Chapter 92: The Price To Pay Part 2

With the unfortunate deal made between Lex and Arias, Mercy had now been left in Gotham much to her displeasure. Her job? The same as it was with Lex, a chauffeur/bodyguard.

The simple fact of the matter was, Arias had no real use for her as an asset to his plans. Her loyalty was elsewhere and her value wasn't so high that he would be encouraged to gain her trust and fully bring her over to her side.

Whether she liked the circumstances or hated them, he didn't care. He had accomplished his goal of leaving Luthor lacking in trustworthy pieces.

Furthermore, after the incident with his long time trusted lawyer, Luthor would be hesitant to trust or depend on individuals who could be easily threatened and or blackmailed.

The reason why Roulette was such an obvious choice was because Arias clearly had enmity with her. So, in Luthor eyes, if she ever tried anything funny, he could simply stop funding and using his resources to help keep her safe.

With the current power Arias was building, it was obvious Roulette would get killed obviously.

As for Mercy, although he lost an asset, Luthor also saw an opportunity of having an insider on Arias as well.

Unfortunately for Lex, Mercy's duties were kept to just chauffeuring. Slade still remained the right hand and even when she was off duty, Arias had Rose keep a close eye on her.

He knew for a fact that she would stay in contact with Lex, but that in its own was a double-edged sword.

A few days after the deal was made, Luthor made the payment to Arias. On the same day, Arias's private satellite had officially become operational while his supercomputer had a few servers up.

With another 5 billion gained, Arias didn't hesitate to splurge. Just how absurdly did he spend?

Well…

1 billion was used to start a scholarship program for Gotham youths to pursue a tertiary education. Another billion was used to invest in small business and help them refresh and rebrand under his organization, providing thousands employment. Over 500 hundred million was invested towards renovating run down public infrastructure such as roads, public schools and parks.

In one day, Arias had spent over 2 billion, making him the talk of Global news. Some were critical of his methods, calling him stupid for blindingly investing in projects that would likely give no profit.

To that? Arias gave no answer. Instead, the answer came from Vicki Vale. Arias was far too busy and uncaring to answer to every criticism he received. However, keeping a positive image was still important, so for this, Arias reached a deal with Vicki.

She would respond on his behalf and promote, using her wide understanding of human, public and media relations.

So, when he was criticized for spending. Vicki released what she claimed was an official statement from Arias which said.

[I'm aware that I may gain no returns from this. But I'm also aware that thousands of people's lives could be changed. If they fail to capitalize on this opportunity, then I can at least say I genuinely tried to help my people. Can you all say the same while having a net-worth greater than mine?]

The result was obvious, Arias's image rose, while many critics received backlash. Some even being forced to reword their prior statements and claim they meant no negativity by it.

The rapid growth and popularity were now becoming a grave nuisance to many. But trying to make a move against someone of his caliber wasn't easy.

Those who tried to create anonymous assassin attempts found no killers willing. It was standard knowledge in the underworld that Deathstroke was protecting Arias.

Because the danger was so great, the amounts being requested were absurd, and even then the client's had no guarantees. Of course, Lex was among the people who wanted Arias gone.

But even if he really did die, Lex still wouldn't gain anything, which wasn't his style. Normally, he would have need to deal with Arias in such a way that he could gain some or complete control over what he had built so far in Gotham.

However, even Lex could see that Arias was no simple opponent. Thus far, Arias had gotten the better of him three times. Costing him a major dip in reputation, his most trusted person, a foundation in Gotham and 10 billion dollars.

With such a loss, even the patient and calculating Lex Luthor couldn't stand it.

So, he did what very few people could do. He placed a target on Arias's back using a force that feared no one… The League of Assassins.

Just getting into contact with them was a privilege very few had. Once the league had a contract to kill you, they would carry it out by any means and till the bitter end… even if the person who launched it dies.

It's what made them have such a terrifying and respected reputation. It didn't matter who the target was, so long as a fee could be agreed upon and paid… they would strike. And continue to do so until their target was dead.

…

Unaware of the plot being launched against him, Arias got some free time on his hands as everything was falling into place.

But even in his free time, he decided to finally sit down with Slade and listen to his offer.

They had just chosen to do this at a bar area within his lavish residential tower/building, which was the most secure place he owned. Despite the bar being fairly large, only Slade and Arias were present around a poker table with cigars and glasses of whiskey to their side. Rose was standing between them, acting as the dealer of cards, with a very apparent frown on her face.

"So, what was this big project of yours that you wanted to brief me on? Raise." As Arias asked this question, he pushed forward a couple of poker chips with a slight grin on his face.

Slade puffed his cigar while rubbing his beard before sighing and shaking his head. "I fold."

After doing so, he leaned back into his sit and took another puff from his cigar before answering the question. "Well, I'm sure you've heard of superhuman trafficking. But, have you heard of superhuman manufacturing?"

Arias raised an intrigued brow as he pulled over the chips he had won.

"Go on."