002 The Fawley Family

"How dare you—"

Many stories start with predictable endings, but the gloomy underground world suddenly reverberates with an angry howl, sharp as a werewolf's cry under a full moon.

"Playing--"

Within three seconds of consuming the intoxicating potion, the old wizard leaps up. The pustules and scabies on his bald head quickly change color from red to purple, then black. Like a potion about to boil, they start bubbling and the thorns on his face twist and grow wildly, as if eager to escape his skin.

"Great—"

The old wizard is seething with anger, his emotional turmoil evident. He raises a short and thick cane with a jewel embedded at the top, seemingly preparing to cast a curse on the man who deceived him.

However, he seems to have forgotten that in his current state, he can no longer control his chaotic and malevolent magic. The act of casting a spell only further intensifies the unruly magic, causing his entire body to melt like a wax figurine being scorched, starting from his head.

In the blink of an eye, the man who was alive just moments ago turns into a puddle of black pus on the ground!

"Sorry, great... what?"

The thin wizard who had traded with the old wizard sneers strangely. He picks up the mithril from the table and stuffs it into his robe. He then approaches the pool of pus and examines it for a moment. Retrieving the old wizard's staff from within, he carefully inspects the ruby at the top using the torch suspended in mid-air.

Through the layer of black cloth, Bryan can sense the pride on the man's face.

Sensing the gazes upon him, the thin wizard turns his head and gives Bryan a menacing look, as if he believes Bryan is attempting to deceive him. He threatens in a low voice, "In this place, greed and excessive curiosity may cost you your life, Golden Viper. Don't think that tearing apart a few large wolfhounds will make everyone fear you—"

Bryan smirks contemptuously. He lowers his head and gazes deeply at the pool of solution. After a moment, an old and hoarse voice emerges from his hood.

"Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Liar, but you seem to have forgotten one thing. Besides greed and curiosity, carelessness can also be deadly."

"What?"

Before the thin wizard can react, a black shadow with scarlet eyes suddenly emerges from the pile of pus on the ground. The shadow resembles the Grim Reaper, hovering in mid-air and screeching at the thin wizard.

"Embrace death with me, you shameless man!"

The thin wizard attempts to flee, but the anti-apparition spells that encompass the underground world prevent him from escaping. The nearest fireplace is at least half a mile away.

Before the thin wizard can clear the low wall, the colossal shadow resembling the Grim Reaper catches up with him. It swoops down from mid-air to the ground, opening its bloody mouth filled with sharp teeth and instantly swallowing the thin wizard's body, along with his screams.

Creak, creak, creak...

The chilling sound of bones being crushed reaches Bryan's ears. Blood, mingled with fragments of white bone and brain matter, cascades to the ground like a stream. The strong stench of blood forces Bryan to wrinkle his nose in secret.

The ghostly manifestation of the old wizard is but a fleeting struggle before fading away forever.

Having exacted revenge, the ghost dissipates quickly. Before completely vanishing, it turns to Bryan, its voice filled with resentment. "You knew it was a fake, yet you didn't warn me!"

"Why should I be blamed for your own stupidity?" Bryan coldly retorts. "Before I develop an interest in your current form, it would be best for you to disappear promptly. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind keeping you trapped in a glass bottle for decades before sending you to hell."

The ghost is unable to refute Bryan's words. With a helpless sigh, it gazes around with a tinge of nostalgia. Gradually, its figure fades completely, departing toward the realm of death.

Onlookers nearby take note of the commotion but refrain from approaching or inquiring about the events. Just as the thin wizard had warned, curiosity can be lethal in this realm that allows no escape.

A silver light flickers through the dark air as Bryan retrieves the mithril covered in bite marks from the flesh and blood. He cleans it off and tucks it away, as if no one else is present, relishing its beauty.

With a crisp snap of his fingers, a golden magical fire ignites spontaneously, cleaning the dirty ground and obliterating all traces of the two deceased individuals—the old wizard and the thin bamboo pole. The flames fulfill the responsibility of dealing with the aftermath, a matter of public morality.

"It seems I missed quite a spectacle, Mr. Golden Viper," remarks a middle-aged wizard with blond hair, black eyes, and an easy-going demeanor, standing atop a tall public sign, smiling down at Bryan.

"Perhaps, you escaped trouble by sheer luck," Bryan nods, his tone indifferent.

The visitor's name is Kakus Foley, a well-known broker in the underground world hailing from the Fawley family One of the twenty-eight Sacred Families.

The Foley family, once highly esteemed in the wizarding world, enjoyed a prominent position. At its zenith, the family head even served as the Minister of Magic. They were undoubtedly a powerful family.

However, Hector Fawley, the Minister of Magic from the Fawley family, lacked foresight beyond the immediate reality. Ignoring Albus Dumbledore's warnings, he miscalculated the threat posed by the burgeoning dark wizard, Gellert Grindelwald, during his time. As a result, he was ousted from power by outraged wizards.

The Fawley family, stripped of their political influence, suffered severe consequences and gradually faded from the British wizarding world.

For two or three generations, the declining Fawley family sought a path back to the center stage. They attempted various approaches but failed each time. Regardless of the destination, the current era presented an insurmountable barrier to their transcendence.

Albus Dumbledore never specifically targeted the isolated Foley family. Yet, the magical world would never forget that it was Hector's disregard for Dumbledore's warnings that led to significant casualties in the battle against Grindelwald.

Fifty years later, the people's anger towards the Foley family has gradually dissipated, but Albus Dumbledore still lives on!

The current high-level officials in the Ministry of Magic remain vigilant towards a century old wizard residing at Hogwarts. They have no reason to risk the wrath of the present generation for a speck of dust that should have faded into the river of history—a risk not worth taking for any great wizard.

In the end, the besieged Fawley family made a decision—plunge into darkness.

They sent one of their few remaining honorable juniors, willing to show their face and take the risk of retaliation, to work in the underground world. Their aim was to accumulate wealth and connections silently, waiting for an opportunity to return to the realm of light.