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Chapter 2: Blood in the Garrison
The Garrison Pub.
The beating heart of Birmingham's underworld.
It was here Alexander returned the next night. The pub was alive—smoke curling thick in the air, glasses clinking, laughter forced and nervous. At the center of it all sat Thomisia Shelby, her hand wrapped around a glass of whiskey, her brothers on either side like wolves on a chain.
When Alexander walked in, silence followed him like a shadow. His stride was calm, deliberate, every eye in the room measuring him.
Thomisia tilted her head, amusement in her eyes.
"Back again, silent one. What's the matter—streets too quiet for you?"
Alexander didn't answer. He simply ordered a whiskey, slid a note across the bar, and leaned against the counter.
Arthur grunted. "Man's either mute or mad."
John smirked. "Maybe both."
The pub laughed. Thomisia didn't. She studied him, then flicked her fingers. Suddenly, two men at the far table stood. Not Shelby men—rivals. Thugs from Sabini's lot. They swaggered toward Alexander, knives glinting under the lantern light.
Thomisia's test.
"Oi, stranger," one sneered. "Don't like the way you're starin'."
Alexander sipped his whiskey. Silent.
The thug grabbed his collar. "Got nothin' to say?"
And then—
> [System Update: Combat Assistance Activated.]
[Auto-Line: "If I speak, you'll be dead before you hear the words."]
The line spilled out of his mouth, cold as iron. The pub froze.
The thug snarled and swung his knife. Too slow.
Alexander moved like thunder—his glass smashed into the man's face, his elbow cracked into the other's jaw. Both men dropped in seconds, bleeding on the floor.
Gasps. Chairs scraped back. The room tensed.
Arthur's grin split wide. "Bloody hell, he's quick."
John whistled low. "Silent one's got steel in him."
But Thomisia… Thomisia's eyes burned with something sharper. She leaned back in her chair, exhaling smoke, lips curving.
"Interesting."
---
Later that night, Alexander climbed the rooftop again, cigar glowing against the dark sky. The System chimed:
> [Mission Complete: First Test Survived.]
[Reward: £5,000 credited.]
[Update: You may now summon up to 5 men. Each loyal until death.]
Alexander's lips twitched into the faintest smirk. He could see it already—an empire rising from smoke and blood.
Down below, the streets of Birmingham whispered with new rumors:
A silent man. Devil's eyes. Hands of steel.
Some called him mad.
Some called him dangerous.
But all agreed—
He wasn't to be ignored.