The Crocks (Part I)

The structure I was now standing in front of was unmistakably a jewelry firm, apparently under the Crocks' ownership. My first instinct was to cause chaos, but given that the establishment was now mine, any destruction would be a dent in my assets.

For a jewelry store, I found the size of this place to be overwhelming. You would think a criminal organization would have a more hidden area.

As I perused the display, my eyes were drawn to a plethora of dazzling and unique gemstones. Their radiant hues of red, blue, yellow, and a myriad of other colors were mesmerizing, quickly capturing anyone's attention.

"Hello? How can I help you?" The woman at the front desk queried, a hint of skepticism evident in her gaze. Given my out-of-the-ordinary attire, her cautious stance was expected.

"Is this the main base for the Crocks?" I posed the question directly, not wanting to dawdle.

"What business do you have with them? If it's not anything too important, please leave." It seemed like I wasn't welcomed. The bodyguards kept their eyes on me once I mentioned the Crocks.

"I'm here for a reason: I want ownership of this place. Summon your leader. If not, those present won't see daylight again." My tone was serene, but my threat was clear.

No one took what I said lightly, and a group of men had started to make their move and surrounded me.

"What's with these people these days..." I could hear the receptionist sigh, disappointed by my arrogance.

"If they wish to avoid encounters like this, they shouldn't operate a business here," I retorted, aware that she probably wasn't seeking a reply.

"Escort him out!" I was ignored, and the employee asked the bodyguards to get me out of there.

"Think twice before you touch me," I cautioned with a cold edge to my voice, making the guards pause in uncertainty.

However, one brave bodyguard dared to lay a hand on my shoulder, triggering the devastating effects of my powers.

"Psst!!!" A hissing sound echoed as the aftermath of the contact became evident. To the horror of those watching, the hand that reached out to me began to disintegrate.

The unsightly scream and vaporizing body were being looked at, and the receptionist who saw this couldn't help but want to throw up from the disgusting sight of what was happening.

With a guard evaporating, no one was foolish enough to stand against me in a direct confrontation.

Immediately, someone in the room had turned on the alarm, which had opened a door to a secret passage.

"Thanks! Now I get to see your boss, and if he's not here, all I could say is how unfortunate." Even though someone was blocking my path, all I did was walk past him with our shoulders colliding.

The fate of the guard I brushed against mirrored that of the one who tried to remove me, leaving him in a dire state. From the now-revealed passage, a group emerged.

The six individuals who stepped out had a distinct look about them. Their demeanor and appearance exuded an air of criminality, making their intentions quite clear.

"Are you the one causing trouble in this place?" The one in front of the pack spoke with a disgruntled tone.

The one who spoke was a six-foot-tall woman with tanned skin similar to what people would call an amazoness.

"Nope, it's clearly that girl who's throwing up." I made a sarcastic comment, which was frowned upon by everyone in this room.

"You don't look like the boss of this place. Your naming sense doesn't match your appearance. Mind telling me where your boss is?" I asked, slightly teasing, having already understood that I might not get a straightforward response.

"Marget, let's not waste time. Dispose of him," said another from the group, a gaunt man who looked as if he'd seen better days.

Without hesitation, the amazoness named Marget brandished her axe, directing it menacingly at me. Clearly, they were gearing up for a showdown.

I unleashed the power of my artifact, directing it at Marget's weapon. She was agile and dodged my attack effortlessly. But her dodge meant one of her comrades wasn't so lucky, taking the full brunt of my assault. His demise stunned the rest, a clear indication of the gulf between our strengths. One of the group of six had died like that, and others couldn't help but stop at that. This is how it generally is when anyone meets the strong.

I could've wiped them out in mere moments, but the fallout would've been catastrophic, potentially causing irreparable damage to my surroundings.

"Care to speak up now? It's truly tragic how your comrade met his end. It would be a shame if the rest of you met a similar fate." With a nonchalant twirl of my artifact, I hinted at unleashing its power once more.

The five could only stare at me and wait for my next move. I didn't expect that these criminals would be so loyal to their bosses. I would expect more of a quick answer since there's no benefit in ending their lives for a person who is willing to let them die.

"Nothing? I must admit, your dedication is commendable. Your boss will surely appreciate your sacrifice. Who knows, you might even reunite in the afterlife," I taunted, preparing to end them.

However, to my surprise, the remaining five didn't put up any resistance and accepted their fate. I wondered what the boss here did to make them so loyal.

"We su!!!" Out of the five, one of them had tried to answer, but suddenly, when they spoke a word, he couldn't speak and somehow managed to choke himself to death.

"A binding pact, perhaps?" I mused aloud. This explained their inability to betray their leader, even at the cost of their own lives. Their loyalty wasn't by choice but rather enforced by a sinister contract.

I guess I was still too ignorant about the world. These people I'm fighting are only at the bottom of the barrel.