A couple of days of the incident, things had calmed down. Many people were talking about the incident and spreading rumors across the city. Adolf Blausaber was influential, and many knew him, from commoners to nobles. Still, the fact is many didn't miss him.
Luckily for Rufus, none of the rumors were about him killing him. People were not sure was Adolf Blausaber even dead since there was nobody to be found, but the scene with blood spilled everywhere was still a sight to see.
Old man Haufen claimed the soldiers were part of a different incident and had come there to brawl, and he was defending his wife. Rumors about a man protecting his wife became so popular among the people that the bar got very popular. People were amazed by such a man. Because of this, Haley got a job from old man Haufen working at the bar.
As to Rufus and the appearance of his divinity, it was still a mystery to all. It was commonly known that it passed on from parent to child, so it was a mystery as to how Rufus had manifested his own. If one thing was for sure, it was to hide Rufus's power so jealous nobles wouldn't come and kill him.
"Hey. Do you know where Rufus is?" asked Haley from Mrs. Jean.
"Hmmm. He said he was asked to move goods that came in this morning through the river. Some local merchant who knew him beforehand requested him to help.
"That moron. Even after getting divine power, he still is a complete pushover," said Haley angrily, almost breaking the mop she used to clean the floor.
"I'd probably stay quiet about Rufus having divine powers. If other people hear about it, they might want to use him more, not for innocent things like moving some goods from the river docks. Worse is that the other nobles of this country wouldn't stomach well a commoner and someone from the slums having divine power," explained old man Haufen and then thought to himself," Even during my times in the army, I didn't see anything as destructive power as that. It's like it tried to clean the entire world around him."
A little while later, Rufus came inside the bar.
"Hello. I am baaaack!" yelled out Rufus happily.
"Oi! Learn to say no. You can't let yourself be pushed around like that anymore," Haley yelled and scolded Rufus.
Rufus just laughed awkwardly, trying not to let Haley look behind him. Haley spotted a lot of people standing outside the bar. She went to look who they were. They all were tough-looking people, with some having nasty scars on their bodies and faces.
Most of them had weapons, but all had a tattoo of a rat eating its tail somewhere on its body. As soon as Haley came out of the bar, and the people spotted her, they formed an organized row. Then they all bowed their head and yelled.
"Good evening, lady Haley!" They all yelled in unison.
Haley was stunned. She didn't know what to say. At least twenty gang members just bowed and greeted her. Then Rufus comes out of the bar.
"Good evening, Boss," they said in unison to Rufus.
Haley looked taken back. She didn't know what she was seeing. Rufus looks awkward, not knowing how to explain the situation either.
"Well, ehm…yeah. Funny story."
"WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE," yells Haley so loud that birds take flight.
~~
Later that evening, everyone from old man Haufen, Mrs. Jean, Haley, Rufus, and all of the black rat gangsters just waiting outside were inside the bar. Rufus was quietly sitting on the chair, not knowing what to say and too scared to say anything. Meanwhile, Haley looked like the most frustrated person struggling with the situation.
"Alright, let's get this straight. Somehow Rufus, my brother Rufus, has now become the boss of the black rat gang," said Haley, who was trying to grasp the situation," Can SOMEONE explain to me how this happened."
"Yes, lady Haley. Let me explain," said one of the gang members," I am Leif Rot, and I am the vice commander of the black rat gang. Adolf Blausaber killed our old boss. We thought we would disband our group, but we saw what happened here some days ago, and we saw how strong and great boss Rufus was.
"We needed someone to follow, and as he is also a person who grew up here in the slums, he was perfect for the job. Our previous boss needed to be stronger, and we needed a strong boss so that the other two gangs wouldn't bully us. We had previously managed to survive only because we paid regular tributes to the other two gangs. So, we asked Boss Rufus to lead us and be our boss a few days ago."
"Wait. It can't be, and Rufus is such a pushover that he couldn't refuse such a request," Thought Mrs. Jean, old man Haufen and Haley all at the same time.
Rufus looked awkwardly at the ground, then looked up at them and smiled like a child who admitted he had spilled the milk.
"Well…there you have it," said Rufus with a small uncomfortable laugh.
"It was like that!" Thought Mrs. Jean, old man Haufen and Haley all at the same time in shock.
"Okay, I got to know how this happened, but this must stop. You can't be a gangster boss. It is way too dangerous," said Haley
"I... I can't," said Rufus.
Haley was stunned. It also looked like Rufus didn't want to stop being the boss.
"It is not like I like being the boss or anything. But they need someone, and I thought I could do some good; they are not all that bad. They were responsible for helping to spread rumors about the incident with Adolf Blausaber," explained Rufus," And I have forbidden them from harassing people and to only target their criminal activity to those who in some way…. deserve it."
"Boss is right, lady Haley. The last boss gave us free rein to us, and we admit we did many bad things. But no one dares to oppose Boss Rufus. With him, the sky is the limit," explained Leif," And it's not like we will not provide for you two."
Leif dropped a hefty purse of money on the table. Everyone was amazed at how much money was there.
"This is your cut from what we have earned these days, and this is only five percent of all our activities, as the boss didn't want to get a bigger cut. Please, lady Haley, let your brother lead us," Leif determinedly bowed his head.
"Please, Lady Haley," the other gang members yelled and bowed simultaneously.
Haley was still drooling over the vast amount of money just dropped in front of her. She shook her head and said, "Well, I guess we have no choice then."
All gang members cheered, but their cheers were cut short when Haley stated, "Buuuuut. First of all, we need to make some BIIIIIG changes. First, I can't let you guys run all by yourself doing what you want. Every heist, every gig you do, you bring the info through me. Can not let you idiots decide to steal from someone similar to Adolf Blausaber again."
All the gangsters and Rufus felt embarrassed, realizing they could have caused a similar incident again.
"Second, we need a bigger cut of the haul that will be provided every week," Haley demanded.
"Of course, Lady Haley, we will gladly give twenty percent to you two," said Leif.
"A third."
The gangsters were dismayed.
"I want one-third of all the loot and money you get your hands on," stated Haley.
"But, one-third is too much. Even our last boss asked for only one-quarter of the loot," explained Leif
"Eeeeeeeeeh. You think I am joking here," said Haley menacingly to all the gangsters.
All the gangsters were caught off guard. They didn't realize Haley could be such a scary and intimidating person.
"Yes, of course, lady Haley," Leif said and caved in.
Old man Haufen couldn't believe what he was seeing. In his head, he thought, "Haley had just made herself into the boss of the black rat gang. It is remarkable how scary she can be. She reminded me of my mother when I was little when I was caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar."
Old man Haufen just got chills down his back. Rufus Haley also reminded him of someone.
"She is just like Harley. Both can scare the soul out of my body with just one glare," thought Rufus with a smile, but also getting some unpleasant flashbacks.