Unexpected Encounter

[Meeting Place of Mafia Bosses]

[3rd Person's POV]

The whole place was silent after seeing the scene unfold on the video footage. They had indirectly experienced the same situation the Base Leader had, just like a horror movie. All six of the Bosses' expressions were dark.

"He is at least [Level 8] in my opinion," said Joanes, the Boss of Smuggling and Trades. He was mainly a silent person and the only Mafia boss with multiple foreign connections. He had the least to lose, even if the Underworld went to shit.

Hearing Joanes, Frisk, and Cipher, who were the most knowledgeable about battlefields, nodded. They both were above [Level 9], so they can deduce and feel about the prowess the culprit showed.

Although they were powerful enough to be regarded as monsters, they didn't want the hard work and dedication they put into their underworld organization to be destroyed by anyone. But what they saw horrified them.

The fact that every scene happened in the sequence of how the horror movies work added more to their dread than usual. Boss of Pleasures, Pixy almost pissed herself seeing the sight of frozen corpses and how a creepy boy with glowing golden eyes made eye contact with them.

Well, he was across the screen, but each one of them, even the [Level 9], felt the chills looking into those eyes. The effect only heightened for those who are weak or not combat-oriented. Making the other four shiver in fear.

But the most shocked and probably terrified after seeing those eyes was none other than Master of Slaves, who rose to this position recently and was nicknamed Ringmaster. He remembered seeing those same golden pair of eyes somewhere. How could he forget that a boy with those eyes was one of his most significant and dangerous heists?

He was Ringmaster, formerly named Barnes, as all mafia bosses don't go by their original names and have to discard their previous identity to become the Kingpin. Barnes actively denied the possibility that the person displayed in the video was the same silver talent that he once captured and sold on the black market.

If that was true, and the said person was an enemy of the Underworld, then his days were over. What if he came after him for his revenge? He recently rose to power after so many years, and now an old enemy has popped up.

"The person looked no more than a teen," Said Cipher with a contemplating expression.

"To think that a single kid can topple the empire we built with sweat and tears, che...~ we need to kill him as soon as possible," Frisk added with an annoyed tone.

"Don't be hasty. Your anger is justified. But did you forget that there were two culprits? And a whole organization is backing them?" BigFinger calmed down the impulsive Frisk.

As if cold water is added to sleep, everyone is hit by this realization. The Bosses have been so engrossed and influenced by the single kid that they forget the whole situation of who they were fighting.

Each one of them was internally losing hope. Although they didn't show it on their faces, each felt like they were trying to pass an insurmountable barrier.

The Underworld, in general, wasn't an empire; they fed off the Kingdom's leftovers and abandoned things. Any amount of criminal activities or illegal trade cannot be possible without Noble's or official's permission.

It was a fact that the Underworld was a dangerous place. It was like being in a jungle where the toughest survive. But, they had no powers over the public. They cant create an army; they can't compete with Kingdom's might. They were a 'convenience' for nobles and ballers who didn't want to get their hands dirty.

The Kingdom won't help the Underworld unless their services are obstructed. And if another organization provides that service, they won't even give a shit for the Underworld. This was the truth, and everyone in the meeting understood that.

"Fellow Bosses, I think I have a plan to get rid of them from the Kingdom." Joanes, one of the best strategists among them, said to the others.

"How so?" Ringmaster said with a pale face, still imagining that boy killing him mercilessly.

Everyone else also became focused on hearing the following words of Joanes. They all trusted his brain to manage foreign trade, and smuggling was the most dangerous business that required immense strategy and control.

"We must make the Kingdom believe these powerful people can overthrow the Kingdom. If the Royals somehow get whiff of this, they will erase the organization from the face of the planet." Joanes replied to them, to which others nodded.

"How will we get close enough to them? We just have corrupt nobles at our direct connections," said BigFinger

"We must take a risk; we can take a side in crown battles. I think the other organization will do that too."

"So it's an indirect war then?" asked Frisk, who was silent till now.

"You can call it like that," Joanes replied

"I see; let's do that. Any objections to this?" Cipher asked, to which everybody said "No." It was his job to contact and tip the nobles.

Two sides of the same Kingdom were readying themselves for an upcoming battle.

- - -

[Jake's POV]

I was going back to my base with Uto. The end of the mission was an unpleasant surprise for me. I didn't expect them to record and live feed the Base Leader's last moments. Although they can't touch me right now, I still had qualms regarding my identity getting exposed. I don't want these bugs to annoy and tail me wherever I go.

During the last few years, I have done nothing but train to become strong. Although I noticed that my teacher was using me for his goal, he was still training me and being friendly to me, so I regarded it as equivalent exchange.

Constant losses and my corrupted Ice have rendered me unable to feel extreme emotions towards anyone. I can still feel subtle ticks of emotions, but not enough to hinder my movements. This was a curse and a blessing for me, as I couldn't even enjoy something or be happy.

I call this [Numbing Sense]; I haven't tried to cure this solely because it helps me get stronger without any regrets. Due to my constant training, people in the organization don't even consider me Human anymore. My whole life had become a path of power; all other ambitions I had died like a flickering candle flame.

I know the basic situation in the Kingdom, and the civil war can start at any time. I can predict the emperor to be assassinated or forced to not interfere in the crown battle. Our organization is allied with the First Prince, which means ill have to fight with the second's Faction.

Although my teacher wasn't happy with my decision to go to war, my stubbornness finally made him give me permission.

My magic and fighting skills have improved drastically, making me reach the max of [Level 8]. And also, the Darkness auxiliary element that I awakened gave my power of Ice a corrupting and decaying nature.

The icicles I create can corrupt other's mana, giving them decaying nature. The deadliest attack is [Ice Dust] that I make to spread it to my environments, that can decay one's lungs and kill them like poison. This was the move I used inside the base; I didn't expect that person to recognize the darkness element; I hope no one knows my true identity.

If he did, then sure, the person watching me could too. I need to be cautious about my identity. I don't want any other bastard trying to snip me out before I became strong.

Thinking of these things, I reached my base, which had been my home for almost 4 years. I have become quite big for my age; anyone with practiced eyes will guess I am nearly 16, but my actual age is just under 12 years. I think my maturity and superior mana did that, and I am grateful. I didn't want to live more in that little body.

I am almost 5'8 right now and still growing. My eyes have turned into a bright yellow that shines when I use my magic. My hair and my handsome face only add to my charm. To be honest, I am pretty proud of it. There may be people stronger than me, but no one more handsome than me.

As I begin training, I gulp down my narcissistic thoughts, 'gotta prepare for war.'