Chapter 59: Refocus

Two days 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.”

“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.

“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.New novel chapters are published on

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’ll consider it. I have a guide in mind.”

“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 two months’ time or more, the Yual Dominion’s military will be congregated for an exercise on the outskirts of Raktor, near the border of Versia. As such, I will ensure that the Seven Snakes is in the right position to capitalise on this situation.”

“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. We’ll need to speed up development of the underground tunnel”

“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. Are you truly satisfied with having just less than a quarter of a small city under your control?”

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. “The entire Yual Dominion shall fall under my whims alone. And when I’m done with them, not even the other countries 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!”