Upon hearing the conditions, the five candidates for the next head of the Fuller family looked at each other, trying to see what the others would do.
Leopold shouted, "What's wrong? When you want power and money, you're all eager to push your way to the front. But when it's time to get blood on your hands, you're having cold feet?"
As Leopold finished speaking, Anson came forward. "I'll do it. I want to avenge my brother and father."
Lyndon hesitated for a moment before stepping up. "I'm not coming back to Mistvale City until Matthew and his family are gone."
Clement wasn't going to step forward. But upon seeing Lyndon step forward, he gritted his teeth and followed suit. "I'll take down Matthew myself."
A dump truck pulled over by the curb at the entrance to Silverbrook Village in Lambda City, and a man in his 30s got out of the truck as the door opened. He walked over to the side and took a leak on the tire.
Then, he got back in the truck and opened a cup of instant noodles. He took his thermos and filled the cup with hot water.
He used a fork to hold down the lid of the instant noodles before setting it aside. After that, he pulled out an egg, a piece of sausage, and some spinach, ready to dig in once the instant noodles were ready.
A phone suddenly went off. Magnus Shafer picked it up and pressed the answer button. "The target is here. He's the one in the white T-shirt. Make sure you have the right person."
Magnus looked forward and saw only a few women. As he turned to the rearview mirror, he spotted a man in a white T-shirt.
Looking at his instant noodles, he muttered, "Dammit! Of all times to show up. He had to be here when I'm eating."
Matthew walked on the streets, keeping an eye on everything around him. He wondered how The Misfortune's Veil would strike if they decided to make a move.
The sound of a motorcycle suddenly came from behind. Stopping in his tracks, Matthew turned to look at the motorcycle, ready to act at the first sign of anything unusual.
The motorcycle roared past and quickly disappeared from sight. Matthew realized he was overthinking it.
Out of nowhere, the dump truck beside Matthew started up. He stood there for a bit, planning to let the truck pass first.
However, the dump truck didn't look like it was going to move, so Matthew continued walking. He walked past it and continued along the road.
Inside the vehicle, Magnus watched as Matthew walked ahead. He shifted into first gear and kept his foot on the clutch, waiting.
With the dump truck's slow acceleration, it needed at least 300 feet to get up to 40 mph. Matthew had to be 300 feet ahead for it to hit him at that speed.
Matthew kept going, staying alert to his surroundings as he walked. Cras whizzed past him one after another.
Up ahead, a woman in her 30s walked toward Matthew with a young girl in tow. The girl had two pigtails and looked so adorable that he couldn't help but take a few glances.
Noticing his gaze, the girl would sneak a look at him every so often. Suddenly, a frightened look flashed across her face.
Without a second thought, Matthew darted to the side and took cover behind a large tree by the road. When he looked back, he saw a dump truck speeding right through where he'd just been.
A cold sweat broke out of Matthew's forehead. He knew without a doubt this was The Misfortune Veil's making a move on him. As he watched the truck drive away, he sneered.
Seeing Matthew dodge behind a tree, Magnus cursed on his bad luck. He swerved into the middle of the road and floored the gas pedal to make a quick getaway.
Glancing at the rearview mirror repeatedly, Magnus was glad that no one was tailing him.
After driving over ten kilometers, he pulled over and cleaned up any traces left in the car. He put on a sun hat and dark sunglasses before getting out.
Along the way, he changed outfits several times in supermarkets and malls. Then, he took a few different buses and subways, changing his commute several times. Only then did he feel safe enough to ride a shared bike home.
Matthew continued on toward the village entrance as if nothing had happened. Soon, he arrived in front of a residential building.
Lately, Matthew's routine had been the same every day. He'd leave home, get breakfast at the morning market, take the bus to Gembrooke Building, and then take the bus back and walk home. It had been the same route for three days in a
row.