Chapter 152: Takeover Complete!
Chapter 151
Tring!
[Quests Accomplished]
[Rewards will now be calculated and distributed]
[Calculating...]
[Rewards: Level up ×3; +30,000 XP; +10 free stat points; +1 new skill]
’Huh? That’s it? That’s all? I was expecting something good for all this trouble and these are my rewards?!’ Max thought as he glared at his system screen in confusion.
’Status tab.’
{Name: Max Ashwell}
{Age: 18}
{Level: 29}
{XP: 12,400/18,100}
{Race: Draconic Scion}
{HP: 100/100}. {MP: 300/300}
{STR: 65}. {AGI: 65}
{INT: 51}. {Partners: 3}
{Free stat: 26}
’Okay, scratch that! This is awesome! I just need to level up one more time and I’ll finally evolve. So fucking close! This is beautiful!’ Max grinned inwardly as he stared at his hands. ’I have a feeling that if it wasn’t for the fact that my stats were capped, I would’ve gotten some extra stat points too.’
’Anyway, the skill I got, let’s see it.’
[New skill added: one]
[Skill name: Claw Slash]
[Description: This skill allows host to unleash claw slashes in the air which cause damage to the enemy. The slash locks onto the target and doesn’t leave no matter what. For each slash that hits, it steals ten HP from the enemy’s health and replenishes the host’s.]
[Cost: -15 MP per slash]
[Cooldown: None! Host can keep using the skill as he deems fit or until energy runs out.]
’And here I was whining a while ago. Mehn! This is fucking juicy! This skill is kind of strong though. Well, I won’t know until I’ve tested it out.’ Max shrugged before holding his abdomen, wincing slightly in pain.
As he glanced up and prepared to move, he noticed the Gray Bulls’ men all staring at him. It was clear they were shaken up by everything that had just occurred. They had lost both their demonic leader and vice leader, and now, they looked completely lost.
Out of the four hundred men who’d been there, only about a hundred had managed to escape when their leader went rogue, leaving roughly three hundred members behind. Every single one of them stared at the dragon in a mix of awe and fear.
"I have a quick question though. How did you know that— that Predator’s Authority would work against him? I mean, he was quite strong," Pix asked curiously.
’He looked strong, and at first, he was whooping me good until I realized that it was all in my head. Its main strength was its speed, and honestly, it didn’t pack that much of a bite. Besides, it was just a demon vessel, like the one I fought before, and I’m a Dragon Scion.
If I was still a dragon vessel, then that would’ve been a different story. So I knew it would work, and I’m glad it did, because with that, I got this.’ Max thought with satisfaction as the three hundred men suddenly got down on their knees, bowing their heads before him.
"W... we are so sorry for doubting your words earlier! We thank you for saving us from the clutches of a demon. Thank you!" the men all said in unison, causing a smirk to cross Max’s lips as he basked in the air of gratitude surrounding him.
"Pl... please tell us, what can we do for our savior?" one man asked, lifting his head as Max straightened his posture and glanced ahead.
"First off, you all have just lost your leaders twice, and now even your vice leader is gone because of your recklessness. I know most of you gang members are delinquents from school, dropouts, or people who couldn’t get a job for one reason or another."
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in as the crowd remained silent, their heads bowed in guilt and fear. The faint scent of blood still lingered in the air, mixing with the smoke from shattered lamps and broken concrete.
Max’s gaze hardened slightly, his tone calm but commanding.
"So you turned to being a gang member just so you could feed, huh? Which is why I won’t take that away from you all. Hence, I’m stepping up as the leader of this gang—if only you all are okay with that," Max said as his eyes scanned the group.
’Not like you all have any choice though,’ he grinned inwardly.
The men twisted and turned, glancing at one another, as though silently wondering who would dare speak up first. The tension in the air was thick, heavy enough to make the faint sounds of the burning debris louder than usual.
"I don’t have to tell you all the benefits of me being your leader, right? You’ve witnessed my strength. You’ve seen that I’m a hybrid and a strong one at that. With me, I can guarantee that no one—nobody will be able to attack us and win.
And not only me, some of my allies are also hybrids. Strong ones too. So you all decide. Do you want to be left alone to wander around and eventually get attacked by weaker gangs? Or stick with me, grow stronger, and become something greater? Make your choice. I don’t have all day.
This isn’t a request. Whether you accept or not, I’m taking over this town. Anyone who refuses or doesn’t want me as the leader can leave now. Make your choice." Max said as he tucked both hands into his pockets, his tone calm but carrying a dangerous weight.
From the bushes, Kelly rose slowly after realizing the danger had passed. Her heart still raced as she stepped out, clutching Max’s bag tightly with trembling fingers. Each step she took toward him felt heavy, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty.
’Calm down, calm down! He’s a dragon, so what? It doesn’t change the fact that he’s still kinda like a hybrid... and he just saved this town from the Gray Bulls. I just hope he isn’t worse than them,’ she thought, swallowing hard as she finally reached his side, standing beside the dragon while staring at the men bowing in front of him.
The gang members clenched their fists, teeth grinding back and forth in frustration and uncertainty. Some still had blood splattered across their faces, while others trembled from exhaustion.
After a moment of silence, one of the men exhaled heavily and glanced at the others. They exchanged subtle nods before he took a step forward, keeping his head bowed respectfully.
"We... We accept you as our leader. We’ve all seen your power and strength, and we know you’re a one-man army. With your supposed hybrid allies, we believe you can turn this gang—and most especially, this town around. So we all accept, and I speak for everyone when I say..." he said, then dropped to one knee, followed by the others who did the same.
"We pledge our complete loyalty to you, no questions asked."
"Beautiful. I like that," Max replied with a wide grin, adjusting his mask as his gaze swept across the crowd of kneeling men. His voice carried authority and confidence that left no room for doubt.
"And from today onward, this gang will no longer be known as the Gray Bulls. From this day on, we are The Crimson Scales Gang!" he declared boldly, his words echoing across the open field.