Chapter 363: K Prepares to Strike First, Plans to Blow Up Queen’s Casino

“Wouldn’t that mean… that person is actually more suited to sit in your seat, Sister Q?”

The calm tone of that statement instantly drew everyone’s attention.

Especially Number Nine, who turned to look at Number Ten with wide eyes. Her face wore a harmless smile, as if she had just casually mentioned something trivial.

As a member of the Poker Organization ranked just below K, Q, and J, Number Ten—who looked like a little girl—had long been known by the others for her ambition to rise to a higher rank.

In fact, it wasn’t just Number Ten. Every one of the nine numbered members harbored the same desire: to one day replace J or Q.

But to say it out loud like this, in front of everyone, was a bit too blunt. It disrupted the unity and atmosphere, and came off as aggressive.

Yet, when they thought about it more carefully, they understood why Number Ten chose this moment to speak up. Because there really was no better time than now.

Climbing the ranks in the Poker Organization and shedding a numbered identity was no easy feat.

The most crucial requirement was to prove, with solid results and undeniable facts, that you were more qualified than J, Q, or even K to sit in one of those seats.

Only then could you take their place.

And now, with the current crisis that even the top three couldn’t resolve, if any of the numbered members managed to solve it and pull the organization out of danger, it would be a clear testament to their exceptional ability.

Even facing Professor, they would have enough reason and leverage to apply for a promotion to J or Q.

As for why no one considered replacing K…

Both J and Q had said it before: in the hearts of everyone present, K was the one they respected the most.

Sure, some might not accept J or Q, thinking they could do a better job as Queen or Jack.

But King K? Everyone admired him from the bottom of their hearts.

After all, he had dared to build such a massive drug trafficking organization in Dragon Country, and kept it hidden for so many years before finally being exposed. That alone proved his exceptional skill and strength.

Not to mention, K had always taken care of everyone, treating them like real younger siblings. No matter what kind of trouble they faced, he would always step in to help without hesitation.

That much was clear from how he had gone all out to help J cover up the killing of Little Morgan.

…

At this moment, sensing the shift in the atmosphere of the meeting room and noticing that the three key figures were all looking at her, Number Ten—dressed in a black lolita dress—suddenly stuck out her tongue playfully. Her eyes misted over as she turned to look up at Q and said in a pitiful tone:

“I’m just joking, just joking.”

“Sister Q, I was really just kidding. You’re not mad, are you?”

“I know, if even you can’t handle this mess, there’s no way we can. I was just saying things off the cuff.”

“The mood felt a little heavy, so I thought I’d lighten things up a bit.”

“I wasn’t targeting anyone, and I definitely don’t think someone like you doesn’t deserve your position.”

It was obvious.

This so-called joke was nothing more than Number Ten giving herself a way out.

She was clearly afraid that Q or J might lose their temper and pull a gun on her, turning the whole situation into an uncontrollable mess.

But the message had already been delivered.

If the current crisis, which the top three couldn’t resolve, ended up being handled by one of the numbered members, then maybe it was time to question whether those in power were truly capable—and whether they should step down.

Even though Number Ten had given herself an out, Q, known for her fiery temper, wasn’t so easy to appease.

Without hesitation, she pulled a sleek lady’s pistol from her pocket, flipped off the safety, and aimed it directly at Number Ten’s head.

Then, before anyone could say a word, Q pulled the trigger with a blank expression.

Bang! Crack!

A burst of fire flared from the muzzle, followed by a thick puff of smoke.

The bullet shot through the air, slammed into the wall behind, and sent up a spray of sparks.

Number Ten had twisted her body, one hand braced on the table. The innocent smile from earlier was gone, replaced by a cold sweat beading on her forehead.

Her eyes were icy as she stared at Q, then glanced at the gun—which, even if she hadn’t dodged, wouldn’t have hit her. Her expression darkened, losing all trace of her earlier confidence and fake sweetness.

Q, beautiful and composed, looked down at Number Ten with a mocking smile and said coldly:

“You think you’re ready to take my seat? You think you deserve it?”

“Come back and talk when you can look straight down the barrel of my gun without flinching.”

“But let me warn you—next time, my aim won’t be off…”

Before Q could finish, K frowned and rapped his knuckles on the table, cutting her off with a voice that brooked no argument.

“Enough.”

“Do you even realize what time it is? What kind of crisis The Organization is facing? And you’re starting an internal fight here?”

“Q, put your gun away. If I ever see you pointing a weapon at one of our family members again, I’ll punish you myself. I might even ask Professor to revoke your membership in The Organization.”

“Now listen up.”

“This mission is critical. Our opponent is terrifyingly strong. I won’t allow anyone to try and show off or think they can handle it alone.”

“If you think your current position isn’t enough for you anymore…”

“Fine. Once this is over, I’ll ask Professor to reassign ranks. As long as your strength is up to par, even the position of King K can be yours.”

“But for now, everyone follows my command.”

“Any objections? Hmm?”

At that, K paused and swept his calm yet razor-sharp gaze across the meeting room.

Some of the numbered members shook their heads to show they had no issue. Others lowered their heads in silent obedience. A few stared at K with fervent admiration.

As for Number Ten, she bit the right corner of her lower lip, face sullen and eyes filled with frustration, but she didn’t dare say another word.

Once the room had quieted down, K resumed tapping the table, his face expressionless, his tone cold and steady.

“I won’t say much more.”

“Just remember this: our strategy against those dogs from Dragon Country isn’t to run or hide. It’s to kill.”

“Especially, we need to eliminate the lead dog before they find us.”

“Take out the sharpest one, and the rest will be no different from those useless cops in the United States.”

“Now, let me make this clear. Su Ming most likely knows I’m already in the United States. He probably thinks I’ll keep hiding, relying on evasion and misdirection to avoid being found by The Organization.”

“So my current plan is to pretend to keep running, while secretly setting a trap and preparing a fatal strike.”

“And the first and most important step is…”

At this point, K turned to Q beside him, eyes narrowing as he tapped the table with confidence.

“Q.”

“When we entered the casino earlier, we didn’t bother hiding our faces. I’m guessing it won’t be long before those dogs sniff us out.”

“Are you ready… to blow up the casino?”