Taking Over The Criminal UnderWorld As A 21st Century Magus!

The compound buzzed with activity as the Red Vultures settled into their evening routines. Shadows flickered on the walls of the underground lair, a mix of dim lantern light and the faint hum of stolen tech illuminating the bustling space. Elian and Lena stood near one of the large communal tables, surrounded by gang members who eyed them with varying degrees of suspicion.

"Two kids," a tall skinnier man with tattoos all across his body muttered under his breath, barely audible over the clatter of dice from a nearby game. "Halda's really scraping the bottom of the barrel now."

Lena shot him a glare sharp enough to cut steel. "Care to say that louder?"

The man raised his hands mockingly. "Easy there, little one. Just saying, it's hard to believe you two are here for anything other than errands."

Elian stayed quiet, his eyes scanning the room. The Vultures were a rough mix of personalities and backgrounds, each with their own scars and stories. He knew earning their trust wouldn't be easy, but it was necessary. Halda's approval alone wouldn't keep them safe here. The room itself reflected the gang's nature—walls patched with stolen plating, tables made from scavenged wood, and the faint scent of oil and sweat hanging in the air.

As if summoned by his thoughts, Halda emerged from her private quarters, her imposing figure commanding immediate attention. She clapped her hands once, the sharp sound silencing the murmurs of the room.

"Listen up!" she barked, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "I've got someone I want you all to meet. Our newest addition."

The gang members exchanged curious looks as Halda stepped aside, revealing a wiry young man who couldn't have been much older than twenty. He wore a patchwork jacket lined with wires and gadgets, his fingers tapping rhythmically against his thighs. His hair was a messy tangle of dark curls, and a pair of round glasses perched precariously on his nose. His sharp eyes darted nervously around the room.

"This," Halda said, gesturing toward him, "is Vin. A hacker. Best in the business. He's going to be helping us with some of our more... technical endeavors."

Vin gave an awkward wave, his lips twitching into a hesitant smile. "Uh, hey. Nice to meet you all."

"Best in the business?" scoffed a tall woman leaning against the wall. "You don't look like much."

"Neither do you," Vin shot back, his voice quick and cutting. The room erupted into laughter, and even Halda smirked.

"Alright, settle down," Halda said, her tone brooking no argument. She turned her attention to Elian and Lena. "You two, come with me. Vin needs to get acquainted with his new team."

Elian and Lena exchanged glances but followed Halda and Vin to a smaller side room filled with an array of monitors and mismatched computer parts. Wires snaked across the floor, and the hum of machinery created an almost oppressive atmosphere.

"This is where the magic happens," Vin said, gesturing to his chaotic setup. "Figuratively speaking, of course." He glanced at Elian, his expression unreadable. "Word is you're the real magic around here."

Elian stiffened but didn't respond. Halda crossed her arms, her gaze moving between the two boys. "Vin's job is to make sure you two don't get yourselves killed on missions. He'll be your eyes and ears when things get messy. And trust me, they will."

"What exactly can you do?" Lena asked, skepticism lacing her tone.

Vin grinned, his confidence growing. "Anything that involves tech. Surveillance, communication, infiltration—you name it. For example, I can shut down security systems, reroute patrols, or even forge documents in a pinch. You'd be surprised what a little code can accomplish."

"Sounds useful," Lena admitted, though her expression remained guarded.

Vin tilted his head, studying her. "And you're the muscle, right? Got to say, you're not exactly what I expected."

Lena crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing bad," Vin said quickly, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Just... impressive, is all."

Halda cleared her throat, cutting through the tension. "Enough introductions. Vin, set up a basic operation for them. Something to get their feet wet and prove you're worth the resources I'm throwing at you."

"Already ahead of you," Vin said, pulling a tablet from his jacket. He tapped a few commands, and one of the monitors flickered to life, displaying a map of the city. "There's a warehouse on the edge of the Ardent Quarter. Belongs to a low-level informant for the Iron Guard. We've been trying to figure out how deep his ties go, but he's careful. Keeps most of his records on a private network. That's where you come in."

Elian leaned forward, studying the screen. "What do you need us to do?"

"Get inside, plug this into his system," Vin said, handing Lena a small device that looked like an ordinary keychain. "I'll handle the rest from here."

"Sounds simple enough," Lena said, pocketing the device. "What's the catch?"

Vin hesitated, his confident demeanor faltering slightly. "The catch is that he's paranoid. Keeps the place locked down tight, and he's got a couple of hired thugs watching his back. It won't be a walk in the park."

"Good," Halda said with a predatory grin. "Consider this your warm-up. Don't disappoint me."

She turned to leave, but a gang member nearby scoffed audibly. Halda spun on her heel, fixing him with a steely glare. "Got something to say?"

The man hesitated, then muttered, "Just wondering why we're babysitting a bunch of kids."

Halda walked up to him, her boots echoing sharply. "Babysitting?" she repeated. "Last I checked, you can't even hack into a vending machine without locking yourself out. Careful who you insult, or you'll find yourself on dish duty for a month."

The gang member flushed red, and the others snickered as Halda marched out. Elian couldn't help but smirk, but his focus returned to the task ahead.

As Halda left, Vin turned back to Elian and Lena, his expression serious. "Look, I know you don't trust me yet, and that's fair. But we're all in the same boat here. If we don't stick together, this city will eat us alive."

Lena nodded, her gaze softening slightly. "We'll make it work."

Elian remained silent, his thoughts a tangle of doubt and determination. Vin's words rang true, but trust wasn't something he could give easily—not anymore.

As they left the room to prepare for the mission, the murmurs and glances from the other gang members followed them like shadows. Elian knew proving themselves to the Red Vultures would take more than completing a single job. But for now, survival was enough.