is it wrong to try to build a criminal Empire?

1 month and 1 week since joining Hestia familia.

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"The world is full of things I want to take."

---

"Make sure those floors are shining, Luan!" jeered a fellow Apollo Familia member as he passed by the unfortunate Pallum, who was stuck scrubbing the mansion's floors.

Luan ignored the bastard's remarks, focusing on finishing his task as quickly as possible. His face, however, betrayed his irritation, radiating pure indignation.

Luan Espel, a member of the Apollo Familia—considered the weakest—hated how his familia treated him.

He was a proud member of the Pallum race and one of Apollo-sama's chosen! So why, in all Apollo-sama's magnificence, had the captain ordered him to clean the damn floors!? Did they not hire maids for this!?

He gritted his teeth, his frustration fueling his aggressive scrubbing. He wiped and wiped, as if punishing the poor mop for his situation.

When he finally finished, he tossed the mop aside with far more force than necessary and marched straight toward the kitchen.

He needed a drink—anything to make him forget this cursed day.

"Luan!"

The sharp call of Hyakinthos Clio, captain of the Apollo Familia, froze Luan in his tracks. He immediately regretted throwing the mop so carelessly.

Turning around reluctantly, Luan saw the captain approaching with another figure in tow: Dace, the newest addition to the familia, a young elf with blonde hair.

Luan's nervous expression deepened. What did the captain want now?

'Did I forget to clean somewhere? Oh no, did someone report me for sneaking a sip from Apollo-sama's private Wine stash?!'

"Are you done cleaning, Luan?" Hyakinthos asked, one eyebrow raised expectantly as he came to a stop.

"Uhh… yes, Captain, I just finished," Luan replied quickly, bracing himself for whatever unreasonable demand was coming next.

'If he gives me another cleaning chore, I swear I'll strangle him!' he thought. 'Metaphorically, of course—he'd probably cut me in half before I even got close.'

In fact, the only person in the familia Luan might be able to beat was Cassandra—and only because she'd probably hold back to avoid hurting him.

The captain nodded in approval, then gestured toward Dace, who stood silently beside him. "Good. Luan, I want you to accompany Dace as his supporter for today. You'll split the earnings evenly."

Luan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Supporter?! To the rookie?! I'm his senior, Captain!" The words left his mouth before he could stop them.

The humiliation was too much to bear. A supporter—and not just to anyone, but to a rookie? This was the final straw. He would never agree to something so degrading!

Hyakinthos's expression darkened, his features twisting ever so slightly. "Am I hearing insubordination?" His voice carried a dangerous edge, a clear warning of the consequences of defying him.

Luan instinctively stepped back, suddenly reconsidering where exactly to place his "final straw." What the hell was he thinking?! This is the captain!

"Uhh… I can go alone. You don't have to force Luan-senpai to do something he doesn't want, Captain," Dace interjected, his voice breaking the tense silence, not liking the thought of his new familia fighting among themselves.

Hyakinthos turned to Dace, his expression unchanging. "No, he'll join you. And he'll be grateful for it." His sharp gaze returned to Luan. "Right, Luan?"

Luan swallowed hard. "Y-Yes! Of course! I wouldn't dream of letting our new member go into the dungeon alone! Hehehe…" His nervous laugh echoed awkwardly.

Hyakinthos gave a curt nod and turned away. "Make sure to return before sundown." With that, he walked off, leaving Luan and Dace behind.

For a moment, silence stretched between the two.

Luan's eye twitched. Finally, with a resigned sigh, he muttered, "I'll go fetch a bag. You prepare your equipment." His tone was devoid of emotion, like someone who'd resigned himself to his fate.

"Sure!" Dace replied cheerfully, heading off to gather his gear.

Luan rubbed his temples and sighed again, muttering under his breath as he walked away, "Supporter to the rookie… This is a new low."

---

"Uhh... what are you wearing?" Lia asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

She stood at the backdoor of the newly acquired factory Mr. Shigaraki had instructed her to purchase as a business disguise.

The previous owners—a struggling family—had reluctantly sold the factory at a discounted price, making it a perfect acquisition for their operations.

Lia was waiting for their new "employee" to arrive so she could guide her through her first day.

But now, faced with Naaza, Lia couldn't help but feel caught off guard.

Naaza stood before her, wearing large, dark sunglasses and a tightly wrapped headscarf that gave her a clumsy, half-hearted attempt at disguising herself.

It was... not the most effective look.

Naaza rolled her eyes behind the sunglasses, though the gesture was hidden from view. "I don't want anyone to know I'm working here for now," she said curtly, as if that explained everything.

Lia blinked, nodding slowly, still trying to process Naaza's odd fashion choice.

Shaking her head to regain focus, she gestured toward the factory's backdoor. "Anyway," she said, "follow me. I'll show you where you can start 'cooking' your special cookies." She added a deliberate wink, emphasizing that discussing anything drug-related in public was strictly off-limits.

"Cooking?" Naaza echoed, her tone puzzled. "I thought you wanted me to make dru—"

"Aaah!" Lia cut her off, grabbing her shoulders in alarm. "Don't say that so casually!" she hissed, her head darting around to check if anyone might have overheard.

Naaza raised a curious eyebrow at Lia, then her expression shifted as understanding dawned. "Ohhh, you mean 'cooking' as in making dru—"

"Anyway!" Lia interrupted, her voice rising in panic. Without giving Naaza a chance to finish, she grabbed her arm and hurriedly dragged her toward the factory door.

Naaza smirked to herself, allowing Lia to pull her along. 'That was fun,' she mused, already deciding that teasing this overly nervous elf was going to be a reliable source of entertainment.

Inside the factory, Naaza's sharp eyes scanned the bustling interior.

Workers busied themselves loading crates of finished liquor, while others filled bottles bearing a brand she didn't recognize.

At the far end of the room, a massive iron distiller loomed, its connected pipe slowly filling a barrel with the factory's product.

Oddly enough, most of the workers appeared to be late middle-aged, their movements methodical but unhurried.

The only exception was a younger man near the corner, who was openly staring at her in a way that made her skin crawl.

Definitely a creep.

"You can ignore them," Lia said, still leading Naaza by the arm. "They won't bother you while you're working. You'll be stationed in the basement. We've set up a functional workspace for you there."

Naaza nodded silently, not feeling the need to respond.

Lia guided her into the storage area, stopping in front of a large wooden shelf stacked with small boxes.

Naaza raised an eyebrow. "I thought we were going to the basement?"

"Just watch," Lia replied with a smirk. She grabbed one of the boxes and lifted it, triggering a faint click. Then, with a gentle push, the shelf swung aside, revealing a hidden staircase leading downward.

Lia turned back to Naaza, her expression brimming with pride. "What do you think?" she asked, scratching her nose in a nervous attempt to mask her anticipation.

Naaza shrugged, unimpressed. "Why the theatrics? Anyone could figure this out," she remarked bluntly.

Lia's enthusiasm deflated slightly, her face falling. "You're hard to impress..." she muttered under her breath.

A sudden cracking noise from behind startled them both, making them turn quickly in alarm.

Lia groaned audibly when she saw the source. "You again?" she said, her tone laced with exasperation.

Naaza turned her gaze toward the intruder. It was the same young man who had been staring at her earlier. His messy black hair and dark circles under his eyes that were still scanning her only reinforced her initial impression: Yup, definitely a creep.

"I thought I told you to help the others," Lia snapped, visibly irritated.

The man sighed, looking thoroughly unbothered. "I came to grab a few tools," he said lazily, walking over to a toolbox mounted on the wall. He paid no attention to Lia's simmering glare as he rummaged through it.

Picking up the toolbox, he turned back toward the two women. "I know what you're doing here," he said casually, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small vial filled with a unique purple liquid. "I can help if you want."

He tossed the vial toward Naaza, who caught it effortlessly. She examined it, trying to determine its contents, but the unusual color made it difficult to identify.

When she looked up again, the man was gone, presumably off to deliver the tools he had claimed to need.

"Who was that?" Naaza asked, her curiosity piqued as she continued to study the vial.

Lia let out a harsh sigh. "A nuisance," she replied, annoyance thick in her voice. "Ignore him. Let's get to the lab."

Without waiting for a response, Lia started down the staircase.

Naaza shrugged and tucked the vial into her bag, planning to examine it more closely later.

Though she doubted it would be worth her time.

---

"I told you to be careful in the middle floors, Bell," Eina said in a disappointed tone, carefully rubbing burn ointment onto All For One's face. The small fresh burn marks left by a lucky Hellhound still marred his pale skin.

All For One offered her a small, seemingly bashful smile, though inwardly, his mind was preoccupied with analyzing his recent dungeon progress.

Three days ago, the party had reached the 13th floor. It had been an excellent opportunity for him to start quietly extract the magic of Hellhounds, one of the monsters that spawned there.

While fighting a pack of Hellhounds—his favorite unlimited candy basket—All For One had deliberately left subtle openings in his defense.

The creatures, seeing their chance, lunged at him with feral precision. Using a simple evasion maneuver, he managed to extract several copies of their magic mid-battle without raising suspicion from his companions, Mikoto and Welf.

A sudden sting pulled him from his thoughts, and he hissed faintly as the ointment seeped into his burns.

"Sorry," Eina murmured, her tone genuinely apologetic as her hands worked with practiced care.

"It's alright," he replied, his voice soft and reassuring. "Sorry for troubling you."

In truth, she had insisted he sit down at one of the tables near the guild's exit so she could tend to his wounds.

He could feel the envious stares from nearby adventurers, their gazes boring into him with jealousy.

Idiots.

"No, I insisted on treating you," Eina said firmly, though her cheeks flushed a shade of pink. "You almost gave me a heart attack walking in like this. Don't you use health potions?"

"Low-tier ones," he admitted, keeping his tone curt. Higher-tier potions were far too expensive for his current means. Acquiring a healing ability remained a top priority.

Eina sighed in mild frustration. "Yeah, those won't do much for burns."

Standing up, she handed him the small jar of ointment. "Here, take it home and apply it every few hours. You'll be healed in no time!" She flashed him a bright smile, giving him a playful thumbs-up.

All For One accepted the jar, tucking it securely into his bag. "Thank you, Miss Best Advisor," he said with a warm, disarming smile.

Eina's cheeks reddened further, and she turned her head away, flustered. "Come on, Bell, stop teasing me," she said, trying to sound professional but failing to mask her embarrassment.

He chuckled softly, his tone gentle and affectionate. "It's not teasing when it's the truth."

His tone was calculated to strengthen her trust and deepen her affection—she'd be a useful tool for his long-term plans, and nurturing her loyalty was an investment.

Eina smiled despite herself, but before she could respond, a stern voice interrupted.

"Tulle, your break is over."

"S-Section Leader!" Eina straightened immediately, her demeanor shifting to one of crisp professionalism. "Sorry, I got carried away. I'll get back to work right now!"

She waved quickly at All For One before hurrying back to her desk, her steps brisk.

All For One calmly waved back before turning his gaze to the interloper, who was eyeing him with annoyance.

"May I help you?" he asked, his voice laced with thinly veiled irritation. He disliked interruptions, especially when they interfered with his work.

The section Leader adjusted his glasses, his tone sharp and officious. "I kindly request that you refrain from flirting with guild employees while they're on duty."

All For One's eye twitched slightly.

"As I recall, from the 'Guild Employees' Guide to a Successful Career,' page 21, rule number 34: all guild employees are not subject to guild regulations during official break hours." His voice carried a hint of mockery, a smirk tugging at his lips as the section leader's frown deepened.

"Look," the man sighed, exasperation evident, "you're an adventurer. One day, you won't come back from the dungeon, and that would leave her heartbroken." He gestured subtly toward Eina, who was diligently working through a stack of paperwork at her desk.

All For One chuckled softly to himself, making the section leader's frown deepen further.

"This is not a joke!" the man hissed, his tone sharp and serious.

Taking a deliberate step closer, All For One caused the man to flinch back slightly. "Listen, Rehmer," he began softly, addressing the section leader by name, catching him off guard.

Placing a firm yet deceptively gentle hand on Rehmer's shoulder, All For One's smile never wavered. "I don't appreciate it when people try to separate me from my belongings," he said, his voice calm and soft, yet devoid of warmth. There was an unmistakable menace underlying his words.

Rehmer's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What do you mean by 'belongings'?" he asked, his tone cautious and guarded.

All For One's smile widened. "Congratulations on your engagement, by the way," he said lightly, tapping Rehmer's shoulder as if they were old friends. "Tylisa is indeed a beautiful lady."

Rehmer's eyes widened in alarm. "How do yo—?!"

"It doesn't matter, dear Rehmer," All For One interrupted smoothly, removing his hand and turning toward the exit with casual grace. "We didn't meet, and I didn't talk to you," he said, his tone conversational but leaving no room for argument.

Rehmer stood frozen, swallowing hard as he watched the pale-haired bastard stroll out the door. His gaze drifted toward Eina, who was too engrossed in her work to notice what had just transpired.

He bit his lip hard, then turned and walked toward another section of the guild, muttering under his breath, "I'm sorry, Tulle." His voice was heavy with defeat.

Meanwhile, All For One stepped out into the street, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "That'll keep him on a leash," he mused, amused by his handiwork.

No one was going to forbid him from what was rightfully his.

"Luan-senpai! Hurry up!"

His thoughts were interrupted as his quirk detected the presence of a powerful ability nearby.

His sharp eyes landed on a peculiar duo: a pallum and an elf.

They wore matching black uniforms adorned with an emblem of a sun and bow. The elf radiated energy and enthusiasm, eagerly calling out to his pallum companion.

The pallum, however, looked utterly defeated, his expression a mask of frustration and weariness.

Noticing All For One's gaze, the pallum snapped. "Piss off!" he snarled, his voice brimming with barely contained rage.

All For One resumed his walk, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"They're perfect..." he silently mummred to himself.

---

"Thank you, Luan-senpai. I was able to head deeper than I could with your help," Dace said with genuine appreciation, his smile unwavering as they marched out of the guild. The sun had long since set, leaving the streets cloaked in darkness.

So much for coming back before sundown.

Luan grunted in response, barely glancing at the elf. He turned abruptly into a narrow alley. "Let's go here—it's shorter," he muttered, his tone sharp with impatience. He wanted to get back as quickly as possible, and shortcuts were his best option.

"Those War Shadows were quite fast. If I hadn't used my magic, you could have been seriously hurt, Luan-senpai," Dace said, attempting to strike up a conversation. He didn't mean any harm, but his words inadvertently highlighted a particularly embarrassing moment for Luan during their dive.

Dace's innocent comment struck a nerve.

Luan Espel, a bitter member of the pallum race and a reluctant member of Apollo's familia, now officially hated everything about his life.

'Fuck Apollo. Fuck the captain. And fuck you, Dace!' he seethed, his breaths heavy as his back screamed in protest from carrying the supporter bag all day.

'This isn't right!' he thought, fury simmering in his chest. 'I wasn't born for this! I'm supposed to be better than this—better than the rest of my people!'

Dace noticed the strain on Luan's face and hesitated. "Luan-senpai? Are you okay? I could hold the bag if you're tired," he offered, his tone laced with genuine concern.

"Shut up already!" Luan snarled, his frustration boiling over. Why won't this annoying elf just shut up?

Dace flinched at the outburst, his smile faltering into a nervous expression. He opened his mouth to respond, but the venomous glare Luan shot him made him think twice.

The silence between them grew thick with tension, like a storm about to break. Finally, Dace mustered the courage to speak again, his voice tentative. "Uh... I'm so—"

"Shut up, you pointy-eared bastard!" Luan snapped, cutting him off with another burst of anger.

Dace's face twisted with a mix of hurt and offense. "What's wrong with you? I didn't do anything!" he protested, his voice rising.

Luan stopped in his tracks and turned on Dace, his face contorted with rage. "I hate you. That's what's wrong," he spat, pointing an accusatory finger at the elf. "All day, you wouldn't shut up about how Apollo-sama is grooming you into some great mage just because you have a useless wind magic!"

Dace recoiled, stunned. "That's not what I sai—"

"Just because you have power, the damn captain ordered me to be your supporter!" Luan snarled, gesturing furiously at the bag on his back. "Are you kidding me? A senior becoming a supporter for a junior? What kind of fucked-up familia am I in!?"

Dace looked around nervously. "That's not my fault..." he muttered, defensive but unsure.

Luan ripped the bag off his back and hurled it at Dace, who barely caught it before it could hit him.

"I'm not a supporter!" Luan shouted, gesturing to his pristine uniform. His crazed eyes burned with fury. "Do you see any dirt or filth on this pallum? I'm not like the rest!"

He took a shaky breath, his anger morphing into something raw and vulnerable. "I'm jealous of them all... If only I had power," he confessed, his voice dropping to a bitter whisper.

Dace opened his mouth to respond, but a slow, deliberate clapping from behind froze both of them in place.

A figure stepped out from the shadows of the alley, draped in a black robe with a featureless mask obscuring his face. His presence exuded an unsettling calm, his movements fluid yet deliberate.

The figure was none other than All For One himself.

"Wonderful," All For One said, his voice muffled but smooth, carrying a note of amusement. "Truly wonderful, little pallum. You have a fierce spirit." He chuckled, the sound low and chilling.

Luan's face twisted with anger once more. "Are you mocking me?" he growled, his grip tightening on his knife.

All For One tilted his head slightly, as if confused. "Mocking? Of course not, little pallum." He began walking toward them, his strides unhurried and deliberate.

Dace raised his dagger defensively. "Don't come any closer, stranger!" he warned, his voice trembling.

Luan followed suit, though his shaking hands betrayed his uneasiness.

All For One paid no mind to their warnings, continuing his slow approach. Dace turned to Luan, his expression tense. "Senpai! Go forward. I'll prepare my magic. Let's hope I have enough Mind—ugh!"

Before Dace could finish, All For One appeared behind him, gripping his throat with an iron hand.

"Hope is the first thing I'll take away from you," All For One said coldly, black lightning sparking to life around his hand. Dace's eyes widened in agony as his body convulsed, his screams muffled by the sheer force of the grip on his throat.

Luan stood frozen, his mind screaming at him to move, to do something—but his body refused to obey.

When All For One was finished, he threw Dace's limp body forward, the elf landing with a sickening thud among some crates.

All For One turned his attention to Luan. "What's your name, little pallum?" he asked calmly.

"L-L-Luan Espel!" Luan stammered, his voice barely audible over the sound of his racing heart.

All For One nodded. "You may call me Sensei."

He stepped closer, his voice soft but commanding. "Do you want power, Luan? The strength to prove you're more than a pallum who is only good as a supporter?"

Luan's heart pounded in his chest. Every fiber of his being screamed yes, but his lips refused to move.

All For One's palm stopped as it lightly pressed against Luan's head. "In exchange for a power that no mere Falna can grant you…"

Suddenly, black lightning erupted from his hand, engulfing Luan's head. The pallum cried out as a splitting headache assaulted him, his knees buckling under the pain. Before he could collapse, All For One's firm grip kept him upright, steadying him like a cruel puppet master ensuring his toy didn't fall too soon.

Then, just as quickly as it started, the lightning subsided, leaving Luan gasping and trembling. All For One released him, and he crumpled to the ground like a discarded doll.

"I've taken away your friend's power," All For One finished. Then, he pointed toward the exit of the alley. "You can go now."

Luan groaned, forcing himself to crawl toward Dace. His trembling hands reached the elf's limp body, and his heart leapt when he saw the faint rise and fall of Dace's chest. Blood trickled from a wound on Dace's temple, but he was alive.

Luan's head swam, a deep dizziness overtaking him as whatever the figure had done began to take effect. He clenched his teeth, forcing himself to focus. He should find a Ganesha Familia patrol so they could arrest this bastard.

He gripped Dace's collar and took a shaky breath. 'I just need to—'

A sudden, searing pain tore through his hand. Flames erupted violently from his palms, engulfing Dace's body in an instant.

"Aghaaa!" Luan screamed, stumbling backward as his hands burned. The fire consumed Dace in horrifying detail—his clothes, his skin, his face—all burning away as the flames crackled hungrily.

Luan stared, wide-eyed and horrified, as the fire devoured the elf. His stomach churned, bile rising in his throat, but he swallowed it down, his mind too paralyzed by the scene before him to react further.

A hand rested on his shoulder, and he flinched violently.

"Well done, little pallum," All For One said, his tone almost approving, as though the horrifying act was a performance he'd been waiting to happen.

Luan didn't respond, his eyes fixed on the smoldering remains of his companion.

All For One chuckled, a soft and unsettling sound. "You sold me your friend's power in exchange for the one I've given you. Isn't that right?"

Luan's lips trembled, "Y-Yes…?" did he really agree to that?

The grip on his shoulder tightened, forcing a shudder out of him. "Good," All For One said, his tone light, as though satisfied with an obedient child. "I gave you power in exchange for your friend's. A fair trade, wouldn't you agree?"

Luan's head bobbed frantically, his words stammering. "Y-Yes…" His voice was barely a whisper.

All For One nodded in approval, then straightened, releasing Luan from his grip. "Enjoy your new power, little pallum. And remember—this is our little secret. Speak of it, and…" He let the threat linger, his voice trailing off into a sinister chuckle as he turned and strode away. His slow, deliberate steps echoed in the alley until they faded into silence.

Luan stared at his shaking hands, now reddened and blistered. "That… that was me?" he whispered hoarsely, his voice quivering. His gaze drifted back to the charred remains of Dace, and tears began to stream down his face. "I killed him… I killed him…"

His breathing quickened as panic overtook him. "It wasn't my fault… It was an accident!" he pleaded, as though convincing some unseen judge. But the hollow words felt meaningless, even to him.

He crumpled to his knees, the weight of his actions crushing him. "This… this wasn't what I meant by power," he murmured, his voice breaking. The reality of what he'd done—accidentally or not—sank in fully at last.

And then another thought struck him, icy and unforgiving.

What will he tell the captain?

His body trembled as the answer dawned on him. "I'm so dead."

---

The End

---

I've managed to blend the rest of chapters 21 and 22 together and finished this one.

I tweaked All For One a bit—he's a little more menacing and direct now. Is that better, reader?

Also, I'm not the best at relationship stuff, so don't expect a super detailed "Eina falling in love" arc.

Luan's inclusion is just to show that All For One can steal freely now. This is the start of him becoming the Demon Lord.

Hope this chapter lives up to your expectations, reader!