Chapter 118 — Old Wolf Bows

Damian left the Academy campus immediately after receiving Nathan’s notebook, his mind already planning his next move.

The theoretical knowledge was valuable, something he’d study intensively over the coming days. But right now, he had more immediate business to handle.

The Core Region of Tranquil City. The wealthiest, most controlled part of the city where government officials, successful businesses, and legitimate operations dominated the landscape.

But underneath that veneer of respectability, there was always an underworld. Always shadows where people conducted business that couldn’t see daylight.

And Damian needed to consolidate his control over those shadows before expanding further.

The bus ride to the Core Region took nearly an hour, giving him time to review everything that had happened over the past week.

The Outer Region was firmly under Mafia control. The management systems were functioning smoothly. The combat teams were training daily and the orphanages and hospitals were operational and improving lives visibly.

But that was just the foundation... Just the first piece of a much larger structure.

Old Man Mike’s shop appeared exactly as it had months ago when Damian had first visited. Small, unassuming and selling clothes and curiosities to the occasional customer who wandered in.

A perfect front for whatever actually happened here.

Damian pushed open the door, the familiar bell chiming.

Mike looked up from behind the counter, his weathered face breaking into a knowing smile.

"I was wondering when you’d come visit. Been hearing interesting things about the Outer Region lately."

His voice was casual, but his eyes were sharp and assessing.

"Close up the shop, Mike. We need to talk properly."

Mike’s smile widened slightly. He walked to the front door, flipped the sign to "Closed," and locked it with practiced efficiency.

"Follow me upstairs. We have guests."

They climbed the narrow staircase to the second floor, entering a large room that Damian hadn’t seen during his previous visits.

It was set up like a meeting space, with a long table surrounded by chairs. And sitting in those chairs were five men, all radiating the controlled power of experienced awakeners.

They all stood immediately when Mike entered.

"Boss."

The word came from multiple mouths simultaneously, respectful and deferential.

Damian’s eyebrows raised slightly in genuine surprise, though he wasn’t shocked.

He’d suspected Mike was more than just a shopkeeper. The man’s strength was obvious to anyone who could sense Aura properly. Probably A+ rank, maybe even touching S- rank threshold.

Someone that powerful didn’t run a small clothing shop unless it served a larger purpose.

"Gentlemen, this is Damian Valcor. The student I mentioned who’s been making waves in the Outer Region."

Mike gestured toward Damian with something that might have been pride.

"Damian, these are some of my associates who help manage various operations in the Core Region."

A young voice called from the kitchen area.

"Master!"

Alessio emerged carrying a tray of drinks, his face lighting up the moment he saw Damian.

The beggar boy had grown over the past months. He was better fed, properly clothed and clearly being taken care of under Mike’s protection.

He set the tray down and bowed deeply to Damian.

"It’s good to see you again, Master. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me."

Damian reached out and tapped the boy’s shoulder casually, not bothered by the formal address.

"You look well, Alessio. Keep working hard and learning from Mike."

"Yes, Master!"

The boy beamed and moved to stand behind Damian’s chair attentively.

Damian took a seat across from Mike and his assembled men, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp.

Mike sat down slowly, studying Damian with that penetrating gaze that seemed to see far more than most people could.

"I know what you’ve accomplished in the Outer Region. I was the one who provided you with the initial information about the Serpent Gang, after all.

But I’ll admit, even I’m impressed by how thoroughly you’ve taken control and how well you’re managing the territory. That level of organization and vision in someone your age is remarkable."

His voice carried genuine respect.

"As an old man who’s seen many things in his life, I can recognize ambition when I see it. And yours is not small, is it?"

Before Damian could respond, one of Mike’s men spoke up.

He was a scarred man with grey hair, probably in his fifties, with the bearing of someone who’d survived decades in the underworld.

"Before we discuss ambitions, I want to thank you personally for what you did during the Shadow Council incident. When you destroyed that skyscraper’s top floor, you eliminated evidence that would have exposed many of our operations and gotten people killed. We owe you for that."

Damian waved his hand dismissively, taking a sip of the drink Alessio had placed in front of him.

"I wasn’t doing it for you. I had my own reasons for that destruction. If it helped you as well, consider it a fortunate coincidence."

Another man, younger with sharp features and calculating eyes, leaned forward.

"You’re clearly entering the underworld properly now. From what we’ve heard about the Outer Region takeover, from the ruthlessness you’ve displayed and the ambitions you’re clearly harboring, it’s obvious you won’t stop at just one region.

So the question becomes relevant: are you planning to join us? We could use someone with your talents and vision in our organization."

Mike stayed quiet, his expression unreadable.

He already knew what the answer would be. He’d seen it in Damian’s eyes during their previous conversations.

Damian started laughing.

The laugh was not polite or deliberate. Just genuine, amused laughter that echoed through the room.

He took another sip of his drink, savoring the moment before responding.

"Join you?"

His voice was light, almost playful, but carrying an edge that made everyone tense.

"I think there’s been a fundamental misunderstanding about why I came here today. I didn’t come to ask for membership in your organization. I didn’t come to negotiate an alliance or partnership. And I sure as hell didn’t come to discuss cooperation between equals."

He set his glass down deliberately.

"I came to make something very clear to all of you. Either you join the Mafia, submit to our structure and follow our rules, or you will be removed sooner or later. Those are the only two options available..."

Auras flared around the table immediately.

Five experienced criminals releasing their power simultaneously, the pressure making the air thick and hostile.

Damian shrugged, completely unbothered, his own Aura remaining calm and controlled.

"Mike, didn’t I make this clear the last time we spoke? I told you then that soon I wouldn’t need your help anymore. That window has closed.

Now, while you still have the opportunity, you should be thinking about what value you can provide to me, not about whether I’ll join your organization."

His eyes swept across each man at the table.

"I’m not here as a supplicant. I’m here as someone giving you a choice before that choice is taken away."

Mike stood up slowly, his massive frame straightening to full height.

"What rank are you now, kid?"

It wasn’t a challenge. Just a question asked with genuine curiosity.

Damian released his Aura fully.

The dark crimson energy mixed with his Slaughter Intent filled the room, the pressure pushing back against the five men’s combined output effortlessly.

C- rank! A fifteen years old C- rank awakener!

Complete silence fell across the room.

Even Mike’s weathered face showed surprise at the sheer density and quality of the Aura.