"So are you going to tell me the reason for the senseless killing?"
"Wha- Oh, that. Yeah, because we want the slums to actually wreak some havoc, we first need to take out some of the smaller gangs, so the others feel more confident,"
That wasn't all to it apparently. By taking out fat cunt, it also meant that his 'business' and the bandits previously under his employ would stream into the power of another crime organisation bolstering their power. And overall, this plan would make the city really unsafe. Not to mention the schemes that some of them had to usurp the city lord's position.
Because we basically crippled the law enforcement in the city, it meant that the lord had very little protection, meaning that if a criminal organisation managed to sneak in and threaten him, they could possibly, very possibly turn him into a puppet. Or they could just kill him and have someone claim to be his bastard son, nonetheless, all this scheming has nothing to do with me.
I'm just here for the senseless murder. Wait, that isn't right. I'm sure I was here for something… something? Yeah, I don't remember.
Anyways, now we're off for more senseless killing! Who doesn't love senseless murder? Admittedly, I have to say that although senseless murder is rather untoward, these people deserve it. It's not just my bias for senseless murder this time.
Spending the whole night doing such actions, we meet back up again at the hideout.
"I see you guys indulged yourselves," Lacer snorts seeing the rest.
They're splattered with blood and entrails, even just walking around leaves a solid trail of blood. Where was that caution they previously used when moving around in the city? Oh, it flew out the window as soon as they started massacring the guards.
So what do we do now?
"We wait,"
For what? Oh yeah, for the slum people to start movin' yeah, I remembered.
Lacer starts knocking on the door in that same rhythm Laffer first did. And a couple seconds later the door swings open, the little cultist Shan bows at Lacer before shuffling away. She seems to steer away from the group as the blood soaked bastards walk in, obviously taking a disinclination toward them. Which is quite interesting, considering that she's y'know. A cultist.
But then again, they are Dark Arts Cultists. Not Blood Cultists. So that would probably explain her previous behaviour, after all, blood had little to do with the dark arts.
Lacer calls everyone, or everyone that's left into the dining room for a meeting. It puzzles me as to the indifference these people have at the loss of their close comrades. Though actually, there were a couple that were cussing and cursing about them. Perhaps this was their way to express their melancholy?
Well, not that I really care, now that I spot something else.
Cake!
Its unmistakable scent making itself known. The mythical food item. Cake! I feel like I'm in a dream, but as if to reassure me of the reality of the situation, Lacer confirms my suspicions.
"Indeed, what you see now is indeed cake,"
"Oi oi, what the hell, where'd you even get this?" Someone starts asking the real questions. How can he present cake like it was nothing? There was definitely a story to be had.
"Ha, unlike you pricks, I am much more active in the 'community',"
"Arh, who cares where you got it. What's the occasion for this anyway?"
"Eh, I just stumbled across it and thought I'd share with you bastards. Plus each of you can get a larger portion now that some of the guys left so abruptly,"
At those words, it was like a saintly light was shining on the man. He was going to share the cake, not out of any meritocracy or debt, but out of the goodness of his heart? What a man!
…
Overlooking a map of the city an adventurer points down at a specific location.
"Oh, that's pretty hidden, how'd you even find it,"
"Well, those scumbags certainly didn't feel the need to hide. Walkin' around like they own the place, ptui!"
"Ay, ay! No spittin' in mah' house!"
Being reprimanded for his rude action, Cooper quickly apologized.
Continuing on he explained the plan to the vigilantes present. Yes, vigilantes. Law and order had plummeted since two days ago, people were being mugged on the streets, abductions were frequent, it wasn't uncommon to see a corpse about, but that last one was likely the cultists. Crime was at an all time high.
And as such, these like minded people were brought together to bring a new reign of order to this city. Together they will confront the ones behind this chaos and thereby expel the evil in this city.
Well, that was what they planned. Not mentioning that the cultists were extremely difficult to kill, though the root cause may be them, killing them wouldn't stop the current lawlessness in the city. They may be destroying the disease, but the symptoms had already run deep.
"We set out tonight!" Which was a terrible idea, as the cultists had much more superior night vision than they did, and were more active at night. So if anything, a daytime raid would serve them much better.
But then again, not much was known about Dark Arts Cultists, aside from them using the Dark Arts And even then, nobody really knew what the Dark Arts legitimately were, besides that it was real good at killing people.
It just went to show how mysterious and dangerous this group of people were. Their secrecy had always been kept since ancient times, and their practice runs through time immemorial. Their goal unknown besides the fact they create chaos and reap death wherever they show.
In fact, it could even be said that even some Dark Arts Cultists themselves didn't know what their cause really was.
That being the case, all the nations had long since issued a decree to outlaw the use and practice of Dark Arts. With that, this group of vigilantes set forth on their righteous mission.
Encircling the inn tucked away in an obscure corner of the city, the vigilantes made sure that no gap was exposed in their formation. These were veterans.
"Be ready, as soon as I breach the door, charge in. Remember. No mercy, do not listen to their blabber, it may cause psychological harm,"
Cooper, the lead adventurer spoke solemnly, as he gazed at the hardened expressions of the vigilantes he gathered. Everyone was aware of how suicidal it was to engage the cultists in their own den, but it had to be done. Well, it wasn't necessary, but to them, it was a requisite.
Laying the steel braced door with talismans and explosive packages, Cooper gave a thumbs up before moving to the side and detonating the charges he laid.
*Boom!*
The explosion was isolated and busted the door without affecting their surroundings, a beautiful display of his skills as an experienced sapper.
In turn, he rushed inside, backed up by his fellow vigilantes.
And immediately he found his first foe.
Being caught up in the explosion made them an easy target. Problem was…
"When did they start keeping little children?"