In the normally bustling Blind Pig Bar, an unusual silence prevailed. The goblin boss, known as Bobby, wore a nervous smile as he respectfully served drinks to the evening's unique guests. The bar's scattered round tables had been magically transformed into a single long table, at the head of which sat a man whose expression was obscured by a silver mask. Bobby, sweating profusely, had followed the mysterious guest's instructions to invite all those who had their sights set on the Johnny Silver Hand store. Despite being the biggest hooligan in the area, Bobby had enough influence to gather these individuals, though he was clueless about the masked man's intentions. He only knew that this person was not to be trifled with.
Soon, the Blind Pig Bar echoed with the sounds of apparition. One by one, figures materialized, each surprised to find they weren't the only ones summoned by Bobby. The wizards, who were key players in New York's magical underworld, exchanged wary glances. Tempers flared among them, with one particularly volatile wizard shouting, "Damn Bobby, what's this all about?"
Under normal circumstances, Bobby would have retorted sharply, but tonight, he remained silent, feigning ignorance.
"Sit down," commanded a voice that brooked no argument. Thirteen wizards, each overseeing various illicit dealings within the magical community, had gathered. The first to protest was the same wizard who had cursed earlier. "Who are you to order us around?" he challenged, expecting others to join in his disdain.
However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as the man behind the silver mask spoke again, his voice carrying an undeniable authority. "I said... sit down!" The room was suddenly filled with a palpable tension, as if a predator had fixed its gaze upon its prey, instilling a primal fear in the hearts of the wizards. Reluctantly, they took their seats at the long table, avoiding the chair opposite the masked man as if it were cursed. This led to a near altercation over seating arrangements, with the grumpy wizard ultimately relegated to the unlucky thirteenth spot, his frustration evident.
The room fell silent, awaiting the masked man's next words. "My father used to say that in business, flexibility is key," he began, his voice deep and slightly hoarse, sending shivers down the spines of his audience. He continued, "It seems my store may have infringed upon your interests. For that, I offer my apologies." This unexpected show of humility caught the wizards off guard. They had heard of the man who had single-handedly challenged the Shafiq family's dominance in the UK, yet here he was, seemingly as meek as a lamb.
The previously confrontational wizard saw an opportunity to assert his dominance. "It's about time you recognized that. Hand over half of your stock, and we'll call it even," he boasted, mistaking John's gesture for weakness.
John's response, however, was a low chuckle that sent a wave of unease through the room. "I do plan to appoint representatives for my products, which will be sold at a fifth of the market price," he revealed, instantly capturing the attention of everyone present. The prospect of acquiring goods from the coveted Johnny Silver Hand store at such a discount was tantalizing. Just as they began to see John in a new light, he shifted gears.
"I have no intention of disrupting the established order in New York's thirteenth district. However, I do require a location for my store. Perhaps you could demonstrate your sincerity?" John's gaze, even obscured by the mask, clearly targeted the boastful wizard, who suddenly found himself at a loss for words. John found himself in a tense atmosphere, the air thick with anticipation and unease. He leaned back in his chair, exuding a calm demeanor, and said, "You can do it now."
One of the wizards, unable to contain his irritation, shouted, "You won't, will you? He's just a foreigner!" He tried to rally his comrades, saying, "We'll handle him, and the loot will be ours."
However, before the words fully left his mouth, a red light from a wand struck him. His smile froze as he fell to the ground, life slowly ebbing away under the assault of a dozen wands.
"Now, let's discuss the division of the loot," John said, a slight smile on his lips. With a snap of his fingers, the chair under the fallen wizard transformed into a flower. Resting his chin on his hand, John announced, "Johnny Silverhand will contribute thirty percent of the goods to the twelve factions, including beverages, potions, and equipment."
A wizard to his right exclaimed in disbelief, "Thirty percent? We committed murder for you, and all we get is thirty percent?" Dissatisfaction was evident on his face.
John glanced at him, tapping his ring. A wave of magical power radiated from him, and the chairs beneath the seated wizards morphed into shackles, binding them. "Damn it!" one of the wizards cursed.
John stood up, his voice calm but firm, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not doing this out of fear. I'm proving a point."
Approaching the disgruntled wizard, John placed his wand gently on the man's shoulder, silencing him with a "Shh." His voice was chilling as he whispered, "The soul returns."
White smoke began to rise from the wizard's body, causing Bobby, the goblin boss, to collapse in fear. The same fate had befallen him earlier. As the others watched in horror, the wizard's soul was extracted, his previous arrogance replaced by sheer panic.
"Why do you resist me?" John's eyes, hidden behind a silver mask, narrowed, instilling unspeakable fear.
"Your Excellency Johnny Silverhand, I didn't mean any offense—" the wizard pleaded, his voice filled with terror.
The other wizards, witnessing this, began to beg for mercy, their voices filled with panic. John's gaze was unfathomable, "But I can no longer trust you. Your malice and greed have been evident since you entered the bar."
To their horror, the other wizards noticed white smoke emanating from their bodies as well. Despite their struggles, they couldn't escape.
"Sorry, I don't have time for games," John said, as he extracted the souls of twelve wizards simultaneously, a hint of fatigue in his eyes. He then branded each soul before returning them to their bodies.
"Johnny Silverhand never mistreats his friends," he stated, releasing them from their magical restraints.
In an instant, twelve wands were aimed at John. Yet, with a mere glance, he commanded, "Put them down." The wizards found their arms lowering against their will, confusion and fear evident on their faces.
As John headed towards the door, he declared without turning back, "The thirty percent share will be divided among you twelve. I treat my friends well, but I show no mercy to my enemies."
Passing by the corpse of the aggressive wizard, John snapped his fingers, and the body was consumed by flames until nothing but ashes remained. "Bobby, clean this up," he instructed the goblin boss, who hurried to comply. Sweeping the ashes away with a broom, the door of the Blind Pig Bar closed, sealing the abuse and anger towards Bobby within its walls. From that day forward, the underground wizards of New York silently purged all the formerly violent wizards from their ranks. The following day, they received their share of goods from Johnny Silver Hand's store. Initially, they anticipated the share to be minimal, but the actual amount far exceeded their expectations. The share was substantial enough to yield significant profits, leaving them regretting their previous conflicts with Johnny Silver Hand. If only they had known the bounty that awaited them, they would have never quarreled with him.
Nagini's reputation soared within the New York magical community, turning her into a sought-after figure. Many desired just a moment of her time, a brief encounter they could boast about for years to come. This surge in popularity forced the Ministry of Magic to divert its gaze, shifting its scrutiny from Nagini to the other twelve districts. John had strategically kept them at bay, not only to protect them from potential obstacles but also to draw the Ministry's attention away from Nagini.
It took Nagini a week to learn of these developments, prompting her to write a letter of thanks to John. Coincidentally, her letter arrived alongside one from Fu Rong.
This sequence of events highlighted the intricate dynamics within the magical community of New York, showcasing the power of alliances and the importance of strategic foresight. Nagini's newfound status not only elevated her within the magical circles but also provided her with a layer of protection from the Ministry's prying eyes, thanks to John's calculated maneuvers.
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If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge