Chapter 79: Chapter 79 - Underground Headquarters

Away from the picturesque countryside surrounding Camphrian City, in an entirely different direction, lay a discreet area bordering the lands owned by small businesses.

In reality, these establishments were little more than facades for the underground mafia, which operated their illicit activities in this hidden locale. S~eaʀᴄh the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Tucked within one of the narrow alleyways was an unassuming candy shop.

To the casual observer, it appeared to have been untouched by customers for ages, with its faded signage and crumbling exterior, yet the candies inside seemed strangely fresh—almost strikingly out of place.

Behind its seemingly innocuous façade hid a concealed passage. A sliding door led down a staircase into the depths of the basement.

As one descended further, the truth became unmistakable—beneath this unremarkable shop lay an extensive network stretching nearly a square kilometer.

What seemed like a small alleyway was actually an entry point to a vast underground complex.

The narrow passage opened up to a space that had likely been designed as a bunker or some governmental facility, but now it was firmly under the control of the city's mafia.

This was no ordinary basement; it was a fully operational black market.

The air was thick with tension as men and women moved about, clutching firearms, illegal goods, and other contraband.

Each step was cautious, every glance over the shoulder a silent acknowledgment of the power that thrived in this shadowy underworld.

The place served as the nerve center for criminal activity in Camphrian City, with shady merchants selling weapons, their voices blending into the charged atmosphere.

"This is the latest model of the AR-17! Just 200 NR!" one vendor shouted, brandishing a sleek, polished assault rifle.

"Grab it while you can!" another voice yelled, the sound of deals reverberating through the underground maze.

The entire area was filled with merchants cloaked in garments that obscured their features, peddling items—mostly stolen or unlicensed—at bargain prices, often accompanied by enticing discounts.

Of course, the authenticity of these items was not guaranteed.

However, amidst this chaos, several customers could be seen exchanging money for wall hangers and other goods, reassured by the presence of the underground queen, Vandiana Panthera.

Her reputation served as a guarantee for the legitimacy of these items, instilling a sense of trust, however tenuous, among those willing to engage in this illicit marketplace.

Navigating through several lanes that resembled branches, each with alleys leading into one another, visitors encountered signage indicating various goods such as weapons, medicines, drugs, and assorted contraband.

At the center stood a small structure that resembled a hotel, albeit one that could be classified as three-star at best, reflecting a level of decency.

Inside, a throng of people moved about, primarily filtered by guards who permitted only a select few entry after verifying their invitations.

"I hope we'll get a chance to meet her," remarked a businessman of high standing and familial pedigree as he entered the hotel, accompanied by a colleague.

They were greeted by servants and a receptionist who bowed before guiding them to a guest room.

As they progressed through the hotel's interior, the room appeared considerably more elegant and comfortable than the exterior suggested.

However, the primary motivation for these visitors lay in their intention to negotiate a deal with the head honcho of this establishment.

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Specifically, these individuals were associated with a political party whose candidate was gearing up for the mayoral elections in Camphrian City.

It was universally understood that the key to any election was to secure manpower capable of managing protests and riots, which would be orchestrated according to their political strategies.

This venue was a veritable hub teeming with manpower ready to be mobilized at their discretion.

Those in the realm of politics understood that while it might seem that true power rested with politicians or the justice system, the reality was far more nuanced.

The genuine leverage lay in the hands of those who could effortlessly rally an army of individuals unafraid of confronting death.

Politicians, of course, manipulated and occasionally discarded youth like pawns, but ultimately, they shared a symbiotic relationship, each relying upon the other for survival.

Despite their public facades depicting them as champions of justice, the truth was that this was the mechanics of the real world, vastly different from the curated images portrayed on social media.

"Please wait here. The Queen will join you shortly," announced one of the servants, prompting both men to take a seat in the room, nodding in acknowledgment.

They paid little heed to the title of "Queen," a term they would normally find fascinating, particularly given the existence of actual queens from noble lineages.

While those royals had significantly diminished influence, the men knew well that the woman claiming the title of underground queen reigned supreme in her own world.

Meanwhile, far from the room where the servant had left them, that servant proceeded upstairs to the second floor, where the ambiance shifted dramatically.

This area resembled an office bustling with employees, some engaged in computer work while others were absorbed in phone conversations akin to a call center.

She was aware that those on the computers and phones were primarily handling transactions conducted through the dark web.

After all, to facilitate weapons sales online, they needed to maintain a strong presence on the dark web, where they processed online orders from clients, often involving requests for kidnappings and similar illicit activities.

The woman ventured further and discovered a group of a dozen individuals seated at another row of high-end computers, their setup featuring a large central monitor that showcased a department dedicated to managing cyber attacks.

knock knock

"May I enter, my Queen?" The woman knocked gently on the door, which slowly swung open at the nod of another servant, allowing her to step inside.

Upon her entrance, her gaze fell upon a woman in a sleek black dress standing by the window, gazing out thoughtfully.

"Greetings, my Queen." The servant, bowing slightly before lifting her gaze, met the sight before her—where, within the deep black pools of the woman's eyes, a serene smile revealed a reflection of the entire empire she had constructed underground. The bustling scene pulsated with life, illuminated by a soft, nocturnal glow.

People moved harmoniously about, purchasing goods and creating a vibrant tableau that resembled an entire city thriving in the depths below.