Getting himself a chair and sitting down, Hux continued, “See, I came into this life to seek position and money, not to satisfy some mindless gratification. I’m no longer a greenhorn like you—I’m done staking my life for anything, and that’s how I reached where I am now.
“These days, if there’s something I want, I’d use this,” he said, tapping his head before holding up and brandishing a knuckle, “instead of this. So, are you interested, kid?”
“Sounds intriguing…” Frank rubbed his chin, while thinking to himself that Morhen’s mobsters certainly were different from Riverton’s—they could at least see the big picture.
“In that case, I’ll be frank.” He chuckled. “I sent those students away because I didn’t want to be distracted, but because I’m ready to clean the house. But since what you offered intrigued me, I changed my mind.”
The hint of murderous intent in his smile left Hux stiffening, and his heart skipped a beat while cursing under his breath.
Still, he knew he was lucky not to push Frank’s buttons given how much of a greenhorn he was.
“Ahem…”
Feigning composure, he nodded and said, “So, that means you’re joining my gang? Good, at least you have a brain—”
“Nope.” Frank shook his head. “I really don’t care about joining your gang. I’m just interested in the Sunblazers.”
“What? What are you talking about?” Hux was confused—Frank was interested, but not in joining?
“Like you said, I’m not from here,” Frank said quietly. “And being unfamiliar with the place, I would need some assistance—the Sunblazers would suit me just fine.”
Hux was left stunned. “Wait, you’re saying you want to be the boss?!”
“Like I said, I’m not interested in joining your gang.” Frank smiled, shaking his head before pointing at Hux. “But you’re an interested party, yes?”
“You’re saying…”
Even as Frank’s suggestion dawned on Hux, Frank finished, “I’ll help you claim leadership over the Sunblazers.”
Though everyone stared at Frank in disbelief for a moment, Cid had enough and leapt up, pointing at Frank’s face as he snapped, “Shut up! My brother is at best the underboss—do you even know how powerful the boss is?! And you’re saying you’re usurping his place? Dream on!”
In contrast, Hux took a deep breath before speaking quietly. “Kid, do you understand how big we Sunblazers are? We rank among the top even in Morhen, while you have neither position nor connections. How would you usurp the boss? Just because you can fight? You must be joking.”
“Actually, you’ve got the right idea.” Frank chuckled. “I can fight, and I’m very good at it. So good, in fact, that your boss would tamely yield his place.”
With that, he stamped his foot on the floor—the entire karaoke bar shook as if in an earthquake, rumbling as light bulbs fell and shattered on the floor into pieces.
When Hux and Cid looked down, they found themselves staring at a bottomless ravine that extended all the way to the door.
The sight alone left them stupefied!
