The aftermath of the fight was not chaotic—it was immediate submission.
The lower-ranking hunters, who had suffered under Salazar's arrogance and the Guild Master's corruption, saw the swift, brutal neutralization of their oppressor as an opportunity. They were not loyal to the man, but to power and efficiency. I had just delivered a masterclass in both.
The Guild Master, pale and sweating, finally emerged from his office. He knew the game was over. The only option he had left was surrender, hoping to preserve his own life and control some small fraction of his wealth.
"Dax Jackal," the Guild Master stammered, walking carefully toward me. "You have proven your... overwhelming capability. We accept your immediate promotion to Rank A. We will process the paperwork now."
"Incorrect," I stated, placing my boot lightly on Salazar's armored back. "There will be no 'processing.' I am not interested in your paper titles."
I pulled the smuggling route map from my pocket and threw it onto the floor, letting its edges curl into the dust near his feet.
"Your operations cease immediately. The Red Gate is now exclusively my territory. You will not interfere with my schedule, my resources, or my acquisitions. You will immediately transfer all access codes for the Guild Treasury and the Archived Lore to my possession. Your duty is now simple: management of the administrative façade. You will continue to run the daily affairs, but every critical decision—every budget, every resource allocation, every patrol route—will be approved by me."
I looked at the assembled hunters. "I am not the Guild Master," I announced, my voice commanding the silence of the room. "But I am the Controller."
The Guild Master, seeing his life's work exposed and his strongest ally defeated, crumpled. "Yes, Controller. I understand."
I knelt and retrieved Salazar's heavy silver sword, tossing it to the nearest Rank B hunter. "Take your Commander to the infirmary. He will wake up in twenty-four hours, completely powerless."
I then looked to Juts, who had entered the hall and was standing near the exit, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of dawning horror and undeniable relief. He had successfully completed his mission, and the result was the total conquest of the city's power structure.
"Juts," I called, my voice softening just slightly, "collect my belongings from the barracks. You will no longer be sleeping there. You will be residing in Commander Salazar's private residence. You are now my Chief of Intelligence and Asset Management."
Juts flinched at the implied authority but nodded, recognizing his new, terrifying status. He was no longer a pawn; he was the Controller's Shadow.
The first phase of the plan was complete. I had bypassed the Guild, neutralized the local threat, and secured total dominance over Vigan City through power and information. The Epic Gauntlet was secured, my leverage was absolute, and my resources were limitless. This was just the beginning. The world beyond Vigan awaited.