The systematic destruction of the Crimson Cartel took three weeks.
Alex no longer bothered with subtlety or moral restraint. His enhanced abilities, combined with complete ruthlessness, made him a force of nature. He targeted the cartel's families, their businesses, their safe houses, and their sanity.
*CARTEL MEMBERS ELIMINATED: 23*
*CARTEL BUSINESSES DESTROYED: 12*
*CARTEL ALLIES INTIMIDATED INTO SWITCHING SIDES: 8*
*VILLAIN POINTS EARNED: 750*
*TOTAL: 1,900*
The end came when Alex walked alone into Vincent's heavily fortified compound and emerged two hours later covered in blood, dragging Vincent's barely-alive body behind him.
"Please," Vincent gasped as Alex dumped him in the warehouse where his remaining lieutenants were bound and gagged. "I surrender. Take whatever you want."
Alex crouched down, his eyes now permanently altered by the system—darker, more predatory. "I don't want your territory, Vincent. I want your example."
What happened next would be whispered about in criminal circles for years.
*CARTEL LEADER EXECUTED*
*REMAINING CARTEL MEMBERS ABSORBED INTO ORGANIZATION*
*TERRITORY EXPANDED: 25 BLOCKS*
*ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: CRIME LORD*
*VILLAIN POINTS: 2,500*
*LEVEL UP! VILLAIN RANK: JOURNEYMAN → EXPERT*
Maya found Alex afterward, sitting alone in his office, staring at his hands.
"You okay?" she asked.
"I killed seventeen people today," Alex said quietly. "With my bare hands. And I felt nothing."
"Is that a problem?"
Alex looked up at her, and Maya took an involuntary step back. There was something in his eyes now that hadn't been there a month ago. Something that made her primitive brain scream warnings about apex predators.
"No," Alex said finally. "I don't think it is."