Marvel: Alchemist

Chapter 3: Rise of the Golden Dragon

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March 3, 1947 – Chinatown, New York

I stood at the edge of an abandoned warehouse near the docks, my breath visible in the frigid night air. The scent of saltwater and rusted metal clung to the place. Inside, my men waited, armed and ready. Tonight was a turning point.

The Rattlesnake Gang had finally acknowledged us—but not in the way I'd hoped. A message had arrived at our safe house, written in blood: Back off, or be buried.

I wasn't one to back down.

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Expanding the Empire

In just a month, the Golden Dragon Society had grown from a handful of misfits to a disciplined force. We controlled several blocks in Chinatown, with businesses willingly paying us for protection. The local merchants had seen too many gangs shake them down. We were different—efficient, reliable, and brutal when necessary.

Jackie Wu and David Chen had proven invaluable. Jackie handled information—who owed money, which businesses needed protection, and who might turn on us. David trained our fighters, drilling them daily until they could take on seasoned street thugs.

But we needed more than foot soldiers.

"Word is, the Rattlesnake Gang is moving a large shipment of opium through the docks tonight," Jackie said, leaning against my desk. "If we take it, we cripple their supply and gain serious leverage."

David grunted. "It won't be easy. Those bastards don't travel light."

I smirked. "Good. Then let's show them what we're made of."

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The Ambush

We moved just past midnight.

The Rattlesnakes had stationed a dozen men around the warehouse, watching the perimeter. They expected trouble, but not from us.

I placed my hands on the cold metal of a fire escape ladder, channeling reinforcement through the steel. The structure strengthened instantly, its frame rigid and unbreakable. With a nod to my men, we climbed up and slipped inside through a shattered window.

Below, crates of opium lined the warehouse floor. The Rattlesnakes' enforcers stood in small groups, laughing and smoking, unaware of the danger looming above them.

I exhaled slowly, then dropped to the ground.

The first man barely had time to react before my reinforced fist collided with his jaw, sending him sprawling. Chaos erupted as my men followed suit, knives flashing, fists striking. Gunshots rang out, but I was already moving—dodging, weaving, striking with alchemically enhanced strength.

A brute of a man lunged at me, a machete gleaming in his grip. I caught his wrist mid-swing, reinforcing my arms to absorb the impact. His eyes widened in shock as I twisted, breaking his arm with a sickening crunch.

Within minutes, it was over. The last Rattlesnake enforcer lay groaning on the ground, clutching a shattered knee.

David surveyed the scene. "That went better than expected."

Jackie grinned, flipping open one of the crates. "And look at this—pure opium, enough to put a major dent in their business."

I nodded. "Take it. We'll decide what to do with it later. For now, let's disappear before reinforcements arrive."

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Retaliation and Negotiation

March 5, 1947 – A storm was coming.

Two nights after the raid, the Rattlesnakes struck back.

A group of our men was ambushed outside a gambling den we controlled. Three were injured, and one killed. It was a message: they weren't going to let this slide.

I gathered my lieutenants in our newly acquired safe house, a former tea shop turned headquarters.

David slammed a fist on the table. "We need to hit them harder. Show them we're not scared."

Jackie shook his head. "That's what they want. An all-out war would destroy everything we've built."

I listened, weighing both sides. Then I spoke. "We hit them where it hurts, but not with brute force. They need to see that fighting us is bad for business."

That evening, I sent a message through intermediaries: a meeting with one of their higher-ups.

The next night, I sat across from an older man with sharp eyes and a calculating expression. He introduced himself as Liu Shen, a mid-ranking leader of the Rattlesnakes.

"You're ambitious," he said, sipping his tea. "And reckless."

"I'm efficient," I corrected. "The way I see it, we can keep fighting, and you'll lose more than just opium. Or we can talk."

Liu Shen studied me for a long moment. Then he chuckled. "Alright, young man. Let's talk."

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The New Order

By the end of the meeting, a deal was struck. The Rattlesnakes would recognize the Golden Dragon Society as a rising force, and in return, we would stay out of their larger operations—for now. In exchange, we got a cut of their business in Chinatown.

Not submission. Not alliance. But an understanding.

As I walked out into the cold night, I checked my panel.

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[Proficiency Panel Update]

Alchemy Proficiency: 55% (Level: Novice)

Transmutation: 45% (Level: Novice)

Reinforcement: 38% (Level: Novice)

Creation: 27% (Level: Novice)

Wealth: $15,000 (Profits from strategic acquisitions and protection services)

Property: Rented safe house, underground storage, newly acquired tea shop in Chinatown

Physical Condition: Enhanced

Status: Rising Power

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I smiled to myself.

This was just the beginning.