Four days ago...
In the Imperial Capital, specifically within the nightlife district, a new nightclub had just opened its doors. Despite being open for only a few days, the place was already packed, quickly becoming a favorite haunt for lecherous men.
This was due to the club's unique style and atmosphere, which stood apart from the usual establishments in the district. The waitresses were beautiful, fresh, and pristine. Their outfits were equally distinctive, featuring various accessories like beastman ears and tails—birthing new fetishes among the city's philanderers.
"Rihanna, you're looking lovelier than usual tonight, darling," slurred a drunken man. He was attempting to seduce one of the waitresses.
"Ahahaha... You're too kind, Mr. Dudley," the waitress replied with a forced laugh, visibly uncomfortable as the man leaned closer.
"Rihanna... You're so enchanting... I... I..." The man gripped Rihanna's chin. She averted her gaze as he leaned in to kiss her.
"Aghhhhh!" The man suddenly shrieked in pain.
A large man with a buzz cut appeared, crushing the hand that held Rihanna's chin.
"Take your pick," said Karl Johnson—better known as KJ. "Do you want the bones in your hand crushed, or should I break every bone in your body tonight?"
"Huh? Don't you mess with me! Do you have any idea whose son I—Aghhh!"
Before the man could finish, KJ tightened his grip on the man's wrist, making him howl in agony and release Rihanna's chin.
"Are you alright?" KJ asked Rihanna.
"Y-yes, thank you, Mr. KJ," Rihanna replied, still looking shaken.
"Just KJ is fine," he muttered, uncomfortable with formalities. "Get back to work. I'll handle things here."
Rihanna nodded and hurried off to serve other guests.
"Y-you dare touch me? Dudley 'The Handsome' of the Vetucini Family!?" the man cried out, clutching his throbbing hand. "Bodyguards! Attack this bald freak!"
Four men rose from their seats and approached KJ. However, the buzz-cut man remained calm, not the least bit intimidated.
"Oraaa!"
One man threw a right hook. KJ caught the fist mid-air and crushed it exactly as he had done to Dudley.
"Aghhh! L-let go! You guys, hit him!" the man barked.
Another man lunged forward, intending to stab KJ with a knife. KJ swiftly kicked the man's wrist, sending the blade flying. He then threw the man whose hand he was crushing directly into the one who had held the knife.
"Damn you!"
The remaining two rushed in to strike. KJ dropped into a low stance and lunged forward with explosive speed.
"Double Lariat!"
Both of KJ's arms slammed heavily into the men's necks. Their bodies were sent hurtling back until they crashed into the club walls. Having neutralized Dudley's four bodyguards, KJ walked toward the man himself.
"W-wait! My papa can give me more money if you want to be my new bodyguard!" Dudley stammered, backing away in terror.
—Thud!
Dudley tripped; an onlooker had intentionally stuck out a foot to trip him as he retreated.
—Bam!
KJ slammed his foot down right between Dudley's thighs, nearly crushing the "future of his family line." A wet patch began to spread across Dudley's trousers. He was scared half to death, literally wetting himself at the sight of the buzz-cut man.
"Hey, Dudley darling, aren't you the brave man who supposedly slays monsters? Why are you wetting your pants just because KJ looked at you?" mocked one of the waitresses.
At this jab, the entire club erupted in laughter. His confidence was utterly shattered.
"Hahahah! How pathetic!"
"Still wetting the bed at his age!"
Dudley scrambled to his feet and bolted for the exit. "Just you wait! I'm telling my papa about this!"
Once Dudley was gone, the club's atmosphere returned to normal. Customers resumed chatting, laughing, and enjoying the music and drinks.
"Hey KJ, why'd you let him go? He's bound to cause trouble again," said one of his subordinates.
"We don't want this turning into a bigger mess, Zed," KJ replied flatly. "Besides, his family's standing is nothing compared to our Boss."
KJ was right. With Raul's background as the heir to a Duke, few would dare interfere with his business in the Aragon Empire.
"Speaking of the Boss, we received a letter from him regarding a mission."
A sultry woman wearing glasses approached KJ and his men.
"Madam Khalissa, does the Boss have orders?" KJ asked, curious.
"Well... it concerns Count Juan de Murcia..."
Two days ago...
Under the cover of night, KJ and his three subordinates—Big, Black, and Fork—arrived in the City of Murcia to investigate Count Juan's connections with the Imperial candidates.
"The Boss ordered us to gather intel on Count Juan's activities over these four days," KJ instructed. "Previously, inspectors from the Ministry of Trade came here to investigate the smuggling of Bagermith stones carried out by the Count."
Before leaving for the first stage of the exam, Raul and Elena had negotiated with Count Juan regarding the smuggling case. Raul planned to ruin the Count if it was proven he was tied to a rival faction.
"According to the intel we gathered yesterday, Bishop Guiter has information regarding an envoy from one of the factions sent to help the Count evade the inspectors," said Black, who had arrived earlier than the others.
"So, it's confirmed that our Boss can't use Count Juan for the election?" KJ asked.
"Exactly, but we still don't know which faction is linked to him," Big noted. "I suggest we squeeze more info out of Bishop Guiter to identify the faction and intercept their envoy."
The four of them nodded in agreement.
"Huh? Why are you all looking at me like that?" Fork asked, confused by his teammates' meaningful stares.
"Well... here's the thing, Fork," KJ said solemnly. "Rumor has it, Bishop Guiter has a 'thing' for fair-skinned young men like you."
Cold sweat began to bead on Fork's forehead.
"Yeah... his orientations... lean that way," Black added, confirming KJ's words.
"No, no, no! This wasn't in the job description!" Fork protested.
KJ approached him with a stern face. "You have two choices, Fork. Get the info from him, or prepare to become a Eunuch for the rest of your life as per the contract."
Recalling the contract he signed to work for Raul's organization, Fork realized he was trapped. He had agreed to work for Raul on the condition that his gravely ill sister would be cured. After she recovered, Raul set a strict condition: any intelligence operative who disobeyed or betrayed him would lose their "crown jewels."
"Fine. I'll do it."
With the plan set, KJ and the others escorted Fork to a brothel that Bishop Guiter was known to visit in secret.
"I've already bribed the madam," KJ said. "Your only task is to serve him drinks and get him talking about the candidate's envoy. Word is, the Bishop is a blabbermouth when he's drunk."
Fork nodded, though he was visibly nervous. He entered the brothel and met a woman in her 40s who was still quite beautiful.
"Oh, is this the one the big guy mentioned?" the Madam asked, referring to KJ.
"Y-yes. KJ sent me to serve Mr. G," Fork replied, using the Bishop's alias.
"Follow me. Mr. G is waiting in his room."
The Madam led Fork to the basement—a secret floor reserved for high-profile guests who required absolute discretion.
"We're here. Go on in. Mr. G arrived ten minutes ago," the Madam said before leaving him alone.
Fork stood before the door, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. For your sister, Fork... stay strong...
—Knock! Knock! Knock!
Fork knocked, but there was no response. He tried again, with the same result. He turned the handle and peeked inside. Loud snoring filled the room.
"What's going on?" Fork muttered, opening the door fully.
A man as obese as a pig was slumped in a chair, still clutching a drink. Fork entered and shut the door.
"How am I supposed to get work done if the target is unconscious!?" Fork grumbled.
—Bam!
"Wake up, you stupid pig!" Fork barked, kicking the Bishop's stomach.
Despite several kicks, the Bishop didn't budge; he only snored louder.
"Hah... The good news is, my virtue won't be taken by an ugly bastard. The bad news is, my 'eggs' are gone if I fail this mission!"
Fork began searching the Bishop's clothes and belongings. He found handcuffs, a whip, and a dildo.
Holy shit!
What kind of hobbies did this rotten pig have? He needed to find a clue and get out immediately; he had a terrible feeling about serving a man this depraved.
Finally, Fork found a scrap of paper containing information about the envoy KJ mentioned.
"Hmm... A boat, tomorrow night? They've used a code to stay anonymous," Fork whispered.
Spies usually used codes or gestures for secret communication. Now that Fork had the code, it was only a matter of time before KJ and the others intercepted the envoy.
After securing the information, Fork slipped out of the room and left the brothel. KJ and the others were waiting at a nearby café.
"Oh, you're back? That was fast," Black noted, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
Fork hurried over and reported his findings.
"The envoy arrives tomorrow night by boat," Fork informed them. "Curly hair, brown eyes, roughly 165 cm tall. The code is: 'The Pig has taken the bait.'"
"Excellent. Tomorrow night, we catch the envoy, lock them up, and wait for the Boss to return from the first exam island."