The atmosphere around the university changed instantly after Aryan's words.
"One of your inner-circle members was attacked. Viraaj."
Nithya's expression became completely still.
Too still.
Aryan noticed it immediately.
This was not shock.
Not panic.
This was controlled rage.
Dangerous rage.
Students nearby slowly moved away without understanding why the air suddenly felt heavy.
Nithya looked directly at Aryan.
"Where is he?"
"Private hospital. My security moved him already."
Without another word, Nithya started walking toward the car.
Aryan followed beside her silently.
For the first time since meeting her…
Eagle watched Devil lose calmness.
And somehow, it was more terrifying than violence.
Inside the car, silence filled the space.
Rain began falling softly outside while Aryan drove through Seoul traffic quickly.
Finally Nithya spoke.
"How bad?"
Aryan kept his eyes on the road.
"He survived."
"That's not what I asked."
Aryan glanced at her briefly.
"Gunshot wound. Shoulder and side."
Nithya slowly looked out the window again.
But Aryan noticed her fingers tightening slightly.
Small reaction.
Big meaning.
"You care about your people deeply," he observed quietly.
Nithya answered immediately.
"They're family."
Something about her voice felt personal.
Honest.
Aryan understood that feeling more than most people.
Because he treated his own people the same way.
Meanwhile, inside a hidden eastern alliance location, celebration filled the room.
One member laughed loudly.
"We finally hit Devil's network!"
Another looked nervous instead.
"You injured one man. That's not victory."
The leader leaned back calmly.
"No."
His dangerous smile returned.
"But now Devil is emotional."
Silence followed.
Because everyone knew emotional rulers became unpredictable.
And unpredictable rulers were dangerous.
Especially Devil.
At the private hospital, security surrounded the entire floor.
Aryan's men stood outside every entrance while Devil's hidden guards blended silently among them.
Two powerful empires protecting the same place.
Doctors moved nervously through the hallway.
The moment Nithya entered Viraaj's room, everyone became silent.
Viraaj looked pale but conscious.
The second he saw her, he tried sitting up immediately.
"Devil—"
"Don't move," Nithya said sharply.
He stopped instantly.
Aryan quietly remained near the doorway, watching everything carefully.
The way Viraaj looked at her.
Absolute loyalty.
Absolute respect.
Not simple respect.
Devotion.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"Who did this?" Nithya asked calmly.
Too calmly.
Viraaj swallowed carefully.
"Eastern alliance ambush."
"How many?"
"Seven."
"And only this much damage?"
A faint dangerous smile touched her lips.
"Disappointing."
Even injured, Viraaj almost smiled slightly.
Aryan watched the interaction silently.
Now he fully understood.
This wasn't just a hidden mafia connection.
Nithya truly ruled these people.
Completely.
Then Viraaj's eyes moved toward Aryan.
The room instantly became tense.
For years, Eagle and Devil existed as separate legends.
Now both stood in the same room.
Viraaj lowered his head respectfully toward Aryan.
"Eagle."
Aryan gave a small nod.
"Viraaj."
Neither smiled.
Predators recognizing predators.
After the doctors finished checking Viraaj, Aryan and Nithya walked into the private hallway outside.
The moment the doors closed, Aryan looked at her carefully.
"You want revenge."
Not a question.
A fact.
Nithya's eyes stayed cold.
"They touched my family."
Dangerous answer.
Aryan stepped closer slightly.
"What are you planning?"
Nithya looked directly into his eyes.
"War."
Simple word.
Terrifying meaning.
For a moment, Aryan stayed silent.
Then unexpectedly…
He said softly,
"Good."
Nithya blinked once.
"You agree?"
Aryan's expression became deadly calm.
"They attacked my mansion."
His eyes darkened further.
"They attacked my wife."
Silence.
Then Eagle smiled slightly.
Cold.
Ruthless.
Terrifying.
"So yes, Devil."
His voice lowered dangerously.
"Let's give them war."
Late that night, a secret meeting took place inside Aryan's underground command hall.
Massive screens displayed alliance territories, weapon routes, financial systems, and enemy movements.
For the first time in history…
Eagle and Devil sat side by side.
Every powerful person in the room understood the importance of that moment.
Some looked nervous.
Others looked terrified.
Because the balance of the underworld had officially shifted.
Aryan calmly stood near the large digital map.
"We destroy eastern alliance routes first," he said.
Nithya crossed her arms while studying the screens.
"No."
Everyone looked toward her immediately.
Aryan raised an eyebrow slightly.
"You disagree?"
"Yes."
She walked toward the map slowly.
"They expect direct retaliation."
Her finger tapped another location.
"We attack their money instead."
Silence.
Then slowly…
Aryan smiled.
Real admiration appeared in his eyes.
"Smart."
Nithya looked at him calmly.
"I didn't build an empire by acting emotionally."
One older mafia member whispered nervously to another,
"They think exactly alike…"
And that realization terrified everyone.
Because together…
Eagle and Devil were not chaos.
They were strategy.
The deadliest kind of power.