The Crimson Cartel was run by Vincent "The Butcher" Rodriguez, a old-school crime boss who'd controlled the south side for twenty years. He had money, connections, and fifty experienced killers.
Alex had a supernatural system and growing megalomania.
"We're outnumbered five to one," Maya pointed out during their war council. "Maybe we should consider negotiation."
"Negotiation is for people who aren't destined for greatness," Alex replied, studying maps of cartel territory. "Besides, I have advantages they don't know about."
Elena leaned forward. "What kind of advantages?"
Alex smiled. "The kind that come from not being entirely human anymore."
*VILLAIN RANK: APPRENTICE → JOURNEYMAN*
*PHYSICAL ENHANCEMENT: +100%*
*NEW ABILITY: INTIMIDATING PRESENCE*
*NEW ABILITY: TACTICAL GENIUS*
*VILLAIN POINTS: 1,000*
The first strike came at midnight. While the cartel expected a frontal assault, Alex used his enhanced intelligence to identify their weakness: Vincent's nephew, Carlos, who handled their money laundering operations.
Carlos was grabbed outside his apartment, brought to Alex's new hideout, and subjected to six hours of psychological manipulation combined with creative torture.
*INFORMATION EXTRACTION SUCCESSFUL*
*+50 VILLAIN POINTS*
*CARTEL BANK ACCOUNTS COMPROMISED*
*CARTEL WEAPONS CACHE LOCATIONS ACQUIRED*
By dawn, Alex had stolen $2.3 million from cartel accounts and destroyed three weapons caches. More importantly, he'd sent Carlos back to his uncle with a message carved into his chest: "SURRENDER OR SUFFER"
*PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE: +100 VILLAIN POINTS*
*TOTAL: 1,150*
Vincent's response was swift and violent. Alex's remaining warehouse exploded in a fireball that could be seen from miles away. The message was clear: this was now a war of extermination.
"Okay," Elena said, watching the flames from their backup hideout. "Now what's the plan?"
Alex's smile was no longer entirely human. "Now we show them what real monsters look like."