While Ben and his family were having breakfast, the rest of the city was in turmoil. Powerful families were found wiped out, their mansions filled with bodies and blood. Even the City Lord Jack, was found killed with his family.

“Did you hear? The Harris Family was wiped out!”

“Not only them! Finley family was to!”

“The City Lord’s mansion was wiped out to!”

The general public could tell that something big happened last night and it meant serious changes were coming for them. A tense atmosphere settled over the entire city. The streets were bare as people didn't dare step out of their homes, they planned wait out the storm.

While the entire city was holding their breath, Ben and his family walked leisurely down the street.

“I wonder where everyone is today.” Allana said looking around. This was the main road in the city and was usually packed with vendors, even the shops were closed.

“Probably because of Ben.” Grayson said, shooting him a look.

“Haha probably.” Ben gave a light laugh.

He wasn't really paying attention as he was occupied checking out the new functions in the system.

[Shop]

[Buy or Sell]

Bennett clicked the [Buy] feature. A list flashed across Ben’s eyes.

[Weapons]

[Armour]

[Materials]

[Skills]

Ben clicked and scrolled through all the options. He found out that weapons and armour were ranked by quality. The order went from common, rare, legendary, mythical and saint. The system’s store highest rank they sold was rare and it was stupid expensive. 1,000,000 gold coins!? Ben didn't have a single gold coin let alone a million.

Ben found that he could buy beast materials as well from here and craft his own armour and weapon. The skills section was very expensive as well, but for some reason all the skills were greyed out, so he was unable to buy them.

Ben found out that the beasts and zombies that he killed could be sold back to the system for gold.

‘No wonder Cloey always stored the bodies of everything we killed! She was making money! My money!’

Ben looked at Cloey furious. Cloey seemed to be able to figure out what he realized and gave a mocking smile.

“Cloey…” Ben said through clenched teeth.

“Ah? Yes Ben what is it?” she said in a sickeningly sweet voice.

“Can I have my money?” Ben said, trying to stay calm.

“What money? I only have a small amount and I worked hard for it. Why should you get it?” she pouted. It was completely fake and everyone could tell… except one person.

“Ben don't you dare bully her! You stop being lazy and earn your own money! Don't you dare touch hers!” Cathy fiercely scolded Ben.

Ben cowered in fear, his mom was one of the scariest creatures alive, even after monsters started becoming real.

Cloey smile couldn't get any bigger as she watched Ben cower before his mother. After 6 months of living with him and being teased she finally able to get some payback.

They arrived at the City Lord’s estate. The property was over 3 square kilometers with guest houses and recreational buildings. The main house was enormous, Ben had never seen a house so big.

The property was surrounded by large cast iron gates. Beautiful gardens could be seen everywhere and even some small beast were running around. Ben thought about letting Duke have breakfast but decided not to because it might ruin everyone's mood. Walking into the mansion, everyone's jaw dropped. The room was beautiful! Gold encrusted walls with exquisite carvings, a large chandelier hung from the ceiling.

A single man dressed in black and three servants girls waited for them inside.

The man was who Ben fought against last night, Henry Night. Ben learned more about Henry after he defeated him last night. Henry was from the Night family, a family who for as long as they could remember were assassins. They were well known around the world and almost all the powerful family’s or governments used them at one point or another.

Thanks to their training, Henry and his family survived in this new world quite easy and managed to get to this city. Jack was already City Lord when Henry arrived and didn't fight him for it.

“These three ladies will show you to your rooms and guide you around the mansion afterward.” Henry spoke elegantly. The three girls slightly bowed as lead one said, “Please follow us.”

Grayson and company followed the maids leaving Ben, Cloey and Henry alone.

“Did you accomplish what I asked?” Ben asked indifferently.

“Yes Lord. I have wiped out almost all of Jack’s supporters.” Henry quickly said.

“Good. Thanks Henry.” Ben smiled.

“There is one more thing my Lord.” Henry seemed hesitant to say anything further.

“What is it?” Ben frowned at Henry reluctance to speak.

“Well two more things I guess. My father, the patriarch wants to talk to you before we become allies.” Henry seriously said. The patriarch of the Night family was always the strongest assassin in the family, regardless of bloodlines.

“I look forward to meeting him.” Ben nodded.

“The last thing… maybe it would be better if we were alone my lord.” Henry said, looking at Cloey and then back to Ben.

“I trust Cloey with my life. She can hear whatever you have to say.” Ben said coldly.

Cloey face felt a little warm from Ben’s declaration. A happy feeling also blossumed in her chest.

“It is not that I don't trust her my lord. It's that she might be a little sensitive about the information.”

“Just get it out.” Ben snapped.

“I found a dungeon during the raid last night. In it were five girls. Including an elf that looks like her. Their condition isn't great sir. Especially the elf.” Henry face had a hint of anger in it. The condition of these women was inhumane when he found them.

“TAKE ME TO HER NOW!” Cloey screamed at him, frost formed around her feet and mist seemed to rotate around her.

Ben grabbed her hand, “Cloey! Enough!”

The frost around Cloey seemed to retract a little at Ben’s yelling.

“Take us there Henry and then please go get my mother and bring her here to. Don't let the rest of them come.” Ben said quickly, he knew that the girls probably would need medical care and his mom was the only healer they had right now.

Henry took off and Ben and Cloey followed. Cloey face was pale and she looked frantic. Ben gave her hand a light squeeze, trying to get her to calm down.

They followed Henry down many flights of stairs. Reaching the depths of the mansion. The dungeon wa dark and moist, it smelled funny as well.

The girls were not in the cells, it seems that Henry or a maid brought them out of the cell and tried first aid on them.

Cuts, bruises, burns. You name it these girls had it on their bodies. There was more purple skin then white to be seen. Seeing their condition, made Ben furious.

‘What monster treats humans like this.’

Ben saw the Snow Elf that Henry was talking about. Her white hair was stained with blood and filth. Her face was bruised and swollen. Her wrist were bloodied and rubbed raw, Ben could even see the bone.

There was shallow cuts all of her body, some were still bleeding.

“Lily!” Cloey screamed running up to her. Tears poured down her face as she barely recognized her friend.

“Cleoy move. Henry go get my mom.” Ben quickly said, pushing Cloey aside.

Ben started to control the Natural Energy around him, absorbing it. He then placed his hand on Lily’s head, sending the Natural Energy into her body. Her body started to heal at a visible rate, as the cuts closed and the bruises faded from her skin.

Five minutes later, Ben stood up, “She’s completely healed Cloey. It might take her awhile to wake because of the trauma she experienced. Take her upstairs and find a room for her.” Ben stood up, letting her see her friend.

Cloey hugged Ben tightly and whispered, “Thank you.”

Ben gently smiled, “You're welcome.” Ben patted her back in comfort.

Seperating, Ben started to treat the other girls. Cathy soon came and after her initial horror, she quickly started healing as well.

The girls were in terrible shape but they all managed to survive. Ben created an infirmary in the mansion and placed them there until they woke up. Cloey put Lily in her own room and didn't leave her side. Ben had to send her food or she would have forgot to eat.

…

Ben was sitting in a large room with a long table and chairs around it. Someone at the door knocked.

“Lord it's me.” Henry’s voice came out from behind the door.

“Come in.”

Henry and an older gentlemen walked in the door.

“Please take a seat. I’m Bennett Arnott but Ben is just fine.” he introduced himself to the old man.

“I’m Deke. Patriarch of the Night family.” his voice was deep and rough, like two boulders grinding together. He was average height with grey hair and black eyes. His body seemed to be very fit and his movements were precise.

“Deke. Are you interested in working for me?” Ben went straight to the point, not wanting to waste anyone's time.

Deke stared at Ben for a minute before saying, “What work would we do?”

“Intelligence.” Ben simply said, “I need to know everything in this city and I want your family to be my eyes and ears.”

Ben knew he needed intelligence first if he wanted to be a successful City Lord. Knowledge is power.

A strange light appeared in Deke’s eyes. “Not assassinations?”

“No. Maybe in the future but you son already took care of the people I needed dead. Right now I need information about this city and the people in it.” Ben didn't need to kill anymore people or else the public might rebel in fear.

Ben stared at Deke, “You will have full control over this. I will give you gold and anything else you need to create an intelligence network. This will be your job and I will not interfere but I expect results. Wrong intelligence could cause lives to be lost.” Ben released some of his aura, showing Deke how serious he was.

Deke didn't show a reaction to the sudden pressure but was able to tell how powerful this man was.

Deke contemplated for awhile. He had been a assassin since he was 11 years old and was trained in many things, included gathering intelligence. This City Lord was generous but he demanded results in return.

Deke would be lying if he said he didn't feel excitement at this new challenge. An excitement he hadn't felt for a long time. According to his son, the City Lord was extremely powerful and had the Darkness element like their family. Ben was able to take on Henry and Jack on at the same time.

“Okay, I accept. What should we be called?” Deke said, showing a little excitement.

“Up to you. You are the leader.” Ben said, in truth he was afraid of calling it something stupid and have be ridiculed later by his family.

Deke gave off a strange smile, “The Shadows.”