Chapter 207: The Battle Of The Rejected Corps (part 2)
Everything followed the same pattern as before.
The same routine. The same ride.
Max and Wolf were taken to the usual kind of location, a cluster of restaurant chains on the outskirts of the city. Only this time, something was different.
The restaurants were getting larger. Fancier. More upscale with each visit. But the growing luxury wasn’t the only thing that had changed.
When the vans pulled up and came to a stop, more members began pouring out of them than ever before.
It was obvious now, this wasn’t just another turf skirmish. The operation was escalating. And fast.
As Max stepped out of the vehicle with Wolf beside him, his sharp eyes scanned the scene. One figure, standing confidently at the edge of the lot, caught his attention.
Na was already here.
’If they’re bringing both Na and Dud into this fight,’ Max thought, tension building in his chest, ’then this must be serious.’
Na’s voice cut through the noise as he turned to face them.
"Oh? I’m surprised the two of you actually decided to show up this time," he said, his tone casual but laced with sharpness. His gaze was steady, direct. "The situation’s not the same anymore. As we learned from our last attack... the Chalkline Boys are taking us seriously now."
He paused, letting his words settle.
"They’re prepared for a fight. Not just some street scuffle, these guys have real fighters. But we’re not backing down. We’re close. Just one more push and we’ll see real results."
Na shifted his eyes to Max and Wolf, his expression tightening.
"The two of you better make up for not being there the other day."
Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel, already heading toward the building.
Max and Wolf didn’t speak either. The moment the group surged toward the hot pot restaurant, they joined in, moving fast, slipping into the fray without hesitation.
This time, there was no holding back.
Just as Na had warned, the Chalkline Boys had come prepared. Their fighters were more skilled, better coordinated. The resistance was heavier than anything they’d faced before.
But even so, Max and Wolf were ready.
They tore through the crowd like twin storms. No wasted movement, no second-guessing. Both had grown stronger, sharper. For Max, it wasn’t just about the Vow anymore. He could feel it, his strength, his instincts, even the reflexes from his past life... all of it was starting to come back.
He moved as if guided by something unseen.
When a knife came swinging down toward him from behind, he shifted a split second before it connected, ducking and twisting without even needing to look.
His hand shot out, catching the attacker’s wrist in mid-air. In the same motion, he snapped his leg forward, kicking another man in front of him square in the chest. The man went flying back.
Still gripping the knife-wielder’s arm, Max yanked the man forward and slammed a fist into his face with brutal precision. The man crumpled instantly.
Max didn’t need to hit them twice. He didn’t need to check if they stayed down.
He already knew they wouldn’t be getting back up again.
Wolf, was even more wild than before, as he jumped across the tables almost running on them and then would leap over to his next opponent, taking them out immediately. He was spurred on by seeing Max’s growth.
In the chaos of the fight, Max and Wolf weren’t just fighters, they were forces of nature.
The two of them alone felt like having twenty extra men on their side. Their speed, coordination, and sheer impact on the battlefield shifted the tide with ease. Because of that, the Rejected Crops had suffered minimal losses during the assault. They stormed the restaurant, took control of the area, and walked away with a solid, undeniable victory.
It was the kind of win that would send shockwaves across the streets.
Once the battle was over and the cleanup began, Max and Wolf were quietly ushered into a car and driven away from the scene. They knew where they were headed.
The hangar.
It had become a familiar location, one that always came after something major.
When they arrived, the two of them were told to remain outside. Dud and Na stepped into the building to make a direct report to Chrono himself.
Inside, the mood was triumphant.
"This is good. This is very good!" Chrono said, pacing with energy in his steps. "With such an overwhelming victory, the Chalkline Boys will begin to crack. They’ll start second-guessing everything. They’ll want to negotiate rather than keep up this war."
He stopped for a moment, a confident smile forming on his face.
"I knew those two had potential."
Both Na and Dud nodded in agreement. There was no denying Max and Wolf’s impact, they had changed the game. But even in the midst of success, concern lingered.
"Sir," Na spoke up, his voice cautious, "I think we need to reign them in. Especially after what I saw today... Their strength, their coordination, they’re incredibly skilled. If anyone else were to notice that and make a better offer..."
He trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air.
"It could mean serious trouble for us."
Chrono’s expression didn’t falter, but his eyes sharpened.
"You mean like the Black Hounds?" he asked, cutting straight to the point.
Na gave a small nod.
"I’m aware," Chrono said, voice quieter now. "Which is why I’m asking... how are we handling this situation?"
His attention turned to Dud, the question hanging heavily in the air.
Dud, ever calm, took a moment before responding. "I think I’ve found something we can use," he said carefully. "Something that will make sure Max knows exactly where he stands, and who he belongs to."
He glanced toward the closed hangar doors, where Max and Wolf waited outside in the evening air.
"I just need a little more time to investigate. But if I’m right about this..." Dud’s voice dropped lower, a hint of certainty in it now.
"...then Max will never betray us."