One of the top gangs had been wiped out.
Kingsmere went into an uproar. Gossip flew and rumors spread in a matter of hours.
Within every establishment, there was someone talking about it.
Consequently, Cabrera's name popped up all over the place.
Some called him the man who single handedly wiped out Fire Scar.
It wasn't the truth, but when did humans ever tell the truth?
From one mouth to another, the tale of how Fire Scar fell overnight was exaggerated.
Along with it, the names Black Jaws and Red Hook started making rounds.
Cabrera knew none of this.
Right now, he was moving along an underground passage with Kron behind him.
He found it through information from the remaining Fire Scar members.
The passage was wide and had three doors at set intervals.
He had taken keys from one of the dead bodies, which he used to open them, revealing different things.
In one, he found money and artifacts.
In the other, he found girls of different ages and sizes in cages.
'Slaves'
Cabrera frowned, before checking the third.
In it, were files containing detailed transaction records.
With it, Cabrera understood he still underestimated Fire Scar.
It was not just a gang, they were on another level.
He could see names of multiple nobles in these files, from Barons to even a Count.
They weren't people to be messed with, and now Cabrera had touched their interests.
His heart beat in trepidation with his fist clenched.
Fear was seeping into his heart, when Kron slapped his back.
"Get out of your head. We couldn't just lay down and die"
Cabrera stared at him and nodded.
They attacked him first, so they should've been prepared for the consequences.
Then, there was the inexplicable shiver he felt and the healing potion from nowhere.
He rubbed his head. The missing parts of his memories were not helping the matter.
He took a deep breath.
'One step at a time'
They headed out of the passage.
"Have Nathan come here"
While waiting, he spoke with Kron.
"What are you going to do now?"
"What nonsense? I'm staying" Kron retorted.
"We might die"
"We're already dead since the moment we decided to fight Fire Scar"
Kron took a deep breath.
"I'll be joining you"
"What?"
"Don't give me that. You've grown stronger. More so than I ever thought. I want the same"
"Hmm-"
"It's a matter of time before we're killed anyway. That way, we'll have a chance to grow stronger"
Cabrera nodded.
"But they won't wait for us to grow"
"True, but-"
*Bam*
The door slammed open to reveal a wide eyed Nathan.
"What have you done?!"
Cabrera stares, unmoving.
"Have a sit"
Nathan readjusted his demeanor when he noticed Kron.
"Firstly, take a look at this" Cabrera tossed him a stack of files.
"Hmm" with a skeptical face, he began reading.
"Oh"
Again. "Oh"
And again. "Oh!"
Two minutes elapsed, and Nathan put the files down, his gaze changed.
"What do you think? Is there a way we can use it?"
"Hmm" Nathan's eyes regained focus.
"That's tough to say. Using it as blackmail could potentially backfire"
"Sigh…"
*Knock*Knock*
"Who?"
"Boss, someone's here to see you"
All three men stared at each other.
"Let them in"
A man in black clothing came in, his demeanor giving an air of charisma as he took a seat.
"Which one of you is Cabrera?"
"I am" Cabrera said with his elbow on the table and his hands interlocked over his mouth and nose.
"I'm Ronald from White Kings"
Cabrera's gaze deepened, but his face remained the same.
"And so?"
'This guy's good' Ronald thought.
"I see you're still cleaning up, so I'll make this brief. We need to know your stance"
'Hmm?'
Basically, they came to affirm whether he was an enemy or an ally.
"Neutral. Fire Scar brought this upon itself by trying to kill me"
Ronald made light nods.
"I guess we need not be worried then"
"I guess so"
"Well, my job here is done" he said and extended his palm.
"Congrats on becoming Kingmere's number two guild"
Cabrera shook it.
"Likewise"
Ronald left.
Cabrera looked on coldly while the other two didn't speak.
Throughout the conversation, none of them smiled, and when they shook hands, they stared at each other.
In Ronald's eye, Cabrera saw a light of mockery.
At the same time, multiple people were approaching Kingsmere to meet the famous Black Jaws.
Some went to know their new competitor.
Others were coming to find out what exactly Cabrera had used to kill the beasts he showcased in the Missionary.
Things were starting to seem bleak for Black Jaws.
—------------------
Meanwhile, Orlando was pestering the old man once more.
"Sir, I've found a way"
"Well? Then bring them over"
"Actually…I need you help"
"Huh?"
"It's like this Sir. They…"
Quickly, he explained the matter and the old man's eyes and mouth widened in surprise.
"Hahaha, Orlando, you have done well"
He patted the boy on his back, before making haste for the Royal Advisor.
While there were a lot of flaws in the boy's plan, the old man found it useful.
—------------------
"Excuse me?" Bolton shifted his reading glasses with a look of bewilderment.
The Vice Head Alchemist had come to him about…a guild?
He didn't quite understand, especially when a great war had commenced.
The old man explained his case.
"Even if so, I can't call them to the palace just for that"
"Then call them for property damage and murder. That works fine, yes?"
"It does. One last thing though-"
The old man jerked his head.
'What now?'
"-what do I get from all this?"
The old man clenched his palm.
"You already have everything. What else do you want?"
"The de-aging potion"
"How do you know about that? I was saving that for myself! Pick-"
"Then I guess we're done"
Bolton got up to leave.
Alarmed, the old man pulled Bolton back.
"Wait, wait, wait. Never mind, I'll give it to you"
The scene was comical.
"Ok, the deal's done. I'll have them here in a few minutes"
Bolton left with a smile, while the old man felt like crying, but soothed himself.
'It's the price of greatness. Yes, yes, that's what it is'
—---------------------
-Minutes later-
*Knock*Knock*
With no answers to the crisis at hand, Cabrera answered weakly.
"Yes?"
"Boss, you're being summoned!"
Cabrera came awake immediately.
"What?"
"These-"
*Bam*
Again, the door was slammed open.
This time, two men in red armor came in uniformly.
"Mr. Cabrera?"
"Yes?"
They turned to him.
"You're being summoned by the Royal Advisor"
"Wha-why?"
"That is none of our business. The royal advisor shall tell you himself"
Cabrera was flabbergasted.
Royals didn't interfere with gang matters before. What was going on?
Nevertheless, he could only cooperate. The men in front of him were Experts.
With a sigh, he said.
"Lead the way"
"I'll be tagging along" Nathan joined them.
"Only Mr. Cabrera was requested," a guard said.
"I'm sorry, but I follow Mr. Cabrera everywhere, and I don't see how it is a problem"
After a few glances between the guards, they decide to leave it be.
No one was stupid enough to attack royal guards in the capital, and small fry like them could never touch a hair on the Advisor's head.
They were escorted into the castle and asked to sit in an empty room, its walls painted red.
After thirty minutes of waiting, two men entered and sat opposite them.
Bolton broke the ice.
"Do you know why you're here?"
