Chapter 66: Even Dark Emperors Are Just Part of the Rules!
It wasn't just the assassins who were stunned into silence.
In the tavern, the one most terrified was actually Miss Spider.
Unlike the other assassins present, Miss Spider, as the owner of the 'House of Death' tavern and manager of Assassin Town, was a true confidante of the 'Major Undertaker' Drug Peclo, one of the Emperors of the Underworld.
Naturally, she possessed a wealth of information.
"Those are indeed CP9 documents, and..."
She couldn't confirm the identities of Blueno and Fukurou directly, but she recognized the unique World Government and CP9 markings on the documents Nezumi had produced.
More importantly...
"That head... really is King Wapol."
She recognized Wapol—unlike the secretive CP9 agents, the faces of World Government member nation kings were no secret!
So she was almost certain.
"What this man says is likely true... and his identity..."
The third member of The Zodiac, 'Nezumi' (Rat), had appeared on Coffin Island!
"I must report this to Lord Peclo immediately!"
Miss Spider thought frantically.
Then, she heard Nezumi speak. "Miss, can I post my contract now?"
She instinctively looked up, meeting the slightly indifferent gaze beneath the Rat Mask.
Miss Spider felt a cold sweat break out all over her body.
Her instincts, honed by years of dealing with killers, screamed at her—if she dared to refuse... she would die!
"...Of course."
She managed to say with difficulty. "You may post your contract and specify your desired payment, then wait for a client to accept."
This was a privilege reserved for truly top-tier assassins—they didn't seek jobs; clients sought them.
"Very good."
Nezumi said softly.
"Then, please post this for me."
"I will accept assassination contracts for only one type of target—kings and nobles who oppress their people or engage in human trafficking."
"Tyrannical rulers who commit such injustices... whether they are members of the World Government or not... as long as they fit the criteria, I will take their heads."
After speaking, he raised his hand and produced a piece of paper.
"As for my fee—200 million Berries per contract. However, if the client can provide any of the metals on this list, each metal will deduct 30 million Berries from the fee."
"Of course, I only need one portion of each metal."
With that, he handed the list directly to Miss Spider.
"..."
The entire tavern fell dead silent again.
"Crazy!"
Almost every assassin present, including Miss Spider, had the same thought.
Kings, nobles—or to use another word, Rulers!
Tyrants like the ones Nezumi described naturally had countless enemies who wanted them dead.
But no one had ever dared to openly put a price on their heads like this.
Because rulers represented power. They represented the order of the world.
What Nezumi was proposing was essentially challenging that order single-handedly.
Did he not know how dangerous posting such a contract would be?
Once his whereabouts were exposed, he wouldn't just face the World Government or the Marines—he would face other assassins hired by those kings!
"Is this guy insane?"
Even these bloodthirsty killers couldn't find another word to describe Nezumi.
But under the Rat Mask, Roy's expression was calm.
Posting this contract was something he had planned long ago.
He had learned the coordinates of Coffin Island from Mr. 1 of Baroque Works.
And after learning about the 'Pluto Alloy' from Vegapunk's lab, he knew he had to come here.
Obtaining the nineteen rare metals needed to refine the alloy through normal means would take too much time.
Instead of searching for them one by one, it was far better to post a contract and use the channels of the Underworld to have them delivered to him.
Besides...
"After collecting the metals and refining the 'Pluto Alloy,' I need a qualified buyer."
This was the key reason Roy posted this specific contract.
Pluto Alloy was a top-tier strategic resource. There were only a handful of powers in the world qualified and wealthy enough to buy it.
Sell it to the World Government so they could enslave people more easily? Or sell it to Kaido so he could drag the world into war?
Roy wouldn't consider such things.
But coincidentally, among the potential buyers, there was one who perfectly fit the criteria for trustworthiness, strength, and urgent need for the alloy.
The content of the contract Roy posted was tailored specifically for them.
He was certain that as long as he posted and executed this contract, they would eventually come to him.
As for the assassins' worries about retaliation from kings or pursuit by the World Government... Roy didn't care at all.
The nature of Nezumi's abilities meant that as long as Roy didn't want to be found, he wouldn't be found.
Besides...
When the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up.
Doesn't the assassin world have a 'Big Brother'?
"Well? Miss Spider?"
Nezumi looked at Miss Spider. "I've posted the contract according to the rules set by the 'Major Undertaker.' There shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Or are you saying... the rules of the 'Major Undertaker'... no, the rules of the Underground World, aren't that important?"
He asked softly.
"..."
Miss Spider fell silent.
She knew that if Nezumi's contract went live, the consequences would be immense.
Consequences that even 'Major Undertaker' Drug Peclo would find troublesome.
But as Nezumi said...
In the Underground World, rules were rules.
The Six Emperors of the Underworld ruled this lawless world by setting these rules.
But these rules bound them as well.
'Big News' Morgans controlled public opinion, manipulating the world with truth and lies for his own ends.
But in exchange, he had to ensure he wasn't completely controlled by the World Government. He had to publish certain news, even if it meant opposing the Government.
'Concealment Master' Giberson's warehouses were filled with contraband, and clients paid a heavy price for his storage services.
But in exchange, he had to guarantee the absolute safety and secrecy of those goods.
And 'Major Undertaker' Drug Peclo was the same.
He was the 'King of Assassins,' monopolizing the assassination industry and forcing killers to follow his rules.
But in exchange, he had to protect the assassins according to the rules, hide their information, and post their contracts.
Even the Emperors of the Underworld were just part of the rules.
If they dared to break the rules, the order of the Underworld would collapse, and their thrones would be overturned in an instant.
Just like now...
"..."
Every assassin's gaze was fixed on Miss Spider.
Miss Spider knew she had no choice.
Peclo's rules could not be broken—at least... not openly!
She took out a Transponder Snail. "Your contract will be posted tomorrow. This is your dedicated message snail. It cannot make calls or be tapped. It will only receive text messages notifying you of the time and place to meet a client when one appears."
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