10 Chapter 9: Boundless Ambition
Upon hearing the news, Luke's expression twisted in shock and concern.
He immediately inquired if Raymond had sustained any injuries, disregarding that Raymond had just dispatched nine opponents in a row.
A smile tugged at Raymond's lips as he observed Luke's reaction, reaffirming his choice to select Luke as his trusted confidant.
In a world as chaotic as theirs, softness had no place.
Raymond needed strong, principled individuals by his side, and Luke fit the bill perfectly.
Despite his burning desire to continue refining his combat techniques with Nen in Heaven's Arena, Raymond understood the importance of laying low for the time being.
The chaos he had stirred within Heaven's Arena far outweighed any benefits he might gain from staying.
Although he was certain that the Hunter Association had already taken notice of him following the incident, Raymond remained unfazed.
He knew they would merely keep him under observation to gauge his intentions.
"...Once I've amassed enough power, such scrutiny will be irrelevant," Raymond muttered to himself as he strode away from the arena with a determined resolve.
Going back to his Nen training, while meditation was the preferred method for many, Raymond found solace and clarity in a different practice.
Unlike most individuals, Raymond's mind operated on a unique wavelength.
Rather than quieting his thoughts through traditional meditation, he found clarity in active contemplation.
Thus, he devised his own form of meditation, which involved harnessing his Nen which a chess.
As he moved the pieces across the board with precision while circulating his Nen throughout his body, Raymond not only sharpened his mental faculties but also deepened his mastery over Nen.
In this unconventional practice, he found a path to both inner peace and martial prowess.
"...So, you're telling me money alone won't cut it?"
Luke's frustration reverberated through his voice as he sank into the plush sofa, while Raymond occupied the desk.
Raymond nodded, his gaze fixed on the scene outside the window.
Seated in the private meeting room of Amazing's headquarters, Raymond and Luke engaged in a candid discussion.
Despite Luke's apparent indifference to his influence over the country since all he wanted was money, Raymond had long understood that his ambitions extended far beyond mere riches.
Especially with recent events, such as the attack on one of their branches by unidentified assailants, crystallized Raymond's realization that to expand their influence beyond the borders of the Republic of Padokea, they needed more than just wealth.
They needed power, their own force to protect their interests and assert their dominance.
"Don't fret, Luke. I'll handle this personally," Raymond assured, his voice carrying an air of determination. He then pivoted to face Luke, his expression serious. "Your focus should be on ensuring our business runs smoothly."
Luke rubbed his temples wearily, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him.
He had thought he understood Raymond, but the young man's ambitions seemed to exceed his wildest expectations.
"Are you aiming for the entire country now? You've already got money, so what more could you want? Influence? Power?"
Luke questioned, his frustration evident.
A light chuckle escaped Raymond's lips at Luke's reaction. His gaze drifted to a book resting nearby, its title catching his eye:
[The Unknown Land of the Dark Continent]
Turning back to Luke, Raymond's crimson eyes gleamed with determination as he declared, "Just the country is too small. I want the whole world."
"Wha?"
Luke's jaw dropped in disbelief, his mind struggling to comprehend the audacity of Raymond's ambition.
He ran his hand through his hair in frustration, cursing under his breath, "You insane bastard! I always knew you were a few screws loose, but this? The entire continent?"
Raymond chuckled softly at Luke's outburst, allowing him to misconstrue his intentions.
With his grand ambitions in mind, Raymond bid farewell to Tatiana, whom he now regarded as part of his extended family.
Although Luke and Tatiana seemed to be growing closer, Raymond chose to overlook it. He trusted Luke not to mistreat her as their relationship evolved.
Explaining that it was time for him to gain more experience under Luke's guidance, Tatiana reluctantly agreed.
Raymond couldn't help but notice that it was Luke who seemed to persuade Tatiana more effectively, earning him a sidelong glance from Raymond.
Caught in his embarrassment, Luke quickly averted his gaze, while Tatiana blushed beside him.
"..."
Raymond found himself at a loss for words in the situation.
Despite their age difference—Tatiana being 27 and Luke around 32—he reasoned that they should be fine together.
He shook his head, deciding to let them be.
As long as Tatiana was happy, he didn't mind.
"So, where exactly are we headed to build our force?"
Luke inquired from the passenger seat, leaving the direction entirely in Raymond's hands as he instructed the driver to follow Raymond's direction.
As they cruised along the road, the car gradually approached the outskirts of the city, nearing the dilapidated slum area.
Luke furrowed his brow, sensing something amiss.
"Could you please explain this?"
Raymond merely smirked, stepping out of the car with purpose. He instructed the driver to ensure Luke's safe return later before turning to face the slums.
"This is where we'll gather our force, Luke," Raymond declared confidently.
"Surely not here, right?"
Luke's disbelief was palpable as Raymond cast a determined gaze upon the rundown streets of the slum.
"Why not? Do you know who the most ambitious people in the world are?"
"..."
Luke remained silent, caught off guard by Raymond's question.
"It's these beggars. They possess an insatiable thirst for what they want. They'll stop at nothing to achieve it."
Not waiting for a response, Raymond smirked knowingly.
"They're driven by desperation. And do you know what they wanted? They just wanted to survive another day," Raymond declared, his smirk widening.
And it was true.
These resilient beggars, whom Raymond had observed closely, were fueled by a relentless determination to survive.
They could endure weeks of fasting, subsisting on mere scraps to prolong their existence.
Raymond possessed firsthand knowledge of the beggars' relentless drive because he himself once walked among them, living the harsh reality of survival on the streets.
But why would he seek to recruit them into his fold?
To achieve his ambition, loyalty from his men held the utmost importance, and he found these individuals to be not only the most resilient but also possess a straightforward goal.
And their unwavering ambition, albeit for mere survival, mirrored the determination he sought in his subordinates.
"I suppose inhabiting this body was a stroke of luck, allowing me to discover the existence of these individuals," Raymond mused as he strode confidently forward.
With a final farewell to Luke, who could only shake his head in weariness, Raymond continued on his path.
Luke understood that Raymond was a man with clear objectives and trusted him to pursue his goals without hesitation.
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