Nah, not for now at least.

I looked back to the empty lot, letting out a sigh. 'It most certainly isn't a luxury location, but neither was my original base of operations last time. What it lacks in the local scenery it makes up for in size. I had expected a smaller amount of land, but I suppose that since it is such a poor area, this amount was not expensive.'

I approached the area as I considered what I might do with it. I quickly noticed that there was already an immense pile of materials, from stone bricks and slabs to metal decorated glass windows. I felt approval while looking at it, 'Norman most certainly is a man of his word. With these materials, the land, and the offering of assistance, he has taken every last cost from this project upon himself. I appreciate that, even though we are both categorically eviler men, we can still be men of our word.'

As I began walking around, examining the area and deciding the structure I would build, I heard a noise from nearby. As I turned to look, I saw a strange creature running out of an alley way, being chased by a group of men. They all ran to the far side of the lot from me, managing to corner the swift critter.

One of the thugs gave a chuckle to himself, "That's the end of the line, little one. This time, you ain't gettin' away."

As they prepared to rush the creature, I cleared my that from behind them. "Ahem, may I ask what business you have on my property?"

The first thug didn't break his focus on the creature to his credit, but the other two swiftly turned around. "Who's this wacko? He's trying to lay claim to the Wailing lot?"

I raised my eyebrow, "The Wailing lot? Would have loved to hear that nickname before I was given it... Regardless, what are you doing here?"

The first one spoke without looking away from the cowering creature in the corner, "This little critter here has been bothering the area, so we are catching it."

One of the other ones looked at him confused, "Huh? But I thought it was magic or something? Isn't that why the boss told us to nab it?"

The other thug that had looked away gave the one who spoke a smack on the head, "You dumbass, you never say that something you're going to take is useful."

I gave a chuckle, "Indeed, you should not. I will have to say, from where I'm standing, it seems that as the creature is on my grounds it is my responsibility to deal with."

The first thug spoke again, "Don't you worry, it will be off your land soon enough."

I stepped forward and took an authoritative stance, "I don't believe you understood my statement. I will handle this from here."

This got the first thug to look away at last. Seeing this as it's chance, the creature made a mad dash for the resource pile, hiding in a gap between some bricks. As it ran past, I subtly casted some magic to grow moss between the bricks and make sure that there was no way for it to truly escape. I still needed to investigate it myself, after all.

The thug let out an annoyed groan, "Now look at what you've done, we just had it too."

I shook my head at him, "Blaming another for your own failures is not the way to get further in life."

He gritted his teeth, "I'm really starting to not like you."

I gave a chuckle, "The feeling is quite mutual, now get off my land." I spoke the second part in a much firmer tone than the first.

The dumb thug seemed to get exited, "Ooo, do we get to teach him a lesson? I really wanted to fight something today!"

Before the first thug could finish, the dumb one charged me. With no effort at all, I caught his lacking punch and twisted his arm while spinning him around before slamming the back of his head with my other palm. As he fell to the ground, I restraightened my robe and gestured to the others.

I gave a chuckle as I interlocked my hands behind my back, "Well, would either of you like to, what was it, 'Teach me a lesson'?"