Cities of both Empire and Kingdom, except rare cases like Mushroom Capital, always birthed gangs in the cracks of power.
They were vines in the shadows, quietly filling gaps the lords’ rule couldn’t reach.
Where lords governed strictly, gangs remained fragmented: small crews of three to five controlling a street or two, or secretly monopolizing some unremarkable but profitable gray business, living like rats beneath the city’s glossy skin.
Where lords were incompetent or lax, gangs consolidated through blood and fire into one or two massive underworld forces. Their tentacles reached every corner; some so large they were called local “uncrowned kings.”
Some seemingly independent major gangs were merely black gloves carefully cultivated by surface “big shots” to handle dirty work that couldn’t see light.
The city Tanaka was in now was like that.
An underground organization called the Rusty Coin Alliance, with the local lord’s deliberate or negligent indulgence, firmly controlled the city’s illegal trade network.
It had countless small crews attached, handling all manner of filthy deeds.
“Stone Scorpion” was one such small crew.
In its little territory it extorted, kidnapped, and handed most profits upward for the Alliance’s protection and operating license.
Its core: one gold-tier boss, two silver-tier lieutenants, seven or eight copper-tier goons; that was the entire roster.
Tonight, they gathered in their hidden underground base celebrating a recent “big haul.”
Cheap ale stench mixed with charred meat grease filled the cramped space. No one noticed the figure quietly waiting outside.
First a copper-tier goon at the edge face-planted into his plate, splashing gravy and drawing laughter.
But soon laughter thinned. A second, third member slumped over.
A silver-tier lieutenant barely drew his dagger, but lacked strength to grip it; it clattered from his fingers.
“Poison?”
The boss tried to stand but his legs wouldn’t obey. He crashed to the floor, knocking over a barrel. Murky ale soaked half his face.
Struggling, he pulled a potion from his belt to drink, only for a hand from behind to easily snatch it.
Only then did he realize a black-robed figure had appeared in the room.
Tanaka drew the longsword hidden under his cloak, the tip glinting coldly in candlelight.
The boss flailed his arms futilely, like an upturned beetle.
Under Tanaka’s disgusted expression, the sword stabbed down.
He hated killing; the guts and blood stench made him nauseous, but he endured.
Good thing it was a clone; no worry about blood sticking.
【Level Up: LV28 → LV29】
A gold-tier guy, killed like a chicken.
All because, under Kiro’s guidance, Tanaka had poisoned a piece of meat at the market earlier.
This left Tanaka terrified. If Kiro wanted to deal with him, it probably wouldn’t be much harder than this small boss…
One by one he finished the lambs waiting for slaughter. The “Stone Scorpion” crew vanished completely into the city’s shadows.
Meanwhile, in a hideout on the other side of the city, Tanaka’s main body sat with Kiro by a warm fire.
The foxkin leisurely sipped hot milk, a milk mustache on his lips.
“Check the corner of the room; there’s a hidden basement entrance,” Kiro said, as if he knew everything, detailing every step for Tanaka. “They’re holding tribespeople kidnapped during the blizzard. Release them all, erase memories, then dismiss the clone. After that it’s none of our business. It’ll look like tribal revenge; no one will trace it to us.”
Tanaka sighed. “So I still need to level up first… will we make it?”
“No choice. Even with convenient abilities, you need basic strength to succeed. Don’t worry; timing isn’t here yet. You have enough time to gain a few levels. Everything is in plan.” Kiro wiped his mouth. “And as the Hero, be grateful! Not everyone can steadily grow just by killing enemies.”
Tanaka was confused. “Don’t all people level up like that?”
“Training, study, real combat; those are indispensable for us. And most people have limited talent. Many work their whole lives without breaking certain tiers. It’s not solved by just killing things. By the way, Stone Scorpion’s main kidnapping targets were older but weak city residents. The tribespeople lately were just a bonus.”
Tanaka was even more confused. “Specially kidnapping those? Why? Even for slaves, young and strong should be priority, right?”
“Stone Scorpion’s backer, Rusty Coin Alliance, trades long-term with the Hand of Passage cult. The cult wants exactly those types for ‘soul cleansing.’ In the end they’re all sacrificed to that death god anyway.” Kiro’s voice turned cold; clearly he disliked cults.
Tanaka had never heard of this cult. “Mist, war, cults, calamities… what a rotten world…”
Kiro shrugged. “Who says it isn’t? But rotten is still better than destroyed!”
…
In the south of the continent, Lin Jun was rubbing his hands, eager to join this rotten war.
Under the adjutant’s command, two thousand Puchi masters split into left and right wings. Inanna personally led eight thousand in the center, forming a three-pronged grand formation.
This was necessary; too many Puchis in one place could strain local mana supply, dropping recharge efficiency and slowing the march.
The adjutant clearly understood Puchi legions well.
Eric had also assigned two diamond-tier bodyguards to Inanna. Their mission was clear: at the most critical moment, ensure the young lady escaped safely.
Just before departure, a familiar figure appeared on the northernmost fungal mat: the long-missing Aidin!
His once priceless mage robe was now rags. Enchanted gear reduced to scraps. Face caked with dirt and exhaustion; even an arm missing!
Seeing the mat he had sought so long, Aidin knelt. “Boss! Ah!”
(End of Chapter)
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