Westside Diamonds (2)

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"So what it's gonna be? Baldy."

The tone of his voice is very casual, as though he was joking. It was easy to miss the true meaning behind his words and just listen to what he said without putting in much thought. But the meaning is clear for every baldy present.

Die or Leave.

Hearing that condescending question, Harak fell silent. His lips quiver in worry. When was the last time he is cornered into submission such as this moment?

Didn't he choose this kind of life for the sake of power?

'Why can't I feel my toes? this is utter humiliation...'

Harak thought to himself.

The day he created the Westside Diamonds Gang was the day he vowed to become strong. Together with his brothers who he had some bond thieving the rich, they all had forsaken living a noble life. To them, nobility is kept alive and strong when it is attached to wealth, and without money it is like a dead thing.

How can they be noble when there are mouths to feed? How could there be honor among crooks?

There is only one answer.

Power.

The strength to defy rules.

And Money comes after Power.

With enough people, they managed to build a good reputation among clans living in Ragoria City. They did all sorts of shady stuff. Gathering requests from the very nobles themselves. Ironically, the very same people they detested are now the people whom they worked for.

Killing someone? No problem.

Causing riot against the City Leaders? No problem.

Stealing Documents? No Problem.

Abducting a child? No Problem.

Bombing The City Plaza? No Problem.

It's just a matter of whether you can afford its price.

Eventually, their name grew Big among the hood. But they never considered them as a Gang. They are more like a mercenary group rather than a real Gang.

Underworld street societies even mocked them as ERRAND BOYS!

That is why Harak could understand if Jayce would be so condescending to smirk at him like that. But he felt really insulted.

"How dare you point that gun in front of me in that manner!!!!"

Harak screams atop his lungs in anger.

For Harak, if there is a person who can be arrogant to humiliate him in this manner, it wouldn't be Jayce. Didn't the 'Tiger' also do atrocious things for the sake of money?

However, all his feelings and bottled-up hate towards everything were nothing to Jayce. The young man stared at Harak as he scratched his face, looking indifferently in his direction with a well-forged revolver in his hand.

It felt like talking to a block of ice. Unresponsive and cold at the same time.

"But..."

Internal conflict arose inside of Harak's head.

At that moment, as if a flash of inspiration ignited whatever little brain cells left in his head has, causing them to work faster.

'Yeah... he is Power. This is the kind of Power I want.'

Harak nodded to himself, after some brief contemplation, realizing his newfound enlightenment.

The strength to defy rules.

Isn't it Jayce is the embodiment of that?

Alone he is already strong. In a brawl, nobody could defeat him unhandicapped. But to gather delinquents to his own disposal as he created a base for himself that is untouched by anyone? That is Power.

Different from them who has to rely on someone, The Dungeon, its more popular name never had to bother doing that.

Harak wanted to beg for Jayce's forgiveness but finds it difficult beside himself with this bizarre scene—his subordinates beaten into a pulp, almost half dead.

He could only exhale heavily. Perhaps, he is convincing himself that he's having a terrible nightmare right now.

Or because he accepted a deal with too little info about it. An ill fate or a mistake in judgment. Also, how can he be so proud to claim that he could stop any intruder without using guns?

He reaps what he sows.

This is just that.

The open field below the building had grown patches of grass over time and currently, it is very dark. Although Jayce had tried to come here as fast as he could, he is still unable to beat the night.

Aside from some torches as a source of light, if one's eyes are not trained to see in the dark one won't be able to figure out where Jayce is. But at some point, the black shadow of the young man approached closer and closer to Harak. As the winds blew, the clouds allowed the moon to peek through, the Tiger's face could gradually be seen.

His sharp jawline and face appeared as though they had been painted on black sandpaper; his lifeless black eyes that were void of any emotions had been revealed too. He had pale and chapped blood-stained lips.

He seems to be smiling but wasn't smiling in succession. As that face spoke, any thoughts from Harak are promptly suspended.

"Hmph. Pathetic. Looks like you wanted to die huh."

His voice that has suddenly spoken is steady and aloof like the sound of thin ice crunching. Every remaining Baldy at the scene is instantly rendered speechless.