Villain Origin : Every Crime I Commit Helps Me Level Up-Chapter 17: The Warehouse

The professor's voice faded into the background as Andre tapped his pen against his notebook, his mind circling last night's conversation with his father.

"Let it go, Andre." His father's voice had been firm, standing at the doorway of his room. "The Solar Shade isn't a gang you mess with. They have control for a reason."

Andre had just stared at him, silent.

His father sighed, rubbing his temple. "Promise me you'll stay out of it."

Andre had nodded, but they both knew he was lying.

'Like hell I'd let this go.'

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His grip on the pen tightened. I've taken down thugs before. What's a few more?

A nudge to his shoulder snapped him back.

"Thinking about a girl?" Julian smirked.

Andre exhaled. "What?"

"You've got that look," Julian teased.

Behind them, Gia leaned forward. "What girl?" she asked quickly.

Julian grinned. "Oh? Sounded jealous for a sec."

Gia scoffed. "In your dreams."

Andre shook his head. "Not thinking about a girl."

Julian raised a brow. "Then what?"

Andre paused, then shrugged. "Just some business I need to handle."

Gia studied him, her playful expression fading. "Something serious?"

"Nothing I can't handle."

Julian nodded. "Alright. But if you need backup, I've got you."

Andre smirked, a mix of amusement and frustration swirling inside him. "Backup?" he echoed, glancing at his friend.

'Appreciate the thought, but I don't need Julian getting involved in this.'

His heart ached at the thought of asking for help in something he should handle alone. Julian was his friend—dragging him into this mess wasn't an option.

The professor's voice cut through the room. "If the conversation in the back is more important than this lecture, perhaps you'd like to share?"

Julian sat up. "No, sir! Just discussing real-world applications of these equations."

The class chuckled. The professor sighed and continued.

Andre's mind, however, was elsewhere.

After class, Andre had one stop before heading into gang territory.

Ethan.

The rich kid who had sent those thugs after him. He wasn't their leader, just a spoiled brat who thought money equaled power. But he knew things.

Andre found him near the campus parking lot, leaning against his expensive car, surrounded by his usual entourage.

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "What the hell do you want?"

Andre stepped closer. "You sent guys after me."

Ethan scoffed. "And? You're still standing."

Andre didn't blink. "I need to know where they hang out."

Ethan laughed, but it was forced. "Why would I tell you?"

Andre tilted his head. "Because I asked nicely."

The air between them grew tense. Ethan's friends shifted, sensing something dangerous in Andre's calm demeanor.

Ethan swallowed. "Tch. You're insane."

Andre said nothing, just staring.

Finally, Ethan exhaled sharply. "Warehouse. Third past the old chemical plant. That's where they run things."

He turned and walked away, leaving Anthony unsettled.

Andre brought his car to a smooth stop in front of the warehouse.

The warehouse was just as described—run-down, rusted metal, faded blue paint peeling off the door.

Andre stepped inside. The air shifted immediately.

A few men backed away. Others reached for weapons, uncertain if they should take their chances.

Andre's eyes swept the room. "Relax. I'm here for information."

A chuckle echoed from the back.

A tall, lean man stepped forward, a scar running down his cheek. His presence silenced the room.

"So, you're the one who took down my men without breaking a sweat," Ken said, studying Andre with an intense gaze.

Andre didn't respond. He could tell from the way Ken carried himself—relaxed but attentive—that this wasn't a man who acted on impulse. He was measuring him.

Ken tilted his head. "Tell me something. Why are you here?"

"I'm looking for information," Andre said.

Ken held up a hand. "See, that's where you're making a mistake." He tapped his temple. "Smart men ask the right questions. Smarter men don't ask at all."

Andre's gaze didn't waver. "And yet, here we are."

Ken smirked. "Fair enough." He motioned around the room. "You walk in alone, confident, unshaken. That tells me two things—you either know something I don't, or you're too arrogant to care."

He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "So which is it?"

Andre didn't answer.

Ken exhaled through his nose. "Let's find out."

Then, without warning, he moved.

Andre sidestepped, his movements precise. Ken was fast—faster than his men—but Andre was faster.

Ken swung. Andre weaved. A kick came next. Andre blocked with ease.

Ken's eyes widened slightly.

Then Andre struck.

A sharp jab to the ribs, a sweep to the legs. Ken barely caught himself, but Andre didn't let up. A flurry of blows followed, each dodged or blocked until Andre's fist connected with Ken's stomach, sending him skidding back.

Ken coughed, holding his side. Then... he grinned.

"Damn," he muttered, wiping his mouth. "No wonder my guys lost."

Andre cracked his neck. "You're stronger than them."

Ken exhaled, shaking his head. "Still not strong enough, though."

The gang watched in stunned silence. Their leader had just been handled like an amateur.

Ken smirked. "Alright. You got my attention. What do you want?"

"The location of the Solar Shade's base."

Ken's expression darkened. "You really don't know what you're getting into."

Andre's gaze remained steady.

Ken sighed. "Eclipse Tower. Top floor."

Andre nodded. "How many men do they have?"

Ken chuckled. "A lot. More than you can take alone."

Andre tilted his head. "Rumors say they're not normal, huh?"

Ken's smirk faded. "Yeah. You hear stories. Things that don't make sense."

Andre considered it. 'Then I need my own crew.'

Ken raised a brow. "Oh? Planning to start your own gang now?"

Before Andre could respond, a notification flashed before his eyes.

[System Alert: New Task]

Form your own gang and reach 150 members to level up.

Andre's lips curled into a smirk.

Ken noticed. "What's that look for?"

Andre crossed his arms. "I'm forming my own crew."

Ken leaned back, studying him. "You serious?"

"Dead serious."

Ken chuckled. "You've got balls, I'll give you that. But building a gang from nothing? Not as easy as you think."

Andre narrowed his eyes. "Then tell me how."

Ken exhaled. "Alright, listen up. The best way to grow? Take over smaller gangs. Beat their leader, and the rest follow."

Andre nodded. "Sounds efficient."

Ken smirked. "You say that like it's easy."

Andre's eyes gleamed. "It will be."

Ken watched him for a long moment. Then, he grinned. "You know what? You might actually pull this off."

Andre smirked. "Then you're in?"

Ken shook his head. "Not yet. But I'll be watching. If you prove you can do this, I might just throw my lot in."

Andre accepted that. He'd show Ken soon enough.

The city streets stretched before him as he walked away from the warehouse, the system notification still hovering in his mind.

A gang of his own.

If he wanted real power, real control—he needed an army.

And soon, he'd have one.