It was the first time Vincent saw the full force of the Yellowsaber gang. More than a hundred men stood at the bottom of the steps in the parking lot, not too far from the bar.
At the top of the steps, which acted as a podium, Vincent stood along with the other top members of the Yellowsaber gang.
'What exactly am I doing here?' he wondered, standing above all these crime-hardened men.
Everyone went silent the moment Don Angel stepped forward.
"You have all followed me these past few years because of your own individual greed and ambitions, and I have done a good job never failing to satisfy your desires. In return, you have trusted me with your loyalty.
"I made a promise to all of you that I will claim this city for us, and when I do, we will all live as kings. But no kingdom was conquered without bloodshed." He paused for a few seconds before continuing.
"I summoned you here because I'm sure you've heard the rumors of an impending war with the Triads. I'm not going to force you all to fight, but let me ask—if a man came at you to kill you, wouldn't you fight back no matter his size? It's the same with the Triad. We'll have to fight back."
The crowd erupted into murmurs. It was obvious they were worried. To go to war with the Triad meant certain destruction. They controlled K-City with a territory that covered more than half the city. A few hundred men were nothing compared to their numbers. Not only that, they had deep connections inside the government, making them almost untouchable.
Many had stood against them in the past, and each time they were crushed. The Triad was not something a gang like the Yellowsaber, with only a few years under their belt, should go against.
"Boss," one of the men called out from within the crowd, "are you really asking us to go against the Triad? Do you want to get all of us killed?"
For a gang member to directly confront the boss like this was surprising, but Don Angel didn't react. He understood the dire situation. If he shut the man up now, it would only cause further unrest within his ranks.
"I never said there would be war," he sighed. "I only said if they bring me a war, I won't tuck my tail and hide or run. I'll make sure to win it." His bright yellow eyes gleamed with a confidence that sent shivers down their spines.
After the general meeting, as they walked back to the bar, Jay asked, "Why didn't you tell them the war was inevitable?"
Don Angel took out a cigarette. Jay lit it for him.
"Because they don't need to know that," he replied. "It's not like they'll have a choice after tonight."
While everyone went their separate ways after the meeting, Vincent stuck close to Jay and the boss, accompanying them as they walked.
He had briefly tried to interact with the other gang members, but they weren't keen on making friends—maybe because they thought the boss favored him unfairly, or maybe it was just how gangsters were. Either way, these two were the least hostile to be around.
Ironic, since every other member of the gang tried to stay away from them—except the top members, of course. They feared, respected, and revered them at the same time.
'Maybe that's how they see me too' Vincent thought with a hint of amusement.
Fortunately for him, the boss didn't seem to mind him being around, and Jay was fine with whatever the boss was fine with. In fact, Vincent felt like he and Jay were slowly becoming friends.
Then he remembered why he was really there.
'I'm not here to make friends. I'm here to take down Don Angel… but that doesn't necessarily have to include Jay, right?'
A black car with tinted windows suddenly pulled up in front of them. The window rolled down, revealing the man in the back seat.
"Here," Hon. Park Min, the commissioner for housing and urban planning, flashed his gold wristwatch as he handed Don Angel a piece of paper.
"I'm only giving this to you because the association doesn't want a war in K-City. I hope you understand that?" he said.
"Of course," Don Angel replied with a small smile. "War isn't good for business, so I'd also like to avoid it as much as possible. And don't worry about our other arrangement—I'll make sure to contact you once it's ready."
"Good. If you use this to bargain properly, you might get Marxon to drop everything. Well… good luck." Hon. Park Min's window rolled back up as the car drove away.
After a quick glance, Don Angel handed the paper to Jay. "Just like we agreed—take the guys and head there now."
"What about you? You're not going to see Marxon on your own, are you?" Jay asked, a hint of concern slipping into his voice. "You should at least take Scar with you."
Don Angel shook his head. "No, take all of them. I'll go with Vinnie here."
He turned to Vincent. "You'll come with me, right?"
"O-of course," Vincent replied, though not entirely sure of his own words.
"Good. Let's go."