The next day, people woke up to a sight they deemed dream-like.
Black Jaws newest members rubbed their eyes to make sure they weren't dreaming, before checking the others at their side.
When was the last time they felt this good?
The bed was premium quality, laid with a blanket that had a soothing aroma.
They were even given new clothes.
Not to talk of the food they ate last night.
How blissful would it be if this was how they normally lived?
Such thoughts circulated until a voice rang out.
"Get up"
The tone was subtle, but these men dare not ignore it.
Quickly, they got to their feet, finding a new pair of shoes at their side.
"You must've enjoyed your sleep"
Cabrera smirked.
"Try not to die"
They felt chills, but it only boosted their resolve.
This was it!
This was the kind of life they wanted to live.
They were but paupers yesterday, but from now on, they'd be kings.
And whoever thought to step in their way would be eradicated.
Cabrera was happy with this result. Their looks of wanting and greed were perfect.
The guild would take care of them beyond measure, and in turn, it would have warriors willing to die for them.
Ezra used this method because he'd seen its effects.
To fight what was coming, a single wishy-washy combatant would lead to the demise of many.
"Now then, it's time to work"
These men moved with purpose and rejoiced. This decision might just be the best.
Cabrera had their families fully fed, given accommodation, and healed from fatal injuries and illnesses.
All this on the condition that the family members joined the guild.
Many promptly agreed, while many others rejected.
Some sulked emotionally upon seeing their wife, child, or another healed from an ailment destined to kill them.
To see their child's skin gain color and see them fully fed…
Then, another contract was signed. In which Cabrera was obliged to raise the children alongside their parents, as the kids were guild members.
This, Ezra hadn't planned, and Cabrera dared to do so because they were buffered - another thing Ezra hadn't planned for.
These families immediately swore allegiance.
So, within a single day, the guild members exploded in number and others were getting wind of their actions.
Specifically, powerful entities in the surrounding cities, thanks to White King and sources in the black market.
—----------------------
"Today, we'll be testing your skills to see how pitiful they are" said Cabrera.
Thanks to the war, beasts were aplenty, so there was money to be earned.
From his palm, weapons and armor fell to the ground, quickly forming a hill.
"Take your pick"
Coming closer, they were surprised.
"Woah! They are Silver-rank! So many of them!"
Their eyes went wide in amazement until Cabrera spoke.
"Hurry up"
That was done quickly as they proceeded outside, joining up with Cabrera's boys and the former Red Hook members.
They boarded carriages, when Cabrera realized a problem.
'We need our own carriages'
He stopped at the missionary to accept a few missions, before meeting the rest right outside Kingsmere.
With a buffer zone, why hide? And this way, they'd easily gain more members.
"We'll be hunting E and D rank beasts"
The new members went into an uproar.
"But we can't fight such beasts!"
Cabrera's reply took him aback.
"Then feel free to die. Weaklings are unneeded"
The man squeezed his palm as Cabrera sighed.
'Now that I think about it, he was the one of the guys who didn't get injured yesterday'
At the time Cabrera splattered gold coins on the floor, he stayed away from the chaos due to fear.
"If you're that much of a coward, we can have you work off the money you owe us"
The man jerked his head up. He wasn't crazy enough to fight E-rank beasts.
"Of course. You'll be kicked from guild as soon as you're done"
He turned and walked away, leaving the man with no words.
Carl and co with the Red Hook members followed.
Most of the new members did the same, leaving the hesitating few behind.
The man steeled himself. Luxury was good and all, but he was too young to die.
"Let me leave!"
Cabrera stopped.
"Then head back and tell Nathan. He'll know what to do"
He then walked away, with gazes of disdain glued to his back.
He just didn't want to die, was that too much to ask?
He headed back, with three others.
They reported to Nathan, who sat in his quarter room.
"I see. Give me a minute"
"Williams"
A boy, tall with green eyes and brown hair, came in.
"Yes, Mr. Nathan?"
"Get me their owing amount"
"Ok. What items did they use?"
Nathan: -_-
'Right'
He turned, directing his question to those reporting.
After a minute and lots of scribbling, he gave them an answer.
"9 gold"
"Huh???" the man flew into an outrage.
"That's impossible! How could I have spent nine hundred silvers in a single day?!"
Williams interrupted.
"It's actually very much possible. How much did you think the equipment you're wearing is worth?"
It hit them. They were garbed in Silver-rank armor and weapons.
"You can have it back" they took it off.
"Ok" William didn't object, scribbling once more.
"Seventy-five silver"
He then continued, allowing no interruption.
"The food eaten yesternight was thirty-five silver. Cost of shelter is another ten. And usage of Silver-rank equipment is thirty silver"
He stared at them.
"And that's me being nice"
"You can't-"
"Guards"
The guards came in at Nathan's call, unsheathing their swords.
Nathan turned to them.
"Will you work or shall I have you thrown into a cell?"
They gulped.
They were trapped the moment they signed the contract.
Patches of monster regions were all around Niton, in an amount greater than any other.
Simply put, Niton had the biggest beast population, along with natural resources.
Cabrera went into one of the near ones, while his members trailed behind him.
The group caught many eyes as they advanced, for beasts could sense humans just as humans could sense beasts.
He stopped at a certain point.
'This is far enough'
He wore his gauntlets and turned around.
"Separate into groups of five or seven. I want old members leading"
Old members were his boys and those of Red Hook.
"Begin hunting. Get me one E-rank beast at the very least before the days end or die trying"
They swallowed, wondering how exactly they were to achieve that.
Not the former members though.
"Any questions?"
"Do we have to hunt as a group?"
Cabrera smiled.
"No, but I recommend it"
"Can groups hunt together?"
"Sure"
Their expressions light up.
He taps his chin.
'Something's missing…but what?'
Then it hits him, he hadn't named a reward.
"The group with the most kills gets to keep their weapons permanently. Or take another of the same rank"
They made strange faces.
"Yes, they're not yours. You were merely loaned them for this task"
Cabrera was amused.
'Why else would you be given monthly wages?'
They didn't seem to understand the situation because of the extravagant treatment.
'Seems I'll have Nathan tone it down'
Well, the results of this task would decide that.
Cabrera then finished his instructions with his new favorite sentence.
"Try not to die"
He finally left for other matters.
What? He wasn't there to hold their hands.
They were treated extravagantly to make them willing to go through quicksand and diamonite to achieve results for the guild.
And to act as a trap for those trying to take advantage of the guild by plunging them into debt.
'Honestly' he wondered.
'Who thought up this stuff?'
Meanwhile, Kron supervised the slaves and slum dwellers as they built a fence around the slums while Fredrick helped Sebastian familiarize himself with Niton, meeting Ruby and James Opson along with the first batch of children, now called information agents, in the process.
With Black Silence established, little remained for the information agency's full reformation.
