Though the Monroe family still appeared stable and formidable on the surface, an undercurrent of panic had begun to spread behind closed doors.
It all began ten days ago, when the Monroe Branch family's head in Nilotra City was brutally assassinated at the family estate—no one survived. The estate itself was completely wiped out.
The news incensed Lord Monroe, but there was little he could do aside from ordering his subordinates to investigate. Yet soon, more grim reports came pouring in.
Seven days ago, the Monroe branch leader in Largs was killed in the villa district. The entire mansion was razed, leaving only a smoldering black ruin. The image of flames licking at collapsed rubble haunted Monroe's inner circle.
That was when he realized the enemy wasn't acting randomly—this was a systematic purge.
Three days ago came the most devastating blow. Monroe's second son, Schirard, was assassinated—not covertly, but in the middle of a meeting with subordinates. The entire Monroe faction in Natre City was slaughtered without mercy.
This time, someone was spared. One witness remained to deliver a message:
"A greeting from the Pengellet family. Tell Monroe to wash his neck in Guardiola and wait."
Inside the Monroe Manor, Guardiola City
The manor was locked down under the highest alert. From several kilometers out, black-suited guards patrolled checkpoints, weapons in hand. The entire area bristled with tension. Inside the villa, an emergency meeting was underway.
"Damn it! Have none of you found where those bastards are hiding?!"
Lord Monroe, one of the Ten Elders, slammed his fist onto the table, eyes burning with fury. His voice echoed in the grand chamber as his top lieutenants sat in stiff, fearful silence.
In just ten days, Monroe had lost multiple high-ranking officers. His branches in several cities were annihilated. His inner circle was collapsing.
Some mid-level officers, eager to prove their loyalty and rise in rank, had previously volunteered to hunt the Pengellet family.
They were never heard from again.
"Why are you all mute now? You think sitting here quietly will stop the Pengellet family from striking again?" Monroe snarled, veins bulging in his neck.
"I want every last one of those dogs DEAD! I want Vega Pengellet's corpse in front of me!"
With a heavy thud, he slammed a pistol onto the table.
"My fourth son is gone. My second son is gone. What do you expect me to do—watch the rest of my family die one by one?!"
His madness was palpable. Some lieutenants stiffened, afraid Monroe might turn the gun on one of them in a fit of rage.
A man in his thirties finally spoke up, cautiously: "Sir… based on the message left behind, the Pengellet family is clearly targeting Guardiola next. This is our home turf. We have thousands of men. Even if Vega comes, we can deploy overwhelming force to trap him."
"Trap?" Monroe growled. "You think he's dumb enough to walk into a trap?"
The man bowed slightly. "No, my lord. But based on Vega's prior actions, he doesn't seem to care. He's made it clear he's out for revenge. Direct confrontation is highly likely."
"We control every corner of Guardiola. Not even a fly can escape our surveillance. If he shows himself, we'll have our chance. But… given that Vega is a Nen user, with strange and powerful abilities, we'll need other Nen users to ensure we can corner and kill him."
Monroe narrowed his eyes, then nodded grimly. "I'll request support from the other Elders. We need to mobilize the Shadow Beasts."
If anyone tried to stop him now, he'd consider it betrayal. This was life or death, and Monroe wasn't going to allow politics to get in his way. If the other Elders interfered, he would show them no mercy.
Elsewhere, Downtown Guardiola
In a quiet restaurant tucked away in the heart of the city, a handsome young man in a black suit calmly ate a plate of local delicacies. He was relaxed, unbothered by the chaos erupting elsewhere.
Moments later, seven sharply dressed men entered—each wearing a distinct ring on one hand.
They approached the youth and bowed.
"Boss, the Ten Rings have come to report. Monroe's third son has been executed."
Vega Pengellet set down his chopsticks and waved them to sit.
"Well done," he said with a faint smile. "I'm very pleased with the progress."
Korok handed him a towel. Vega wiped his hands slowly, his demeanor calm and unhurried.
"There's just one thing left to do," he said softly.
He glanced toward the north, in the direction of the Monroe estate, and smiled coldly.
"Time to send the old man to join his sons in hell."
"They think we'll sneak around the city, hiding in shadows, waiting for the perfect chance to strike?"
Vega stood, voice filled with clarity and resolve.
"No. I'm going straight for the heart."
"I'll destroy the Monroe family head-on—and let the entire underworld know that I, Vega Pengellet, have arrived."
"The Pengellet family has stepped onto the world stage."
He turned to the Ten Rings, eyes sharp.
"And this is your debut as well. You won't be sneaking around in the dark. No… this will be a performance."
"The show is called: The Fall of the Ten Elders."
He raised his hand.
"Let's go."
"Proclaim it. Let the world witness the rise of the Ten Rings."