Villain Origin : Every Crime I Commit Helps Me Level Up-Chapter 18: First Takeover

Andre stared at the ceiling that night, the system notification lingering in his vision.

[System Alert: New Task]

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

"One hundred fifty." He exhaled through his nose, staring at the glowing text. "Not impossible, but not easy either."

He rolled over, grabbing his phone. Ken had already broken down the city's gang structure for him.

The Red Hawks.

A mid-tier gang, not because of organization or discipline, but because of sheer numbers and their leader. They were reckless, opportunistic, and they're held together by one person—Hawk.

Ken's words echoed in his mind.

'Hawk's a real fighter. You're not just gonna walk in there and take him down. He's stronger than me—hell, I'd bet he's stronger than most guys in this city. If you fight him, you better be ready.'

Andre smirked.

"Perfect starting point."

Morning classes dragged by. Andre kept checking the time, his mind far from lectures.

"You're spacey again," Julian commented as they walked across campus.

"Just thinking about a side project."

Julian raised an eyebrow. "What kind of project?"

"Nothing important." Andre kept his voice casual.

As they entered the cafeteria, Gia waved them over.

"You guys are late," she said, pushing a tray of fries toward them. "I got these for us to share, but I've already eaten half."

"Andre's being mysterious again," Julian muttered.

Gia tilted her head. "Oh? About what?"

"Just some extracurriculars," Andre said smoothly.

"Is that what we're calling it now?" Gia teased. "You disappeared all weekend too. No texts, no calls."

Andre forced a smile. "Helping my dad with business." The lie came out effortlessly.

Julian frowned. "I thought you two weren't on great terms."

"We're working through it."

His phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number:

"Location confirmed. They're at the abandoned rec center."

Ken's contact delivered.

"Good news?" Gia asked.

"Just confirming plans."

"We should all hang out this weekend," Julian suggested.

"Sounds good." Andre agreed, already planning how to balance his new life.

Later That Night

Andre stood outside the abandoned rec center, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the structure. It was exactly the kind of place a gang with no discipline would squat in—rundown, forgotten, isolated.

A single flickering streetlight barely illuminated the entrance.

Andre exhaled, rolling his shoulders. Time to see if Red Hawk was worth the trouble.

He stepped forward, slipping into the shadows, he stayed in the shadows, studying the setup.

Three lookouts. One by the entrance, one on the roof, another patrolling.

"Sloppy."

The patrolling guard was first. Andre moved when the man's back was turned, locking an arm around his throat. The body went limp in seconds.

"One down."

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He climbed the fire escape, moving toward the rooftop guard. A precise strike to the temple—out cold before he even knew what hit him.

"Two down."

The last one was alert, pacing by the front door. Andre pulled the jacket off the unconscious lookout and slipped it on. Then, he walked toward the entrance like he belonged.

"Hey," he called out. "Miko sent me to relieve you."

The guard frowned. "About time. Tell Hawk I've been here for hours."

Andre grunted in response. As soon as the man turned the corner, he stepped inside.

The main hall had been repurposed into a gang den—card games, money being counted. About twenty men. At the far end of the room, elevated on a worn-out, oversized leather armchair, sat a broad-shouldered man with a hawk tattoo across his face. The chair, though faded, had an imposing presence—deep scratches on the armrests, metal reinforcements along the legs, and a heavy, throne-like frame.

Hawk leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

As Andre walked straight through the room.

"Who the fuck are you?" someone called.

He didn't answer.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!"

Silence fell as Andre stopped at the base of the chair.

Andre met his gaze. "I'm here to make an offer."

The room erupted in laughter.

"You got a death wish, kid?" Hawk asked, amusement fading.

Andre's voice was steady. "I'm giving you a choice. Either you join me and gain something more than you've ever had, or you stand against me and become the first example of what happens when someone refuses." He tilted his head slightly. "Choose wisely."

Hawk's expression darkened. "Get him out of here.".

Two men surged forward. Andre moved, weaving between them, each strike calculated. A knee to the gut, a chop to the throat, a broken nose, a shattered kneecap. The fight was over in seconds.

'Too easy.'

The room was dead silent.

"Not bad," Hawk admitted, cracking his knuckles.

Silence stretched between them. Andre stood at the base of Hawk's heavy leather chair, unfazed by the stares of the gang members surrounding him.

Hawk leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "You've got balls walking in here like this, kid. You want me to roll over just 'cause you say so?"

Andre met his gaze. "I want you to make a choice."

Hawk chuckled. "Alright. How about we make it interesting?" He spread his arms. "You're strong. I can see that. But strength alone doesn't mean shit if you don't know how to use it."

He smirked. "So let's settle it the old-fashioned way. You and me. One-on-one. No weapons. No interference. Winner takes everything."

Andre tilted his head slightly. "Everything?"

"You win, and I join you," Hawk said, standing up, towering over him. "No tricks. No half-measures. You'll have my full loyalty."

He cracked his knuckles. "But if I win? You're mine. You follow me, you take orders from me, and you swear loyalty to the Red Hawks."

A low murmur spread through the room. The gang wasn't sure if they should be amused or impressed.

Andre exhaled through his nose, a slow smirk forming. "Fine. I accept."

Hawk's grin widened. "Good. Just don't go crying when you realize you bit off more than you can chew."

He stood up from his heavy leather chair, rolling his shoulders. The floor creaked under his weight.

Andre took in his stance—low, balanced, professional. This wasn't just a brute with power. The way he positioned his feet, the way his muscles tensed at the right moments...

'He knows how to fight.'

One of the gang members muttered to another, just loud enough for Andre to hear.

"You ever seen someone take one of Hawk's full swings and stay conscious?"

The other man scoffed. "No one's that dumb."

Andre smirked.

Hawk launched forward with a sharp feint before throwing a brutal right hook. Andre barely shifted his head, the air cutting past his jaw. The moment his foot touched the ground, Hawk pivoted into a devastating left cross.

Andre blockd feeling the impact of the punch.

'Shit. He hits like a truck.'

Hawk didn't let up. He was already in motion, his strikes quick, relentless, efficient. Not a single movement wasted. Andre dodged, weaved, deflected—but Hawk's power was on another level.

A jab snapped toward Andre's temple. He ducked, but Hawk caught him with a rising knee to the ribs.

Pain shot through his side. He stepped back, rolling his shoulders. His breath was steady, but his body knew the truth—this was the strongest person he'd fought so far.

Hawk cracked his neck. "Done dodging?"

Andre exhaled through his nose. Time to see just how big this gap really is.

Hawk took a step forward, his eyes sharpening. "Enough games. Time to finish this."

The punch came fast—a full-power swing, aimed right for Andre's jaw.

And Andre didn't move.

Hawk's eyes widened.

Andre rolled his neck, exhaling slowly.

"My turn."

His punch was like a sledgehammer. Hawk barely got his arms up before he was launched backward, crashing through a table.

Coughing, he pushed himself up. His arms trembled. His vision blurred. He'd never been hit like that before.

Andre stepped closer. "Like I said—join me, or be replaced."

Hawk exhaled, wiping blood from his mouth. Then, he laughed.

"Shit," he muttered, shaking his head.

He wiped his face, looked around at his gang—his gang that was already watching Andre. The shift had happened the moment he lost.

A bet was a bet. He had no ground to negotiate.

Hawk clenched his jaw, then finally nodded. "Fine. I'm yours."

"Good." Andre extended his hand.

Hawk hesitated for only a second before gripping it.

A notification flashed in Andre's vision—visible only to him.

[System Alert: Progress Update]

Gang Members: 41/150

Territories Acquired: 1

New Ability Unlocked: Combat Instinct

(Your experience in battle sharpens. The more fights you win, the faster you analyze opponents, react to attacks, and predict movements.)

Andre's eyes flickered.

Hawk, however, just clenched his fists, staring at him.

"You're a weird bastard," he muttered. "What kinda freak just eats a punch like that?"

Andre smirked. "The kind you don't want to fight twice."