At the end of the meeting, Alaric spoke, his voice firm and commanding. "Well then, this is the plan. We'll proceed this way, but the real issue lies with Jimmy and Sunshine themselves. Jimmy isn't just some thug—he's already at Gold Rank Four. Sunshine is at the peak of Gold Rank Three. Both are dangerous individually, and together, they pose a significant threat."
He let his words hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "They also have mid-grade spiritual weapons, which will make them even harder to deal with. As for those low-grade spiritual weapons their men carry, they may not seem like much individually, but with a hundred of them in Sunshine's forces, they can be devastating. We can't underestimate their sheer numbers or weaponry."
Turning to Captain Zolo, Alaric's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained resolute. "Captain Zolo, remember I told you I have three types of coins? The gold coin, the ruby coin, and one other—one I won't reveal unless absolutely necessary. The gold coin, as you know, ranges in value, but the one I have is worth one hundred million. The ruby coin is even more valuable, worth two hundred to three hundred million. These coins aren't just currency; they're power and influence."
He paused, flipping a gold coin between his fingers.What a worth coin everyone in the room shocked. "Zolo, you have contacts in the underground, connections from your past. I need you to use them. Secure weapons—guns, explosives, anything we can use to level the playing field. Focus on tools that can counter spiritual weapons. I don't care what it takes; just get it done."
Zolo nodded. "I'll make the arrangements, but it won't be easy. Deals of this scale require trust, and the underground doesn't trust easily. Even with a hundred million, it'll take more than money to get what we need."
Alaric smiled faintly. "That's why I have you, Zolo. Make it happen."
Another team member hesitated before speaking. "Jimmy and Sunshine combined have over one thousand men, equipped with firearms and spiritual weapons. We're just fifteen. How do we face that kind of force?"
Alaric's gaze was unwavering. "We won't face them head-on. Zolo, along with the weapons, get us explosives. We'll use traps, ambushes, and the terrain to force them into a position where numbers don't matter. If they come for us, we'll cripple their forces before they get close."
"And if they don't attack?" Zolo asked, his voice skeptical but intrigued.
"Then we use the bidding to trap them," Alaric replied. "Either way, they'll be forced to move. And when they do, they'll realize too late that it was on our terms."
The team agreed, their resolve strengthening with Alaric's confidence. As they prepared to act, Alaric stood silently, his thoughts racing. Two days remained until the bidding. Two days to prepare for the battle that would determine their future. Failure was not an option.
After everyone left the room, only Alaric and Captain Zolo remained. Captain Zolo, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, said, "You want to say something, Alaric? Your behavior at the end of the meeting didn't go unnoticed. Your eyes were somewhere else."
Alaric sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, I can't exactly hide anything from a platinum ranker, can I?" He reached into his pocket again and pulled out a small, intricately designed coin. "This isn't just any coin. This is the same coin as before. It's an insignia of the Aryan Kingdom. Specifically, it represents the Palace of the Swords. This coin, worth 100 million Aryan currency, isn't just about money—it's a symbol of trust and power."
Captain Zolo raised an eyebrow, examining the coin from a distance.Alaric continued, "The Aryan Kingdom's GDP is so high, it outmatches the international GDP. So while this coin says it's worth 100 million Aryan currency, in international value, it's closer to 170 million. Anyone who understands its significance will know what it represents, and that's the problem. This insignia ties directly to the royal family—my family. If the wrong person recognizes it, my identity could be exposed."
Zolo's gaze sharpened. "Then why take the risk? Why use it at all?"
Alaric smirked faintly. "Because we need trust, Zolo. And this coin can buy it. But we're not taking the full 170 million. I'll cap it at 150 million and leave the remaining 20 million as a buffer. Whoever handles this deal needs to know we're serious, but we can't afford to reveal the full weight of this coin's value or its connection to the Palace of the Swords. That insignia... it could bring more trouble than solutions if someone figures out what it truly means."
Zolo nodded slowly, his mind already working through the implications. "So, you're suggesting we use the coin strategically. Offer less than its actual worth to create a safety net and ensure the broker doesn't get too curious?"
"Exactly," Alaric said firmly. "We can't afford any mistakes. Whoever takes this coin will understand its value, but they need to see us as allies, not targets. That's why I'm trusting you to handle this, Zolo. You've dealt with the underground world—you know how to make this work."
Zolo gave a small, approving nod. "Understood. I'll find the right person to handle this. But Eric," his tone turned serious, "are you prepared for the risk if someone figures out who you really are?"
Eric's expression hardened. "If it comes to that, I'll deal with it. Right now, the mission comes first. We can't let this island or those underground families overpower us. This coin is a weapon as much as any blade or gun."
Zolo studied him for a moment, then smirked. "You've got guts, kid. I'll make it happen." With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Eric alone with his thoughts and the heavy weight of his plan.
After Captain Zolo stood up and began to leave, Alaric called out casually, "Oh, I forgot to tell you one thing. Don't forget to buy an armored car."
Captain Zolo paused at the doorway, smirking. "Leave it to me," he replied confidently, before exiting the room.
Once Alaric was sure Captain Zolo had left, his expression turned serious. He muttered, "Status Window," and a translucent window appeared before him.
The system immediately displayed a notification about a newly unlocked skill: "Predator's Will."
The description read:
"Predator's Will: A combat skill designed for high-stakes battles against stronger opponents. It temporarily enhances the user's reflexes, strength, and agility by fifty percent, allowing them to exploit weaknesses in enemies. Additionally, the skill emits an aura that disrupts enemies' concentration, weakening their combat efficiency for five minutes. The Cooldown is : Thirty minutes."
Alaric's eyes gleamed as he read the details. The implications were clear—this skill wasn't just for surviving a battle. It was a weapon for turning the tide against overwhelming odds, precisely the edge he needed against formidable foes like Jimmy and Sunshine.
He smirked, a mix of confidence and anticipation flashing across his face. "Looks like the system wants me to win this," he murmured. "Let's beat them at their own game."
His gaze then shifted to the sleek, crimson blade sheathed at his side—the Blood Dagger. Its aura pulsed faintly, as though resonating with his determination. Alaric unsheathed it slightly, watching its edge glint menacingly.
"You," he whispered, addressing the weapon, "are going to come in handy."
With a deep breath, he closed the status window and began planning his next steps, the weight of the coming confrontation settling over him like a storm.