Chapter 232

Black Dragon Gang (黑龍門).

It was a syndicate born from the alliance of former Asian crime organizations—namely, the Triads and the Yakuza.

In terms of raw power, it was perhaps a step behind some of the other Mafia families, but when it came to size and scale, no one could rival the Black Dragon Gang.

What was especially notable was that the Black Dragon Gang had been a mainstay of New Valhalla City since its earliest days.

As a result, in areas of the city where law enforcement had no reach—parts of Sector D, Sector E, and the Fallen Sector—it functioned as a de facto authority, maintaining public order and wielding influence throughout the city.

And now, the 29th Gang Leader of the Black Dragon Gang: Ryu Takashi (劉 高志).

She had the appearance of a beautiful woman with long black hair and crimson eyes, yet there was a reason she used a man’s name.

That reason stemmed from fear.

She wasn’t afraid of death.

But she feared aging.

At the same time, she feared immortality.

For her, “anti-aging surgery” wasn’t a viable option. Instead, she chose to pass her personality down to the next generation.

From the 23rd to the 29th leader.

She had preserved her life for nearly a hundred years by installing her consciousness into the body of her successor.

However, even though Takashi was a criminal, she wasn’t heartless or cruel enough to completely snatch away the life of a trusted heir just for her own survival.

She opted to preserve the personality of her successor, while squeezing her own consciousness into the gaps. In other words, the 24th to the 29th leaders of the Black Dragon Gang were both distinct individuals and Ryu Takashi at the same time.

He—or she—was, in some ways, a monster not unlike Drake Stingray, who had lived for nearly 200 years through anti-aging surgery. Even if Takashi’s life only spanned half as long, it was monstrous all the same.

“I can’t afford to relax.”

Kallia steeled herself against arrogance.

Even if she was Imperial and the other party nothing but a lowlife, one must never look down on someone who had reached the pinnacle of their field.

Raising a syndicate to such scale and keeping it alive for over a hundred years in a concrete jungle like New Valhalla City was no easy feat.

More importantly, the Black Dragon Gang often handled the city’s “messier affairs”—the kind that the Stingray Group couldn’t directly touch—making them a kind of collaborator. If she showed even a hint of disrespect, she’d lose more than she bargained for.

Be confident, but not overbearing.

Before meeting Ryu Takashi, Kallia ran countless simulations in her head to steady herself. And finally, when she stood before the ancient monster who wore the face of a young woman—

“……!”

Kallia couldn’t help but hold her breath.

“To think Her Highness the Princess would grace such a humble place with her presence… I am overwhelmed. I go by the name, Ryu Takashi.”

Ryu Takashi smiled gently, hiding her face behind a fan.

Anyone else would have mistaken her for a refined young lady raised under the strict etiquette of a noble household. In fact, there had been girls like her back at the girls’ school Kallia had once attended.

But to Kallia—who had inherited some of Drake Stingray’s insight—Takashi looked like she had six ghosts floating behind her.

The ghosts hovered near her heart, existing in a paradoxical state—both as one and many at the same time.

Even without using mind-reading abilities, the image struck Kallia vividly. And she immediately understood what it meant.

‘…A monster.’

Takashi was the same breed as her father and Aaron. A being who had gained power in exchange for losing something essential to being human…

And worse, there was the smell of blood on her.

This wasn’t metaphorical.

Though there were no stains visible on the Chinese-style dress Takashi wore, every breath she took released a thick, nauseating stench of blood.

‘She’s someone familiar with killing…’

Aaron, too, sometimes carried the scent of blood—but in comparison, Takashi’s odor was more rotten and vile.

Aaron’s scent had the sharp freshness of bright red blood. Takashi’s, on the other hand, was the scent of coagulated, blackened blood—thick and sticky.

And with that came visions of a mountain of corpses.

Dismembered and carelessly piled.

‘This is… too… hard to endure…!’

Kallia, who had a sensitive sense of smell, was barely able to hold it together. But vomiting in this situation was out of the question. Somehow, she suppressed her nausea and continued the conversation.

“Th-thank you for agreeing to this meeting. I was worried my sudden request might have been a burden.”

“Perish the thought. If a daughter of the Imperial Family, ruler of this city, wishes to meet with one such as myself—how could I refuse? I only worry that one such as I, who lives in the shadows, might bring some dishonor to Lady Kallia…”

The stench of blood clung thick in the air.

Her tone and mannerisms were excessively polite, but Kallia could see it—the gleam of greed in Takashi’s eyes. The unmistakable gaze of a ravenous beast.

But Kallia wasn’t about to be outdone.

Even if she was young, her experiences as the Princess of this city had hardened her. She’d stared down beasts hungry for her throat since childhood.

‘You’re basically saying: what’s so urgent that a greenhorn like you had to come in person? And whatever I want, you plan to ask for more in return. It’s obvious.’

Kallia instantly saw through Takashi’s true intention. She knew that if she showed even the slightest weakness, it was all over.

So instead, she straightened her back and met Takashi with a perfect smile.

“Don’t downplay yourself, Gang Leader. Others might not know, but I do. I know that you’re running several admirable projects for the less fortunate in Sector E’s Ryming Street and Fallen Sector No. 23, Block 624.”

Kallia had mentioned Ryming Street in Sector E and Block 23, No. 624 of the Fallen Sector—

locations where the Black Dragon Gang’s secret training facilities were hidden.

A place where orphans were taken and subjected to illegal human enhancement surgeries.

Though illegal, it could also be seen as a form of relief work—providing a path forward for orphans who otherwise had no options.

In other words, Kallia was saying this:

— Don’t look down on me.

— I came knowing full well what I needed to.

— You know I could crush everything in those places with a single command, right?

At that, a subtle tremor flickered in the corner of Takashi’s eyes.

An expression of discomfort so slight, not even a high-grade facial recognition program would have caught it.

But Kallia noticed it instantly.

She confirmed that her strike had landed cleanly.

“For Lady Kallia to take an interest in the petty affairs of someone as insignificant as myself… I am truly at a loss for words.”

Translation: Why do you know about that?

“Oh, don’t say that. It’s a wonderful initiative, isn’t it? I’ve heard many locals speak very highly of your efforts, Gang Leader.”

Translation: So you know it’s shady, huh? You think Stingray wouldn’t notice a public operation like that?

“I’ve heard that Lady Kallia has just passed her ‘blooming years’… For someone so young to already be looking down with such compassion—it’s admirable.”

Translation: You’re just a little brat. Why are you poking your nose into our business? Just keep pretending you don’t know anything.

“What’s age got to do with anything? Humanity overcame ‘destiny’ ages ago, didn’t we? What matters now isn’t age—it’s whether or not you can do what needs to be done.”

Translation: I’m more grown-up than you, sweetheart.

And so, cloaked in elegance and smiles, the two exchanged words sharper than any blade, laced with hidden barbs and veiled threats.

Eventually, Takashi, having accepted that Kallia wasn’t as easy to deal with as expected, raised both hands in a show of concession. Hiding her face behind her fan, she asked carefully:

“Speaking with you is truly a delight, Lady Kallia, but I fear I may be taking up too much of your time.”

Translation: Alright. I acknowledge you. Let’s get to the point. What did you come here for?

‘Phew…’

Only after she’d drawn Takashi to the negotiation table did Kallia allow herself a silent exhale.

These kinds of talks were mentally exhausting.

She took a moment to recover her strength after the verbal sparring, then met Takashi’s eyes directly and asked:

“Do you know Aaron Stingray?”

“Aaron Stingray, you say…”

“He’s my older brother.”

“……”

That one line carried immense weight.

Aaron Stingray.

For Kallia to bring up her rival’s name here, of all places, meant only one thing:

She wanted him dead.

She needed help.

To an outsider, it would’ve been a simple question—“Do you know him?” Yes or no.

But in Takashi’s ears, it sounded like Kallia was placing a very specific assassination request.

At the same time, it was a message:

In the succession struggle for the Stingray Group, don’t bet on my brother—bet on me.

“Hmm…”

Takashi didn’t answer right away. She let out a thoughtful hum and narrowed her eyes, studying Kallia silently.

First impression: passed.

Their earlier conversation confirmed that Kallia wasn’t like most spoiled heiresses.

Second, ambition: passed.

The boldness of coming here in person with only a modest escort impressed her.

Third, qualification: also passed.

It was still hypothetical, but if Kallia did become the next Empress, then holding her hand now would clearly be to Takashi’s benefit.

After all, in this city, megacorps and mafias were inseparably connected, and conversely, no organization could expand past a certain point without a megacorp’s backing.

If Takashi could accept Kallia’s proposal here and claim the role of founding contributor, the Black Dragon Gang could grow even more powerful.

However…

“Aaron Stingray… I’ve heard that name many times. I understand he’s been quite active lately.”

Of course Takashi knew Aaron Stingray.

Not just in passing—she knew him very well.

Aaron Stingray was powerful.

Perhaps only a handful of people in the entire city could stand against him.

Granted, up until early last year, Aaron had kept his skills hidden.

Most assumed he was just another “Young Master who got some nanomachines for self-defense.”

Even bosses of prominent Mafia families—including Takashi herself—had believed that.

But after witnessing him slice through those massive tentacles that had engulfed the Academy last summer—with just a single sword—no one thought that anymore.

If anyone still did, they wouldn’t be staying a boss for long.

“He is a dangerous man.”

Takashi gave her assessment in a single line.

Coming from someone who could easily be called one of the most dangerous people alive, the fact that she used the word “dangerous” with no metaphor or exaggeration carried staggering weight.

Kallia involuntarily furrowed her brow.

‘…Is that a rejection?’

But as if reading her thoughts, Takashi smiled again and said:

“He’s far too dangerous to remain in this city.”

It was an acceptance.

A message: I’ll take your side.

But Kallia didn’t take it at face value.

If the Gang Leader of the Black Dragon Gang was so quick to accept, that only meant one thing—she expected something very valuable in return.

“…What do you want?”

“The Stingray Intelligence Division is renowned for its excellence. I’d like to borrow some of that strength.”

Clack.

Takashi folded her fan and placed it gently on her lap. Then, she raised two fingers.

“I’d like you to find two people for me.”

“Please, be specific.”

“One is a young man called the Guardian. He violated the Black Dragon Gang’s code and fled. He must be punished.”

“And the other one…?”

“Heh…”

Takashi responded to Kallia’s question with a light chuckle.

And upon hearing that second name—

Kallia’s brow furrowed again.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep