Chapter 32: What an Arrogant Boss
"I just went to bed, I'm tired, and now you wake me up… What a drag…"
A man in pajamas and slippers walked through the door of a spacious, luxurious hall, an expression of annoyance on his face.
Behind him followed a woman dressed in a "cool" and fashionable style.
They flopped onto the sofa. The man stretched out his arm, wrapping it around her and letting his hand wander rather freely.
The woman seemed to enjoy it.
"That guy named Haze… he'll be here soon."
A few meters away, a middle-aged man with a blank expression inserted a videotape into the player.
"So… I had to get up and talk to you because of him? Chat a bit?"
The man in pajamas scratched his ear and exaggeratedly spread his hands. "Seriously, you three… do you always have to be so serious? He's just some kid who popped out of nowhere "
"Shut up!" snapped the middle-aged man.
The pajama man flinched a little, then snorted.
"This is footage of his matches in Heavens Arena… Take a look," the middle-aged man said coldly, glancing around the room.
Then he found a chair and sat down himself.
The television flickered on, and the tape began to play.
The man on the sofa glanced at it lazily.
For a while, the room was silent except for the sound of the recording.
After several tapes had finished, the middle-aged man captain of the Fields Family's security team looked at the four people before him and said, "Rod was killed by him… just a few hours ago. According to Jaku's report, Rod didn't even have a chance to fight back. He died instantly."
"…"
Several people exchanged glances.
"Rod was always the weakest of us… When that guy applied to join, I told you letting him in would only drag us down. But you wouldn't listen," the pajama man said mockingly, not addressing Haze's strength but instead blaming his colleague.
"He's an Emission-type Nen user… but his fighting style and techniques resemble an Enhancer's," someone in the corner remarked.
"It's best not to let him get close. His abilities seem quite varied. Aside from that initial 'soldier summoning' trick, I haven't noticed any other clear patterns," said another Nen user, resting his chin on his hand thoughtfully.
"I don't need to tell you how serious this is… The boss will arrive soon. This Haze is extremely powerful. We need to minimize all risks and keep everything under control. The boss's safety is the top priority if anything goes wrong, none of you can afford the consequences!"
The middle-aged man's tone was icy.
"Especially you, Bot."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," said the pajama man dismissively.
"I'll draft a security plan now. You three will fill in the details."
With that, the middle-aged man began giving precise orders.
After a while, once the instructions were complete, the three men left the room one by one.
Bot and his girlfriend remained lounging on the sofa. He glanced at the closed door and muttered, "That old bastard… Just because he's been around a few years Hazeer than me, he thinks he can act like a big shot."
"Don't be angry, Bot," the woman purred, curling up against him. "Actually, I think this is a great opportunity."
"What do you mean?"
Bot raised an eyebrow, already sensing her implication.
"If… if…" The woman giggled softly and whispered something into his ear.
Bot's lazy expression suddenly shifted, his eyes sharpening.
"My baby really is clever…"
"Damn right this is all for you."
"Hahaha."
Haze followed the gangsters back to Tandon, where they arrived at a grand mansion.
"Out of the car," one of them ordered, opening the door.
It was the first time they'd seen an outsider act so relaxed before meeting the boss.
"Already there?" Haze yawned, stretching as he got out.
"Follow me. Don't try anything stupid if something happens, it'll be on your head," the man with glasses warned.
Haze raised his hands innocently.
They entered the mansion. The first thing Haze noticed wasn't the grandeur of the building, but the sheer number of security cameras surrounding them aHaze with dozens of gangsters patrolling every few meters. Each guard wore an earpiece and a sharp, watchful expression, quietly reporting every move Haze made.
Dozens of chained guard dogs barked ferociously.
The noise made Haze's ears ache; he glanced at them coldly.
Suddenly… all the barking stopped.
The guards froze. The dogs, tails tucked and trembling, some even wetting themselves, strained against their chains as if desperate to escape.
Haze turned his gaze away.
Paranoid, he thought.
"Are all mafia bosses this afraid of dying?"
It seemed fitting for someone of such a cautious nature.
In the original story, the Ten Dons rulers of the underworld rarely showed themselves in public. After all, the shadows of the underworld had countless enemies.
Looking around, Haze noticed the grounds were overgrown with weeds. Clearly, this wasn't the Fields Family's main base it was a temporary relocation.
"I'm flattered…" Haze muttered under his breath.
The man with glasses gave him a side glance and led him upstairs, down a Haze corridor, to a massive reinforced metal door.
A gray-haired middle-aged man stood guard in front of it.
"A Nen user," Haze noted.
"The boss is waiting inside," the man nodded to the one with glasses, then gave Haze a sideHaze look.
He opened the door, revealing a lavish hall.
"Please, go ahead," he said politely.
Haze stepped inside without hesitation. Before him sat a figure in a leather chair, smoking a cigar, his back turned.
On the desk lay a battered, unrecognizable figure Charles, unconscious.
"One, two, three…" Haze rolled his eyes, counting softly.
Besides himself and the boss, there were four others in the hall… no, five.
The gray-haired man had also entered and closed the door.
A half-dressed man and woman clearly a couple lounged on the sofa. A secretary stood beside the boss, and another person lurked in the shadows of the upper corridor. Though well hidden, Haze sensed their presence.
Five Nen users in total. Quite the welcome.
"You're very bold," the boss said suddenly from the chair. "You dare gamble in my casino."
"Thank you for the compliment," Haze smiled.
"…"
Everyone froze at his casual tone.
"Your casino is open to the public, and you're the banker. Naturally, you shouldn't fear someone placing bets. It's just that… I'm lucky. I always win."
The leather chair turned, revealing the man. A cigar rested between his fingers he radiated authority, a true leader, yet carried himself with the refined air of high society. He looked younger than Haze had expected no more than forty with immaculate attire and several expensive rings.
"Firsgaru. That's my name."
The boss spoke calmly, without anger. "Betting on Heavens Arena matches has always been the biggest source of income for my casinos. Over the years, many people have tried to cheat me. Tell me what do you think happened to them?"
Haze waited silently.
"Not just them but their families. They all paid the price for their mistakes."
"You're talented… So I'll give you a chance."
"What kind of chance?" Haze raised an eyebrow.
"Pay what you owe… and work for me."
"And if I refuse?" Haze continued casually.
"If you refuse… you die. You and that man," the pajama-clad Bot sneered, referring to Charles and Haze.
"I get it," Haze said with a soft chuckle. "You so-called martial artists, fighters each one is eccentric. But this world beHazes to the few who hold power. To put it nicely, you're lucky I'd let you join my family. To put it bluntly you're nothing but stray dogs, wandering and useless. Being recognized by someone like me is your only honor."
Shieldgaru's tone was serious.
Haze's smile faded. He rubbed his forehead. "Wow, how arrogant… But I get it. From your point of view, maybe the world really is like that."
"Tell me, is your family powerful in the underworld? How do you compare to the Ten Dons?"
Shieldgaru's hand trembled slightly, the cigar shaking between his fingers. He said nothing.
"Looks like I hit a nerve…" Haze tilted his head, chuckling softly. "I didn't come here to negotiate. You're annoying… so I'll just kill you, and everyone else here. Saves me the trouble."
"Ahahahahaha!"
"My God, did you hear that?" Bot burst out laughing, clapping his hands, staring at Haze as if at a circus act. He turned to his girlfriend, who laughed as well.
To them, Haze seemed delusional completely unaware of his situation.
"I'm not the arrogant one. You are," said Shieldgaru, unfazed. "Do you know how many people have tried to kill me? You're nothing special. You can go join the rest of the dogs in their graves."
As soon as he finished speaking
Snap.
The lights went out.
Darkness filled the hall.
Haze flexed his fingers, his knuckles cracking audibly.
"This feels strange…" he murmured. "To be underestimated so completely."
(End of Chapter)