Lord of Pain: Becoming the Crime Boss with my Pain Extraction System

When Vincent opened his eyes, he found himself in a moving car—an executive model with chairs facing each other. Sitting across from him was Don Angel, wearing a slightly surprised expression.

"You're already awake?" he exhaled with relief. "Thank goodness. I was starting to worry Gutter had killed you."

Just hearing that name sent vivid flashes of pain through Vincent's memory. He shifted subtly, doing a quick scan of his surroundings to see if the monster was still around.

"No need to worry. I sent him away," Don Angel assured him. "But I have to say—you've got guts, attacking Gutter like that. And you actually survived a direct hit from him… that's impressive. What did you say your name was again?"

"...Vincent Marco," he replied.

"Vincent, huh? I think 'Vinnie' sounds better."

Then, after a pause, Don Angel asked, "And what about your old friend?"

Vincent didn't respond. His gaze drifted as he remembered Archie.

"I guess he wasn't so lucky, huh?" Don Angel said, reading him easily.

"Any idea why they sent those men after you?" he asked after a short silence.

Vincent gently shook his head. "No… but it probably has something to do with last night. The same officer who killed Archie is the one that attacked me in my apartment."

"Okay… I heard you got shot too?"

"Yeah."

"And you can still move like that? That's incredible," Don Angel said, turning toward Jay, who had been sitting quietly beside him.

Jay continued to watch Vincent intently. His heavy gaze felt like it was peering into Vincent's soul, at least that was how it felt for Vincent.

"They probably think you saw something you weren't supposed to," Jay said finally, turning to look out the window at the passing buildings.

Finally, Vincent could breathe.

For some reason, Don Angel didn't make him feel as uneasy. The boss was more courteous than expected, speaking with a small smile—unlike Jay.

Jay had a smaller frame, with a slightly feminine face and bright gray hair, but his looks were deceptive. He rarely spoke, only when necessary, but the other workers always whispered stories about the "crazy knife man."

"So… did you see anything last night?" Don Angel asked with a more serious tone.

"Not really," Vincent replied, thinking back. All he could clearly remember was the pain of being shot. "But I did hear a woman's voice. They called her 'Madame.'"

'They also said you sent us straight to our deaths on purpose' he thought bitterly, but didn't dare say it out loud. The fact that Don Angel hadn't mentioned it at all only confirmed his suspicions.

'He should know I might suspect something but he hasn't even offered an excuse for why it had to be me and Archie delivering those bags. I can't just ask if he set us up. That would make me look like a threat, plus he's probably just going to deny it'

"A woman called Madame… I might have an idea who that is. Anything else?" Don Angel asked.

"They also took the bags," Vincent added after a pause.

"They probably want to replicate the formula," Jay said, his voice carrying a sense of urgency.

"It has to be the Triad," he continued. "Only they could mobilize that many men in such a short time—and even include two police officers."

Don Angel considered this. It made sense. The Triad was the largest crime syndicate in all of K-City. Getting cops on their payroll wouldn't be difficult.

"Don't worry. Even if they tried for a decade, they couldn't recreate that formula," Don Angel said.

"What was in the bag?" Vincent asked, finally finding the courage.

"You didn't open it?" Angel raised a brow. "That's good. I'll tell you—on one condition."

"What?"

"You join the Yellowsaber."

Vincent blinked. "Huh?"

"I think you've got untapped potential. So, I'm giving you a chance. And if you don't want to join, that's fine—we can drop you off anywhere."

Vincent understood him immediately, "So basically… join you and you'll protect me?"

"Of course. If you join us, I'll take you somewhere safe. If you don't, I'll have no business with you—and those people won't stop hunting you. There's no other way around it."

And indeed, there wasn't. But Angel conveniently left out the part where this was all his fault to begin with. He could've left Vincent and Archie out of whatever scheme he was plotting. Instead, he'd used them as disposable tools.

He knew it was a trap. He just didn't want to risk any of his own men. So he sent them.

The thought of it filled Vincent with rage—but he didn't dare show it.

His good friend had died. He almost died too, if not for the system that saved him. And now the same people responsible were offering him "no other choice" but to join their gang.

He exhaled and bowed slightly. "I accept your offer. Thank you for the opportunity. I promise to serve with loyalty."

Don Angel smirked. "I knew you were a smart boy, Vinnie. Welcome to the world of blood, money, and power."

"Thank you… boss."

It was the only choice that made sense. No matter the circumstances, Don Angel himself was offering Vincent a place in the gang—a very rare privilege. It meant he'd be working directly under the boss, not just another lackey.

But that wasn't the only reason Vincent accepted.

He wanted revenge.

He wanted to prove he wasn't just some disposable pawn. He wanted to take everything Don Angel had—his influence, his power, his throne.

He would tear it all down from the inside.

Vincent was going to snatch Don Angel's kingdom from right under his feet.

And he was going to make sure Don Angel realized—

Even kings can be pawns in someone else's game.