Liquidation: From Big Boss to Bloody Demon Sauce Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Stop At Nothing To Rise To The Top

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As days passed, the reports that had once seemed ridiculous became a waking nightmare. Unearthly creatures defying every law of physics started walking Earth's streets, imposing their terrifying, reality-bending presence. They were grotesque and bizarre, radiating a suffocating pressure that made the air feel thick. Panic grew among the populace, and chaos spread like wildfire. The global economy crumbled in hours, wiping out trillions in wealth, and the world I had conquered was being violently liquidated. The night the invasion reached my sector, my penthouse shook violently, drawing my attention from the useless market reports sprawled across my desk. I could see downtown from the reinforced windows of my porcelain-encased tower. Sporadic earth tremors shattered the streets, fire-blackened the skies, and an eerie, violet celestial glow painted a canvas of impending doom. The broadcast networks were dead, but the final distress signals had been specific: Demons were terraforming our world. I prepared myself, arming my mind with the limited data I had managed to aggregate about these invaders. Information was scarce, but one terrifying metric stood out among all the chaotic reports. Evolution. Humanity had managed to kill the first waves, but the demons that survived the initial engagements adapted. They absorbed the kinetic impact of our weapons. Guns very quickly became obsolete, bouncing off newly developed armor plating, forcing the armies of the world to switch up their tactics. But it was a losing battle of attrition. Soon, the demons’ defensive stats would outpace anything humanity could manufacture. It was only a matter of time before the hostile takeover was complete. "They have breached the first floor of the building," Hans informed me, his hand pressed tightly to his earpiece. I nodded calmly, opening the heavy bottom drawer of my desk. "Let them come. They still have 128 floors to climb, and I don't think anything is going to stop them," I replied, pulling out a 150-year-old bottle of rum and setting it softly on the mahogany wood. "Best we enjoy the dividends of our labor while we still have time." The words tasted like ash in my mouth. I watched Hans sigh, pull his earpiece out, and walk over to grab two crystal glasses from the shelf. Fifteen years had passed since my first major acquisition, since both my parents had died, leaving me with nothing but a burning need to never be vulnerable again. Now, every asset, every property, and every ounce of influence I had built would be erased in less than an hour. "Sad to think that humanity is going to be wiped off the board because of all this," Hans scoffed after taking his seat as I poured the amber liquid. "I would have put my money on lizard men long before I would have ever dreamt it would be a race of magic-wielding demons." "You always did have a habit of investing in outlandish theories," I said, sliding the heavy glass to Hans, and lifting my own. "But you have served me better than I could have ever hoped." We both took a slow, burning drink. Hans lowered his glass and grinned at me, the tension in his shoulders easing. "You know, when I first started my contract with you, I never thought I would see much action. But these last ten years have been more than a little eventful." He let out a low laugh, causing me to smirk, though a phantom ache twinged in my ribs. The massive man had saved my life on multiple occasions, dragging me out of the fire when negotiations turned lethal. "I did tell you that I would stop at nothing to rise to the top, didn't I?" I asked. Hans snorted, but the amusement died instantly as the floorboards bucked under our feet. The deep, concussive boom of an explosion echoed from just a few floors beneath us. "Would you like me to put one between your eyes, sir? Save them the trouble?" Hans asked, his voice deadpan. I laughed, a genuine sound that surprised even me. "No. You and I will give them everything we have in our reserves. If