Ruby leaned forward, her Queen persona taking over. "In the old timeline, the Syndicates had boundaries. We had territories. But right now? It's filled with low-life criminals, rogue Awakened gangs, blood-cults, human traffickers, and illegal monster-smuggling guilds. They're all over the place. There's no code of conduct. No rules. It's just total anarchy."
Rudy looked at her, entirely unimpressed. "It's the Underworld, Ruby. Criminals and gangs are literally the job description. What the hell are you on about?"
"I'm talking about a monopoly, you idiot," Ruby snapped back, though there was no real venom in her voice. "It's bad for business. If there are no rules, we can't tax them. We can't control the flow of mana cores or illegal artifacts. As long as these hundred little rat-factions are running around killing each other, the Obsidian Syndicate can't properly rule."
