In the end, the intense Vow training situation was a complete success for the entire original group.
Honestly, Max couldn’t have asked for a better result. He would have been truly happy if even one of them had managed to go through with the training and unlocked their potential. But not only had the original Rangers succeeded, but they had also gained two essential additions in Na and Darno. This was a massive, unexpected bonus.
Sitting back in his desk chair, Max was deep in thought. His legitimate business side was being efficiently sorted out by Warma, leaving Max free to focus on the darker reality. Now it was time for him to progress in the Underworld of things, while simultaneously trying to make quite a bit of money while doing so.
"Even though they have unlocked what was special in their body, they still need to train that power from within as well," Max murmured to himself, tapping a pen against his chin. "I remember what Hercules said: the Vow was something they just had to have complete resolve to keep."
Max pondered the uniqueness of his own power. "But their powers wouldn’t be so directly linked like mine unless their Vows were similar. In the aspect of my Vow being linked to my money, if it goes up and down, it greatly affects me."
He considered the contrast. "But if a meat-eater’s Vow is to never eat meat and to go vegan, then this Vow can just be used to unlock what is within. Only if the Vow is broken would their progress feel a loss, but there’s no clear way to directly increase their power, other than just training like they had been doing before."
Max had already explained all of this to them, stressing the importance of their choices. "So whether they have made a scaling Vow like me, or one that is just a source of strength, is down to them."
Regardless, Max was happy because they now had a few days to recover from their wounds and figure out the Vow business, their strengths, their weaknesses, while they got ready for the next, inevitable step.
’I have to admit though, I am really curious about their Vows,’ Max thought, a genuine, boyish curiosity shining through his calculations. ’I know I told them not to tell me... but I’m genuinely curious.’
That wasn’t the only thing he was curious about either. Max’s general boost was to his body as a whole, a powerful but generalized enhancement. He knew not everyone was like that. Different enhancements of the body were made for particular individuals, often reflecting their core strength or struggle.
’If I was to take a guess by how quickly Joe is recovering, he has a superior healing speed compared to others,’ Max deduced, thinking back to the stitching incident. ’Is that because of his massive level of endurance? Is the power directly linked to that refusal to stay down?’
’It makes me wonder what everyone else’s superhuman capabilities are,’ he mused. ’But I guess it’s good for them to keep that to themselves as well. Secrets are weapons.’
After a few recovery days had passed, the others were all called in. Tomorrow was the day.
Max had already sent word to the Black Hound organization that he would be joining their events. He had done so not just as a spectator, but the Billion Bloodline would be coming as participants as well.
In the large, modern meeting room, he had called Darno and Na in, alongside the original Rangers. There was one more person who had been called into the room, someone who looked completely out of place: Chad.
"I’m sure you are all aware, but the recent events that got Sheri kidnapped were tied to a vicious group known as the Black Hounds," Max began, his tone serious. "And Jett is among one of their three leaders and one of the main people to watch out for. Their main source of income is running underground illegal betting fights, and they have invited us, a competitor, to take part in them as well."
A cold smile spread across Max’s face. "I’m sure they are planning to show off their strength to us in a number of ways, trying to show the difference between their veterans and our group. But they have no idea what we have been through, and how strong we truly are now."
Everyone in the room had grins filled with confidence, itching to try out their new, devastating strength against a real opponent.
"We need to make the most out of this situation," Max stated, leaning forward and meeting everyone’s eyes. "We need to take advantage of them as much as possible, drain them dry, and take what we can get. And that’s why I invited Chad today, because he’s going to be playing a crucial role."
Chad pointed at himself, his jaw dropping in surprise. Max trusted him with something important? What had happened? Was it opposite day today or something?
"We will split into three groups," Max explained, moving to a holographic map on the table.
"My guess is the Black Hounds will focus heavily on this event. I want to take Stephen and Darno with me."
Max continued, laying out his master plan like pieces on a chessboard. "For the next event, I want Aron to be one of the spectators with Na being one of the fighters. He’ll make a great surprise."
"The next fighter in one of the other events will be you, Joe, with Wolf to take part as your cornerman and backup. And as for the person making the bets and managing the money, it will be you, Chad."
Chad stammered, unsure if he should be elated or terrified.
"You have a reputation with them from before," Max explained to Chad, his eyes gleaming with cunning. "They will think you’re an easy mark, an easy way to make money off of us. But they won’t know what hit them, as we drain them dry. We are going to bleed them of capital."
Max’s expression darkened, turning entirely serious. "But we have to be ready for what they might do in retaliation. This is a massive risk. Be alert."