Chapter 8

Walking through empty halls wasn't something I thought I'd find unsettling.

'Maybe it's due to the coup?' I mused to myself before glancing at the taller blonde man beside me.

"Renard-san?"

He hummed in response as I shifted my gaze around us.

"Last night you mentioned the 'young recruits' and that I should join. I assume that's where we're heading now?"

He nodded and cleared his throat.

"Our group is organized into three divisions and one sub-division. At the lowest rank are the young recruits—those who have either recently joined or been demoted for disobeying orders. Next are the Seniors, who take the young recruits under their command when the time comes. Then there are the Sub Leaders, who oversee and lead the lower ranks. Questions?"

I hummed as I digested his words, comparing them to how I'd seen other organizations operate.

'Not the worst system I've seen… though it does show they're not that important to their Elder.'

"Are the rankings merit or strength based?"

Renard chuckled, folding his hands behind his back before replying.

"I believe that depends on your own beliefs, Sato-san. Some think rank should be earned through merit. Others believe strength is what determines one's place."

'My own belief? Heh…'

"How long does it take to move under a Senior?"

Renard hummed in thought before answering as we turned a corner.

"Five, maybe seven months at most. There are faster ways—like impressing someone of a higher rank."

I nodded as we approached an archway that led outside to a massive training ground with a decent number of people milling around. But I ignored the crowd and focused on a few specific things.

'They can't be much older than sixteen.'

"Sato-san, I should tell you this now."

I turned from the groups to meet Renard's gaze.

"Within those rankings are their own separate tiers. Some follow them. Some don't. And among those ranks are factions, formed by the Sub Leaders. Be careful."

With that warning, he turned and walked back into the building, leaving me alone—until a group of teenagers approached, sneers already forming on their faces.

'Sigh… Doesn't matter where it is. There'll always be these people.'

"You the one who earned Enra-sama's blessing?!"

The oldest and more robust of the group yelled as he stepped within a few feet of me.

I shrugged in response.

"Where'd you get that collar? You some kind of mutt?"

This time, it was the only girl in the group who asked. I turned to her and shook my head.

Another teen sneered.

"It is him! I saw him walking with Lady Enra's Left Leader!"

'Left Leader? Must be those chosen b—'

I tilted my head just as an open palm strike whizzed past.

"Don't ignore me, you mutt!"

I dodged a kick from the robust teen before ducking under another wild swipe.

"Fight me!"

I didn't respond. Instead, I shot forward, swept his legs out from under him and watched him crash onto his rear with a surprised look. Seeing that none of the others made a move, I turned and headed toward the larger group of recruits.

"Y-you—!"

'Children.' I thought, rolling my eyes.

"Enra's mutt! Fight me!"

I halted.

The words echoed in my head as I processed what the little shit had just said.

'Can't expose myself.'

With every ounce of self-control I could muster, I resumed walking and made my way toward one of the adults holding a clipboard.

'This is going to be a long day.'

-One Month Later-

"I-I surr—gurgle"

"Winner, Sato Kazuya!"

With a flick of my tanto, my opponent's blood stained the earth. Offering a small bow toward the corpse, I turned and walked away while ignoring the murmurs spreading through the crowd.

"Sato-san!"

I sidestepped a bear hug from one of the trainers who'd been watching. He stood upright, unfazed by the dodge and met my gaze.

"Something the matter?" I asked.

He let out a chuckle that didn't match the tense atmosphere hanging over the other recruits.

"You finished that match as fast as the last—maybe even faster! Hahaha!"

I hummed as I slid the tanto back into its sheath on my back.

"Is Lady Enra calling for me?"

He slapped my back, shaking his head.

"Haha, sadly not. The Boss is a little busy dealing with some pests…"

I raised an eyebrow and started walking off, only for him to fall into step beside me.

"Sato-san, how cold! I was still talking!"

I ignored him, fully expecting him to keep going—and just as I thought, he did.

"There's going to be an exam for the recruits. A chance to catch the eyes of others, Sato-san."

I met his eyes as we made our way to the barracks. Seeing that I was curious, he smiled widely.

"It'll be a simple one: take down Lady Enra's biggest opposition."

I stopped walking and turned to face him properly.

"Opposition? I know there are small-time gangs who don't know their place… but opposition?"

His grin widened.

"Weiss Adelheid."

My other eyebrow lifted at the name. 'Not Japanese.'

He chuckled at my confused look.

"She's a German woman, apparently a former nun at some church. Fled the place and ended up under Elder Keiji."

I hummed, gesturing for him to continue.

"I don't know why she started opposing Lady Enra, but I do know it's become a real problem. Everyone from the Sub Leaders down to the recruits is required to gain some merit—or risk getting kicked out."

'If I could get both women in one area, I might be able to take them out together… maybe even draw out the Spokesperson.'

With a rough plan forming, I nodded and began to walk away—only to be stopped as the man grabbed my shoulder.

"I didn't tell you all this out of the kindness of my heart!"

My fingers drifted toward the small dagger hidden in my waistband as I replied.

"I'm sure you're aware of the rules."

He hesitated, whatever words he was about to say dying in his throat before he sighed.

"Sorry…"

He pulled his hand back.

"I told you this in hopes you'd meet—"

I turned before he could finish. 'I don't have an interest in his leader.'

Two weeks after joining the recruits, I'd been scouted by one of the Seniors, promised a spot in their faction. I didn't bite.

'If Mizuki falls, they'll all fall.'

It wasn't guaranteed—but highly likely. Once Mizuki's supply of drugs stopped, her men would spiral into withdrawal, fighting amongst themselves… or killing themselves in desperation for relief.

'It'll be a spectacle.'