

A bead of sweat hit the floor.

“Not bad.” Adrian smiled, still looking right into the pair of bluish eyes. “You are skilled alright. But remember…” his eyes suddenly gave a warning look, one that belied his casual tone. “5% is the limit.”

Eustace gulped. “O… of course.” He subconsciously looked down, trying to hide the fear his eyes were betraying.

“You can rise.” Adrian rested his back against the sofa.

The kneeling man got up on his feet, took a step back and wiped the sweat off from his face.

Asmond, the spectator, was befuddled by the development but he chose to stay quiet.

A few minutes later, the middle aged man with a scar on his face- Halseed, returned.

Unlike the one before, he was alone. But none showed any curiosity towards the matter; they were expecting this.

Ten more minutes passed. None dared to say a word.

*Thump. Thump*

Suddenly, the whole establishment began to subtly shake.

Asmond, Eustace and Halseed- everyone moved from their spot.

*Creak*

A portion of the floor, just where the three were standing moments ago, began to turn over. A giant hand was holding its underside.

Soon, a gigantic man- one that stood over seven feet tall and with a muscular build- was standing before everyone, his head almost touching the ceiling.

His beastly brown eyes were fixed upon the duo sitting before him. 

Ley, the young tanned woman from before, jumped up from the hole on the floor.

“This is my elder brother- Caleb Hughes.” The girl introduced.

“Let me guess- Caleb the Giant, or Caleb the Brute.” Adrian raised his brows.

Ley forced a smile. This happened every fucking time.

The huge man with the unkempt long hair remained silent, only glaring down at the two. 

Adrian turned to his comrade, only to find her looking back up.

He turned ahead and sighed.

He stood up and walked towards the newcomer, until he was just a feet away. Adrian was a tall man himself. But he was only able to reach the bare chest of the man ahead.

Caleb kept his eyes on the little man, looking down on his silky hair. Adrian was looking ahead as he reached out his right hand up and grabbed the man’s left shoulder.

All of the spectators frowned- except Irene of course.

Adrian applied a ‘bit’ of force.

*Bam*

The whole room shook. The man who was looking down on the ‘guests’- was now down on the ground, on both of his knees. The tables- had turned. Adrian was now the one who was looking down.

Everyone forgot how to breath for a moment.

Caleb the Brute. He had once tore a level 6 circler in half. And the same Caleb was now on the ground, losing in a battle of strength.

The beastly man gritted his teeth, and even circled his magical energy. But alas, he could not move an inch. If he was moving anywhere- it was down.

*Crack. Crack*

Cracks formed on the wooden floor beneath.

Adrian was looking down at the beastly eyes, which began to lose hope. His abyssal eyes were cold.

“If anyone’s looking down, it is me.” Adrian strengthened his grip on the huge man’s bare shoulder.

*Snap*

“Aaargh!” The man’s face grimaced while he gritted his teeth.

“Brother!”

Suddenly, Adrian let go of him and went back to his seat.

Ley went to help the man, but was stopped by the man himself.

Caleb got on one knee and bowed. “It is this one’s honour to be of your service.” He spoke in a gentlemanly voice- one that heavily contrasted his appearance.

“You are strong indeed.” Adrian smiled. “You made me use a bit more than half of my strength.”

Invisible hands gripped everyones’ heart.

Monster! Another one!

Caleb bowed down once again before standing up and positioning himself beside his comrades.

*Creak.*

The door opened. Two women stepped into the room.

One was middle aged, but seductive- the last general member of the team.

And the other one was the leader…

The previous leader.