Sai, after taking control of the Black Fang gang, knew that staying in their old hideout would be foolish. He ordered the gang to disperse and blend into society, making it harder for anyone to track their movements.

  From the treasury, he found a red mask shaped like a demon’s face. He took it as his own—a symbol of his new leadership. They agreed on a meeting spot near an abandoned noble house, a place far from town yet within reach.

  The gang members, now disguised as ordinary citizens, integrated into various organizations. Some joined merchant guilds, learning the intricacies of trade and supply chains. Others entered mercenary groups, gaining combat experience and forging connections with influential figures. A few infiltrated the city guard, feeding Sai crucial information about patrol schedules and law enforcement activities.

  Sam, being the most adaptable, positioned himself within the underworld, mingling with informants, loan sharks, and other shady figures. He became Sai’s eyes and ears, gathering intel on rival gangs and potential business opportunities.

  Sai, meanwhile, focused on building a financial foundation. He needed steady income to sustain his growing network. Smuggling, protection rackets, and underground gambling were obvious choices, but he also considered more subtle approaches—investing in legitimate businesses, setting up trade routes, and pulling strings behind the scenes.

  However, to fully establish the Red Devil’s power, he needed more than money and influence. He needed skilled, loyal recruits willing to work in the shadows. The next challenge was finding them without drawing too much attention.

  It had been a week since Sai became the leader of the Red Devils. For now, they were keeping a low profile, gathering information and embedding themselves into the city’s underworld and key organizations.

  But Sai wasn’t idle. He had changed his identity, adopting the name Tom, and joined the Adventurers’ Association to gain firsthand experience of how the world functioned.

  Name: Sai

  Race: ???

  Physique: ??? (Incomplete)

  Abilities: ???, Calm Mind, Fury, Enhanced Regeneration

  Power Level: Awakened

  Level: 21

  Mana: 350 units

  Body Strength: 85 units

  Sai completed many quests, even deliberately failing some to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. To the world, he was just an ordinary adventurer, living an unremarkable life. But in truth, he was far from ordinary.

  For the past two months, he had been silently gathering information, collecting bits and pieces wherever he went. Time moved forward, and so did the people of the city. Sai, too, had grown—his knowledge, his connections, and his control over the situation had all expanded.

  Today, he arranged a meeting between the elusive figure known as the Red Devil and his five trusted informants. However, instead of appearing as the Red Devil, Sai chose to meet them as Tom—a persona he had carefully crafted. None of them knew Tom’s true identity, and that was exactly how he wanted it.

  The meeting took place in a secluded, dimly lit tavern—not chosen for luxury but for its lack of prying eyes. Sai stepped into the establishment, his movements unhurried yet deliberate. He made his way to a private room at the back, where the five informants were already waiting.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  A lanky man with sharp eyes leaned forward as Sai entered. "You're late."

  "I had to make sure no one followed me," Sai replied, his voice subtly altered to match his disguise. He moved to his seat and placed a small pouch of coins on the table with a soft clink. "Now, let's get to business."

  Each of the five had unique ways of gathering intelligence—some worked in the underworld, others blended into noble circles, and a few had their ears in places most wouldn’t consider. Over the last two months, Sai had built this network, ensuring he had eyes and ears in every corner of the city.

  Most of the information they brought was mundane—trade routes, minor guild disputes, rumors of noble affairs. But occasionally, crucial intelligence surfaced—whispers of power shifts, underground dealings, or the emergence of a dangerous new player.

  Sai leaned back, observing them closely. "Tell me what you've found," he said, his tone even yet carrying an unspoken weight.

  One by one, the informants shared their reports, unaware that the man before them—this so-called Tom—was far more than he appeared. Sai listened, carefully sifting through the information, already planning his next move.

  He wanted to build a solid foundation before making any major moves. He carefully chose his people, selecting only those with the right mix of skill, loyalty, and discretion. His knowledge of the modern world gave him an advantage—he quickly understood what he needed most.

  Rather than operating openly and attracting unnecessary attention, he decided to mold his organization into something that thrived in the shadows, striking only when the moment was right. A hidden force, unseen but ever-present.

  At the meeting, Tom—his assumed identity—spoke with authority. "The leader will be very proud of your work. He has taken notice of your efforts and has prepared some gifts for you."

  Sai employed the classic carrot-and-stick method—rewarding loyalty while ensuring they understood that failure had consequences.

  At the mention of gifts, their expressions brightened. The lure of rewards was always an effective motivator. Sai handed each of them a carefully selected gift—not extravagant, but enough to deepen their trust and keep them invested.

  Once the exchange was done, he stood up unhurriedly and left, his steps calm and measured. He didn’t need to see their reactions to know his plan was working.

  He made his way to a bar in town, one of the many nameless establishments where no one asked questions. Picking a corner table, he ordered a drink. The bartender, an older man with sharp eyes, wordlessly placed a mug in front of him—along with a small folded slip of paper.

  Without hesitation, Sai took the slip and discreetly hid it in his sleeve before downing the drink in one gulp. The alcohol burned his throat, but he barely reacted.

  Placing a few coins on the counter, he stood up and left, stepping into the cold night air.

  He didn’t walk in a straight path. Instead, he weaved through side streets, slipping into alleys, occasionally pausing to glance at reflections in shop windows.

  Someone was following him.

  He could feel it—the subtle disturbance in the air, the way the streets no longer felt empty despite no visible figures around.

  Keeping his pace steady, he continued forward, all while preparing for what came next.

  Sai, who sensed he was being followed, suddenly vanished into the shadows. The observer panicked, scanning the area frantically, but no trace of Sai remained. No matter how hard they searched, he was gone without a single clue left behind.

  Elsewhere, in a secluded spot, Sai unfolded the slip of paper and read its contents. The message was brief but alarming—a strange incident had occurred in Dunewood. The Guildmaster had been found dead in his office, and control of the Adventurers' Guild had been seized by the higher-ups.

  Sai frowned deeply, his mind racing. This could very well be a trap. The sudden shift in power, the unexplained death—it all pointed to something far more sinister. But would he blindly walk into their game? No. He had no intention of being caught in someone else's schemes.