The alliance with the **Dwarven guild** marked the beginning of CODE's expansion beyond just the casino. With the dwarves on their side, they had the resources, wealth, and leverage to influence the **economic structure** of the first floor. But as **Alex** had feared, the growing power of CODE did not go unnoticed. Rival guilds, once content to leave them in peace, were beginning to circle like wolves, sensing the shift in power dynamics.

The evening air in Starter City was cool and crisp as Alex walked through the bustling streets, his hood pulled low to keep a low profile. Despite the fact that **Obsidian Gambit** had brought wealth and fame to CODE, Alex still preferred to operate in the shadows, much like the power he controlled. **Drax**, **Betsy**, and **Luke** walked beside him, a silent and watchful team. Tonight wasn't about making deals or expanding their influence—it was about **gathering intelligence**.

"We're being watched," Betsy said quietly as they moved through the marketplace. She glanced around discreetly, her sharp eyes picking up the movements of several figures lurking in the alleys. "Three, maybe four. Could be more."

"They've been tailing us since we left the guild base," Drax muttered, his hand resting casually on the hilt of his sword. "You want me to scare them off?"

"Not yet," Alex replied, his tone calm. "Let them think we don't notice. If we tip them off, they'll disappear before we can figure out who they're working for."

"Rival guild?" Betsy asked.

"Most likely," Alex said, scanning the crowd. "We've been making too many waves lately. The dwarven deal has probably triggered more than a few alarms."

Drax grinned. "Let them come. We'll deal with them."

Alex shook his head. "It's not that simple. If we start a war with another guild, it'll attract attention we don't need. We have to play this smart."

Betsy nodded in agreement. "We need to know what we're dealing with before we make any moves."

Luke, as always, remained silent, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a calm, detached expression. He said nothing, but his presence was reassuring. He was always there, the quiet strength of the group.

As they made their way to a more secluded part of the city, Alex could feel the tension building. The figures following them had become bolder, moving closer, their movements coordinated. It was clear that whoever was tailing them wasn't just gathering information—they were preparing to strike.

"We're close to the guild hall," Alex said softly. "Let's draw them out. I want to know who sent them."

Betsy's lips curled into a smile. "I thought you'd never say it."

---

They reached a narrow alley, the perfect spot for an ambush. Alex and his team stopped, pretending to check a nearby vendor's stall, giving their pursuers time to close in. He could feel the **shadows** shifting around him, the **power of the shades** humming just beneath the surface. He wouldn't summon them yet—he wanted to see what they were dealing with first.

A few moments later, the first of their pursuers made their move.

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A man stepped out from the shadows, his face partially obscured by a hood. He moved with the confidence of someone who knew how to fight, his hand resting on a dagger at his belt. Behind him, three more figures appeared, each armed and ready for battle.

"You've been making a lot of noise," the leader said, his voice low and menacing. "CODE's gotten too big for its own good."

Alex didn't move, his gaze steady as he studied the man. "I take it you're here to make sure we stay in our place?"

The man smirked. "Something like that. The guilds are starting to take notice, and not everyone's happy with your little rise to power."

Betsy took a step forward, her eyes cold and calculating. "Which guild sent you?"

The man's smirk widened. "Does it matter? You'll be dead before you can do anything about it."

Drax rolled his shoulders, cracking his knuckles. "Big talk for someone who brought only three friends."

The tension snapped like a taut wire. In a flash, the man lunged, his dagger aimed straight for Alex. But before the blade could reach him, Alex stepped back, his hand already moving to summon the **shades**. He didn't even need to speak the command—the shadows responded to his will immediately, forming a barrier between him and his attacker.

The man's dagger clashed against the shadowy form, and he stumbled back, his eyes wide with surprise. "What the—?"

Before he could react, Alex's shades moved. They weren't just a **defense**—they were **weapons**. One shade darted forward, grabbing the man by the throat and slamming him against the wall with inhuman strength. The other attackers hesitated, suddenly unsure of their advantage.

Betsy moved like lightning, her dagger flashing as she incapacitated one of the attackers with a swift strike to the leg, sending him to the ground. Drax, grinning like a man enjoying a bar brawl, took on the remaining two, disarming them with ease. It wasn't even a fight—it was an execution.

Luke, as usual, had stood back, observing. But now, he stepped forward, approaching the man pinned by Alex's shade. "**Verum**," he said softly, the weight of the word hanging in the air like a silent judgment.

The man struggled to free himself, but the shade's grip was unrelenting.

"Who sent you?" Alex asked, his voice calm but cold. The shade's grip tightened slightly, making it clear that the man's life depended on his answer.

The man gasped for breath, his eyes wide with fear. "Golden Fang!" he choked out. "It was **Golden Fang**. They—they wanted to send a message!"

Alex's eyes narrowed. **Golden Fang** was one of the most powerful guilds on the first floor. They controlled large sections of **Starter City** and had ties to several NPC kingdoms. They were also known for being ruthless when it came to maintaining their position at the top.

"Message received," Alex said quietly. He nodded to the shade, and it released the man, letting him collapse to the ground in a heap.

Betsy wiped her blade clean and sheathed it. "Golden Fang isn't going to stop here. They're testing us."

"And if they think they can get rid of us with a few hired thugs, they're in for a surprise," Drax added, cracking his knuckles again. "Let's pay them a visit. Show them what happens when you mess with CODE."

"No," Alex said, his voice firm. "That's what they want. They're trying to bait us into making the first move. If we retaliate now, we'll be playing into their hands. We need to think carefully about how we respond."

Betsy frowned. "So what's the plan?"

Alex thought for a moment, his mind racing through the possibilities. Golden Fang was powerful, but CODE had an advantage they didn't understand—his **shades**. The key was not to engage them directly, but to undermine them in ways they wouldn't expect.

"We'll hit them where they're weakest," Alex said, his voice calm but filled with quiet determination. "Golden Fang relies on its reputation and fear to control its territory. We're going to start **eroding** that reputation—one piece at a time. We'll disrupt their **businesses**, weaken their alliances, and make them bleed gold."

Betsy's eyes lit up with understanding. "We'll take away what makes them powerful—their **influence**."

Alex nodded. "Exactly. We don't need to fight them head-on. We just need to make them vulnerable."

"And how do we do that?" Drax asked, his grin returning. "Because I'm all for making them bleed."

"We start with their **allies**," Alex said. "Golden Fang has deals with several guilds and NPCs in Starter City. We'll find out who their key allies are and start turning them against Golden Fang. We offer them **better deals**, promise them more security, more wealth. And we make sure Golden Fang can't retaliate without looking weak."

Betsy smiled. "We'll divide and conquer."

Alex's eyes gleamed. "Exactly. Golden Fang thinks they can scare us off, but we're going to show them that CODE isn't going anywhere. We're just getting started."

---

The attack had been a warning, but it had also been an opportunity. Alex knew that Golden Fang wouldn't stop until they had crushed CODE—or until CODE crushed them. But instead of fighting fire with fire, Alex planned to use **strategy** and **influence** to dismantle Golden Fang's power from the inside.

As they walked back toward the guild base, the weight of what was to come settled over the group. They were no longer just fighting to survive—they were fighting for dominance. And the battle for control of the first floor was only beginning.

"We've got a lot of work ahead," Alex said quietly as they reached the base.

Drax grinned. "That's fine by me. I like a good challenge."

Betsy nodded, her eyes sharp with determination. "We'll take them apart piece by piece."

Luke, ever silent but always present, gave a simple nod. "**Verum**

," he said softly, his voice filled with quiet certainty.

Alex smiled. "Then let's get to work."