The air in our guild room was a familiar, comfortable mix of dust, determination, and the faint, metallic scent of old machinery. Isabel had just finished her report on the bootcamp's progress, her voice ringing with a pride that was infectious. Her two star pupils, the same guys who had fought like cornered lions during the first ambush, stood before me now. They were different. The raw, desperate energy was still there, but it had been tempered, sharpened into something more focused, more dangerous.
I let my gaze drift over them, my [Advanced Appraisal] skill activating without a conscious thought, the familiar white panels shimmering into existence.
Status:
Name: Axel Russel
Strength: 220
Agility: 235
Endurance: 210
Mentality: 180
Intelligence: 150
Mana: 0
Potential: B+
Skills: [Muay Thai (Novice)]
Passive Skills: [Unyielding Spirit], [Lion's Roar]
Superpower: [None]
Soul Ledger: [Awe for the Leader] & [Loyal Soldier]
Status:
Name: Leo Trump
Strength: 225
Agility: 180
Endurance: 230
Mentality: 150
Intelligence: 130
Mana: 0
Potential: B
Skills: [CQC - Close Quarters Combat (Novice)]
Passive Skills: [Immovable Object], [Guardian's Instinct]
Superpower: [None]
Soul Ledger: [Awe for the Leader] & [Loyal Soldier]
They were solid. Good assets. Their loyalty was absolute, forged in the heat of battle and solidified by Isabel's relentless training. They were no longer just victims fighting back; they were soldiers.
"Welcome to the core members of the Hunter's Guild, Leo and Axel," I said, my voice echoing slightly in the quiet room.
They both bowed deeply, their movements stiff with a formal respect that was still new to them. "We are grateful we got the chance to fight side-by-side with the leader and the other core members of the Hunter's Guild," they said in unison. "Thank you very much."
Jack, ever the welcoming big brother of the group, gave them a wide, genuine grin. "You both got here through your own hard work," he said, clapping them on the shoulders. "I like hardworking people. Congratulations."
Ken Pots, my first and most eccentric devotee, stepped forward, his eyes shining with a familiar, zealous light. "Welcome, Axel, Leo," he said, his voice full of a strange, formal gravity. "I am expecting a good fighting spirit from both of you."
The rest of the inner circle offered their own greetings, a warm, welcoming energy filling the room. The tension from our last few meetings was gone, replaced by the easy camaraderie of a team that had been forged in fire.
Isabel was the first to break the comfortable silence, her eyes shining as she watched Ken work. He was laying out the series of custom-made weapons he'd delivered before our raid on the gambling den, performing maintenance with a focused intensity. "Ken, I'm serious, this staff is a masterpiece," she said, picking up her three-section staff and giving it a fluid, expert twirl. After using it in a real fight, her appreciation had only deepened. "The balance is perfect. I've never handled anything that felt so much like an extension of my own body."
Stacy, leaning against the table with a cool, appraising look, picked up one of her stun rapiers. "The craftsmanship is impressive," she conceded, a rare note of genuine approval in her voice. "The stun charge is calibrated for maximum neural disruption with minimal physical damage. It's a clean, elegant solution for dealing with uncooperative subjects."
Tiffany, who was inspecting her tactical crossbow, gave a curt, professional nod. "The weapon's modular bolt system provides significant tactical flexibility," she stated, her tone as analytical as ever. "The ability to switch between incapacitation, entanglement, and surveillance from a single platform is a major force multiplier. It is a perfect, dangerous tool."
I leaned back in my chair at the head of the table, a slow, satisfied smile on my face as I coiled one of my own spiky whips. "You outdid yourself, Ken," I said, my voice cutting through the technical assessments. "These aren't just weapons; they're tailored to each of us. That kind of foresight is invaluable to the Hunter's Guild."
Ken's face flushed a brilliant, happy red. He stood up straight, puffing out his chest, trying and failing to look humble. "Thank you, Leader, ladies! I am honored that my humble efforts are worthy of your praise. I only did what was necessary." He beamed, his devotion radiating from him in palpable waves. Then, with an air of profound solemnity, he bowed deeply.
"It is simply a knight's duty to ensure his king and his queens are properly armed for battle."
The warmth in the room instantly dropped twenty degrees.
Three pairs of eyes—Isabel's, Stacy's, and Tiffany's—snapped onto Ken, a unified wave of silent, deadly force.
Isabel's internal thought, "Who, exactly, are you calling queens? I can only see one."
Stacy's internal thought, "Do not presume to place me in a lineup."
Tiffany's internal thought, "Calculating the precise trajectory required to fire a taser bolt directly into his mouth to cease his illogical verbal output."
Ken froze, the triumphant smile melting from his face, replaced by a dawning, horrified confusion. He had clearly misread the room. The silence stretched for a long, agonizing moment before I finally broke it with a soft chuckle.
"Alright, Ken," I said, my voice full of amusement. "Let's stick with 'Leader' and 'core members' for now. We haven't worked out the full royal budget for titles yet."
The tension broke, and a few nervous laughs went around the table. I let a slow, casual smile spread across my face. "Not really. Just had an interesting follow-up meeting after the gambling den raid." I paused, letting the silence draw their attention. "Melissa Richard offered me a job."
Jack snorted, taking a long swig of his water. "What, she want you to be a hall monitor? Don't do it, bro. You'd be terrible at it."
"Not exactly," I said, my smile widening into a grin. "She offered me the position of Deputy Chief of Police."
The room went completely, utterly silent. You could have heard a pin drop on the dusty concrete floor. Jack, who had been in the middle of drinking, choked, spraying water everywhere. Padro's jaw was hanging open. Axel and Leo just stared, their faces a perfect picture of blank, uncomprehending shock.
Then, the dam broke.
"WHAT?!" Jack was the first to find his voice, his shout echoing in the cavernous room. "Deputy Chief?! Are you serious? Bro, that's… that's not a job, that's the head of the whole damn detective bureau!"
"How?" Tiffany's voice was sharp, cutting through the rising chaos. She had finally looked up from her tablet, her green eyes narrowed, her analytical mind already running a thousand calculations. "That appointment bypasses decades of standard procedure. The political capital required is substantial. How did you secure the necessary leverage?"
"Yeah, Leader, how is that even possible?" Padro asked, his own mind struggling to catch up.
I just leaned back, enjoying the effect. I gave them a small, dangerous smile. "Let's just say I was in the right place at the right time and made a very powerful friend. I made an offer they couldn't refuse."
My vague explanation did little to calm the storm. Their reactions came in a wave, a perfect symphony of their personalities.
Ken Pots, who had been standing guard behind me, dropped to one knee, his eyes shining with a fanatical, teary-eyed devotion. "OF COURSE!" he boomed, his voice filled with religious fervor. "His Majesty is not just conquering the underworld, but the very forces of justice as well! It is his divine right! ALL HAIL THE LEADER!"
Kenji, my silent mountain, just gave a single, profound nod, his expression one of absolute, unwavering belief. "As expected of the Leader," he rumbled.
Axel and Leo, the new recruits, were still completely awestruck. "Seriously? Deputy Chief?" Axel whispered, shaking his head in disbelief. "We're… we're following a legend."
Padro, his brain finally catching up, let out a whoop of pure, brawling joy. "Hell yeah! That means we have the whole police force in our pocket, right? We can beat up anyone we want!"
"That is not what that means," Tiffany said, her voice dripping with ice, before turning her gaze back to me.
Stacy laughed, a low, appreciative purr. "Deputy Chief… My, my, Adam. You're collecting titles faster than I collect assets." She gave me a sultry, challenging look. "I'm impressed. And a little jealous. It seems I'll have to work harder to keep up with my soon-to-be boyfriend."
Isabel, who had been silent until now, looked at me with a mixture of overwhelming pride and a deep, possessive concern. "Deputy Chief? Adam, that's… incredible," she said, her voice a little shaky. "But is it safe? You'll be putting yourself in even more danger."
Nari, who had been observing the entire exchange with a calm, serene smile, finally spoke. "A very interesting move on the board, Adam," she said, her grey eyes glinting with a profound, analytical light. "Placing a king in the rook's position. It changes the entire game."
Anna, her own mind processing the tactical advantages, chimed in, her voice a quiet murmur of awe. "The processing power of the entire police database… the city-wide surveillance network… Leader, the intelligence-gathering potential is… astronomical."
Maya and Chloe, who were sitting together, just looked at me with wide, adoring eyes. "Of course he is!" Maya said. "Our Leader is the most capable man in the world!"
"He can do anything!" Chloe added with a devoted nod.
I held up a hand, and the room once again fell into a respectful silence. I looked at them, at my court, at the incredible, chaotic, brilliant family I had built. "It's just a title," I said, my voice calm and steady. "And another tool for us to use. Nothing has changed. Our war is still with the Ruthless Animals. Our goal is still to build our empire. This just makes the path a little clearer."
Nari was the first to speak after my declaration, her smile serene. "Congratulations, I think so." The others murmured their agreement, the initial shock settling into a new, potent sense of possibility. With the news delivered, the energy in the room shifted, becoming more focused, more professional.
"Okay, enough," I said, my voice all business now. "Let's get back to work." I looked at Maya and Chloe. "You two are doing amazing work. But always remember, your safety is the priority." Then, turning to Anna, I added, "Anna, make sure you track both of them. I want an alert if they're ever in danger."
Maya's eyes shone with a new, devoted light. "We'll remember, Leader. Now, I think we should head back."
Chloe stood as well, a small, grateful smile on her face. "Thank you for the appreciation, Leader, team. We are really lucky. We'll go continue our work." With that, our two spies slipped out of the room, melting back into the shadows of their mission.
I then turned to my combat team. "Isabel, Tiffany, Jack. I want to know your plan for the upcoming battle."
Jack was the first to speak, a new, hard-won confidence in his posture. "Leader, I've improved so much, and so have the others. We'll manage it."
Isabel nodded, her own expression fierce and determined. "Don't worry. We can handle this."
Tiffany, ever the pragmatist, laid out the strategy. "Isabel and I will be leading the main assault. Ken, Kenji, Padro, Jack, Axel, and Leo will be with us. I'm sure we can manage. You don't need to stress about it."
Padro, who had been practically vibrating with a desire to fight, chimed in. "Leader, I've been learning nunchaku and some other martial arts skills. We will be unbreakable."
"If you say so, then I believe you," I said, a genuine pride swelling in my chest. "But I have one task: capture Nanami Honoka."
"I know," Tiffany said, her voice a cold, simple statement of fact. "We will."
"Okay then, the combat team can move out," I said. I looked at Isabel. "Be prepared." She just nodded, her eyes full of a silent, powerful promise. "Don't worry."
I then turned to Jack. "Make sure to protect the others."
He grinned, a flash of his old, easygoing self. "I'm the first member of the Hunter's Guild. Do you think I'm nothing? Don't worry, bro. I'll protect our new members." He gave me a look of pure reassurance, and with that, the combat team filed out, a wave of determined, deadly energy leaving with them.
Now, only my core strategists remained: me, Tiffany, Anna, Nari, and Stacy.
"Now," I said, my voice dropping, the easygoing leader replaced by the cold, calculating king. "Tell me the problem."
Anna spoke first. "The prisoners we took are fine now. We should deal with them."
"And the unknown girl is awake," Tiffany added. "I think you should give her a visit."
"Okay," I said. "We'll go after the meeting."
Stacy cleared her throat, her own expression all business. "The first board meeting for Phoenix Capital is today. I think it's good that we're making perfect progress. But now that we've established the company, we need to take down my enemy."
"I know," I said. "But one thing at a time. I'm thinking about this."
Nari then spoke, her grey eyes fixed on me with a new, intense curiosity. "When are you going for the recruitment drive? I'm thinking about joining you."
"Nari, I'm thinking about it," I replied, giving her a noncommittal smile. "I'll give you an answer. Don't worry, I know." I then turned my attention back to the data we had collected. "Anna, what's in the files and drives we got from the gambling den?"
"Leader," she began, her voice a low, serious report, "they are proof of crimes committed by politicians, entrepreneurs, and other officials. They are all linked to the Vulture Gang."
"Listen," I said, a cold, vicious plan already forming in my mind. "We blackmail them. We extort them. We drain them until they're dry."
Tiffany's eyes lit up with a predatory glint. "We can do this. It's an easy task. We can't be tracked, thanks to Anna, and we will definitely acquire a huge amount of assets—physical & digital wealth, and more dangerous and intriguing things."
Stacy added, her own voice a purr of pure, capitalist glee, "This is a nice idea. Yes, I have enough funds, but they might not be sufficient. If we can get more, I'm fine with this."
"Who's going to work on it?" I asked.
"Anna can handle the online part," Tiffany replied. "Everything should be done online. They will definitely beg to meet. Anyone of us can go and meet them, put a Trojan Horse on them, and boom."
"Perfect," Stacy said with a grin. "And in the blink of an eye, everything is whitewashed."
"Who is going to meet them?" I asked, my own voice a note of caution. "Because it's dangerous."
"I can handle it," Stacy said without a moment's hesitation.
"Are you sure?" I pressed.
"Yes," she replied, her voice firm.
"I will help her," Tiffany added. "Then I, Stacy, and Anna can handle this."
I thought for a second, then nodded. "Okay. Fine. Start this work. This is important. We need power. And wealth. And after we drain them, I will hand all the data to Melissa. And I'll say she is the one who did it."
Stacy's eyes widened, a slow, appreciative smile spreading across her face. "And it will help her move up in the rankings. We will get more power." I just nodded.
"We understand," Tiffany said.
"Okay," I continued. "Also, the Ruthless Animals are on the move. They will find different ways to harm us and even try to put spies in our ranks. Be aware of that."
"Don't worry," Tiffany said, a hint of a dangerous smile on her own lips. "I have my ways to find spies. We will definitely destroy them."
"Nari, for the recruitment," I said, turning to her, "we will start tomorrow. Go pack your stuff. We are going on a recruitment drill."
She looked at me, a flicker of surprise in her grey eyes. "Are you sure?"
"I believe in my team," I said, my voice ringing with an absolute, unshakeable confidence. "They will definitely perform some miracles while I am away. They will manage the battle, the business. So, let's get ready." I then looked at Tiffany. "You are the Vice-Leader. Make sure you manage everything, Tiff."
Tiffany, for the first time since I'd met her, actually blushed, a faint pink dusting her cheeks that made her look surprisingly human. "I will, Leader," she said, her voice a little shy.
I then turned to Stacy. "I need a car. Some travel allowance."
"You'll get it, Co-Chairperson," she replied with a wink.
I looked at Nari one last time. "Are you okay?" She just nodded. "Yes, I am fine."
"Okay," I said, standing up. "Stacy, you should head back. We'll meet you at the company. Tiffany, come with me to handle our prisoners. Anna, you start gathering the information that is available in the drives and files."
And with that, our meeting ended, the pieces of our grand, dangerous game now all in motion.