The real estate office quieted the moment he approached.
The woman at the desk smiled politely, not yet aware of the storm she was about to step into.
"Hello, sir. How may we assist you today?"
Zumi's voice was calm… too calm.
"I want to buy every mansion on my plaza."
Her smile froze.
"…I'm sorry, sir—could you repeat tha—"
Zumi leaned one hand lightly on the desk.
"All fifty mansions on my plaza.
I want them all under my name by tonight."
Her eyes widened to the size of saucers.
"S–Sir… that's— that's fifty multi-million dollar luxury homes, and many of them might be—"
"If anyone is living in them," Zumi continued, cutting cleanly through her panic,
"move them into another mansion on one of your other lots within two weeks.
If they complain, write down their names."
"…their names?" she echoed faintly.
Zumi nodded.
"I will give each of them two million to shut up and move."
Her jaw dropped.
"And if that doesn't work," Zumi added casually,
"then I'll use force."
The way he said it—
Not loudly.
Not threateningly.
Just stating a fact—
made her entire body stiffen.
"…I… I need to call the manager."
She stumbled away.
✦ THE MANAGER ARRIVES — READY TO ARGUE
A tall man in a navy suit stormed out of his office, irritation already on his face.
"Alright, who is making these impossible reque—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Zumi turned his head toward him.
Golden eyes.
Calm.
Cold.
Patient.
And yet they carried a silent message:
"Say one stupid thing… and your existence ends here."
The manager froze.
Instantly drenched in sweat.
"…Sir," he corrected himself, voice trembling,
"let's… discuss your purchase."
"No discussion needed."
Zumi stepped closer, expression unreadable.
"All fifty mansions.
Every one of them.
Process the paperwork now."
The manager swallowed.
"Yes… yes, of course."
He motioned quickly to his staff, practically stumbling over his own feet.
"Begin immediate transfer of ownership!"
Papers were printed within minutes.
Agents rushed around the office like soldiers preparing for war.
Zumi signed with relaxed movements, as if buying fifty mansions was the same as buying lunch.
The manager wiped sweat from his forehead as he handed over the final contract.
"A-All homes on the plaza are now officially under your name, Mr. Kogane…"
Zumi nodded once.
"And the occupants?"
"None," the manager said quickly.
"The plaza is far too expensive.
Most people rent short-term and leave within a month or two.
You're actually the only long-term resident."
Zumi's eyes softened faintly.
"Good."
He turned and began walking toward the exit.
Staff moved out of his way like parted water.
The manager bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your business, Mr. Kogane!"
Zumi didn't look back.
The moment he walked out of the building, the air around him shifted.
He now owned:
His mansion
Every surrounding mansion
The entire plaza
Fifty luxury homes.
One empire.
A foundation for something far greater.
He exhaled.
Celestia's voice whispered softly in his mind, almost amused.
"A king expands his territory.
But an Alpha God expands his domain."
Zumi smirked.
"Then let's begin."
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
Zumi stepped into the Hyatt Centric's top-floor suite — his suite — and the ambient lighting brightened automatically, recognizing his presence. The city skyline glowed like molten gold beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.
He removed his jacket, draped it neatly over the back of the couch, and sat with calm authority.
Then he made the call.
"Jonathan. Sebastian. Come up."
Minutes later, the door opened.
Jonathan and Sebastian Gale entered silently, closing the door behind them. They bowed deeply.
"Master Zumi," they said together.
Zumi motioned for them to sit.
Both men lowered themselves onto the chairs across from him, straight-backed, disciplined, loyal.
In his mind, Zumi whispered:
"Celestia. Activate loyalty protocol."
A quiet chime rang inside his consciousness.
✨ LOYALTY SCAN — INITIATED
→ Jonathan Gale: 10/10 — Absolute Loyalty
→ Sebastian Gale: 10/10 — Absolute Loyalty
Zumi's lips curved in a satisfied smile.
Perfect.
He leaned forward slightly, eyes focused on Sebastian.
"Sebastian."
Sebastian straightened.
"Yes, Master?"
"You will be running the casino."
Sebastian blinked—shocked. Jonathan's eyes widened slightly.
Zumi continued, his voice steady:
"You are free to hire any staff you want.
You are in charge of everything that goes on inside that building."
Sebastian swallowed, nodding slowly.
Zumi pressed on:
"Even though the casino is under my name…
all profits go into your pocket and your brother's pocket.
This business belongs to both of you."
A stunned silence filled the room.
Sebastian exhaled shakily.
"Master… I—I don't know what to say…"
"You earned it," Zumi replied calmly. "Through loyalty. Through hard work. Through discipline."
Jonathan bowed his head.
"We are honored beyond words."
Zumi rose from the couch and walked toward the massive window overlooking the plaza.
"The casino is not just entertainment," he said.
"It is a magnet — for wealthy clients, power players, businessmen, syndicate heads."
His eyes glowed faintly gold.
"When they stay all night gambling…
they will need a place to sleep."
Jonathan nodded slowly.
"The Hyatt Centric," he said.
"Exactly."
Zumi turned back to them.
"They wake up.
They walk downstairs.
And what do they see?"
Sebastian smiled.
"The casino."
Zumi nodded.
"A self-sustaining cycle.
A vortex of profit."
He returned to sit across from them.
"Now, listen closely."
Jonathan and Sebastian leaned forward.
"I want the Second Division of the Kogane Dragons to serve as your personal security and staff."
Sebastian's eyebrows shot up.
"All of Division Two?" he asked softly.
"Yes," Zumi said. "The hotel is their responsibility. No one enters or leaves without clearance."
He continued:
"The commander of Division Two — Magnus Virel — will train under you."
Jonathan straightened in surprise.
"He will learn how this hotel functions, every detail, every system.
When you are absent or busy… he is in charge."
Jonathan bowed deeply.
"I understand, Master."
Zumi's voice deepened slightly.
"You both have full authority over this entire establishment."
The brothers exchanged a quick glance—this was more power than they expected.
Zumi's eyes sharpened.
"If anyone causes trouble…
If anyone threatens the hotel…
If anyone disrespects you or the staff—"
His aura pulsed faintly, just enough to make the air tremble.
"Use violence.
Use force.
I give you total authorization."
Jonathan inhaled sharply.
Sebastian nodded with conviction.
"We won't fail you."
Zumi stood, offering them both a small but genuine smile.
"You two have done an excellent job.
Your work, your loyalty — I acknowledge it."
Both men lowered their heads, fists clenched in pride.
Sebastian spoke quietly:
"We will make the casino worthy of your name."
Jonathan added:
"And the hotel will run flawlessly under our watch."
Zumi nodded.
"I look forward to building this empire with you."
The meeting was over.
But the foundation Zumi just laid…
…was the beginning of a dynasty.
Jonathan and Sebastian were still standing at attention, the weight of Zumi's orders and trust settling into their bones, when Zumi reached into his suit jacket.
A soft metallic click sounded as he placed a single sleek black-and-gold card on the glass table between them.
Jonathan's eyes widened.
Sebastian leaned forward, breath catching slightly.
The card gleamed like a luxury artifact:
A black matte surface.
A gold border.
A golden dragon and a violet eagle spiraling together — dominance and freedom intertwined.
"KOGANE" engraved beneath in regal gold type.
Sebastian whispered:
"…Master… this design…"
Zumi nodded once.
"This," he said, his tone calm but absolute, "is the new Kogane High-Authority Access Card."
The Gale brothers went silent — listening with the attentiveness of soldiers receiving divine scripture.
"This card," Zumi continued, tapping it lightly with one finger, "is to be used only by the highest personnel in the hotel and casino."
His golden eyes sharpened.
"That includes:
• Jonathan Gale
• Sebastian Gale
• Gia
• And myself."
A pause.
"No one else."
The room seemed to constrict with the weight of that rule.
Zumi leaned back in his seat, aura soft but commanding.
"These cards will grant unrestricted access to every part of the establishment."
Jonathan inhaled sharply.
"Master… every part?"
Zumi nodded.
"Yes.
Every.
Part."
He explained calmly:
• All restricted staff corridors
• All VIP areas
• Casino vault rooms
• Hotel executive floors
• Security control centers
• Emergency lockdown systems
• Private elevators
• Surveillance override rooms
• Zumi's personal suite
"And if I choose," Zumi added, "your cards can override any system in the building."
Sebastian stared at the card like it was a divine relic.
"Master… this level of access… this is—"
"A responsibility," Zumi finished for him.
"And a privilege."
"I want every high-ranking staff member to receive a card identical to this one.
Same design. Same gold finish. Same crest."
He pushed the card forward on the table.
"Use this as the blueprint.
Have it duplicated through our private security manufacturers — not through any outside company."
Jonathan nodded immediately.
"Yes, Master. I will take care of it personally."
Zumi continued:
"And when the casino opens tomorrow — every division head will present this card when reporting to you.
If they do not have one—"
He snapped his fingers softly.
"They do not belong in this establishment."
Sebastian bowed deeply.
"Understood."
Zumi stood, picking up the card again.
"This symbol," he said quietly, running his thumb across the dragon and eagle, "represents our empire."
He looked directly into their eyes.
"It represents me.
It represents you.
It represents the Kogane family."
The Gale brothers both lowered their heads, filled with pride, conviction, and the quiet resolve to never fail him.
Zumi placed the card back into his jacket.
"Prepare them.
Have the system coded.
Distribute the first batch before tomorrow's opening."
He smiled faintly — the kind of smile that made kings bow.
"We're building a dynasty. Let's start it properly."
Jonathan and Sebastian stood and bowed deeply.
"As you command, Master Zumi."
Jonathan and Sebastian were still absorbing Zumi's instructions when he reached into his inner jacket again.
The brothers straightened unconsciously — whenever Zumi produced something from that suit, their lives tended to change.
Zumi placed two new cards on the table.
One matte black.
One matte black with golden numbering.
Both carrying the same divine emblem — the golden dragon and violet eagle locked in eternal motion.
The air shifted.
This was empire-building.
CARD #1 — The Standard Hotel Guest Access Card
Zumi tapped the first card — the one without the gold trim.
A simple, elegant access card.
Black card.
No gold border.
Logo only.
The word "KOGANE" beneath.
Zumi spoke calmly, like a king presenting royal law.
"This," he said, "is the standard access card for every guest of the Hyatt Centric Kogane Hotel."
Jonathan and Sebastian leaned in, studying the card.
Zumi continued:
"Every hotel guest will receive a card identical to this design — black, minimal, and coded uniquely to that guest alone."
He tapped the surface again.
"Fingerprint verification."
Sebastian blinked. "…Fingerprint?"
"Yes," Zumi replied. "This card will only work for the registered guest. If someone else tries to use it — even if they steal it — it will not function."
Jonathan nodded slowly.
"Security will increase dramatically with this."
Zumi's expression remained calm, authoritative.
"This card grants access only to the following:
• The front entrance
• Their personal hotel room
• Public restrooms
• Shared hygiene facilities
• Swimming pools, massage parlors, or spa services only if purchased
• Any facility tied directly to their reservation package
Nothing beyond that."
The Gale brothers nodded in perfect synchronization.
Zumi leaned back.
"These cards will also be given to the Kogane Dragons. Their version is identical in design… but coded differently. They already received the prototype batch yesterday."
Sebastian exhaled slowly.
Jonathan swallowed.
It was one thing to have a system.
It was another to see a kingdom taking form.
CARD #2 — The Kogane Casino Loyalty Card
Zumi now tapped the second card —
the one with the golden numbering:
KOGANE CASINO
9876 5432 1234 0987
LOYALTY CARD
KOGANE CASINO
Jonathan's breath caught.
This was no ordinary casino membership system.
Zumi's voice grew even softer — but heavier.
This was a decree.
"This," he said, "is the Kogane Casino Loyalty Card. Every single casino guest will have one."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
"No VIP tiers?"
"No," Zumi answered. "There is no hierarchy. No gold members, no platinum members, no special treatment. Every guest is treated equally."
He clarified:
"If they wish to enter the casino at all, they must register and receive this exact card. Without it, they are not authorized to step inside."
Jonathan nodded.
"It's… a membership system."
"It is," Zumi confirmed, "but it is more."
He gestured to the numbers on the card.
"This card functions as a bank card inside the casino — and outside of it as well."
Sebastian froze.
"A… bank card?"
"Yes," Zumi replied, voice silky with confidence.
"With its own internal system — using Kogane Credits."
Zumi explained:
"Every card is loaded with credits.
100 credits = $1."
He continued:
"Guests can add more credits if they wish, but the key function is this — when a guest spends credits, they now owe the casino the equivalent real-world amount."
Jonathan blinked.
"So it's… a credit tab?"
"A controlled and legally binding credit tab," Zumi corrected.
"They sign a contract at registration. Everything is written clearly.
If they spend credits — they owe that amount.
If they do not pay within the time limit — they will be visited."
Sebastian's eyes sharpened.
"And if they still refuse?"
Zumi's eyes glowed faint gold.
"Then we take something valuable from them. As collateral. As consequence."
Both brothers felt a chill down their spines.
This wasn't a casino.
This was a system.
A machine of profit and discipline.
Zumi finished:
"They signed the contract. They accepted the rules.
If they break the agreement — there is no one to blame but themselves."
His voice was calm.
Not cruel.
Just absolute.
Zumi looked at both men.
"These two cards must be ready by tomorrow night.
The access system — integrated.
The credit system — functional.
Distribution protocols — perfected."
Jonathan bowed deeply.
"It will be done, Master."
Sebastian followed.
"We will not fail you."
Zumi stood, hands in pockets, golden eyes half-lidded with quiet power.
"You won't. You never have."
He turned slightly toward the window.
"Tomorrow, the Kogane Empire opens its doors."
A kingdom in the making.
A casino unlike any other.
A hotel fortified like a fortress.
A dragon and an eagle becoming symbols feared across the underworld.
Jonathan and Sebastian understood one thing:
This was only the beginning.
Jonathan and Sebastian stood at attention, still processing the enormity of the card systems Zumi had just created.
But Zumi wasn't done.
He slipped his hands into his pockets, golden eyes turning sharp—razor sharp—like a king issuing the decree that would reshape the underworld itself.
"Now," Zumi said quietly, "there is one more thing."
Both brothers straightened instantly.
Zumi continued:
"I am attending high school right now. I do not want my name circulating too heavily through the underworld."
His tone was calm.
Measured.
Absolute.
"Unless it is my doing," he clarified.
Jonathan nodded, instantly understanding the importance.
Sebastian's jaw tightened in focus.
Zumi went on:
"I want to move through high school as smoothly and quietly as possible. But the world outside… the underworld…"
His eyes glowed faint gold.
"…needs to be prepared."
The brothers swallowed softly.
This was the real reason they were called here.
Zumi stepped forward, his presence filling the suite like a divine pressure.
"I want both of you to spread word—carefully, strategically—across the Mafia community."
He raised a finger.
"One. Name."
Their hearts hammered.
"The Kogane Family."
He continued:
"Speak of a rising family.
A rising empire.
The Kogane Empire."
Jonathan whispered, "Yes, Master…"
Zumi's voice darkened, powerful.
"Hype them up.
Say they are strong.
Say they are growing.
Say they have an army of over 100,000 people behind them."
Sebastian's breath caught.
One hundred thousand?
Zumi smirked slightly, reading his mind.
"Numbers lie. Rumors shape reality. Fear shapes obedience."
He continued:
"Say that the Kogane Empire is coming for all the big companies… and that soon…"
His eyes burned.
"…they will hold all of New York City in the palm of their hand."
The brothers felt a chill—excitement, fear, awe—everything a king's decree should evoke.
But then—
Zumi's voice sharpened.
"When you spread these rumors—do not mention my name."
Both brothers froze.
"You will not use my first name. Ever."
His golden eyes narrowed.
"You will only use the name Kogane."
Jonathan bowed deeply.
"Understood, Master."
Sebastian followed.
"We will never use your first name. Only the family name."
Zumi nodded once.
"When the world hears about the rise of a new power…
when fear spreads…
when alliances shift…
no one will be able to trace it back to a high school student."
He turned slightly toward the city skyline, the glow of New York reflected in his eyes.
"They will know the name Kogane."
He paused.
"But they will not know the man behind it."
Jonathan and Sebastian lowered their heads.
"Your will," they said in unison, "is our command."
Zumi smiled faintly—like a king satisfied with the first move on a massive chessboard.