In the innermost chamber, I roped my three guests into chairs, then I took my time to correct my hair and corrected my robe, I also put away the las grenade into a corner with the rest of my leather bag, only keeping some of the magic scrolls inside my robe for the rainy days.

„Huh, not looking like a murderous hobo is sure hard“I mumbled to myself while waiting for my guests to wake up. In the meantime, I also began to clean up the room from the wooden shards. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do a whole lot against the burning spots and the smears of blood. The body of the mage was put beside the other dead henchmen’s, fully looted of course.

Then I spend my time meditating aka torturing subject#001.

Noticing them waking up, I exit my meditation and sit down in front of them.

After another minute, all of them were fully awake.

„Good morning gentlemen, I am very happy to make you acquaintance. You might be of a different opinion right now, but don’t worry that will change“I said. Looking over al of them.

The two gangsters took it relatively well, it looks like it’s not their first rodeo. But the cook, oh wow, he is panicking hard. Whelp can’t help it.

*SLAP* In his face.

„I hope, that with that, everyone in our small circle come back to themselves. Then any questions?“ I asked.

„Well mister, who are you and why exactly did you kidnap us?“ He asked. Huh, he is the fearless type? Whatever, the seed is planted and all is good.

„Well, I am just your new boss, willing or not, you see, I planted something very curios into your soul. I call it a soul seed, or a devil seed. You made an unwilling deal with the devil, in this case, me. The short version is, that I implanted something into your soul, which helps me to control you and it also helps to control nasty feelings like betrayal. Such nasty stuff, as a former boss yourself, you sure can agree with me on this point“I said. He looks still a bit unconvinced. Whatever a small demonstration won’t do any harm. With that, I triggered the seed inside their soul to give them some fear.

„You see, the thing with my seed is, that it doesn’t give physical pain. Someone with extraordinary willpower might survive that, but fear and other traumas are something different. Imagine having every night a nightmare, or being stuck in the void for eternity. Not something you want to experience right?“I said.

„yes, yes“ The cook said. He caved in rather quickly. I don’t think that he is one of the ringleaders. Most likely just a normal cook, who happened to be in the wrong kind of crowd.

„Alright mister cook, Your orders are to continue expanding your restaurant and expand your cellar. Here are some recipes, have fun. And you can go, I still have something to talk to with these two gentlemen.“ I said and let out the cook from the room

„And don’t forget to close the shop for the day, say that you have a headache or something, “ I said. With that out of the way, I turned back to the two gangsters.

„So gentlemen, I happen to lack two new underlings, interested?“I said.

Right-man, I named the right-hand man Right-man, looked a bit unsure but black mantis still acted like a hard nut to crack. Trying to sweeten the deal I say.

„You might be unconvinced, but my vision is not about your small gang. I am more interested in taking hold of all of the gangs in the city. You shouldn’t forget, that working for a magician also has its perks. Have you seen that round thing, which knocked you out?“I said.

This time black mantis did answer, with greed in his eyes. „Yes, we did. But would you give something like that to simple underlings?“ Hesitation and uncertainty still in his eyes.

„Oh yes, I would and much more. Those little toys are nice. Look, this dagger in my hand. It has some very nasty engravings on it, with one cut, you can eliminate most enemy’s. They won’t die, just be in so much pain, that they want to go back to mommy“ I said. Still seeing hesitation in his eyes, I give him my last grenade, then go out and grab one of the henchmen outside.

„You see him? watch“I said, then cut him with soul shredder. Immediately, the fully grown man goes down to the ground, I can see some wet spots in his eyes.

„convinced?“I asked for the last time. This time the guy seemed to be convinced, at last.

„Alright, boss, “ he says through his teeth. „How should we call you? “ not thinking much, I throw out the same name than I said to Luke.

„Just call me Godfather.“ I Said.

The rest of my talk with them was mainly about what they do for a living and other things. This people were smugglers. Something very useful for me.

„Alright, there is a list. If you meet something on it, buy it at all cost. Next week, I am going to supply you with some magic scrolls. Ah and, before I forget, remember the dagger I gave you?“ They both nodded.

„There are 10 seeds, Implant those into the other higher-ups of the gang including the ringleaders. Simply stab them in a deserted place with the dagger, and then press the seed on their foreheads, okay?“I said.

they both nodded in understanding. Having finished my business for the day, I leave the restaurant.

The sun is around its peak, so it’s probably around noon. Not a good time to sneak back.

I stroll around the city, visit different shops and eat something in one of the more expensive restaurants. The dish was some kind of stew with a strange meat. Foreign, but all in all I liked it.

Then when the city darkened, I make my way back to the tower.

For the next 4 days, I was busy with making scrolls for the gang. I also made some progress in the deciphering of another parchment, This time it was an attack-type soul spell.