Villain Origin : Every Crime I Commit Helps Me Level Up-Chapter 20: New recruits

"Convince me."

Andre maintained his composure, unfazed by Zaria's challenge. He stepped closer, closing the distance between them, his eyes never leaving hers.

"You already know everything about me, about my operation." Andre's voice remained steady, confident. "So you know exactly what I'm building. The Red Hawks are just the beginning."

Zaria's smirk didn't waver. "Ambitious. But ambition is cheap in this city."

"Information isn't," Andre countered. "And that's what you bring to the table. You track, you find, you know. Combined with what I have? We'd be unstoppable."

One of Zaria's crew whistled low, clearly impressed by his directness.

"Pretty words," Zaria said, twirling her knife again. "But I need more than that."

Hawk scoffed. "You always need more. Nothing's ever enough for you."

Andre caught it then—the flash of genuine anger in Zaria's eyes. Not just irritation. Something deeper.

"Rich coming from you," she snapped, all playfulness gone from her voice. "Tell him what happened the last time we worked together, Hawk. Tell your new boss how you left us exposed."

The room fell silent.

Hawk's jaw tightened. "That wasn't on me and you know it."

"Three of my people got caught that night," Zaria hissed. "Three. Because you couldn't wait."

Andre raised an eyebrow, looking between them. "I'm guessing there's a story here."

"Not much of a story," Zaria said bitterly. "Just a job gone wrong because someone"—she glared at Hawk—"decided to jump the gun before we had all the intel."

"Your intel was taking too damn long," Hawk growled.

"And your impatience nearly got people killed."

Andre watched the exchange carefully, noting how personal this grudge seemed to be. He raised a hand, silencing them both.

"The past is the past," he said firmly. "What matters is what we build now."

Zaria's eyes narrowed, studying him. "And what exactly are you building, Atlas?"

"Protection," Andre replied without hesitation. "Not just for your crew, but for your operation. You have the intel, I have the muscle. But more importantly—" He stepped closer. "I have vision. This city's broken into too many pieces. Small crews fighting over scraps. I'm going to change that."

Something shifted in Zaria's expression—a spark of genuine interest.

"And why would I want that?"

"Because you're tired of running," Andre said simply. "Tired of looking over your shoulder. Wondering when the next crew will try to take what's yours."

He saw it then—the subtle widening of her eyes. He'd hit a nerve.

"Your people got caught once. It could happen again," he continued, voice low. "Under me, you keep your autonomy. Your crew becomes part of something bigger, but you still lead them. You just answer to me now."

Zaria tilted her head, considering his words. The blue-haired girl and the others watched intently, clearly waiting for her decision.

"And what happens when someone comes for us both?" she asked, challenge in her voice.

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Andre's expression darkened. "Then they deal with all of us. Together."

Zaria studied him for a long moment, then smirked.

"Alright, Atlas. Since you think you're a leader, let's see if you can prove it."

She snapped her fingers. A young man from her crew—a wiry guy with sharp eyes—stepped forward, carrying a small wooden box. He set it on the table and flipped the lid open.

Inside were three envelopes.

"One of these contains a secret about me," Zaria said smoothly. "One that, if it got out, would cost me everything."

The room shifted, tension rising. Even her own crew looked surprised.

"The second," she continued, "contains a lie, but a convincing one. The kind that could start a war if believed."

Andre glanced at the third envelope.

"And the last?"

"A story that doesn't matter. A distraction. A waste of time."

She leaned forward, her grin sharp. "Pick the right one, and I know you understand power—not just how to take it, but how to read the game before the pieces move. Pick the wrong one, and, well..." She shrugged. "Maybe you're not the visionary you think you are."

Hawk exhaled sharply. "Zaria, this is some—"

"Shut up, Hawk." She turned back to Andre. "What's it gonna be, Atlas?"

Andre's Thought Process

Andre didn't reach for the envelopes immediately. That would be playing into the test the wrong way. Instead, he studied her.

She wouldn't give him something as simple as a random choice. The real test wasn't in the envelopes—it was in what they represented.

The first envelope—the real secret. If she was serious, revealing this would be a major risk. Too much trust too soon. Unlikely.

The second—the lie that could start a war. Interesting, but for it to be a real test, it would have to be something believable. If it were too obvious, the game wouldn't be worth playing.

The third—the distraction. This was the safest pick, but also the most pointless. Choosing it would be an insult.

'She's testing whether I play safe, take risks, or call her bluff.'

Andre smirked. "Clever."

He reached for the second envelope and held it up. "This one."

Zaria's smile widened. "Why?"

"Because a real secret wouldn't be something you'd risk handing to a stranger," he said smoothly. "And you wouldn't waste my time with the third. Which means you wanted to see if I'd take the bait on the lie—and more importantly, whether I'd know what to do with it once I read it."

A pause.

Then Zaria laughed. A sharp, genuine sound.

"Well, well. You're dangerous." She flicked the envelope with her finger. "Good choice."

She didn't confirm if he was right. But she didn't have to.

She extended her hand. "Alright, Atlas. The Stray Dogs are yours. But don't make me regret this."

As they shook hands, Andre felt the weight of the moment. This wasn't just another gang joining his ranks. This was intelligence, resources, reach—everything he needed to expand his control.

"Smart choice," he said.

Zaria's grip tightened slightly. "For both of us."

One of her crew raised a bottle. "So we drinking to this or what?"

Andre smirked. "We can celebrate later. Right now, we have work to do."

'Two down,' he thought, satisfaction coursing through him. 'Many more to go.'

His empire was growing faster than anyone expected.

System Notification

As Andre and Zaria shook hands, a sudden wave of awareness crashed over him. His senses sharpened, his perception stretching beyond the room. It was subtle at first—an eerie clarity, like stepping into a familiar street and noticing details he'd never registered before. Every whisper, every shift in posture, every flicker of movement around him became heightened.

A system notification flashed across his vision.

[System Notification: Gang Recruitment Progress]

Gangs Recruited: 2/??

Current Forces:

Red Hawks: 40 members (Combat Specialists)

Stray Dogs: 20 members (Intelligence Specialists)

[New Trait Unlocked: "Ghost Network"]

Your growing empire has refined your instincts, granting you an edge in intelligence and stealth.

Bonus Acquired:

Enhanced Urban Camouflage: Your presence becomes less noticeable in crowds and open spaces, making it harder for enemies to track you.

Silent Movements: Your steps become naturally lighter, allowing you to move undetected with ease.

Scattered Web: The Stray Dogs' informants expand your reach into law enforcement, rival gangs, and underground markets.

Andre blinked, adjusting to the shift. It was like stepping into a new layer of reality. The background noise faded into patterns—conversations no longer just noise but sources of potential information. Every movement in the room, even the smallest shift in weight, became obvious to him.

'What the hell...?'

He exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as his body adapted. He felt lighter, more in control, like he'd always known how to move like this but had just forgotten.

Zaria raised an eyebrow. "You good?"

Andre flexed his fingers, testing the strange sensation. It wasn't power in the traditional sense—not brute strength or speed. It was something finer, sharper. A skillset that turned him into a ghost in the city.

He smirked. "Better than good."

For the first time in a long while, Andre felt like he was truly hunting.