Chapter 98: Unexpected Discovery
"Never seen you before, I really haven't!" The burly man shook his head frantically.
Mason pulled out a wad of cash and tossed it on the ground.
"Clean this place up, get rid of all the garbage, buy some supplies, and reinforce that broken door." Mason looked around and pointed to a rather shrewd-looking short-haired youth.
"Find me a clean room."
"There's a room on the second floor—it's Johnny's..."
"Take me there!"
The short-haired youth nodded and quickly led Mason to the second floor.
"Johnny strictly forbade us from going near this room, and there's a mechanical lock on the door..." Before the short-haired youth could finish, he saw a flash of cold light, and the complex mechanical lock was forcibly shattered. Mason kicked open the door and went inside.
"This doesn't concern you—go downstairs and clean up." After saying that, he dragged the limp Martin inside like a sack.
SLAM!
The door slammed shut, and the short-haired youth shivered involuntarily as he stood in the hallway. He always felt that this new boss possessed a unique aura that sent chills down one's spine.
As soon as the door closed, the motion-sensor lights in the room automatically activated. The entire room was completely sealed and specially reinforced.
The room wasn't large, only about 20 square meters, and it was sparsely furnished. Besides a chair, a long metal table, and a couch near the door, there was nothing else.
Mason pulled over a chair and sat down in front of Martin, the metal gauntlets on his hands gleaming with a menacing light. The sharp blade between his fingers slid down Martin's cheek, leaving a shallow cut.
"I'll ask you one last time—do you know me?"
Martin's body trembled like a leaf. He glanced at Mason. "I didn't see anything, I didn't see anything—please, let me go!"
Mason shook his head, looking disappointed. "Fine, since you don't want to talk, then let's end this!"
When the sharp blade touched the skin of Martin's throat, he completely broke down. "I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"
Martin then recounted the whole story in detail. After listening, Mason silently shook his head.
Mason had originally thought that this guy knew the owner of this body before his consciousness descended, and he'd hoped to discover the previous identity of this body through some clues.
But the result was a major disappointment.
This Martin was the poor drunk who'd been kicked out of the room by Johnny last night. In his panic and intoxication, he'd been hiding near a dumpster without even putting on clothes properly, which is how he'd accidentally witnessed Mason disposing of Johnny's body.
In his panic, Martin's words became somewhat incoherent, but Mason still gleaned some useful information.
"Boss, the whole plan was orchestrated by Johnny and his inner circle. I'm still loyal to Boss Donnie!" Martin banged his head on the ground.
Mason feigned an all-knowing demeanor. "Tell me everything you know. If you're trustworthy, I'll ask Boss Donnie to spare your life."
"Really... really?"
Martin asked, his face lighting up with hope.
"In fact, the entire Blackwater district wasn't conquered by us at all—it was given to us by the Blood Source Society's leader, Lionheart! Through covert development, the Blood Source Society has already absorbed numerous bio-modified individuals into the Blackwater district."
"He and Johnny teamed up to lure Boss Donnie here, then eliminate him together! Afterwards, Johnny promised to give Lionheart one-third of the territory originally controlled by the Gear Gang!"
"What an idiot!"
After hearing the plan, Mason cursed inwardly. "This Johnny was a complete fool. Such a clumsy scheme is full of holes. With Donnie's cunning, how could he possibly fall for it?"
After last night's events, Mason also realized that Donnie likely still controlled forces absolutely loyal to him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have so easily eliminated Johnny's four lieutenants.
"However, this plan isn't entirely useless. Perhaps with some modifications, it could be put to good use," Mason thought to himself.
"Furthermore, the news that Lionheart's brother Michelin died by my hand is only known to a few people. If used properly, it can definitely be very effective!"
After learning yesterday that Johnny was behind everything, Mason had Michelin buried. Less than a day had passed, so there was still time to leverage this.
Mason pulled out a wad of cash and placed it in Martin's hand. "Your name is Martin, right? From today onwards, you work for me."
"Uh..." From despair to hope, Martin clutched the money in his hand, momentarily stunned.
"What, you don't want to?" Mason said with a smile.
"Yes, yes!" Martin nodded frantically, gripping the money tightly.
"Get ready, change your clothes—I have a task for you," Mason ordered.
On the edge of the border city, deep underground in an abandoned subway station.
A burly man with a wide jaw and lion-like features was angrily smashing the surrounding furniture. In the dim light, his face wasn't clearly visible, only a deep scar diagonally across his eye.
That was the wound from a bullet grazing his face. Even though the wound had completely healed, the horrific nature of the injury was still evident. If the bullet had deviated even slightly, the burly man probably wouldn't be here breathing.
"It's been a whole day, and we still haven't found Michelin?!" he roared furiously.
"Boss Lionheart, we're still searching. Not only is Michelin missing, but even his crew who were always with him have vanished."
"Maybe they..." the man hesitated, then said quietly.
"Maybe nothing! Anyone who dares touch my brother—I'll make them wish they were dead!"
"Get back out there and search! Even if you have to tear apart the entire Lower City, find him!"
Lionheart emerged from the shadows. He was tall and imposing, over two meters tall, with wild, flowing blond hair. Touching the bullet wound near his eye, a glint of hatred flashed in his gaze. "Any news from Mad Dog?"
The subordinate shook his head. "Word on the street is Mad Dog Johnny was killed last night, and they're saying our Blood Source Society did it. Boss, do you think Donnie found out something?"
"It's possible. Tell our people to be careful." Lionheart sneered. "Donnie, you didn't kill me with that shot back then. This time, I'll repay you a thousandfold for the pain I suffered!"
Just then, a strange man with a pockmarked face and large, bulging eyes walked in. "Boss, Martin—one of Johnny's crew—just arrived and says he needs to see you."
"Let him in!"
"I want to see what Johnny's playing at!"
Thank you for reading!
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