investigation

After the group finished eating. The bald man's head throbbed in pain as he slowly regained consciousness. His body felt a sharp sting in his wrists that told him immediately that he was tied down.

Looking at his surrounding he noticed the three people he encountered before, but there were two more with a giant looking wolf and with other smaller version of it.

He looked to his side and saw the man with a scar, still unconscious and was tied down just like him.

"Gian... Gian, wake up" The bald man nudge his shoulder to the person with a scar-Gian.

Gian blinked, his vision blurry. Slowly, it cleared, and he turned his head. Charles who sat next to his side, his face pale and gaunt with panic. He, too, was restrained, his body jerking against the bonds. His eyes were wide with terror.

"W-what happened" Gian asked his voice shaky.

"We got caught, man," Charles muttered, his voice low and dangerous.

"You think they'll kill us?" Gian asked again.

"They wouldn't dare," Charles said, his voice edged with dangerous confidence. He tugged at his restraints. "They've got no idea who they're dealing with."

Gian's pulse quickened, as his mind raced to think of their next move. "You really think they're gonna let us walk out of here?"

Charles cracked a grin, though it was more of a snarl than anything else. "They'll be stupid if they don't. We are part of the Mazzante gang, man. You think these amateurs are gonna take us and live to see another day? Not happening."

Gian's chest swelled with pride. He knew it too well. Mazzante gang led by Vice Mazzante who is feared on both sides of the city. A kingpin with influence, power, and a reputation that made grown men tremble. And now, they work directly to him. No one touched them and got away with it.

Just as Gian was about to speak again, till Leah noticed them that they are awake informed Karl as both them walked in front of them.

"You two finally awake?" Karl asked, his voice sharp and clinical.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Charles sneered, his voice low and threatening. "You've got no idea what you're messing with. You've tied down the wrong guys."

Karl tilted his head slightly, unfazed. "Oh? And who might you be?"

Charles leaned forward, a deadly smirk crossing his face. "We work for Mazzante gang. You heard of us? I'm sure you've heard of our gang. And are boss Vice Mazzante doesn't take kindly to people who beat up his men. If you don't let us go now, you'll regret it."

Gian could feel the tension building. Karl wasn't showing any fear, but he knew the name Mazzante gang would strike fear in any smart person.

"I don't think you understand," Gian growled, trying to pull against his restraints. "Our boss doesn't care about who you are. He cares about power. And right now, you've taken his property. You're the ones who're in danger, not us"

Karl stared at him, his eyes flicking to the Leah beside him. He seemed unfazed by their threats. After a moment, he spoke, his voice calm but cutting.

"I'm not scared of your boss, and I'm not intimidated by your threats. We've taken down bigger fish than you. But I'm sure Vice would love to hear that his men were found crying. So, tell me, what's it gonna be?" Karl said dismissing his threat, as he believes that with the system now anyone can become a one-man army.

Gian's lip curled. He could feel his anger building, a surge of heat flooding his chest.

"You think we're gonna beg for our lives?" Charles sneered. "Let me tell you something. You let us go right now, and you'll have a fighting chance of making it back alive. But if you don't? If you think you can break us, torture us, whatever the hell you're planning? That's on you, Twink. Because when Vice hears what happened to his guys, this whole building won't be big enough for the shitstorm that's coming."

"Vice Mazzante won't be able to save you," he said, his tone cold. "And you'll talk, whether you like it or not."

"I'm giving you one chance," Gian said, his voice low and deadly serious. "Let us go now, and we walk out of here. Or you can keep pushing us—and I swear to God, we'll make sure you regret it. Vice will come for you. And no one survives that."

Karl remained silent for a long moment, his expression unreadable. He finally stepped back, and his eyes flicked to Leah. "We'll see how much your boss really cares about you," he muttered.