And so, Karo made preparations for his upcoming journey.

He first called a first-priority meeting for the Black Redemption, in one of their hidden safehouses. In the case of a first-priority meeting, it was mandatory for all leaders of Black Redemption to attend in the meetinghouse. Only a single person had the power to organize and call for a first-priority meeting - Redemption himself.

Thus, in an abandoned factory located towards the end of Murder Alley, several black-hooded figures shifted their way through the night, all united for a single purpose. The time for the meeting to begin was precisely 12:00 pm, no earlier and no later. Anyone who did not attend would be completely erased from Black Redemption history and records, with several other consequences.

Of course, everyone attended.

No one besides the various Black Redemption leaders knew of this meeting. It was kept completely silent from the world, hidden from lower-level Blackwood Redemption members.

It truly was a meeting for the chiefs within the organization.

12:00 pm, inside an abandoned factory, within a large hall.

There sat a single wooden round table, large enough for the seven members sitting at it. It was a special table, one that held dreadful significance for the entire organization.

There were seven names carved into the table. The owners of all seven names were sitting at that table right now, sitting in simple chairs.

The entire of Rose Grove City would be shocked to realize all seven members were under the age of twenty.

"Karo, why did you call for us?" At this time, one of the youths sitting in a chair called out to the black-haired youth calmly at the head of the table. This youth had bright-blond hair and tan eyes, puzzled at the strange calling for the meeting. From the way he spoke, it was clear he knew Karo very well.

After all, Blackwood Redemption was currently at its height - there shouldn't be any reason for an emergency meeting.

The other five members sitting at the table nodded in agreement. They too couldn't understand why the meeting had been called for.

"Well, to answer your question, I'm hereby calling the dissolution of Blackwood Redemption." Karo's voice was incomparably chilly, with no sense of doubt or reconsideration.

But for everyone else, his words sounded like a thunderclap that shook the earth. The dissolving of Blackwood Redemption!? What for?

It should be mentioned that everyone sitting at the table were childhood friends of Karo. They had grown up together with him in Murder Alley, struggling and fighting together. They were the founding members of Blackwood Redemption - each controlling a certain activity within the thieving group.

"What!? Karo, you can't be serious!? Did we get discovered or something? Why should we dissolve now!" One youth exploded in shock, he was especially young. He was roughly ten, and was in charge of the Petty Thievery Department.

"Karo! You can't be serious! We're currently profiting more than ever, we earned one billion nen just this month!" This was an overweight and chubby seventeen-year-old. He was head of the Finances Department and was a genius in terms of math and accounting. He was set to be valedictorian of his class.

Interestingly enough, Karo had made sure all of his childhood friends went to school - he didn't want them to be forever chained to the thievery business.

"Guys, listen and hear me out." Karo opened his mouth again, his helpless expression calming the other six. He knew this would be hard to be done, but he had decided this a while ago.

"We've been doing this for too long. All of us here know this was just a way to rebuild the community and stop struggling on these harsh streets. Now we've grown to the point we're an empire - but for what? We've accumulated so much wealth that we've begun to spend on things we don't even need. Kuo, when did you buy your newest car?" Everyone hushed as they let Karo speak. However unhappy they were, they were all deep friends and respected each other greatly.

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"Two days ago." The chubby and overweight man said, almost with a hint of shame. He knew where Karo was going.

"And how much was it?" Karo sighed.

"25 million yen. But Karo, you can't expect us not to spend the wealth we have!" Kuo responded he began to feel like everything was a little bit unfair.

"I know, I know, but we're still losing our original purpose. That's why I want all our remaining funds to live off on various projects in Blackwood, improving everything from the roads to the schools to the small businesses."

"And then what will we do?" A new person spoke.

"Whatever you want to do! We can't be thieves forever, we've got bigger and better dreams than that. Kuo, don't you want to be a Head Accountant for the government? Aixo, didn't you say you wanted to be a famous chef renowned around the world? Huzo, you said want to be a Hunter, why don't you start working towards the Hunter Exam?

All of you have dreams and you can achieve them all. Let's leave Blackwood Redemption in the past." As Karo spoke he reminded them of their previous aspirations and dreams, reminding them what they could be. The girl named Aixo, who hadn't spoken yet, cracked a smile at the thought of being a chef.

"Yes, yes. But Karo, what if we dream of being a thief?" This was a new voice, and it was significantly older than the rest. He was dressed in all black robes, similar to everyone else, except he seemed to release a cold and unwilling aura.

Karo knew him as Zhao Kubo, the oldest member of Blackwood Redemption. The two had a long history, as Zhao had oftentimes looked after Karo when he was young.

That wasn't meant to say that they didn't have their arguments and fights. Their relationship was similar to "frienemies", friends one week and fierce enemies the next.

Zhao Kubo had been born and raised in Murder Alley, and his background could terrify any casual listener. He had killed the most out of the entire Blackwood Redemption, he was truly merciless.

"Zhao, are you going to oppose my decision?" Karo's voice once again became chilly, looking Zhao deep in the eyes. The other five at the table instantly hushed, they knew what was about to happen next.

Karo and Zhao often fought due to opposing decisions and personalities. Zhao had no qualms with deaths involved in robberies - and wanted to lead an Armed Robbery division of Blackwood. But Karo wouldn't let him, as he didn't want to scare people with guns, knives, etc. This was just one of their fights.

"And so what if I am? Do you think you could stop me?" Zhao's voice escalated, as he began to step up from his chair. He was directly challenging Karo's authority as leader.

"Another fight? God, you're so difficult." Karo shook his head, but he had expected this would happen. What came next was always a good and manly brawl.

"Let's see how that arm of yours is doing!" Zhao smirked confidently, raising his clenched fists to his jaw. He was an experienced boxer and streetfighter. He set up an illegal gambling branch of Blackwood Redemption as a comprise from Armed Robbery.

"My arms are always ready for a fight with you, Zhao." Karo stepped up from his chair, lifting his own fists. And the fight began.

Zhao threw a straight jab towards Karo's nose, speedy but without too much power. It was a warmup punch.

Karo responded swiftly, stepping to the side and throwing his own punch toward the taller Zhao's chest. His fist made contact, though Zhao showed no reaction. Instead, Zhao took the opportunity to grab Karo's arm and pull him closer.

Karo responded with a traditional karate chop right at Karo's elbow, causing his arm to suddenly jerk away. He followed immediately with a powerful tackle straight to his chest. The two stumbled backward before slamming down onto the ground, where Karo quickly assumed the dominant position and began to throw punches toward Zhao's face.

But Zhao couldn't allow that, using a wrestling maneuver to throw Karo off him. The two both got up from the ground, Zhao wiping a hint of blood from his mouth. The two ran forward again, brawling once more.

The two kept on fighting for another ten minutes until the two were both tired and had tasted the sweet flavor of their own blood. The other five members only sat watching helplessly.

"Haha. A draw, huh. You know what, I'll call this your win Karo. We'll dissolve today." Zhao cracked a confident smile, a long line of blood crossing his cheek. He knew he could keep on fighting and beat Karo but he decided against it.

"Don't act like you couldn't keep going. I could have too, but we can't sit here and fight all night, huh?" Karo's fighting spirit had been enraged but he also agreed that they should end it here.

The two both went back to their respective seats as if nothing happened.

"Now, before someone asks, I'll tell you what I'm doing after this. I've made preparations to become a Hunter!" Karo confidently smiled at the six.

"A Hunter? That's funny because I want to be a Hunter too." Zhao smirked.

"Then we'll see each other at the Hunter Exam! We'll finish our fight there!" Karo responded fiercely, not willing to lose momentum.

"That's just what I was about to say! Let's do it! From today onwards, Blackwood ends and a new chapter starts!" Zhao shouted out.

And it was just like he said. Blackwood Redemption mysteriously vanished, as if they never existed. The only mark they left was the funding of various projects in Blackwood and a few other minor expenses.

And so Karo set off for Heaven's Arena.