Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

Delgado and Whitman glared at the third one, who, even after Leon Clavon invited Tristan to the meeting, spoke against the boss's authority.

"I thought your father taught you better manners, Martinez, than to speak in such a tone in your boss's presence!" Delgado said.

"If he was invited, then Mr. Clavon needs Hayes's skill. Which he had proved more than once, as we all know," added Whitman.

Leon slammed his palms on the table, making all three freeze.

"Enough. We are here to make plans, not to waste time on your squabbles. Tristan is here, because I believe he will be useful, just like he was already. He brought in the information, without which we'd have nothing to make plans about!"

Everybody watched intently as Leon spread a large map on the table.

"After the challenge I sent, the Mexicans are gathering forces for a decisive strike. But we will strike faster, and to the place it will hurt the most. Here."

He pointed at a pencil circle on the map. It outlined an average apartment building block.

"This is the safehouse where Angulos' stashed their last haul of drugs from the other side of the border. I'm talking about at least ten million dollars in drugs! We must raid the place while we can. Give them the taste of what they wanted to do to us."

The mention of so much money made gangsters' eyes flared with greed.

This was about a year's worth of the gang's combined income.

"The place will be guarded, of course, but we won't be afraid. Now. Any suggestions on how to strike?"

Pierce fixed the glasses on his nose.

"Although we don't have definite information about this yet, I have a feeling that the reinforcements sent from Mexico are in this place, too. They could've even arrived together. Perhaps we should destroy the stash instead of capturing it…"

Tristan narrowed his eyes.

"Mr. Pierce, you can't seriously say this, right? It's ten million dollars versus some more Mexican thugs!"

Although he wasn't underestimating the danger of the reinforcements—who knew, they could've been actual elites like the assassin Quixada hired to kill him back in the days—Tristan couldn't miss a chance to undermine Pierce's authority in front of others.

Leon nodded.

"They killed our men! Payment in blood wasn't enough—they should pay with money, too."

Pierce nodded with a slightly sour expression, and the conversation moved to the actual planning. At some point, Leon's housekeeper brought in refreshments.

The luxurious atmosphere, with servants around, reminded Tristan of home. Although the last memories of that place were dark for Tristan, before that, he had a lot of great moments.

It was a pleasant place for Tristan, and he knew he wanted to own a mansion of his own one day. Except with better furniture.

For now, he focused on the planning with an extra spark in his eyes.

The plan they came up with was pretty straightforward, which only made it harder to fail.

The strike team will arrive inside an average-looking truck and get into the building through the fire exit. Then they will kick some doors, shoot through some heads, get the thing, and get out.

As a safety measure, a second team will hide in another truck as close as they safely could, since it made no sense to send more people than five at once to fight inside a building full of tight spaces.

The most important question after this was—who will lead each team?

This was a job for someone skillful and experienced, and whoever returned with the ten millions in drugs will be akin to a knight who stole a dragon's treasures!

"Perhaps… Perhaps I should remember that I'm a king of the beast and lead the main strike team," Leon said, palming his chin thoughtfully. "Hayes can lead the secondary team, then."

Pierce's eyes widened.

"Mr. Clavon! This is an extremely dangerous mission, and no amount of skill can help you dodge a bullet point-blank! Your organization needs a leader. Especially now. What will we do if you die?"

Tristan nodded in support.

"Mr. Pierce is right. You are the only boss we all have! But… people like all of us," he gestured at the mid-bosses gathered at the table. "We are much more expendable. And from what I see, at least some people here are still in fighting shape."

Tristan pointedly looked at Pierce.

Out of the four mid-bosses present, he was the only one without even a hint of a beer tummy. Although only Martinez could be called pudgy or fat, Delgado and Whitman were approaching their fifties.

Pierce, however, looked like a stationery knife. Unassuming at first, but extremely sharp and, in some ways, deadlier than a normal knife.

Leon looked at Pierce, too.

Pierce grimaced like he licked a lemon.

It wasn't a secret that for all his sadism, Pierce didn't like fighting opponents who could fight back. This was something Leon always disliked about him.

"Well said, Hayes. Pierce should have the honor of leading the strike team, then! He's more dangerous than a puma. I'm sure he will return with the haul of drugs and hunting trophies!"

Delgado nodded.

"Mr. Pierce has a lot of experience fighting in tight spaces, too. I'm sure he didn't lose his knack for it. And since Hayes is used to working under him, there will be good communication between the main and the support team."

Stay tuned with m,v le,mpyr

Tristan smiled.

"This sounds incredible. Although in the best-case scenario, the support team won't be necessary, I hope to see you act in a fight, Mr. Pierce!"

Although his words were flattering, Tristan's thoughts were full of smugness.

'Victory and trophies? You? Even gangsters should have a bit of standards, Pierce. I think I deserve all that much more. I don't have enough respect to take over Leon's place yet, but after the Mexicans kill you on this operation, I will definitely have yours!'

Of course, Pierce couldn't refuse the honor given by Leon if he wanted to keep his skull bullet-free.

***

Next day.

The day of preparations.

[Criminal Points: 4490]

Tristan looked at his points and thought about what to spend it on, knowing that on the raid, every point might end up vital.