Chapter 39: The Death of Kenny Goler
The death of Kenny Goler, the tenth of the Ten Old Browns, triggered the rapid collapse of his gang's power.
At first, some elite members of the Kenny Family tried to resist, but when faced with the overwhelming "annexation" by the Shield Family, they were powerless.
That new boss of the Shield Family Haze.
This man was terrifying... No one knew exactly what he did or how he did it.
But within just a few days, almost all the mid- and high-ranking executives of the Kenny Family were wiped out, killed violently.
The Shield Family then took over Kenny's smuggling business not only stabilizing their power but expanding it even further.
This was something no one in the underworld had expected. Everyone had assumed that the Shield would be the ones to be destroyed...
Gradually, news of their meteoric rise spread through the underworld.
The next day, in a grand palace-like mansion built halfway up a mountain,
a blond-haired man with short hair, sharp features, and piercing blue eyes stood before a wall of priceless paintings, admiring them in silence.
The vast hall was filled with glass cases displaying all sorts of treasures skeletons, jewels, antiques a dazzling array of rare artifacts.
"Lord Brown,"
a gangster subordinate entered the room, approached the man, and bowed respectfully.
"The Shield Family has sent some gifts through Badim cash, valuables, and over ten rare collectible items."
"The Shield Family, huh... They've been expanding rapidly lately, causing quite a stir."
The blond man Brown turned away from the painting, his tone calm but curious.
"Yes, sir," the subordinate replied.
"Isn't their current leader a newcomer?"
"Indeed, sir. He's been in charge for less than two months.
The previous boss, Shield Maiber, and his son, Shield Garou, were both killed by the Kenny Family.
The two groups had a Haze-standing feud.
Only days after taking power, the new boss launched a counterattack against the Kennys, won, and took over their assets.
A month ago, the Shield Family eliminated the McDormey group and seized part of the transport industry.
Now, their scale rivals that of the major syndicates."
Brown was silent.
Though the Shield Family had risen quickly, there were many mid-tier groups like them under his jurisdiction.
He only remembered the strongest ones the truly influential powers.
Brown was one of the Ten Donss, each of whom controlled the underworld of an entire region across the Six Continents.
Many sought his favor, and the Shield Family's "gift" was just another bribe a gesture to curry favor with one of the Ten Donss.
"For Badim to personally deliver it... the gift must have some worth," Brown remarked, pacing leisurely through the room.
His subordinates followed nervously.
"The Shield built their wealth through gambling, sir. They don't have many members, but their assets are considerable."
Seeing Brown's lukewarm interest, his men quickly elaborated.
As one of the Ten Donss, Brown held immense power.
For ordinary gangs, currying his favor was nearly impossible.
He had no interest in cheap trinkets only offerings of true value could even begin to tempt him.
The Shield Family's attempt to meet the Ten Donss directly was futile.
They simply weren't qualified.
Only a handful of syndicate leaders, including Badim, could be granted an audience.
Still, the Shield Family had caught Brown's attention if only faintly.
Brown didn't care much for the internal squabbles of the organizations under his command.
He had the arrogance of someone who stood far above them.
As Haze as his interests weren't threatened, he allowed them to act freely.
Violence, betrayal, and bloodshed were the norm in this world he couldn't control everything, only maintain the balance.
New blood was welcome.
Change kept things from growing dull.
And above all, this new force seemed capable.
"How are preparations for the party?" Brown asked, dismissing the Shield matter with little concern.
"Almost finished, sir. All factions have been notified. The event will proceed as scheduled."
"Good."
Brown nodded and exited the hall.
Just before he left, a shadowy figure appeared silently behind him clad in black, face masked, twin swords at their waist a bodyguard in ninja garb.
They followed him out, while everyone inside bowed low, not daring to lift their heads until he was gone.
A few days later, Haze, head of the Shield Family, arrived with his butler David at a charity gala organized by the Ten Donss.
At first glance, it looked like a grand, noble event supposedly a charitable effort to help the poor.
In truth, it was nothing but a farce a ritualized way for gangs to pay "protection money" to the Ten Donss.
The Elders themselves rarely attended.
They simply let the crowd perform its theater of respect.
Some fake "treasures" would be auctioned off, with gang leaders outbidding each other and spending astronomical sums on worthless trinkets
not for the items themselves, but to flatter the Elders and show off their own wealth and prestige.
It was, essentially, a smaller version of the future Youkexin auction.
When Haze stepped out of the car and arrived at the hotel, he realized he had underestimated the Elders' influence.
Even for just one of them, the luxury cars of regional syndicates lined the entire street, completely blocking traffic.
Tempers flared. Gangsters cursed and shouted at each other over minor collisions.
Though all were dressed in fine suits, their coarse behavior betrayed their true nature.
Haze also noticed the strict hierarchy among them
smaller gangs automatically moved aside to let the larger families' cars pass first and enter the venue.
At the entrance, prominent bosses were greeted with warmth and ceremony,
while lesser ones were ignored entirely.
The contrast was sharp.
The Shield Family, once a middling power, had risen fast in just two months, now standing on the edge of major status.
Thus, Haze and David were among the first to be allowed in without delay.
"Come, let me introduce you!"
"This is Haze, head of the Shield Family a rising star in our region.
You must've heard his name by now!"
It was Badim, the round, short, balding boss, holding a wine glass and introducing Haze to a circle of influential men.
These were the region's most powerful mafia heads men whose slightest moves shook the underworld.
Around them, others hesitated to approach, watching nervously from a distance.
That a newcomer like Haze had been included among them drew no small amount of attention and envy.
After all, befriending men of this level was a rare chance.
Haze glanced at Badim.
It was clear that his enthusiasm came from gratitude the Shield' gifts to the Ten Donss had been funneled through him.
"I've heard... you're a distant relative of Shield Maiber?" one of the big bosses asked, eyeing Haze up and down.
He saw nothing special in the man before him yet the Shield Family's recent conquests had forced them all to take notice.
"Mm." Haze nodded calmly.
He didn't even look at Badim instead, he gazed toward the entrance where more bosses were arriving.
This cold indifference made the questioning boss's expression darken.
In the underworld, strength and weakness defined hierarchy.
A young man like Haze should have shown deference even if not respect, at least courtesy.
Otherwise, offending the wrong people could bring ruin to his entire family.
Even if the Shield were growing in power, such arrogance was intolerable.
"Kid!"
A voice shouted from behind, fists clenching.
But Haze remained still, expression calm, and simply turned to leave with David
not even acknowledging the insult.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Even Badim was taken aback.
"Tch... kids these days."
"A few days of glory and they already think they're untouchable."
"Let him strut we'll deal with him after the party."
The bosses exchanged cold looks, though none dared act here not in a venue owned by the Ten Donss.
Meanwhile, Haze sat in a quiet corner, sipping red wine.
He had no interest in mingling with these gang leaders.
He found them tedious predictable a waste of time.
He had come only to see Brown, the Elder himself.
Whether he appeared or not didn't matter the Shield Family's name would spread regardless.
"If I killed everyone here tonight... would that mean wiping out the entire mafia of this region?"
Haze swirled his wine, gazing at the crowd through the crimson liquid
a wild thought flickered in his mind.
If he did that, he wouldn't just face Brown… he'd face all Ten Donss.
"Forget it."
"Hello, I'm James Jones, head of the James Family. May I have the honor of meeting you?"
Just as he was about to relax in silence, a stranger approached him, bowing politely and offering a business card.
Haze sighed inwardly So much for peace.
He smiled faintly.
"What a nice name."
The man beamed, raising his glass eagerly to toast.
As more guests arrived, the hall grew livelier and Haze found himself surrounded by a small crowd.
Many leaders of lesser groups were eager to befriend the rising Shield Family,
each hoping to forge a connection.
"Tch!"
Not far away, the boss who had earlier been offended watched the scene,
his face dark with jealousy.
"I'll deal with him later…"
(End of Chapter)