Episode 20

Sugi exited the private quarters of Club Clinton, promptly leaving after realizing that torture was futile—they knew nothing.

For someone capable of slaughtering his most skilled subordinates, Sugi doubted these five petty thugs were the culprits.

Fully aware of the prowess of his men, Sugi saw the very evident weakness in the five ruffians.

Observing Sugi's throat-slashing gesture, the ruffians panicked, hysterically begging for mercy.

They were even ready to repay the money they had squandered, believing their looting had led to their execution.

The ruffians recognized the grim meaning behind the throat-slitting sign, as they lived in the world that spawned such signals.

But the different, formidable figures paid no heed to the frantic cries and apologies, swiftly executing the thugs on the spot, leaving them behind without remorse.

And so, after their demise, the entertainers screamed in horror and fear! They scattered, running in spite of their exposed attire.

Now the once lively Club Clinton fell eerily silent following Sugi's visit; the cacophony of disco and dangdut music ceased, replaced by the sounds of terror and people fleeing the club.

It was certain bills would go unpaid, and amidst the grand chaos, opportunists fled with expensive wines provided by Club Clinton.

As time passed, the club's night fell quiet. Only Club employees and the unattended bodies remained.

Club Clinton's owner, Jamal Clinton, a drug lord of Emerald City's slums, arrived with a sullen face. Taking his seat in his office, he was met by dozens of employees and entertainers from his club.

"What has happened here, why such chaos?" Jamal inquired sullenly.

His head ached, his drug business hit hard by the vigilant law enforcement.

Rarely venturing out to avoid identification as a drug lord, this news infuriated him even more.

"Bosa, Sugi, that merciless brute of the Sanggoro family caused a disturbance seeking his enemy here! We were powerless against them," the manager trusted by Jamal explained.

Thud..!

Jamal was stunned and shocked, Sugi himself had caused this upheaval.

Upon learning this, Jamal's mood darkened, aware the losses were his burden alone.

Confronting the Sanggoro family would bring more loss than gain.

"Haahhh...!" Jamal could only heave a weary sigh.

He simply instructed his staff to handle the thugs' corpses and tidy up the turmoil.

*

Sugi returned to the Sanggoro family residence.

He slumped in his office, a day's search having vanished without any further leads.

"Damn it, have they left the city of Emerald?" Sugi muttered to himself, frustrated.

The Sanggoro family's influence was bound to Emerald, nonexistent in other cities. Seeking clues elsewhere would cost dearly, paying others for information.

Dwelling on his chagrin, pondering Riko and his accomplices' activities, his office door flung open.

The Sanggoro family patriarch entered, his scowling face bearing anger. News of his grandson Rudi's amputation weighed heavily on him.

The patriarch could tolerate a limp as normal, but amputation was a ghastly prospect, strengthening his thirst for vengeance.

He came to Sugi's office seeking updates, no recent news of Riko's demise reached him.

"Sugi, what's the situation?" the patriarch inquired tersely.

Thud..!

Anxiety gripped Sugi; the family had suffered a great loss due to the incident.

"Patriarch, I failed! Our best troops have been killed!" Sugi responded, disheartened.

"What...?" the patriarch was astounded.

It was as if his heart had ceased beating; the best of Sugi's men were the Sanggoro's spearhead. This news could jeopardize their standing.

"Is this true, how did it happen?" the patriarch insisted.

"I don't know. I merely warned them to kill Riko and his friends, but lost contact, and later they were found slaughtered to oblivion!" Sugi recounted what he knew.

"Damn it, it seems this youth named Riko Setiadi has vast combat troops, luring ours into a trap!" the patriarch deduced.

Hearing this, Sugi gained a sliver of enlightenment, understanding why the corpses had been located in a seedy area.

"Damn..!" Sugi cursed inwardly.

He blamed himself for a reckless move, his most impulsive in over two decades.

"We must seek stronger forces, then hunt down this youth wherever they are—to the death! I don't care about the price, Sugi, you understand?" the patriarch commanded immediately.

"Sir, must we?" Sugi hesitated.

"What other choice do we have, they force our hand!" the patriarch stated.

Leaving Sugi's office, the patriarch's parting left Sugi in resigned silence.

Sugi retrieved his phone, dialing a number he hadn't called in a long time.

"Brother, I need your help!" Sugi said upon connection.

"Sugi, you still remember your brother, huh?" the person on the line responded, sidestepping Sugi's plea.

"Brother, there's no time! Help me, please," Sugi implored.

Out of character, Sugi's voice was like that of a child before the one on the call.

"Speak..." the person commanded.

And Sugi detailed his problem, the need to find Riko and his associates beyond the borders of Emerald. He was convinced they had left the confines of the city.

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