"I need protection for a while," Alexei said, glancing at the bone staff in Anqiluo's hand. "At least until my men recover."
Anqiluo studied him in silence.
Long enough to make the bald Russian uneasy.
"…Fine," he said at last. "But don't use my name to expand your territory."
Alexei was in this position because of him.
The night before, Anqiluo had crippled most of his core forces.
It wasn't sympathy.
It was strategy.
If Alexei fell, someone else would move in.
That meant war.
And in Hell's Kitchen, war meant heavy weapons—unpredictable ones.
Keeping things stable was better.
And Anqiluo needed a connection on the other side of the city.
This worked.
"Thank you, priest," Alexei said, clearly relieved.
He didn't doubt it—
Without protection, he wouldn't make it far.
A bus soon pulled up outside the church.
Anqiluo signaled for the women to board.
Alexei pulled the driver aside, gave a few quick instructions, then took the wheel himself.
Most of the women got on.
Nine stayed behind.
Anqiluo walked over, frowning.
"Get on. I'm getting you out of here."
They exchanged looks.
Then one stepped forward—the same woman who had asked for hot water.
"Mr. Anqiluo… we want to stay," she said quietly. "We can help. We don't have anywhere else to go. Our families—"
He cut her off.
"That's not my problem. I'm getting you out. That's it."
She hesitated, then spoke again.
"We can work. This place is big. You'll need people. We can clean, help with things—"
Anqiluo almost laughed.
Cleaning?
His skeletons handled everything.
No complaints. No pay.
It wasn't that he wanted them gone.
But this place?
This wasn't safe.
Gunfire. Explosions. Chaos.
They wouldn't last.
"You said you can work?" he said, pointing at the overgrown yard.
The weeds were nearly waist-high.
"Clear all of that. If you can, you stay. If not, you leave."
He didn't expect them to even try.
But they did.
No hesitation.
They picked up tools and got to work.
Anqiluo paused, staring.
…They were serious?
After a moment, he shook his head and got on the bus.
Let them try.
They'd give up soon enough.
Alexei glanced at him but said nothing.
Then started driving.
Anqiluo leaned back in his seat.
Despite everything he said—
He still helped when it didn't cost him.
Not out of selflessness.
Just… because he could.
With his current power, he could do anything.
Even take control of the entire world.
But he didn't.
Because he still had a line he refused to cross.
As they neared Chinatown, Anqiluo spoke.
"What did you tell your guy earlier?"
Alexei kept his eyes on the road.
"I told him to spread the word. That I'm under your protection. Only until my men recover."
Anqiluo let out a short laugh.
This wasn't what he expected from a crime boss.
"You're not what I pictured."
Alexei shrugged.
Anqiluo looked out the window.
"Do you know Star-Lord?"
"No."
"Just some idiot."
Alexei made a mental note of the name.
The bus stopped in front of a traditional-style building.
People were already waiting.
A group stepped out to meet them.
At the front was a middle-aged man in formal attire, calm and composed.
"Victor Kane!" Alexei called out, stepping down and greeting him with a quick embrace.
He gestured toward the bus.
"My boss had me bring them here."
Anqiluo stepped forward immediately.
"That's not what this is," he said. "My name is Anqiluo Rocks. These women were kidnapped. I brought them here so they can get back to normal life."
Victor Kane studied him for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Understood," he said. "We'll take care of them."
Anqiluo shook his head.
"It's nothing. They needed help."
That answer earned him a faint smile.
"I've heard about you," Victor said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You've got strength. If you ever run into trouble, come find me. As long as I'm here, no one touches you in this part of the city."
Anqiluo accepted.
Even if he didn't need it—
It still meant something.
After handing over the women, they declined the offer to stay and got back on the bus.
There were still nine left.
Before leaving, Anqiluo added one more thing.
"I need a cook. If you know someone."
He was done eating food made by skeletons.
It was barely edible.