When I started to regain consciousness I could hear distant chatter but I couldn't see. Seems like I was blindfolded. I couldn't tell how long I had been out but I'm guessing at least a couple hours since my whole body ached like it had built up fatigue for so long or It probably was the effect of getting knocked out by whatever that was. Ack… my head's throbbing real badly. Why I'm having the weird feeling of deja Vu.
"Hoho, you're finally awake… I was beginning to think my men had gone a little too hard on you"
This voice is oddly familiar, why do I feel like I've met this guy before. That's strange. I've never seen the cross world group so why do I recognize this one. Let's try to probe a bit and figure out who exactly my kidnappers are.
"What do want"
"What kind of dumb question is that? Did you seriously think I'm easy to mess with"
"...I don't know what you are talking about. I've messed with quite a lot of people during my day"
With this much grunt in his tone, he definitely has a grudge with me… I couldn't have pissed anyone this badly. Is he mistaken me for someone else?
"Ahh it seems my boys hit you a little too hard on the head, this should jolt your memory a little"
"Ack!!!"
Guess not… I haven't been punched that hard for a long time, what's his fist made of, steel? I've got a feeling me and this guy aren't going to get along so well.
"Did that help you remember"
"A little bit… so I take it that the deal didn't work out"
"You're one hell of a kid I'll tell you that"
Seeing as they didn't kill me I'm probably not in any serious danger, I just hope it at least stays that way.
"Ack!!!"
I had a hunch who exactly it was the moment those two guys started chasing me. Since I took a fake loan out of so many sharks it was bound to cause complications. I just didn't expect them to figure out this quickly. They couldn't have, unless I was thoroughly dug out.
"Don't worry your life won't be in danger"
"Cough!... I figured that out after all you'll be making a loss if I died"
There's probably only one shark that could be so thorough with his money.
"Ohh! So your memory is finally up to speed"
I shouldn't have gotten too cocky and tried to con him too. But I wanted to stick up my finger in that smug bastard ass. He's one of the few people that rode the dark age for a long time. Guess his cautiousness was one of the key factors to that.
"If it's about the money I owe you… I'll pay you back"
I can still get out of this in one piece. While he's ruthless with his money. He won't outright do something irrational as killing someone without just cause.
"Hahahahaha… of course you will kid, you think I went through all this trouble for free… So kid how much are you going to compensate for my troubles"
This dude is way too greedy…
"Uhm… since I borrowed 300 million from you I'll add an extra 30 million to settle our disputes"
This price should be good enough, losing this much money will put a strain on my budget, but I can make due with the rest.
"Come on… I know you can do better than that"
"N-No that's basically all I have… I spent a lot on othe-"
"Bullshit! I'm losing my patience. I think I constructed my words poorly so let me ask you this… Do you think your life is worth a measly thirty million"
Shit! As much as It pains me if I don't drop something worth their time. My grave might very well be here.
"420 million. I'll borrow the money from my colleagues if you let me go. I can settle the rest by the end of the month"
"So You've been holding up on us kid. But if you add all the interest we were supposed to accumulate over the months as agreed upon, that will round up your debt to 450 million"
4-450!… bear with it I can give them half now and hold them off from the rest until the apocalypse starts.
"I-I I'll try my best"
As much as it hurts my pride, my well-being is far more important.
"Yes, you will… Dillon, Sal get this mutt back home after sorting the payment"
"Yes boss"
This is pretty embarrassing getting scammed from the same people I was trying to scam.
"I've sent it so can I go now"
But both of us will be the ones at a loss. I said I'll be paying the balance by the end of the month. But by then money would essentially be useless .
"Hold it"
Uh… Why is he here… he should be cooped up in his home, or handling some crazy tycoon.
"L-leader… what brings you here"
"No need to fret kelvin… I'm just doing a house call"
"Leonard Peterson right"
"What are you doing kid, show your respect. Don't you realize who you're in front of— This is the man you very well tried to rip off"
I can see that much. He certainly looks more refined now than I remember.
"Yes that's me"
"You dunce speak louder-"
It's my first time seeing him in this timeline, still compared to what I remember him as, it's like this one is a completely different person.
"That's enough Kelvin… so Leonard would you care to join me for a chat"
Why bother to ask? It's not like I have a say in the matter.
"I'll be glad to"
"By the way, don't mind Kelvin over here. While he may seem harsh he's just very dedicated to his job… I take it he wasn't too hard on you earlier"
"It was nothing much"
"Good… well seeing as you've been through a lot today. I'll be direct what are you going to compensate me with"
"W-what!?"
"Uhm, leader I already sorted out the deal with him, we've received 250 million and he's with a debt of 200 million. We've definitely made a score on him"
"Haha… You certainly are one crafty fox aren't ya kid"
What's going on here? While I may have encountered Tony scarcely, it was still easy to tell he never says a word without reason… you can say he's one to do everything by the book so what would the thieving bookworm be coming all the way out here for when his men have handled it all.
"I don't mean to be rude but if everything is settled can I go now"
"What did you say!!?"
"Kelvin, settle down!"
"Sir"
"Fine since you want to act this way. Then allow me to introduce myself, I'm Tony Zeleski the owner of the establishment you tried to con"
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr Zeleski and I'm truly sorry for my mistake"
"Yes, Yes I'm sure you are… now I'll repeat myself one last time how much are you willing to compensate me for"
I can't figure this guy out… no wonder he's so fearful, it's like I'm speaking with a snake that's coiling all around him. Yet there's not a single expression on his face.
The only reason why he would still be insistent with me even after making his money back is he believes that he's making a loss. But that shouldn't be the case everything should be settle-
"It seems you want me to spell it out for you boy… I wasn't the only loan shark you conned am I right"
Motherf*ker!
"I don't understand what you are talking about"
"Of course you don't. But from what my sources tell me at least five other establishments are currently at a loss… you've made a lot of money over the days haven't you"
I'm f*ked he's not going to let me go until he wrings me dry of every penny.
"So while you may have compensated 450 million or whatever I'm sure you can do more than that"
This bastard, I shouldn't have gotten involved with him from the start.
"You see I spent most of it on investments, plus the loans I got from them are change compared to yours. I'm seriously on my last le-"
"If you don't want to end up being every loan shark target right now… I don't care if you have to sell your soul to the devil… you'll compensate"
Looks like I can't butter my way out of this one.
"H-How much"
"1 billion"
"What!... You can't expect me to have that much"
"I certainly do… but since you went through so much hardship I'll let you negotiate a little"
"600"
Negotiate a little… What a joke he just wants to see for himself how much I actually have.
"Don't play games with me boy I didn't come all the way here for spare change"
"8-800"
"...850 and it's a deal"
"R-right"
"Ohh and you're paying it in full"
"Are you kidding!"
"You can't expect to put me on hold when the others start barking for their money… I'm not one to make a loss"
"There with this 600 that should tally the numbers to 850"
"Does it though"
"..."
"I'm messing with you no need to stare daggers kid. Lighten up a bit my boys here will escort you back. Though I hope you don't get ahead of yourself and bite more than you can chew again"
I've been far too arrogant ever since returning to the past. I was too focused on using my knowledge to secure resources as quickly as possible. I haven't been tying up any loose ends I left along the way.
Tony… a man can be killed but not humiliated. I'll be sure to repay this debt, when the time comes you'll be the one groveling beneath my feet. You and that cocky grin of yours will grovel before me.