Night had completely enveloped Oracle City.
Far north of the bustling metropolis stood a luxurious estate hidden deep within a dense forest. Unlike the grand villas owned by the city's wealthy families, this manor had no signboards, no company logo, and no visible connection to any organization. Yet every influential figure in the underworld knew one thing- This was the territory of the ruler of the northern underworld.
Inside the manor's grand hall, dozens of elite bodyguards stood silently along both sides of the room. Every one of them radiated the aura of an experienced martial artist. The atmosphere was so oppressive that even seasoned fighters would hesitate before taking another step.
At the end of the hall sat a middle-aged man in a black tailored suit. His hair was neatly combed back, and a glass of red wine rested calmly in his hand.
His name was Victor Kane.
To the outside world, he was a successful businessman who owned logistics companies, warehouses, and several entertainment establishments.
But beneath that respectable identity...
He was the undisputed North Underground King of Oracle City.
Unlike Joseph, who ruled the southern districts through loyalty and discipline, Victor governed with fear, manipulation, and absolute control. Anyone who dared oppose him either disappeared overnight or was found dead days later.
For years, the northern and southern underworlds had maintained an uneasy balance.
Neither side possessed enough strength to completely eliminate the other.
Victor hated that balance. He wanted everything. Not just the northern districts. Not just Paradise Casino.
He wanted the entire underworld of Oracle City under his command.
And to accomplish that... There was only one obstacle left.
Joseph.
The South Underground King.
Victor slowly swirled the wine inside his glass before letting out a cold chuckle.
"Joseph..."
"You've enjoyed your throne long enough."
His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"When the time comes..."
"I'll crush you."
"I'll make every gang, every casino, every nightclub, every smuggling route, and every underground business in Oracle City kneel before me."
One of his trusted subordinates stepped forward respectfully.
"Boss, should we begin preparing our forces against the South?"
Victor shook his head.
"Not yet."
"The city is already unstable because of the conflict between the Jenner, Douglas, and Wade families."
"If I move now..."
"The authorities will interfere."
He placed the wine glass on the table.
"But..."
"...this chaos is also an opportunity."
"As long as the Jenners and the two great families continue fighting..."
"The underworld will become weaker."
"And when both sides exhaust themselves..."
"I'll harvest everything."
The subordinate nodded in admiration.
"As expected of Boss."
Victor smiled faintly.
"Besides..."
"I've already heard about the fall of Max Raider."
His expression turned thoughtful.
"Demon Bull wasn't weak."
"He was only one step away from reaching Peak Elite Stage."
"For someone to eliminate him overnight..."
"...that person is interesting."
The subordinate hesitated.
"Our investigation found that a young man named Josh appeared at Paradise Casino that night."
Victor tapped the armrest lightly.
"Josh..."
"The Jenner family's future son-in-law?"
"Yes, Boss."
"What do you think?"
Victor fell silent for several seconds before shaking his head.
"No."
"I don't believe a young man in his twenties could defeat Max Raider."
"He might simply have been caught in the incident."
"Our investigation still lacks evidence."
"What concerns me more..."
"...is the mysterious new owner of Paradise Casino."
His eyes flashed sharply.
"Whoever took over the casino replaced every employee within a single night."
"He conquered three neighboring cities almost immediately."
"And his subordinates executed every order flawlessly."
"This isn't the work of an ordinary businessman."
The subordinate lowered his head.
"We still haven't identified him."
Victor smiled.
"No matter."
"Everyone leaves traces."
"I'll find him eventually."
He slowly stood up and walked toward the window overlooking the northern district.
"Whether it's this mysterious casino owner..."
"...or Joseph..."
"...I'll eliminate both of them."
Neither Victor nor anyone inside the manor realized...
The mysterious owner of Paradise Casino...
And the man Victor intended to crush...
Served the same master.
Joseph, the feared South Underground King...
Was merely one of Josh's most loyal subordinates.
An hour later...
Three black luxury sedans quietly entered the estate. The guests had arrived. Stepping out of the vehicles were none other than Damon Douglas, patriarch of the Douglas family, and Harold Wade, patriarch of the Wade family.
Victor welcomed them with a gentleman's smile.
"Gentlemen..."
"Welcome."
"I believe it's time we discuss the future of Oracle City."
As the three influential figures entered the conference hall, none of them realized that every decision they were about to make...
Had already become part of someone else's plan.
The heavy wooden doors of the conference room slowly closed behind them, sealing off the outside world. The spacious room fell into complete silence as only six people remained inside. At the center of the room sat Victor Kane, the North Underground King, while Damon Douglas and Harold Wade took their seats opposite him. Behind each patriarch stood only a single trusted confidant. Everyone else had been dismissed. What was about to be discussed was far too important to be overheard.
A servant quietly poured three glasses of aged whiskey before respectfully bowing and leaving the room.
For a few moments, no one spoke.
Victor leisurely swirled the amber liquid inside his glass before raising his gaze toward the two patriarchs.
"I appreciate both of you accepting my invitation," he said with a calm smile.
Damon leaned comfortably against his chair and replied indifferently, "Let's skip the pleasantries. You wouldn't secretly invite us here unless you had something important to say."
Harold nodded in agreement.
"Speak."
Victor smiled faintly before taking out a thick folder from his briefcase and placing it on the polished mahogany table.
"I believe the three of us now share a common enemy."
He pushed the folder toward the two patriarchs.
Damon opened it first.
Inside were photographs, financial reports, and intelligence gathered over the past several days. The first few pages showed the massive suburban development project in Berian City. The next contained aerial photographs of the mysterious construction site in the heart of Oracle City. Further inside were reports detailing the sudden collapse of the Grant Family and the rapid takeover of its businesses by the Jenners.
The final pages contained information about Paradise Casino.
Harold's expression gradually became solemn.
"You've gathered quite a lot."
Victor calmly folded his hands together.
"I always prepare before making a move."
Damon closed the folder and looked directly at Victor.
"So, what's your conclusion?"
Victor's smile slowly disappeared.
"The Jenner Family is no longer the same family that stood quietly defending itself."
"They've begun expanding."
"They've begun attacking."
"And if this continues for another few months..."
"They'll become a threat neither of you can ignore."
Harold frowned slightly.
"They're still weaker than our combined strength."
Victor let out a soft chuckle.
"Perhaps."
"But strength isn't measured by martial artists alone."
He pointed toward one of the reports.
"The Berian City development."
"The Grant Family's assets."
"The mysterious corporation."
"The sudden appearance of a new owner for Paradise Casino."
"Every victory has increased the Jenner Family's influence."
He leaned forward slightly.
"And influence spreads much faster than wealth."
The conference room became quiet.
Neither Damon nor Harold refuted his statement.
They knew he was right.
Since the auction, public opinion had slowly begun shifting toward the Jenners. Neutral investors were starting to cooperate with them, allied families had regained confidence, and even government officials had become noticeably more accommodating.
Momentum.
Sometimes, momentum was more dangerous than raw strength.
Victor observed their silence before speaking once more.
"That is why I've invited both of you tonight."
"I propose an alliance."
Harold folded his arms.
"An alliance between the Wade Family..."
"...the Douglas Family..."
"...and the Northern Underworld?"
Victor nodded.
"Exactly."
Damon narrowed his eyes.
"And what do you gain from this alliance?"
Victor smiled honestly.
"I've never hidden my ambitions."
"I want complete control of Oracle City's underworld."
His eyes became sharp.
"Joseph has ruled the southern districts for far too long."
"It's time someone replaced him."
He calmly took another sip of whiskey.
"I'll personally eliminate Joseph."
"I'll reclaim Paradise Casino."
"And I'll unite the entire underworld under my command."
Neither Damon nor Harold found those words suspicious.
To them, Victor's ambition made perfect sense.
After all, the North and South Underground Kings had been rivals for decades. Wanting to eliminate Joseph was only natural.
What none of them realized...
Was that Victor had unknowingly chosen the worst possible enemy.
Joseph was not merely the South Underground King.
He was Josh's most loyal subordinate.
Victor continued outlining his proposal.
"The Wade Family controls numerous businesses throughout the city."
"You'll pressure every company working with the Jenners."
"Terminate contracts."
"Raise prices."
"Cut off their supply chains."
"Force their investors to hesitate."
Harold slowly nodded.
"That can be arranged."
Victor then shifted his attention toward Damon.
"The Douglas Family possesses the strongest martial artists in Oracle City."
"Keep the Jenner experts occupied."
"Make them too busy protecting themselves to expand."
Damon remained expressionless.
"And your role?"
Victor smiled confidently.
"My people excel at gathering intelligence."
"We'll infiltrate their businesses."
"We'll spread fear."
"We'll create internal conflicts."
"We'll pressure their allies from the shadows."
He paused before revealing the final piece of his strategy.
"And once the opportunity presents itself..."
"I'll eliminate Joseph."
"The moment the southern underworld falls..."
"Paradise Casino will belong to me."
"The Jenners will lose one of their greatest hidden supporters."
Harold slowly smiled.
"A three-front offensive."
Victor nodded.
"The Jenners will be forced to defend their businesses, their allies, and their underworld connections simultaneously."
"No family can survive that kind of pressure forever."
Damon silently considered the proposal before finally speaking.
"I like this plan."
Harold smiled as well.
"So do I."
Victor extended his hand across the table.
"Then..."
"Shall we work together?"
After only a brief hesitation, Damon reached forward and shook Victor's hand.
"The Douglas Family agrees."
Harold immediately followed.
"The Wade Family also agrees."
Victor smiled warmly as the three men completed their agreement.
To Damon and Harold, the alliance appeared fair.
Each side would contribute equally.
Each side would receive something in return.
Neither of them noticed the faint trace of mockery hidden behind Victor's composed smile.
Deep inside...
Victor had never intended to honor every promise he had made.
He wasn't interested in merely helping the Douglas and Wade Families defeat the Jenners.
He intended to use them.
As long as those three great families exhausted themselves fighting one another, he could quietly strengthen his own forces from the shadows.
When the war finally reached its conclusion...
He would strike.
The Jenners.
The Douglases.
The Wades.
Even Joseph.
He planned to destroy every remaining obstacle and become the sole ruler of Oracle City's underworld while simultaneously becoming one of the city's most influential figures.
"Fools..." Victor sneered inwardly.
"You think this is an alliance."
"But you're merely sharpening each other's blades for me."
"When the time is right..."
"I'll bury every one of you."
Far away, inside the top-floor office of Paradise Casino, Joseph quietly listened as one of his spies finished delivering the report.
"Boss," the spy said respectfully, "Victor Kane has officially formed an alliance with the Douglas and Wade Families."
Joseph dismissed the spy before walking toward the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the glittering lights of Oracle City.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"So..."
"The North King has finally made his move."
Without hesitation, he took out his phone and dialed a single number.
The call connected almost immediately.
"Young Master," Joseph said respectfully. "Victor Kane has officially allied himself with the Douglas and Wade Families."
Several seconds of silence followed.
Then Josh's calm voice sounded from the other end.
"Good."
"I've been waiting for this."
Joseph remained silent, waiting for further instructions.
Josh's eyes overlooked the city from the balcony of the Jenner estate as a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Let Victor believe he's manipulating Damon and Harold."
"The more confident he becomes..."
"...the less cautious he'll be."
Joseph immediately understood Josh's intention.
"You want him to gather all of our enemies together."
Josh chuckled softly.
"Exactly."
"One enemy is troublesome."
"Three enemies in one place..."
"...are much easier to destroy."
A cold breeze swept across the night sky.
Neither Victor Kane...
Nor Damon Douglas...
Nor Harold Wade...
Realized that while they believed they were laying a trap for the Jenners...
They had unknowingly stepped onto someone else's chessboard.
And the one moving every piece...
Had yet to reveal his true hand.