After Beating the Game, I Became the Villain BOSS

"If you can provide valuable intelligence to the security forces, we will also consider it as a meritorious contribution, and show leniency during the trial."

"Therefore, I urge all members of Raven's Nest to carefully consider their future, abandon the darkness for the light, and not die meaninglessly for the group."

"Sir in the fifth column of the second row from the left, this is the last round of questions and answers."

The journalist cautiously asked, "There have been rumors earlier that the leader of Raven's Nest, Hong Quansheng, has inappropriate dealings with multiple senior officials, involving covert transactions."

"If the rumor is true, this could be the biggest obstacle to Operation Raven Hunt. What is your opinion on this?"

Sikinkov maintained a calm demeanor: "I don't know where this rumor originated from. At the very least, since the special investigation team took the stand, all City Council members involved in inappropriate dealings with fringe groups have been purged."

"This Raven Hunt operation has the full support of the City Council. No one, and I mean no one, can obstruct it."

"Thus, I have only one thing to say to Hong Quansheng here—"

Sikinkov stared directly at the camera, his face full of aggression, enunciating every word:

"You're already a dead man."

The press conference ended, and under the guidance of the Municipal Guard Team soldiers, the crowd departed in an orderly manner.

Sikinkov's speech, full of murderous intent, added a layer of tension to New Moon City.

The vast city continued to operate as usual, but in every street and alley, people could be seen whispering about the matter, their faces filled with unease and anxiety.

Online discussions were also incessant.

Some thought Sikinkov was very domineering, saying that violence should be used against thugs, and wondering why not just act decisively instead of wasting time.

Others criticized Sikinkov as being rash, saying he sacrificed the security forces for glory soon after taking office, showing a blatant disregard for life.

No matter how the public discussed it, the plan had been set, harsh words had been spoken, and Operation Raven Hunt was already scheduled, with a bloody conflict between the fringe and the Inner City on the horizon.

That evening, cold air swept through New Moon City, and a torrential downpour poured from the dark clouds, with endless gloom enveloping the entire sky, making it seem dark already despite being just five in the afternoon.

After work, Sikinkov went to the hovercar garage and got into the special vehicle waiting there.

The hovercar started, as the garage roof opened wide to each side. The raging wind brought down sheets of rain, with bean-sized raindrops pattering densely on the car body.

This hovercar had been specially designed to withstand extreme weather, allowing it to fly steadily even amidst stormy winds and rain.

Through the windows streaming with water, Sikinkov gazed down at the ground, with the entire city appearing hazy in the rain, creating a blurred and distorted sense.

His thoughts flew as wildly as the weather outside.

As the initiator of Operation Raven Hunt, there was no way he couldn't feel nervous.

But Sikinkov understood the necessity of this operation.

It wasn't just about his own future.

If the Inner City were to be manipulated by Raven's Nest without a retaliatory counteraction, the entire New Moon City authorities would lose all dignity in the eyes of the public, creating extremely negative impacts.

Therefore, this time, no matter how bloody it becomes, no matter how many die, an explanation must be given to the outside world.

While Sikinkov was lost in thought, the hovercar entered Lake Heart Island's airspace.

Suddenly, realizing the flight path was wrong, he frowned and asked, "Where are we flying? This is not the direction of my home."

The driver remained silent, finally speaking in a low voice: "Sorry, Director... I also received orders..."

Sikinkov's face changed, realizing something was off.

However, with the hovercar airborne, he had no chance to jump out, only able to remain dour as he observed the situation.

The hovercar flew toward the central area of Lake Heart Island, and the deeper they went, the heavier Sikinkov's heart felt.

Just like with the "high and low" hierarchy of New Moon City's districts, Lake Heart Island also had an "honor and inferiority" divide.

In the Lake Heart Island archipelago, the outer islands belonged to those of lower status, including City Council officials like Sikinkov, even City Council President Amir.

However, the noble region at the archipelago's center was reserved for the true "big figures."

Watching the archipelago rapidly pass by outside, Sikinkov felt bewildered and anxious, finding it hard to imagine the status of the person he was about to meet.

Ultimately, the hovercar reached the central region of Lake Heart Island, landing on one of the large islands.

Due to the storm, the island's features were shrouded in darkness, barely visible, revealing only the imposing shadow of a massive villa pressed down with a heavy sense of oppression.

Once the hovercar steadied, the door beside Sikinkov swung open.

A tall man stood outside, dressed in a thoroughly soaked suit, with a rain-swollen cigarette in his mouth, raindrops gathering into streams on a square face, intermittently highlighted by lightning.

Sikinkov did not recognize this man, but from the powerful aura emanating from him, it was clear that Sikinkov was but an insignificant ant in his presence.

The square-faced man handed an umbrella to Sikinkov, motioning for him to follow, then took the lead toward the villa.

With no retreat, Sikinkov had no choice but to follow with the umbrella, keeping up with the man's strides.

The villa was large, and the corridor unlit. Sikinkov walked for several minutes before faintly hearing laughter coming from the end of a long hallway.

The square-faced man pushed open an antiquated wooden door and said in a deep voice: "President Zhao, the man has arrived."

Stepping inside, Sikinkov was met with the fragrant aroma of tea.

This was an eco-friendly tea room, open to merge with the outside environment, featuring a courtyard with small bridges and flowing water, with the tea seats designed under the eaves, allowing one to enjoy the wind and listen to the rain while sipping tea, full of ambiance.

At this moment, elegant candle lights illuminated the tea table, with three people seated around it.

The host was a young man with an elegant demeanor, greeting Sikinkov warmly upon seeing him: "Hey, our Director has finally arrived."

Sikinkov's heart dropped a beat, quickly approaching: "So it was President Zhao inviting me, my apologies."

This man was none other than Zhao Yiming, Vice President of the New Moon City branch of Hegemony Company.

For a conglomerate like Hegemony Company, its influence long surpassed the realm of business. They secretly controlled world operations, serving as the true ruling class.

Entities like the City Council were merely front-line representatives selected by various consortiums through the three major conglomerates.

In the case of Hegemony Company, even a random department head at its New Moon City branch would have more power than Sikinkov, the so-called "official authority."

Not to mention, the individual was a Vice President, already among the top elite figures of the entire branch.

If Sikinkov wanted to meet with Zhao Yiming in normal times, he'd have to schedule with Zhao's assistant weeks in advance.

Zhao Yiming shook hands with Sikinkov and said, "Have a seat, Amir arrived a few minutes before you, so we chatted a bit and had some tea."

City Council President Amir, seated at Zhao Yiming's left, smiled at Sikinkov: "Our Director, President Zhao has been thinking of you."

Sikinkov's seat was placed opposite Zhao Yiming, an honored guest position, making him more distinguished than Amir, leaving him in a state of awe and gratitude.

Hesitant to sit, Sikinkov said, "President Zhao, how can I take the honored seat in front of the City Council President? This is too disrespectful..."

Zhao Yiming let out a hearty laugh, gesturing for him to sit: "We are all friends here, no need to consider hierarchy, sit down."

Reluctantly, Sikinkov took his seat, casting his gaze toward Zhao Yiming's right-hand side guest.

The guest wore a well-fitted overcoat with a bowler hat casting a shadow over his face, obscuring his identity.

Curiously, Sikinkov asked, "Who might this distinguished guest be?"

"Haha, I invited you here today to introduce you to a new friend," Zhao Yiming said, giving the guest's hat a playful tap, "Why keep it on during tea? Take it off."

The guest slowly raised his hand, took off the hat, and looked at Sikinkov.

Instantly, Sikinkov's expression changed drastically. He sprang up, taking several steps back, even knocking over his chair.

"Hong Quansheng?!"