The Dark Blade: Return Of The General.

Chapter 6: The Hunt Begins

Jacob stepped out of his house and slid into the driver's seat of his black McLaren. The engine purred to life with a sound that promised speed and danger in equal measure. Tonight would mark the beginning of his long-awaited revenge, and he needed to be prepared for anything.

"I received word that weapons are available if you need them," Leo said from the passenger seat, studying a tablet filled with intelligence reports. "Though I suspect you prefer to handle things personally."

Jacob adjusted his rearview mirror and pulled onto the main road. "I have not survived fifteen years of warfare by depending on tools when my hands will suffice. But tonight is about information gathering, not violence. Not yet."

The auction was scheduled to begin in three hours, giving Jacob time to scout the location and identify potential threats. He had deliberately chosen simple clothing - dark jeans, a plain shirt, and a worn leather jacket that made him look like any other working-class man trying to blend in with Seron's elite.

"Sir, I must say your disguise is rather convincing," Leo observed with barely concealed amusement. "When you said you wanted to stay under the radar, I did not expect you to dress like a parking attendant."

Jacob shot his subordinate a warning look. "Would you prefer I arrive in military dress uniform with a parade of soldiers? The whole point is to avoid attracting attention until I am ready to strike."

"Of course not, sir. It is just that the legendary Dark Blade, terror of battlefields across three continents, looking like he borrowed clothes from a janitor is somewhat... unexpected."

"Your sense of humor will get you killed someday," Jacob muttered, though there was no real anger in his voice. Leo had served with him for eight years, and their easy banter was one of the few normal relationships Jacob maintained.

As they drove through Seron's evening traffic, Jacob reviewed the files spread across his lap. The name that caught his attention was Henry Keaton, listed as the primary seller for tonight's auction.

"Tell me about the Keaton family," Jacob said, his tone turning serious. "If I remember correctly, they were among those who opposed my father's claim to leadership of the city council."

Leo consulted his notes before responding. "Henry Keaton is the current family head and one of Seron's most influential businessmen. However, his son Marcus is the more dangerous of the two. Our intelligence suggests Marcus controls significant portions of the city's underground economy, including human trafficking operations."

Jacob's jaw tightened. "Human trafficking?"

"Women and children, mostly. They disappear from the streets and are never seen again. The authorities turn a blind eye because the Keaton family has enough money and political connections to make problems disappear."

"Then Marcus Keaton has earned himself a place at the top of my list," Jacob said quietly. "No one profits from the suffering of innocents in my city."

They were approaching the auction house now, and Jacob could see expensive cars lining the street as Seron's wealthy elite arrived for the evening's entertainment. Businessmen in tailored suits stepped out of limousines while their security details scanned the area for potential threats.

"Park here," Jacob instructed, choosing a spot several blocks away from the main entrance. "I do not want anyone connecting this vehicle to my presence at the auction."

Leo pulled to the curb and reached into the car's hidden compartment, withdrawing a black card embossed with the symbol of a mountain and sword - the same design as the amulet Jacob had given Anna.

"Your identification for tonight's event," Leo explained, handing over the card. "It will get you past security and give you access to the private bidding rooms. Do not hesitate to call if you need backup."

Jacob pocketed the card and stepped out of the McLaren. "When have I ever needed backup?"

"There is a first time for everything, sir," Leo replied with a grin. "Try not to start any wars before I have a chance to get clear of the area."

Jacob walked toward the auction house, observing the crowd with the practiced eye of someone who had spent years identifying threats in hostile territory. Most of the attendees were exactly what he expected - corrupt politicians, criminal businessmen, and social climbers hoping to buy respectability with stolen wealth.

These people had profited from his family's destruction and ruled Seron through fear and greed. Tonight, he would begin the process of tearing down everything they had built on the graves of innocent victims.

Jacob was almost at the entrance when his combat instincts suddenly flared to life. Something was wrong - a car was approaching too fast, its trajectory aimed directly at the sidewalk where pedestrians were walking.

Without thinking, Jacob sidestepped and deliberately kicked a trash bin into the vehicle's path. The car slammed into the metal container with a satisfying crunch, its front bumper crumpling and its headlight shattering.

"Serves you right," Jacob murmured, turning to continue toward the auction house as if nothing had happened.

The car door slammed open, and an angry man in an expensive suit stormed out, his face red with rage. "How dare you! This is a limited edition Audi worth more than you will earn in ten years!"

Jacob paused and turned back to face the furious driver. The man was clearly someone accustomed to intimidating others with his wealth and status, but Jacob had faced down warlords and kings. Some angry rich boy held no terror for him.

"Then perhaps you should learn to drive properly," Jacob replied calmly, "or are your skills as limited as your car's durability?"

The driver's eyes bulged with indignation. Behind him, Jacob noticed, someone else remained seated in the vehicle's back seat - someone who was clearly the real person of importance, while this screaming fool was merely hired help.

"Do you have any idea who you are dealing with?" the driver sputtered, stepping closer in an attempt to use his size as intimidation. "My employer is one of the most powerful men in this city!"

"Then your employer should hire better drivers," Jacob observed, "and you should learn better manners before you kill someone with your reckless behavior."

A small crowd had begun to gather, drawn by the commotion. Jacob could see some of them whispering among themselves, clearly recognizing either the car or its occupants. This was exactly the kind of attention he had hoped to avoid, but sometimes circumstances forced adaptation.

The real question was whether the person still sitting in the damaged vehicle was someone Jacob needed to know about, or simply another corrupt politician whose time would come later.

Either way, tonight's mission remained the same: infiltrate the auction, locate his family's stolen artifact, and begin gathering the intelligence he would need to destroy everyone responsible for the Krigg family massacre.

The hunt for justice was finally beginning, and Jacob Krigg intended to make sure his enemies learned exactly what happened when they underestimated the last survivor of their crimes.