Chapter 134: The First Mission The first mission, as a member of the Rejected Corps. Just thinking about those words made Max chuckle to himself. He hadn’t exactly taken the traditional route into the gang world. He didn’t rise through the ranks like most people. Instead, much like he had done with the White Tigers, he created something from the ground up. So now, being just a member of a gang instead of the one leading it... well, that was definitely new territory. At his desk, Max sat tapping his pen against the surface, clicking it in and out over and over again. The sound was soft, but steady enough to get on people’s nerves. A few students turned around with irritated looks on their faces, ready to snap, until they saw who was making the noise. Their expressions froze. They turned back around without a word. Joe, sitting nearby, couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh. No one wants to get a pen shoved into their hand by Max, he thought. Fair enough... but what’s up with him? He’s been off ever since that phone call. Max’s thoughts were spinning. What would his first mission even be? Would they ease him into it, something simple to break him in? Or would it be a test, a way to size him up? And what exactly was the Rejected Corps hoping to gain from this arrangement? Did they think that having him on their side meant controlling the entire school? That he was some kind of key to a bigger plan? I have to think about my own goals in all of this, Max reminded himself. I need to play it smart with Chrono, stay on his good side so I don’t end up on his list. But more importantly, I need to figure out what really happened with Chad... and where all that money went. If Chad’s fortune couldn’t protect him, then mine won’t either. The idea of hiring private security teams to take down a ruthless gang sounded good on paper, but reality didn’t work like that. If the gang was too big... too connected... No amount of money could save you. If the Rejected Corps had connections at the syndicate level, then hiring another gang wouldn’t help. No one would dare take the job. Not unless they didn’t know who they were really dealing with. When school ended, Joe approached Max like he always did, casual and upbeat. The two of them headed out together. "I’m in good shape again, finally ready for some training," Joe said with a grin. "Maybe we should spar together? You’re a little better than me, so it’d help me improve, right?" Max turned and gave him a look. "I mean, a lot better," Joe corrected himself quickly, hands up in surrender. "Alright, calm down. But seriously, I’ve improved a lot. That guy just caught me off guard last time. I’ll do better next time. I’m sorry." They were walking through the hallway when Max suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Do me a favor, Green," Max said, not even turning to look at him. "Don’t apologize for things that aren’t your fault. It’s a habit that’ll only hold you back." "I’m... sorry," Joe replied on instinct. Max turned around and gave him that look again. Joe clamped his mouth shut, resisting the urge to let the words slip out again. "About the gym," Max started, "I won’t be, " But before he could finish, Jay appeared on the bottom floor, just past the rows of lockers lining the walls. "Hey, perfect timing!" Jay called out, walking up to them. "Let’s all head to the gym together." He paused for a second, then added, "Also... I wanted to ask. That phone call earlier, was it about what happened the other day?" Jay’s voice was careful. He was dancing around the topic, especially with Joe standing right there. "Somewhat," Max said. "I’ve got it under control for now. Just remember what I told you before, if you don’t hear from me, call that number." Joe’s gaze bounced between them, his head shifting back and forth like he was watching a silent tennis match. "What are you guys talking about?" Joe asked, frowning. "Why are you leaving me out of the conversation?" Then something clicked. "Wait... the other day, did something happen? Was it about that guy who attacked us? Did you figure out what’s going on?" The look on Max and Jay’s faces said it all. The silence that followed told Joe even more. "You guys can’t just tell me to sit back and do nothing while you go off handling things behind my back," Joe said, voice rising with frustration. "That psycho attacked me, remember? Don’t you think I deserve to know what’s going on?" He took a breath, but he wasn’t finished. "Even Stephen’s telling me to let it go, but how can I? I was there." Max glanced at Jay. He could tell both of them wanted answers. So he gave them the short version. He didn’t mention his family, but he told them about the group Dipter had been working for, how now, he was helping that group out. It was just enough to fill in the blanks. "So that Dud guy..." Joe said slowly, processing it. "You’re working with that psycho?" There was a tightness in his voice. He didn’t know how to feel. Part of him felt betrayed, but part of him also understood. "That ’Dud guy’ and the group he works for... they’re a lot stronger than us," Max said. "We can’t beat them the same way we beat Dipter. Even if you, or Stephen, were there, I don’t think the outcome would’ve changed. There’s no need for anyone else to get involved unless they have to." Now it was Jay and Joe who felt guilty, like Max was carrying the weight of everything just to protect them. As they reached the school doors and stepped outside, Max stopped and turned to the two of them. "I won’t be going to the gym today," he said. "They’ve called me in. But you guys... don’t worry. Just focus on building the Billion Bloodline. That’s the best way you can help me right now." Maybe Max was just saying that to ease their minds, but it didn’t stop either of them from feeling useless. If they couldn’t help him in the situation he was facing now... Then what were they even being paid for? "I hope... whatever he’s doing isn’t too dangerous," Joe muttered, concern written all over his face. "We’re talking about real gangs here. Max could end up in serious trouble." Jay didn’t say anything, but the tension in his jaw said enough. As they continued walking, both of them noticed someone standing by the school gate, someone waving casually in their direction. "Wait..." Joe squinted, then pointed. "Is that... that guy?!" His voice pitched up with disbelief. "That guy from the Pit!" Sure enough, it was Wolf. Standing there with that wide, toothy grin, he waved enthusiastically at them like they were old friends meeting up for lunch, completely ignoring the fact that his reputation alone sent shivers down people’s spines.