Chereads / Chronicles of The Styx Syndicate / Chapter 10 - The Jackals

Chapter 10 - The Jackals

Looking in the subordinate's tab, Alex had a quick look at the trio's skill explanations.

[Name: Jerome Schiegel]

[Class: Criminal Barkeep]

[Skills:

- Mixology

As a barkeep for criminal organisations, you need to know how to mix cocktails, mixology allows you to make your own set of specialised cocktails.

- Coercion

As a criminal, you learned the art of coercion, persuading your target to do what you want. This skill increases the chance of your coercion working.

- Thought theft

Through the mastering of mixology, you can create a drink that is akin to a truth serum. The effects of the target drinking the drink allow for interrogation with a minimum of effort.]

[Name: Jack Wilder]

[Class: Bodyguard]

[Skills:

- Close Combat

As a bodyguard, close combat mastery is a must. Having trained the skill as a mercenary, the effects of the skill are maximised

- Bodyguard

This skill allows you to have keen senses and feel 5 seconds ahead if something is going to happen to your protection target.

- Battlefield Analysis

This skill provides you with a keener ability to understand the battlefield and to make more accurate calls while in the heat of battle.]

[Name: Scarlet Anderson]

[Class: Consigliere]

[Skills:

- Deception

As a consigliere, your advice is fundamental to the success of any criminal organisation. This skill allows your deception to be more complete and much more difficult to see through.

- Intrigue

This skill enhances your ability to plan illicit operations.

- Strategist

As a seasoned adviser, you have become a strategist. This skill allows you to see through your opponents' strategies.]

"Holy shit! You people are dope! Some of these skills are incredible. Alright, let's talk about what I have planned for you."

"Oh, I agree that some of us are quite skilled but what are skills?"

"Ah I forgot to tell you. Since you are completely loyal to me I see no reason to not tell you, at least then you will understand our position much better. You see I am not a native of this world. I transmigrated and was given a Syndicate System as a parting gift from a goddess. Our little syndicate will grow into the biggest power in this world!"

"I know about systems from my world, but aren't they just novels?"

"Just say status and have a look whether it is just my imagination!"

"Fuck!"

"It really works!"

"What the hell? Are you serious?"

"Let's get onto what I expect of you. Jerome, I am going to assign you to Beth, she is currently in the process of establishing our first bar. You will be the barkeep, and I hope you can train some other barkeeps for the syndicate. So that we can expand our influence. As for you Jack, I hope you can help me clean out some rats tomorrow, and then I hope that you can look after Leo, he is our information broker and will be dealing with a lot of high society people. Due to how high profile, he is going to be, I hope that you can look after him. I really hope you two can hit it off and form an unbreakable duo. The combination of soft psychological methods is enhanced when it is complemented by hard violence."

Taking a pause to let it sink in Alex leaned back letting his aura of fear slowly recede. This allowed the trio to finally relax in the presence of their new boss. Finally taking in the sight of this 16-year-old lounging on the sofa cradling a drink.

"Scarlet, I formally assign you the position of consigliere to the Styx Syndicate. I hope you will look after me well."

"The Black Widow is looking forward to wreaking havoc in your name!"

Smirking, Scarlet bowed, fully accepting the advisor position. The trio silently accepted their assignments with a nod.

"You will sleep here tonight there's two other bedrooms, so you're sharing boys. Tomorrow you can go to your new bosses. Now, Jerome you can go make us some drinks while we talk about your guy's history."

"Any preferences?"

"Anything with whisky will do for me."

"A cosmopolitan, thanks."

"And I will take a vodka martini Jerome."

The evening darkened as the group chatted and learned about the others. As the drinks were emptied everyone dispersed until the first light of dawn illuminated the apartment.

"Good morning"

Walking into the living area in a dressing gown he scavenged from a wardrobe, Alex greeted everyone. Just as he sat down to eat the breakfast Jerome prepared, Alex's phone buzzed. Looking at the text he received a wide grin broke out on his face.

"Well, there's our work for the day. Beth just text me the location of the new bar, along with the details she has gathered on the current ruling gang of the area. They're called the Jackals, and deal mostly in prostitution and protection fees, the lowest rung of the food chain."

"Since you are a newly established faction with no manpower or territory to speak of, I suggest that you use this chance to take them over rather than destroy them. Make them subservient, let them make money for you and turn them into a worker bee. If you put the fear of God into them they will not dare to do anything to you."

"Great idea Scarlet! Looks like we will be busy this morning, Jack and Scarlet. You two can come with me to pay a visit to this gang. But before that I will go buy myself some new clothes worthy of my position and take Jerome to the site of the new bar so that he can meet Beth and get to know his new boss. I would also like you to set up the bar so that it suits you the best, since it will be yours to run for now, your comfort is tantamount. However, keep in mind that we will be expanding its operations to an illegal casino too."

"I won't disappoint you, Boss."

"Good, let's go pay the Jackals a visit. But first, breakfast."