A week later…

The Seven Snakes were in a complete frenzy as Kyle began to ramp up the production.

Keith was over the moon with the Baron’s acceptance of the steel and weapons factory, but was slightly confused with the next request of Kyle.

“Wait, you want me to find people to look exactly like you?”

“It is normal for every person to have a body double. As long as they look about sixty to seventy percent alike, we can make up for the rest using makeup and disguises.”

“What are you planning this time?”

“I’m going to Versia soon, once this factory project is completed.”

“What?!” Keith exclaimed.

Kyle had already made up his mind from the moment he met Minister Dekar. It was one thing to sell weapons from the Culdao Peaks, but onsite manufacturing in Versia itself would be harder to intercept. It would be best if he headed over himself to handle the establishment of a new factory.

To reduce suspicion from the local nobility and other gangs of his potential months-long disappearance, he needed to find a doppelganger that could potentially act as him and throw off any potential observers watching him. He had already risked a lot heading over to the Culdao Peaks to negotiate with the minister.

“So you just want me to grab any random person off the streets and just choose those who are the closest?”

“Yes, try to find six if possible.” Kyle nodded his head, causing Keith to sigh and shake his head, wondering what Kyle was up to now.

There was of course, another reason as to why Kyle wanted to go to Versia personally – the existence of the Galactic Era technology displayed through the Ilysian Punks as well as through the auction. If Kyle wanted any answers regarding the world and how he got here, he needed to go over.

With the weapons contract set with Minister Dekar, now seemed like a good time to clear all of it in a single trip. And maybe have a nice little talk with Harrison while I’m there. Plenty of benefits to achieve.

“There’s no reason to go to Versia – we have no connections there and almost no stake. You’ll be pretty much going in nearly blind.” Keith pointed out, trying to dissuade Kyle. “Versia is also too far away from us: you won’t be able to access our current assets as easily as well!”

“I think I can handle myself just fine.” Kyle waved his hand dismissively. “Look at what I started with in the Seven Snakes as well, and look where we are now.”

Keith was about to retort but held his tongue. He wanted to argue that Kyle did have certain connections, but he realised that he was thinking about ‘Alvin’. With Kyle’s prowess, he would succeed nearly everywhere – why would Versia be any different?

“Going to Versia will benefit the Seven Snakes in the long run. We have to think further. I know you feel that As we are right now, our progress will always be hampered by the Ardent Cretins incessantly. Look at how they restricted us when we tried to build our shopping arcade. The way we overcame the original debt to the Crimson Swords was by expanding to the Culdao Peaks. Versia will be no different. A short in and out.”

“You won’t be going alone, right? If you die in Versia…” Keith couldn’t bear to think of what would happen if Kyle died. He recalled how just a few months ago, they were a small little gang of twenty to thirty members. Now, they numbered close to three hundred, thanks to the recruiting efforts of the free soup kitchen, public cleanup events and bathhouse.

Keith would not dare to claim that the Seven Snakes were completely united as a capable force, but it was a far cry from the paltry command of Ulon. If Kyle were to die, this entire pyramid would most likely come falling apart. Keith wasn’t as strong as Kyle to be able to hold the entire gang through charisma and strength. No one else in the Seven Snakes was, all putting their respect on Kyle rather than each other.

“I can’t guarantee that yet. But I do have a few guides in mind.” Nearly all of his underlings were critical, and those that were not were ill-suited to serve as Versia guides or even bodyguards.

“Okay, I will immediately try to find the body doubles as soon as possible.” Keith saluted. Just as he was about to leave Kyle’s office, Niko barged in, panting wildly as he held a folder of documents in his right arm.

“Sir….” Niko panted, an exhausted grin on his face. “We got it! We got the license for the weapons factory!”

Kyle too, had a wide smile on his face, immediately standing up and grabbing the licenses from Niko’s hand, checking them. “Call everyone into the office for a celebration. Now.” Kyle ordered Keith, who nodded immediately.

It took half an hour for all the vipers, the company heads, Gordon, Eric and Damian, to pause their current tasks and return, wondering what was so urgent for Kyle to call all of them back in. Only Keith and Niko had an excited expressions on their faces, while the rest were utterly confused.

“You all have followed me for months, some even following me for nearly half a year now.” Kyle began his speech. “Since I took leadership in the Seven Snakes, we have grown exponentially, our reputation and name soaring through the South Sector. Even the gangs in the other Sectors talk about us and our exploits on a regular basis.”

“Today, I would like to announce that as of this day, for the first time in Seven Snakes’ history, we have an official license to manufacture weapons for the military, just like every other major gang!” Kyle proudly showed off the license to them, causing Damian to exclaim in shock nearly.

Such a license represented one of the top positions in society – not any ragtag group could obtain it simply just by asking. Every holder of the license had to prove their ability to deliver and would make an obscene amount of money from every military contract. Only the Ardent Cretins held a similar license within the South Sector.

Even Monica, Adrian and Eric were at a loss for words. Just four months ago, they were simply a ragtag crew smuggling moonshine to businesses that continuously tried to undercut them. In fact, they had been planning to leave the Seven Snakes at the start. Yet now, they stood as one of the top members of the South Sector, respected by everyone. Their aspirations for freedom had already been assuaged by the sheer respect they received.

Eric nearly shed a tear when he recalled how far he had come. A disgraced university professor affected by the prohibition by the Sanctum of Yual – now a leader in alcohol distribution and production. His recipes are the backbone of the entire operation, ensuring a consistent stream of dirty money into the Seven Snakes and his own pockets.

Gordon, too was grinning to himself as he patted Reese on the back. He had just been a lowly arctech designer with no future – it would have taken him ten years alone even to have a shot at being the factory manager, but he now held authority as well as prestige.

Sasha was not too concerned with the license, but her own journey under the direct tutelage of Kyle had made her into a force to be reckoned with. No longer was she known as a weak mute slave that could be easily bullied even by other slaves. Instead, she reigned at the top next to Kyle, being the second strongest in the Seven Snakes.

Damian was the most sentimental of them all. He was there from the very beginning, having seen the second personality of Kyle take over Alvin. Previously, he had an issue with the ‘new’ personality taking over Alvin’s body, but as he watched the meteoric rise of the Seven Snakes over the months, he was not sure if he even wanted Alvin back at all. Hell, if Alvin’s main personality ever resurfaced, Damian would be the first one to beat it out of him and try to get back Kyle as much as possible.

Seniors, Mentors. First Leader Theorin. The Seven Snakes have returned to their rightful position. Damian sniffled slightly as he rubbed his nose, sentimental.

Guang Hwa, on the other hand, was unfazed by all the obvious emotional signs that everyone else was showing. I got fucking enslaved by Kyle, why would I be happy he’s getting stronger?! Fuck!

“We have suffered setbacks and obstacles, but each day, it is us that have prevailed, that has overcome every enemy that has stood in our way. I could not have done it without you, and I truly cherish all of you.” Kyle spoke gently with sincerity.

Suddenly, his face grew grim. “However, what comes next will be the toughest period of our growth. If we make it past this, we will be unrivalled in the South Sector for years to come.”

“The war between Versia and the Yual Dominion is inevitable – the resolution signed between the two of them is but a farce. Count Leon still wants his land, war or not. In half a year or a few months’ time, the Yual Dominion’s military will be assembled for an exercise on the outskirts of Raktor. As such, I will ensure that the Seven Snakes is in the right position to capitalise on this situation.”

“This means that I must go to Versia once Baron Cain’s weapon factory is complete later. Alone. While I am in Versia, the show must still go on. I will seek greater benefits for us. As for the rest of you, you will have to step up and ensure the Seven Snakes is on track while I’m gone. And don’t you even think about running away.” Kyle shot a sharp glare at Guang Hwa, who’s cheerful smile was immediately cut short.

“Damian, you will speed up recruiting. Establish a second layer below the vipers, known as cobras, to reward associates who have stuck with us since the beginning. Have the best of them become crew leaders and let them operate independently to reduce overhead administration. We need all the manpower we can get.”

“Keith, prepare the logistics needed to build the weapons and steel factory requested by the Baron. This is the first external project that the Golden Snakes Construction Company is undertaking – everything needs to go perfectly. Hire prospectors to find iron ore deposits in the nearby areas, as well as the Culdao Peaks. Establishing a transportation line between the Culdao Peaks town and the new factory will ease the development and production a lot more.”

“Eric, we need to ramp up the production of alcohol and begin storing them. Once the war kicks in, alcohol is going to be highly valued. Every excess should be accounted for and stored in separate warehouses for future use.”

“Monica, continue to ensure that our transportation network is working as intended. Feel free to use the funds available to you to expand the fleet and our reach. Start providing regular transportation route services to underserved districts to increase our influence.”

“Adrian, start contacting black market dealers and keep up to date on any information they might have. We need to know about any event that happens as soon as it happens, no questions asked. Continue to keep observing the movements of the Wretches, Red Lions and especially the Ardent Cretins. Track all their high-profile members and make sure we know exactly where they are every time.”

“Niko, you’re still in charge of security now. Ensure all our deliveries are on time. If a hijacking of our wagon occurs, make sure to report it to me immediately. Continue to protect our pubs, casinos and brothels – no-name thug gangs may begin to eye us as easy targets as soon we announce our project and shift manpower to build the weapons factory.”

“Gordon, your expertise in factory design as well as automation improvement, will be needed for the upcoming steel and weapons factory. Check the documents that I will give to you later for details on what I intend for the factory to do. The larger of a scale that we achieve, the more our influence and reputation will increase.”

“Speaking of reputation – Reese, you will be in charge of marketing. We want to promote a positive brand image, so work with Guang Hwa on building a public reputation for our companies, including the upcoming factory. We have to frame the purpose of the factory correctly, otherwise, there will be backlash from the pacifists within the country.”

Kyle continued to give a few more minor orders before concluding the meeting. “When I took over leadership, I only had one goal in mind – to grow the Seven Snakes into a power that cannot be contested.”

“Yes, not even the Ardent Cretins will be able to pin us down any longer!” Damian nodded.

“Forget about the Ardent Cretins – they are insignificant to the bigger plan in the long run. Are you truly satisfied with having just less than a quarter of a small city under your control? Do you not want to grow larger than just a few districts?”

The rest was shocked at what Kyle had just mentioned. They could barely envision themselves reigning at the top of Ratkor. Sure, Damian might have daydreamed about it at some point in his life, but to actually fix it as a goal? The word ‘impossible’ appeared in their minds, but yet, for some reason, Kyle seemed to defy that impossibility.

“Not even the entirety of Raktor will be enough for me!” Kyle declared. “Kregol, Perial, the entire Yual Dominion shall fall under my whims alone. And when I’m done with them, not even Versia, Proco, nor those hiding beyond the Great Waves can escape my grip!”

The ambition of Kyle sparked a fire in their hearts, daring them to aim as high as they could. Every notion of ‘obstacles’ or ‘setbacks’ were thrown out of their minds, placing their faith in Kyle.

“And if you think that is enough for us, that we should be content with having the entire planet respect us, you are wrong. For even the stars themselves will bow before us!”