Rune System: The Crimson Knight

CHAPTER SEVEN

“What the hell is going on here?”

Dominic’s whisper morphed into a silent echo as he stepped into the large, empty hall. It was late morning, he knew that for sure, so he couldn’t understand why the Royal Diner was as abandoned as a haunted house when it was supposed to be a bustling spot of activity.

No patient diners, no smiling waiters, no serenading music or ambient lighting. Just eerie silence and chairs stacked neatly on circular tables.

“Interesting, isn’t it, Heathley?”

Dominic froze at the sound of the voice coming from his far left—partly because he didn’t expect it, but mostly because he recognized the scornful baritone all too well.

“For you, things like this are phenomenal,” Gregory continued as he stepped out of the shadow of a thick, brick pillar, wearing a three-piece brown cashmere suit and a wicked smile. “The fact that I was able to buy the majority of shares of this restaurant in just a few minutes and shut it down immediately afterwards boasts a level of wealth and influence that you wouldn’t even see in your dreams. For me, however, it’s as regular as breathing air or crossing the street.”

Dominic felt his pulse quickening as he spoke quietly. “You did… what?”

“It’s basically the same way I found you, Dominic Heathley,” Gregory continued, completely ignoring Dominic’s question as he strode slowly in a wide arc. “With the right call, your details weren’t hard to pluck out. Imagine my surprise, and immediate repulsion, when I found your database attached not just to the Royal Diner, but to two other establishments in my name. I knew immediately that I was right, and I knew what had to be done.”

Fear and apprehension slowly gave way to anger and frustration as Dominic’s hands gradually folded into fists.

“What were you right about?” he demanded, his voice rising an octave. “Why do you hate me so much when I’ve done nothing to you? You don’t even know me!”

“I don’t need to be familiar with a rat to exterminate it,” Gregory said coldly, his green gaze unyielding. “That’ll only make me feel sorry for its pitiable existence, and inevitably cause a compromise with its pathetic nature. No, Heathley—I kill it from the start without looking back.”

Dominic’s chest began to heave as his breath came out heavily. “Where’s Mr. Fredrick? What did you do with him?”

Gregory’s laugh was born of pure amusement. “I didn’t have him killed, if that’s what you’re implying. But he’ll no longer be the manager of this restaurant, nor any other institution for that matter. Since he was foolish enough to disobey me when I asked him to fire you, I decided to teach him a valuable lesson he wouldn’t forget anytime soon.”

“You… spoiled brat!” Dominic yelled as he finally caved in to his fury. He charged at Gregory, swinging his arm in blind rage. “Go to hell!”

When his fist met with air instead of Gregory’s face, Dominic’s eyes widened with shock. By the time he realized that Gregory had sidestepped his punch with ease, it was already too late.

Despite being heavily dressed in formal attire, Gregory Embers moved with the speed and grace of a skilled fighter. His hands were a blur as they rapidly slammed into Dominic’s face and torso, giving him little chance to recover and launch another attack. He stooped low and spun around simultaneously, delivering the perfect sweeping kick to his victim’s ankles. The resulting force took Dominic cleanly off his feet, making him cry out in pain as he landed on the floor like a sack of potatoes.

“Usually, when people see my vast security detail and entourage,” Gregory went on calmly as he cracked his knuckles, “they assume I’m just another helpless rich guy who needs protection. The few, unfortunate ones who get close enough to throw hands realize, way too late, that I’m quite capable of taking care of business myself, thanks to years dedicated to combat training.”

Dominic remained on the ground, groaning and coughing up blood. Every fiber in his body screamed in excruciating agony, and his vision became somewhat blurry as Gregory stood over him.

“Why?” he managed to whisper. “Why me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Heathley,” Gregory replied harshly. “This isn’t about you. It’s about your kind. People who are born into desolate poverty. You blood-sucking leeches never have enough of anything, even when you’ve eventually made it to the top of the food chain.

“That want, that necessity to acquire and survive, never goes away. And you’d be more than willing to do anything to satisfy that urge, even if it means sacrificing others in the process. My stepfather learnt that the hard way when the man he saw as his best friend had him killed over greed and insatiable desires.”

He straightened his posture, closing his eyes as he took a deep breath. Then he chuckled lightly. “You know, after I found out that you were once involved with Veronica, I nearly called off the engagement. I had no intention of soiling my bloodline with a woman who’s entangled herself with a pitiful soul like yours. Fortunately, I deemed her worthy enough for a second chance. Besides, she’s from a good family here in the city. Desperation isn’t encoded in her genes.”

Taking casual steps, Gregory walked to the front door, pausing long enough for Dominic to struggle to balance on his hands and knees.

“By the way,” he added with a mischievous glance over his shoulder. “I found your address in the suburbs. Very quaint and tacky, by the way. A perfect fit for a lowlife like yourself. Definitely not my style, but I bought the building anyway. I left the landlord in charge of the property, that sly old thing. And I’m sure he told you about a family of three that was supposed to move in today, right?”

Dominic grew even weaker when realization suddenly hit him like a speeding truck—it had all been a setup from the very beginning.

Gregory glanced at the pricey gold watch around his wrist, smiling at the time it displayed. “Fifteen minutes after noon. Things should definitely be interesting when you get back home.”

He walked out into the sunshine, leaving a broken Dominic behind.