The air was thick with tension in the upper districts of Wall Rose. The streets, usually bustling with merchants and cadets, were quiet, as if the city itself sensed the storm brewing in the shadows. Elias Kruger adjusted the collar of his uniform, walking beside Vince Carter as they made their way through the district. Publicly, he was a disciplined cadet, a model soldier of the Garrison Regiment. Privately, he was a strategist, an underworld operator, and a protector of his siblings at any cost.
"Keep your eyes open," Elias murmured. "The nobles here are more than just pomp and pride. They'll probe weaknesses if they sense any."
Vince nodded, ledger clutched tightly in his hands. "Understood. And the Military Police? They'll be watching too."
Elias smirked faintly. "Exactly why we move carefully. Every word, every coin, every handshake is a calculated risk."
Nobility and Political Tension
Their target for the evening was a small network of merchants under pressure from a minor noble family, the Von Richts. This family had influence, wealth, and connections within the Military Police Brigade. Many merchants had already paid "protection" fees to them, though inconsistently and under duress.
Elias entered the merchant's store, bowing politely. "Good evening. I trust your day was safe?"
The owner, a timid man named Lorian, shook his head. "No… the Von Richts demanded payment again. I… I cannot afford it."
Elias nodded thoughtfully. "Then let me help. I can ensure your goods remain untouched, and your profits secure, for a fair arrangement."
Vince added quietly, "We've mapped the patrols and bribery schedules. There's a way to avoid the Von Richts entirely, but it will require careful timing."
The merchant looked at them both, hope flickering in his eyes. Elias smiled faintly. "Trust us. We've protected others already. Your business will be safe."
High-Stakes Negotiation
The negotiation that night was tense. A representative of the Von Richts, a sharp-featured youth named Leonhardt, appeared unannounced, demanding a fee. Elias remained calm, exuding the confidence of a cadet and the authority of a strategist.
"You demand unfairly," Elias said evenly. "These merchants are already struggling. Their survival is vital for the Wall's stability. I can offer a more effective arrangement—protection, organization, and continued operation. Your influence is preserved, but without unnecessary interference."
Leonhardt sneered. "And why should I trust you, boy? A cadet? You have no authority here."
Elias's gaze sharpened. "Authority isn't given—it's earned. And you'll find these merchants prefer my method. Interfere, and you risk destabilizing more than you intend."
Vince whispered, pointing subtly to a pattern in the patrol schedules. "Now would be the time to act if we're to secure this deal without escalation."
Elias nodded and moved decisively, leveraging Vince's information and his own negotiation prowess. By the end of the night, the merchants had agreed to Elias's arrangement, preserving the peace without bloodshed.
Internal Garrison Conflicts
Back at the barracks, tension brewed. Some cadets murmured about Elias's rapid gains, suspicious of his unusual efficiency and calm demeanor in high-risk scenarios. Others, like Erwin, observed quietly, noting Elias's tactics without revealing their thoughts.
During training, Elias noticed a cadet named Marik attempting to undermine him subtly, questioning his instructions and trying to lead recruits astray. Elias confronted him privately.
"Your hesitation and disobedience could cost lives," Elias said quietly. "Follow my guidance, or step aside. This isn't about pride—it's about survival."
Marik stiffened but nodded. The encounter served as a reminder that Elias's influence within the Garrison required as much careful strategy as his work outside the Wall. Vince observed silently, noting how Elias balanced authority and diplomacy.
Underworld Expansion
That night, Elias and Vince returned to their hidden operations. The system had assigned a new mission: expand influence and secure resources while avoiding both nobles and Military Police interference.
[System Mission Assigned: Mission 003 – Expand influence, acquire rare resources]
[Reward: +0.25 Negotiation, +0.2 Tactical Acumen, +0.15 Resource Management]
Using the ledger Vince maintained, they mapped out trade routes, identified weak points in rival networks, and coordinated with trusted merchants. Each decision was calculated: one mistake could expose their operations, ruin relationships, and put Elias's siblings at risk.
As Elias arranged a clandestine meeting with a contact for rare rations, he reflected on his past life. Every lesson, every betrayal, every calculated move informed his current strategies. Vince was a rare constant—loyal, honest, cautious, and trustworthy. In a world full of deceit, such allies were invaluable.
Confrontation with Nobility
Their expansion didn't go unnoticed. Leonhardt returned, this time with a small group of supporters, aiming to intimidate Elias and reclaim influence.
"You continue to meddle," Leonhardt hissed. "These merchants belong to us. You will step aside."
Elias's eyes narrowed. "I'm here to maintain stability, not to fight petty battles. But if you threaten those I protect, I will respond decisively."
Vince, observing the group, whispered a tactical assessment. "Five of them, all lightly armored. We can neutralize threats without drawing attention, but it will require precision."
Predator's Hunger activated.
[Calories Consumed: 600 → Strength +0.3, Reflex +0.2]
Ackerman Power Activated: Tactical Burst ×5
Time slowed. Elias moved with deadly precision, disarming one aggressor while Vince guided merchants and civilians to safety. Within minutes, the nobles and their supporters retreated, shocked and humiliated—but unharmed.
The system recorded another small advancement. Elias had grown stronger, not from brute force alone, but from careful calculation, moral restraint, and teamwork.
Reflection and Moral Dilemma
Later, in their safehouse, Elias and Vince cataloged the events. The mission had succeeded, yet Elias felt the weight of responsibility. Every act of protection, every deal, every tactical maneuver required careful moral consideration. Unlike his past life, he could not be completely ruthless; lives were at stake, and his siblings' safety was paramount.
Vince spoke first, as always cautious and practical. "You handled them well. But you can't face every threat alone. We need more allies, safehouses, and contingencies. The nobility will escalate."
Elias nodded. "Agreed. We'll expand carefully, subtly. Every action we take is a thread in a larger web—one that must protect those we care about while maintaining balance with the Wall's authorities."
Predator's Hunger pulsed faintly, system notifications appearing briefly in Elias's vision. He had grown stronger through each bite, each calculated risk, and each moral choice. But he knew the challenges ahead would demand more than strength—they would demand cunning, patience, and loyalty.
Vince, sitting across the table, scribbled notes meticulously, already planning the next move. He was more than a right-hand man; he was a partner, a strategist, and a grounding presence in a world where trust was rare and betrayal was constant.
Closing the Chapter
As the snow fell outside, blanketing the streets of Wall Rose, Elias looked out over the city. Nobles, Military Police, merchants, and cadets all moved through their lives, unaware of the quiet shadow empire growing beneath their notice. Every negotiation, every patrol, every battle—whether physical or political—was a step toward securing the safety of his siblings and building a future where he could protect them.
Vince leaned beside him quietly. "You really think we can keep this up?"
Elias smiled faintly. "We don't have a choice. Survival isn't given—it's earned. And together, we'll earn it. No matter what it takes."
The Wall stood silent in the distance, Titans beyond, and the city beneath layered in snow and shadow. Elias Kruger's journey continued—not just to survive, but to thrive, to grow stronger, and to protect those who mattered most.
And this time, he would not fail.