The city had become a chessboard, each street, alleyway, and rooftop a square where power and strategy were constantly tested. Valhalla's reputation had grown exponentially after the Toman captain's near-death defeat. James Lee stood on a high rooftop, recruits spread around him, the night alive with tension and opportunity. The system pulsed continuously, identifying high-value targets among Toman's remaining lieutenants, calculating risks, and projecting optimal strategies for maximum gain.
His next target: a seasoned Toman lieutenant known for his brute strength, advanced combat skill, and tactical cunning. He moved with precise coordination, ensuring that his recruits—Yamagishi, Kazutora, Hiroto, Atsushi, Takuya, and Makoto—covered all flanks, distractions, and counterattack options. Every step, every glance, every move was system-optimized.
The lieutenant appeared, flanked by a few loyal subordinates. "So, this is Valhalla… I've heard the rumors. Time to put them to the test," he growled.
James Lee's eyes glimmered, calm and predatory. "Test me? You're about to become part of our story."
The clash erupted instantly. The lieutenant struck first with sheer power, moving faster and harder than most of Valhalla's previous opponents. James Lee activated Tactical Vision and Precision Strike, anticipating each blow, countering with devastating efficiency, and forcing the lieutenant into defensive maneuvers. Kazutora and Hiroto struck in perfect synchronization, while Yamagishi executed tactical distractions, opening critical windows for decisive attacks.
The fight escalated into a high-speed duel of skill and strategy. Every hit James Lee delivered was precise, measured, and enhanced by system-calculated timing. With Shadow Step, he avoided the lieutenant's strongest moves while landing crippling counters. The lieutenant, though skilled, was being outmaneuvered and analyzed at every instant.
Finally, James Lee pinned him, battered and on the brink of defeat but alive. The system pulsed: Copy Skill – Advanced Activation.
This was the next evolution. Unlike the previous captain, this lieutenant's skillset included advanced combat techniques, tactical leadership abilities, and high-tier perks. James Lee extended his hand, activating the Copy Skill interface. A shimmering, digital cascade flowed into his consciousness, absorbing the lieutenant's signature techniques, passive perks, and combat intuition. Each skill card slotted seamlessly into his growing deck, allowing him to assign, combine, and optimize them instantly with his recruits.
When the lieutenant regained his senses, he realized he had survived—but his fighting style, his special techniques, his tactical mastery, all had been copied and integrated into James Lee's system. His loyalty was now a choice: join Valhalla or remain powerless against it. Unsurprisingly, he agreed, swelling Valhalla's ranks with a highly skilled and loyal lieutenant.
The victory sent shockwaves. Toman's remaining lieutenants realized they were now targets, every encounter potentially turning their strength against them. The city itself seemed to acknowledge Valhalla's dominance—neutral gangs hesitated, allies of Toman reconsidered alliances, and the whispers of fear spread quickly.
Takemichi, hidden in the shadows, watched with a mix of awe, fear, and helplessness. Every fight, every Copy Skill absorbed, every recruit gained by James Lee widened the gap between Valhalla and Toman. He had no choice but to observe, to plan, to remain sidelined while his friends became part of a force he couldn't oppose without risking everything. The emotional strain grew heavier with each passing battle.
By dawn, Valhalla had fully integrated the new lieutenant, leveled up all members through rapid dungeon simulations, and unlocked multiple new system perks from the copied skills: Countermaster Plus, Tactical Genius, Leadership Amplification, Multi-Strike Combo, and Adaptive Strategy. The gang was no longer simply rising—it had become a city-wide apex force, capable of absorbing enemy strength and turning every battle into exponential growth.
James Lee surveyed the city from the rooftop, recruits aligned behind him, shadows stretching long in the morning light. Every battle won, every skill copied, every recruit gained pushed Valhalla closer to total dominance.
"Step by step, fight by fight, skill by skill… Valhalla will not just control the city," James Lee murmured, eyes cold and confident. "It will define it."