Nailah stood with Edward, Yasuke, and Kenny in front of their new recruits. The air was thick with unspoken thoughts as Edward stepped forward, offering a reassuring smile.

  "Why don’t you introduce yourselves?" he suggested.

  A handsome young man with frizzy brown hair and a smile tinged with melancholy spoke first. "I’m Alex. Nice to meet you."

  Next, a lively man with neatly kept long hair and small round glasses introduced himself with enthusiasm. "Julian. Looking forward to working with you."

  The last man stood out more than the others—he was an Abantian, a people with tanned skin who lived close to nature and usually refused to take part in the Ether Empire’s so-called "contribution to prosperity." Most remained in isolated villages, unprotected by imperial law, with no rights to the point that a citizen could kill them without consequence. However, some chose to leave their villages, seeking citizenship by serving the Empire.

  This man was likely one of them. His serious eyes and warrior tribal tattoos, which ran from his face down his right arm, gave him a commanding presence.

  He simply stated, "Huka."

  Kenny, clearly uninterested, turned away. "Well, guess I’ll go read a comic."

  Before he could leave, Yasuke grabbed him, throwing an arm over his shoulder with a wide grin. "Introductions are done! Time to party!"

  Kenny sighed. "My social batteries are running low..."

  Nailah frowned. "Wait, we have to—"

  Edward placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling. "I think it’s a good idea."

  Nailah turned, stunned. "You too!?"

  Resigned, she let out a breath. "Fine… But tomorrow’s meeting is at 10 a.m. sharp!"

  "Yes, Boss!" the group chorused.

  "I know a good bar!" Yasuke declared, leading the way.

  The bar was lively. Yasuke, already tipsy, was flirting with a woman. Kenny and Huka were locked in a game of darts. Meanwhile, Nailah sat at a table with Edward, Alex, and Julian.

  "Boss, I’ve been wondering," Julian started.

  "Hm?"

  "Why are you aiming so high?"

  Nailah leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "Because I want control over my own destiny, I guess."

  She smirked. "Nothing pisses me off more than someone telling me I can’t do it."

  Julian and Alex exchanged surprised glances.

  "What about you guys?" Nailah asked. "Why did you join me?"

  Alex hesitated before answering. "I can’t afford to stay poor. There’s someone important to me…"

  Edward chuckled. "A woman, huh? That’s the strongest motivation."

  Julian dramatically placed a hand over his heart. "What an inspiring story! Perfect for my novel!"

  Nailah raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

  "I want to write a best-selling novel!" Julian declared. "I joined Damon because he made a great antagonist. As for you, I’m still figuring it out. But I’m intrigued."

  Alex frowned. "How does joining a gang help you write a book?"

  Julian grinned, gesturing theatrically. "The key to a great novel is life experience, my friend! All our adventures will inspire my masterpiece, I just know it!"

  Nailah gave a knowing nod. "I see."

  Julian looked at her, surprised. "Most people laugh at me when I say that."

  She met his gaze firmly. "Ambition only sounds foolish to clowns."

  Julian stared at her, a mix of awe and admiration in his eyes. "Boss, I think you just became the main character of my novel."

  Nailah smirked. "Now that’s a best-seller for sure."

  She, then, stood up, tapping a spoon against her glass bottle. The bar quieted as all eyes turned to her.

  "I’d like to make a toast!" she declared. "Nobody expects much from a gang from Scrapville. But we’ll prove them wrong! Nobility isn’t about color, race, or status. It’s a lifestyle! To new beginnings! To new heights! And to Black Noblesse!"

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  "To Black Noblesse!" everyone cheered, raising their drinks.

  Later, as the party carried on, Nailah and Edward sat at a smaller table in the corner. The music had mellowed.

  "So? What do you think of our new recruits?" she asked.

  Edward sipped his drink. "Interesting bunch. Huka’s a strong fighter, Julian’s got experience in many fields. Knows how to adapt."

  "And Alex?"

  Edward paused.

  "No name in Scrapville yet. But there’s something in his eyes. Hunger."

  Nailah nodded slowly, taking that in. Then she stood.

  Nailah stood up. "Looks like we've recruited an interesting bunch. Well, I’m going to bed."

  Edward blinked. "Already? Stay and bond with everyone!"

  "No time. We have a meeting tomorrow."

  Edward watched her go with a worried expression, then looked back at the others—laughing, drinking, loud and alive.

  Unable to shake off his worry, He muterred to himself.

  "Ah, always carrying the weight of the world... Remember, mistress, it's the bonds we share with others that truly matter. There's no greater treasure than that."

  The next morning, Kenny groggily opened his eyes. "How much time do I have before my alarm rings?"

  His alarm blared immediately.

  "Already!?" he groaned, glancing at his clock. 9:00 AM.

  He hit snooze, thinking, I live right next to the meeting room. If I shower and brush my teeth fast, I can get thirty more minutes of sleep...

  When he woke again, he checked the time.

  9:47 AM.

  His eyes widened in horror. "Oh crap!"

  In a panic, he tried to speed-run his morning routine: brushing his teeth while half-scrubbing himself in the shower, then dashing out the door, but—

  Yasuke laughed. "You’re late too?"

  "Yeah."

  They entered the meeting room, where everyone was already seated. Nailah stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, her expression deadly.

  "You’re late."

  Kenny rubbed the back of his head. "I got lost."

  Edward deadpanned. "You live upstairs."

  Yasuke groaned. "Man, that was a crazy hangover…"

  Nailah’s eye twitched. "You’re messing with me."

  In the blink of an eye, red strings lashed around their ankles—Nailah’s doing—and yanked them apart with brutal force. Yasuke and Kenny dropped into an agonizing split, both howling in pain.

  Nailah’s eyes gleamed. "When I say 10 AM, I mean 9:30. Got it?"

  "Yes, Boss!" they cried.

  Satisfied, she clapped her hands. "Alright, let’s get this meeting started!"

  Edward pulled out some papers. "First, we need to discuss revenue. Does anyone know how the Crimson Bandits handled it?"

  Huka raised his hand without hesitation.

  "I do."

  Nailah’s eyes narrowed.

  "That’s high-level intel. How do you know?"

  Huka lowered his gaze, voice steady but low.

  "I was a Crimson Star under Damon’s predecessor. I left when Damon took over."

  A brief silence. Then Julian chimed in, eyes sparkling like a fan meeting his idol.

  "Huka's kind of a legend around here. He’s the most powerful Crimson Star ever. People called him the Crimson Sunflare."

  Alex added more evenly,

  "It’s true. I heard even Damon avoided provoking him. Never taxed him, either. Only Huka and the Mad Dawg had that privilege."

  Kenny whistled.

  "So how did Damon make money then?"

  Huka’s expression darkened.

  "He taxed everyone in Scrapville, sold stolen goods… but that was just a cover."

  Nailah leaned forward.

  "Then where did the real money come from?"

  Huka hesitated, jaw tight.

  "He had a deal with the honchos. They paid him for the right to sell their goods—and to take people from his territory."

  Nailah’s voice turned sharp.

  "The drugs and the women."

  Huka gave a grim nod.

  The table went silent. Alex’s hands clenched. Even Julian looked sick.

  Nailah’s eyes blazed. She took a breath, controlled but furious.

  "That’s how a greedy coward with no vision runs things. But that’s not us."

  Around the table, nods of agreement. Kenny, Yasuke, and Edward shared a glance. Even Huka and Alex seemed relieved.

  She stood, voice rising with conviction.

  "We’ll end this 'right to live' nonsense. Merchants will still pay protection fees—but we’ll actually protect them. Help their businesses grow. And yes, the fees will be higher."

  She smirked.

  "And as for Damon’s little deal with the honchos? We’re not renewing it. We’re taking their territories."

  Kenny leaned back, arms crossed.

  "Ambitious. But will our new ventures be enough to keep us afloat until then?"

  Edward nodded in agreement.

  "We’ll also need a strategy for dealing with the honchos too."

  Nailah’s smirk widened.

  "No worries. I already have a plan."

  Edward raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

  "Any final thoughts before we wrap?"

  Kenny raised a finger.

  "We need a gang crest."

  Julian lit up.

  "I know an artist who can handle that!"

  Nailah gave a satisfied nod.

  "Good. We’ll work on it together."

  As the meeting ended, she walked home, opening the door to find Tommy and Olivia waiting.

  "Big Sis!" Olivia chirped. "You got a letter!"

  Nailah took it, her expression shifting as she read the title.

  **HONCHO MEETING.**

  Her eyes narrowed. "How do they know where I live?"