With the first few days passing, the buzz surrounding Valkyrie exploded.
Users already hooked found themselves spiraling—unable to function without it.
It wasn't just a party drug anymore.
It became oxygen.
When they weren't high, it felt like their senses were being drowned in molasses—like they were underwater. The only way to breathe again?
Another pill.
And at the center of the distribution?
Doug's crew.
Their reputation grew fast. Efficient. Consistent. Ruthless.
Doug—now known as Knox on the streets—was gaining more attention than he ever had. And he liked it.
So, he did what any man with a taste of power would do.
He wanted more.
Seated across from Alex and Edgar in The Silver Quill, Doug adjusted his black fur coat—sleeker than his usual look. Cleaner. Like a man trying to make a statement.
But sitting in front of these two?
That confidence frayed.
Doug couldn't help but glance between them—two men who built something from the shadows. A drug that transformed people overnight. That kind of creation? That kind of influence?
It wasn't normal.
It was terrifying.
And that fear birthed loyalty.
He cleared his throat.
"E-ehm, Boss…" Doug said carefully, looking toward Alex. "I was hoping to talk to you about something."
Alex smiled faintly, just a twitch at the corner of his mouth.
'About time he came to me.'
His cold gaze slid toward Doug, instantly killing whatever swagger Doug had been holding on to.
"What is it?" Alex asked, voice flat.
Doug paused, then pushed through the nerves.
"B-boss, I want to create a gang. A real one. I figured… with the way things are going, it'd help structure the movement, y'know?"
Alex didn't answer immediately.
He just stared.
Then slowly turned to Edgar, exchanged a silent glance, and leaned forward.
"That's fine," he said at last.
"But let's make something clear."
His voice dropped, tone like ice.
"No matter what you call it, who you bring in, or how big it gets…"
He locked eyes with Doug.
"You still work for me. Understood?"
Doug nodded quickly.
"Y-yes. Absolutely, boss. Loyalty, always."
Alex leaned back, satisfied.
'Perfect. Let him think it was his idea. That way… he'll fight harder to protect it.'
"Now, back to business, how did things go with the sales." Alex Asked,
Doug visibly got excited when speaking, "Boss we sold all the product we had, with the first four thousand being distributed for free."
"After the first round was distributed, I got my man to set up channels for them to use, with the rest of the sixteen thousand pills being sold at the price of one hundred and fifty dollars like you said boss."
"Right now, there is $2 400 000 in our house ready for you," Doug said, the nerves that were troubling him gone like the wind when discussing money.
Alex and Edger didn't even flinch at the amount,
"Good work," said Alex, "From now on, your gang, will be buying the Valkyrie pill from Backline Freight Co. unofficially of course at $125 per pill, you can sell it at 150 which will mean, you would profit at about 17% of what you sold."
"This means you will be left with $400 000 from the $2 400 000 of this batch."
Hearing what Alex just said, Doug was beyond excited, that was a lot of money for them, and it was just what he needed if they wanted to create this gang and expand it. Doug stood up with so much excitement that he wanted to bow down right then and there, "Boss, thank you so much for this,"
"Don't worry about it, you just do what you do best and there's more where that came from." Alex smile as he leaned back on the couch he was sitting on.
"Someone will come to you to pick up the money, so get it prepared, you may leave now." Alex said.
Doug stood straight as though he was facing a drill sergeant, "Yes boss, don't worry, everything will be done smoothly."
---
With everything going according to plan, Alex decided to go back to his safe house and take a look at the system since he probably has earned some RP during the sale of the Valkyrie drug.
Looking at the somewhat rundown warehouse he used as a safe house, he couldn't help but think of his new roommate who invited herself in.
Remembering the conversation, he had with her, he couldn't help but be amused by the girl.
Walking inside the warehouse, he was greeted by the new layout of the place, this once empty space was now filled with computer towers lined along the wall, humming like a choir. The space now had some lighting in place unlike when he was staying here by himself.
In one corner of the space, a desk was placed there filled with computer with six computer monitors, three monitors on the wall and three on the desk, the desk itself having a keyboard and mouse.
Looking at the renovated space, he couldn't help but think to himself while looking around, 'She really just moved in and took the whole space for herself,'
Noticing that she wasn't in her desk, Alex figured maybe she was in her room or something.
Now since she is living in the space, Alex decided to separate the big warehouse into different sections that would work as their rooms while they were staying there, and the main space will be used for the computers and the working space.
While walking towards his living space, the door that led to a different living space opened, Ana walked out of the door with her usual blank but stunning face, as she left the room her eyes locked with Alex's.
Alex looking at the beauty in front of her, he had to admit, this lady was beautiful, she carried herself with the elegance of a princess, but Alex keen eye also noticed the dangerous aura she had, her movement weren't wasted and she always placed herself in the optimal position to counter any attack that might come her way.
This wasn't something you learn in books and do; it was a skill that was either systematically train for years until you master it or it's something that's get ingrained in you by years of survival and combat in harsh environment.
Ana seeing Alex looking at her greeted him, "Hello."
"Well, hello roomy," Alex responded with a hint of playful tone masked behind his usual fake smile.
Noticing this Ana just looked at him, 'why do he always smile like that??' she thought to herself as she watched him walk towards his room,
Feeling her piercing gaze, Alex asked her seemly trying to distract her, "You know I still don't get why you moved in here...?"
"I needed space to work, my room wasn't going to be big enough," Ana replied like it was the most obvious thing to do,
"Yeah, I get that, but why here? I mean you could have gone to the Silver Quill and set your stuff there, or maybe somewhere else other than here..." Alex stated as he looked at her.
"It was the most efficient option as I could stay here and set up at the same place, plus I don't like to spend time with people I don't know," she said as she continued to walk towards her desk
"Not like you know me," he stated as he looked at her with a glint in his eyes.
"I know enough to trust you," She replied to him with a nonchalant in her tone that left Alex puzzled.
He looked at her with intrigue as she sat down on her comfy chair. Alex stood there for a minute before turning around to continued heading to his room,
He muttered to himself, "You're naïve. Trust isn't a currency worth spending on me."
As he closed the door behind him, he wasn't aware of the gaze that lingered at the door after he closed it.