Wolf bursting into laughter wasn't exactly on Max's bingo card for how this meeting would go, especially not here, and not now. But deep down, Max knew exactly why he was doing it.
Chrono had been smug since the moment they walked in.
From the moment he started talking, he acted like he was the king of the city, like putting a pile of money in front of them should've been enough to make them fall to their knees in gratitude.
Chrono believed that power meant everyone bowed to him. That ten thousand in cash was more than enough to buy their loyalty. But he had no idea that Wolf was already being paid more than that, just to tag along with Max.
And that was what made it all so damn funny to Wolf.
The entire situation was ridiculous. From the oversized ego to the oversized stacks of money, the whole interaction played out like a parody of a gangster flick, and Wolf just couldn't help himself.
I brought you here to support me, Max thought as he side-eyed Wolf, not to risk getting us both killed. Chrono is furious.
He could feel it. The air shifted.
Wolf was still laughing, even after Chrono's sharp question. He didn't stop, if anything, he doubled down. Then, casually, he reached forward and grabbed his stack of money.
"Haha! Hahaha!" Wolf cackled louder, bending over, one hand on his stomach. "Sorry, I just... I couldn't believe it! I've never had this much money in my life. I thought maybe I was dreaming!"
The room held its breath.
Then, unexpectedly, Chrono laughed too.
"Haha! I like you," he said, easing back into his chair. "I like the way you think."
Just like that, the tension diffused.
"Anyway," Chrono added, waving his hand, "go ahead, both of you. Enjoy the rest of your day. Spend the money. There's plenty more where that came from."
As Max and Wolf walked off, Na caught up and informed them a taxi was waiting outside, arranged by the Corps. It was parked a few blocks down the road.
Max glanced over his shoulder as they left. Chrono was still smiling, his eyes cold beneath the curve of his grin.
Once outside, Na stayed behind, leaving only Chrono in the hangar office with him.
"They're interesting, those two," Chrono muttered.
"Indeed," Na said. "They're young, but talented. Raw, yes, but useful. In the fight today, they were already more valuable than some of our trained men. With formal training and continued field exposure, they could rise quickly. Maybe even to Sergeant level."
Chrono's grin widened, almost gleaming.
"If we have four Sergeants at that level… then our debut as an organized group won't just be official. It'll be unforgettable."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Treat them well. Keep them close. I don't want them slipping away."
The taxi they'd arranged dropped off Wolf and Max on a street about three blocks from Max's actual address. He didn't want Wolf, or the driver, knowing where he lived. In his world, paranoia wasn't a flaw, it was strategy.
Once the car pulled away and they were alone on the sidewalk, Max let out a long, slow sigh.
"That was way too close."
"No kidding," Wolf replied. "I barely held it together. But man, when Chrono put down that ten grand like he'd just saved your life... I couldn't help it. I thought, 'This is where he gets all his cash?'"
He chuckled again, wiping a tear from his eye. "Thankfully, I've got quick recovery skills."
Max shook his head. As annoying as Wolf could be, this was why he brought him along. He could adapt. No matter how tense the moment, Wolf had a way of slipping through the cracks, of saying exactly what was needed to keep things from blowing up.
Max smirked. "So what now?"
"Well," Wolf said, stretching, "I guess I'll head back to Notting Hill. Hopefully, they don't call me up too often, or you'll run out of money. And don't worry about the taxi. I've got it."
"You were really expecting me to pay for your taxi," Max muttered. "After doubling your fee?"
Wolf winked, turned, and strolled off.
Max stood there for a few seconds longer.
He was doing well, playing the part of the street gang member, keeping both sides in check while slowly building up his own network. So far, he was still in control. But how long would that last?
The next day was Friday.
Max sat at his desk during morning classes, staring out the window. The last school day before the weekend.
His mind wasn't on school.
No calls from the family, he noted. No pushback from using the funds. No mandatory events this weekend either.
Still... he didn't want to waste his time.
There has to be a way to use this time. Something productive. Something that makes me stronger.
He thought back to three things: Na's strength. Dud's endurance. Stephen's warning.
Even if I trained nonstop for a month, I still wouldn't catch up. Not to Na. Not to Dud. Even Wolf said they were stronger than him. Hiring Wolf again wouldn't change that.
His fingers drummed against his desk.
Is there a faster way to get stronger?
He dug into his memory, his past with the White Tigers. He had heard of something. Risky, uncommon... but maybe worth a shot.
When the break bell rang, Jay and Joe slipped into his classroom. They didn't head to the canteen, because they knew the girls would follow them there. And they needed to talk privately.
"So," Joe asked, "what happened with that whole situation? You're here, so I guess everything worked out, yeah?"
Max didn't answer right away.
Instead, he reached under his desk and pulled out two thick bundles of cash.
He slid one across the table toward Joe.
Then slid the other to Jay.
"Joe," Max said. "You earned this fighting for the Billion Bloodline Gym. Consider it your payment."
He turned to Jay. "And you, I never paid you for helping me out against Clapton High. This is yours."
Both of them stared in disbelief.
Then the counting began.
Hundreds stacked. The realization hit fast.
Each of them had just been handed five grand.
Joe grinned wide, almost giddy. "Jay, can you believe this? Five thousand!"
But Jay didn't say anything right away.
His shoulders began to shake.
And then… the tears came.
"Thank you…" Jay whispered. "Thank you. Thank you so much…"
Max watched in silence.
I knew it, he thought. There's something going on with Jay. There's a reason someone that kind-hearted is doing this. There's a reason he was working under Dipter.
And whatever it was…
Max intended to find out.