Investigation

They say you can never truly know a man until he is in a position of power.

In the past Leo would take all of this laying down because he lacked the strength to do something about these issues. However, times have changed. The system was now here to give him a huge advantage against his peers, so he planned to take full advantage of that.

Anyway, Leo accepted the task mostly because he doesn't have a choice at the moment. He also wanted to use this as an opportunity to test his abilities.

"James Brent, thirty-nine years, a father of two, and no criminal record. This man is too clean to be the thief. Unless he has a dire motive?" Leo pondered while in the cab.

He sighed and pushed the thoughts away. If the empathy skill actually works, he will be able to tell.

By the way, this case wasn't even the most important thing on his mind right now. With his new capabilities, Leo couldn't help but dream. Back then he felt there were too many things out of his control, so why bother? However, he now had the means to put everything within his grasp, so why hesitate?

Leo packed his files and put them in his briefcase. He walked towards the exit and when he opened the door a series of emotions washed past him, causing him to stop in his tracks. He could feel the core and dominant emotions of everyone in the room. Especially those directed at him.

Leo frowned as he realized there was a lot of hostility from the men, while the women were more curious and infatuated. His looks seem to have created so many enemies for him even without him doing a thing.

Envy will always be found in men.

Leo shook his head and let out a sigh under his breath. He quickly locked the door behind him and began walking in the direction of the elevator. As soon as Leo left the building, he took a cab to South Bay, where his client resides. Throughout the journey, he wore a mischievous smile on his face. What happened earlier confirmed his powers work which means that the system was the real deal.

---

Leo stopped in front of an old building with worn-out paint. He glanced around and mentally noted the financial status of his client. He guessed that this was the reason why the client was dismissed so fast after the theft was found out happened; he was easily replaceable.

Not many people would pay attention to people of this caliber, especially when all they have to file this lawsuit and hire a lawyer would barely amount to a thousand dollars. Judging based on the apartment's appearance, that must be his client's life savings.

"...hello. Yes, I'm outside." Leo made a brief call to inform his client of his presence.

---

Leo picked a café not far from James' home, who was his client.

James was dressed in casual sweatshirts and sweatpants and a pair of running shoes. Leo's client looked older than his age with most of his hair turning gray already, but the man didn't seem to care about his appearance.

From the very first moment, since they came here, James had been giving off a resolute and righteous aura. He was a man with strong morals and a good home.

"Someone who cannot survive in this world." Leo muttered with a cold look in his eyes.

Leo may have acted ignorant most of his life, but that doesn't mean he was unaware of the way the world works.

Power is everything and the rules of the jungle will always apply no matter the civilization or time. The strong will always rule over the weak. A man like this cannot make it big in a cruel world like this. Especially when he is born with a poor background.

"Did you take it?" Leo asked the first question that came to his mind and then he waited.

"No." James answered with a firm look in his eyes.

Leo just looked him in the eyes for a few seconds and nodded in affirmation.

"I believe you. Now, tell me what happened, don't miss out on any detail." Leo said as he leaned back and waited for the man to unload the story to him.

Apparently, during James' shift, a piece of factory equipment went missing. Three of his co-workers blamed him, but the funny thing about all of this was that James wasn't at work that day.

He had switched shifts with one of those who accused him, but since it was done off the record the man easily denied it, and James took the hit. was fired a few minutes later.

"You said you were at the bar when that happened?" Leo asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes!" James nodded seriously.

Even though the had sent in his case for consideration, he didn't really believe anyone would take his case. Now, he had someone who seemed genuinely interested in his story so James had to take it seriously.

"Is that so?" Leo shut his eyes while he muttered those words.

He opened his eyes slowly and sighed before he continued.

"If that is the case, then we have no problem. We just need to go back to the bar and speak to a bartender or something and have them act as an alibi. If you still have a receipt of your purchase that night, it will make things a lot easier," Leo asked calmly as he rose to his feet.

James' eyes widened as if he had seen the light at the end of the tunnel ever since this whole thing started.

"Yes! I will take you there quickly. To be honest, the bartender there is a close friend of mine. Donald! I also have a receipt! Thank you so much!" James ranted as they walked out of the café.

---

After checking the bar and confirming James' story, Leo took the receipt and an audio recording of the bartender's statements and the statements of others working there.

By the time Leo was done, it was already late, so he decided to return home for now. He concluded that it would be better to pay the company a visit the next morning. Only then would he be able to meet everyone and question them properly.

Thud!

Thud!

Walking up the stairs, Leo was stunned to see Maria standing in front of his door. She seemed unsure whether to knock or leave.

Came back for more?

Those words ran through Leo's mind as a sinister smile bloomed on his face. He must have done a good job to make her come back.

Leo walked up the stairs with pride and when Maria saw him, she flinched right away. In response, Leo responded with a smile.

"Come back in thirty minutes. I'll be ready then" he said and Maria nodded with a bright smile on her face like a child given a lollipop.

What's the difference anyway, he is about to give her his lollipop.

---

Gawk!

Gawk!

Leo held Maria by the hair as he shoved his rod down her throat. Seeing her kneeling obediently while looking into his eyes with her puppy eyes made the experience even better.

At this moment Leo felt like he was on top of the world. What people fail to understand is that there are different forms of power. Destructive power is one thing but the ability to manipulate people is on another level.

There is no country without the people!

There is no kingdom without the people!

There is no empire without the people!

There is no God without worshipers...

If Leo could use this power to increase his influence and make people worship him, doesn't that make him a god?

"I can become a god." Leo mumbled as he looked towards the ceiling with ambition eating in his eyes.

Ding

[Achievement Unlocked]

[Mindset of a Demon Lord]

[Host has awakened enlightenment and has understood the path set before him even without the aid of the system. The demon Lord has high hopes for you, do not disappoint]

[+10exp]

[+2 Demonic essence]

[+1 stat point]

"Touch your toes, dear" Leo was ecstatic.

Without hesitation, Maria complied and assumed position, allowing her ass to jiggle in Leo's face.

---

Aaaah!

Ahha!

Haa!

Moaning sounds filled the corridor leaving all the male tenants depressed while the ladies are envious of Maria.