Chapter 160: The Deal is Made
There was something Aron had noticed this entire time while facing Hercules, and not just during the fight, but even before it had started.
Hercules had been trying his best not to harm those around him beyond what was necessary. It wasn’t just a coincidence or lack of control; Aron could tell he was deliberately holding back. Maybe he was actually placing limits on himself, and the destruction that had occurred was simply a byproduct of those limits being tested.
Either way, for someone to do such a thing, it meant one clear truth: Hercules didn’t want to kill.
The final strike that Hercules had been preparing… Aron had made up his mind. He would deliver the message, and he would not move from his spot. Whether he could’ve even avoided the strike was another matter entirely, but that didn’t matter.
Even if Max’s prediction didn’t come true, Aron trusted that Hercules would stop himself before landing a fatal blow. And that trust had just been proven.
As the violent gust of wind whipped past him, Aron felt one side of his glasses shatter and snap apart, the broken pieces falling to the ground at his feet.
It broke from the wind force alone? Aron thought, his heart racing. If that thing had really hit me, my head would’ve been detached from my skull. And that movement at the end… I had assumed, with a name like ‘Hercules,’ his specialty was raw strength, but he just proved it. He has extreme speed as well.
“It seems my client has managed to pique your interest,” Aron said calmly, steadying his breath. “Thank you for taking the time to listen. And I apologize again. We didn’t know what kind of person you would be, and you’ve proven a hard one to track down. That’s why I needed the aid of everyone here.”
He stood tall, even with his broken glasses and battered appearance.
“However,” Aron continued, voice firm, “I cannot state my client’s name. And before you say you’re not interested, know this, he will come see you in person tomorrow, if you allow it. He will explain everything face to face. My purpose here was simply to find you first.”
Hercules slowly lowered his fist to his side. His sharp gaze shifted to the other squad members still standing nearby, ready to act at a moment’s notice. But now, they were visibly shaking, their bodies tense, unsure if they even could help.
He had to admit… they were a brave bunch. Most people, after witnessing even a fraction of his strength, would’ve turned tail and fled, never daring to seek him out again.
“I have some rules… if I’m to accept your condition,” Hercules finally spoke, his voice deep and unwavering. “First, only you and the student may come here tomorrow. To this cabin. No one else.”
His gaze darkened.
“If I am not here, wait for me. I will come back at some point. But no one else is to arrive. And as for the rest of you, those who’ve seen this place… you are to forget about it. Otherwise, ” Hercules’ voice dropped to a dangerous growl, “, I will make it so you’re forgotten from this world. Understand?”
The men all nodded quickly, not daring to say a word. Their throats felt tight, voices caught in fear.
Without another glance, Hercules turned and walked past them, heading toward the cabin once more. He didn’t speak again, the sound of his heavy footsteps the only thing echoing in the silent forest.
“When I come back out…” Hercules added over his shoulder, his tone cold and absolute, “none of you should still be here, including the ones on the ground.”
And just like that, the towering figure disappeared inside. The large beast of a man was gone, but the weight of his presence lingered in the air.
Every single person there felt as though they had just narrowly escaped death itself. The air around them finally felt breathable again, though none of them could shake the feeling that they hadn’t even witnessed Hercules’ true strength.
The squad wasted no time. The helicopters had been lowered back down to their position, and the injured were swiftly placed inside before flying off toward the main city. The crew was tense, the loud hum of the chopper blades made them anxious. What if the noise provoked Hercules again?
But Aron remained calm.
“He won’t come out until the entire area is clear,” Aron reassured them quietly. “It was an empty threat… I’m confident of that.”
Now, only the captain and the remaining squad members were left, waiting for the final helicopter to arrive and take them out of there.
“Thank you for covering all our hospital bills,” the captain said, his voice steady despite the exhaustion in his eyes. “To be honest, I’m not sure you even needed us for this. If you’d searched the mountain alone, you would’ve found him. Everything that happened, even calming him down, that was all your effort.”
“I needed you to get the task done faster,” Aron replied simply. “Your team had its expertise. And without them taking the fall… I wouldn’t have known the man’s heart.”
With that, Aron pulled out the rubber bullet gun and handed it back to the captain.
“You handled this thing like a pro,” the captain said, examining the weapon. “You’ve used one before, haven’t you? And I’m not just talking about this… I mean the real thing.”
“I have,” Aron answered, offering no further explanation, despite the captain’s clear curiosity.
“You kept up with us, moved with perfect awareness of your surroundings… your fighting style, sharp, controlled, always reading the situation. And you’re incredibly young. Who are you? Special Forces? Even then, it doesn’t add up.” The captain narrowed his eyes.
Still, Aron remained silent. And in that silence… the captain had his answer.
He let out a long sigh, but then a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he looked at Aron.
“Whoever you are, you’re clearly overqualified for whatever job you’ve got. Although, if your client keeps putting you in situations like this all the time… maybe not.”
The captain chuckled lightly, shaking his head.
“What I really want to say is this, if you ever need a job, or if you want one now… you can always seek us out. You’d be more than welcome on our team.”
Aron reached up and removed his broken glasses, tucking them neatly into the breast pocket of his jacket. The captain watched him do it, already suspecting the truth. The glasses probably weren’t even real. He’d heard about certain elite units where one of the strict requirements for joining was perfect 20/20 vision.
“I already have a great job,” Aron said with a faint smile. “It’s a job I would never give up. Not for anything in the world.”
With that, he pulled out his phone. The mission was complete. Now it was time to deliver the good news. He quickly typed out a message and sent it.
Meanwhile, inside his apartment, Max’s face lit up as he saw who the message was from.
[Hercules will see you tomorrow.]
‘That damn Aron… he really pulled it off. The guy’s good.’
Just then, Max felt another buzz in his hand.
[Silver Ranger has accomplished his mission.]
500 Golden Ticekts = 1 Extra Chapter
2 Owed Chapters