"Everyone, please calm down!" An authoritative voice called out just as the Death Associates members were about to lunge forward.
"What now?" Bigarm was incensed at this new interruption.
They turned and saw five people coming towards them: an old man wearing glasses, two women, a teenager, and, in the middle leading the group, a handsome man who appeared to be in his late twenties.
"Who the hell do you think you are?! Do you think…" Bigarm started yelling angrily. But Scarface put a hand on his shoulder and stopped Bigarm with a shake of his head before turning to the newcomer. He composed himself to show an expression of respect.
"If I knew brother Silverwing would be coming to visit, I would have prepared a proper welcome."
"Who is that guy?" asked Fox who stood beside her leader, Boulder. "Those Death Associate people seem be pretty concerned about him."
"They ought to be," Boulder replied quietly. "That's Silverwing, co-leader of the White Scarfs guild."
"Oh? Isn't the White Scarfs guild the one that's occupying the City Hall building?"
Boulder nodded.
Jack was able to hear their talk. He wasn't familiar with Silverwing's name, but he had heard of the White Scarfs guild. They were the largest gaming guild based in this city. It was reasonable for them to be the ones occupying the City Hall, Jack thought. After all, the people gathered here were all from this city so White Scarfs should have more members among the crowd than guilds like Death Associates which were more internationally based. Unless multiple groups in this park combined together, no group should be able to top White Scarfs in terms of member size in this crowd.
'This is troublesome,' Jack thought, 'seems we are to be beset on all sides!'
But Jack couldn't think of what they had done to draw the ire of White Scarfs guild.
Scarface was obviously uncomfortable with the presence of another powerhouse here, but he kept his face cordial and said, "If brother Silverwing has some matters to discuss, please excuse me for a bit. As you see, we are in the middle of an affair. Don't worry; I won't let brother Silverwing wait for long. This will be over in a moment."
Silverwing gave an enigmatic smile and said, "That was courteous of you, brother Scarface. But, unfortunately, I'm not here for you."
Scarface frowned, "What do you mean?"
"I'm here to invite this brother and his friends to accept our hospitality," he gestured towards Jack. "You would not be rude and make trouble for my guests, would you?"
Scarface's expression turned dark upon hearing this.
Bowler, who was surprised by this turn of events, whispered to Jack, "Bro, do you know that person?"
"No," said Jack, who was as surprised as him.
"This is ridiculous," an angry woman's voice interrupted.
They turned their attention toward Fox of Weary Wolf.
"Why are we afraid of them? There are only five of them. We have almost thirty people here. They might have a strong background but there is no reason for us to back off just because of a few words from this guy. I say we just teach them a lesson about what happens if they underestimate us."
Fox was clearly still holding a grudge. She couldn't wait to pounce on Fierce Flame for humiliating her. The appearance of Silverwing's group interrupted her anticipated revenge, making her very angry and frustrated.
The teenager standing beside Silverwing was definitely unhappy when he heard Fox's threat.
"Boss,' he urged, "let's just kill that stupid bitch."
Silverwing however, just laughed it off.
"She's right though. With just the five of us, we have no bargaining power. Then let us increase our number, shall we?"
He lifted up his left hand. There was an immediate rustling of leaves all around them and an armed force began to emerge from the shadows of the surrounding trees. As more and more people came out and stood behind Silverwing, the members of Death Associates and Weary Wolf became thoroughly rattled.
Now the whole clearing was filled up with people. They counted more than sixty people standing behind Silverwing's group. These new arrivals outnumbered them by more than two to one. Onlookers who saw this from the distance were all wondering what was happening. Why was such a large crowd gathering there?
"Damn, that's impressive! Who the heck is this guy?" Bowler couldn't help but be astonished.
Silverwing looked at Fox, his smile was unchanged.
"How's that? Is this number enough of a reason for you to back off?"
Fox couldn't find words to retaliate; her face was completely dark with suppressed rage.
Boulder was afraid that Fox might be blinded by her anger and make a reckless remark. So he immediately took control and backed down decisively.
"Since they are Sir Silverwing's friends. Our Weary Wolf guild will give them face and overlook their transgression… Let's go."
He waved to his members and started retreating. Fox who was still seething with anger stood her ground for a while, but reason finally prevailed and she retreated with the rest of her group.
Scarface, who had been silent and frowning all this time, spoke up, "Why are you helping them? Are they your acquaintances?"
"No, never met them before," Silverwing replied.
"Then why? These people attacked and humiliated one of our people. If we don't teach them a lesson, how will we show our faces? If you protect them now you will be making us your enemy. Do you think it's worth it to offend Death Associates for a few people that you don't even know?"
Silverwing smiled indifferently. "If you want to teach a lesson to someone, that is your business. I want to invite these people to be my guests, that is my business. If you want to blame something, then blame the unfortunate coincidence that your business and mine happened to occur at the same time and on the same subject. You cannot expect me to wait for you to finish dealing with them and only then invite them, right?"
Bigarm was fuming and finally blurted out, "All this useless talk! So you intend to make an enemy of Death Associates? Do you think your White Scarfs guild is so great? It is only great in this city. If we gather everyone in our guild, we can easily crush yours!"
The teenager at Silverwing's side wasn't about to be left out. He straight away retorted, "if you think you are so great, how about we give it a go now! Your people were humiliated? That was probably because you're weak!"
Bigarm was about to fire back, but Scarface stopped him. He looked grimly at Silverwing and said, "Let me ask you one more time, brother Silverwing. Do you really intend to cross Death Associates?"
Silverwing continued to smile, "I would never intend for our two guilds to become enemies, but if you think you can use your guild's name to threaten me, you are sorely mistaken. First, we have never feared your guild. Second, look around you. See what the world has become. How many people were actually brought here of the millions that lived in this city? Maybe the people in this park are all that are left of us. That would mean that you lot are all that's left of your precious Death Associates. If so, how do you think you can compete with us?"
Scarface was silent, he couldn't deny Silverwing's words, as this had also crossed his mind. He didn't have any means of contacting his old guild members. What if the people he had gathered now were all that were left? Has his once glorious guild been reduced to such paltry numbers? The thought troubled him immensely.
Silverwing, seeing the hesitation in Scarface's expression, added, "The fact that I have spent the time to talk and persuade you should already be considered as me giving your guild face. I hope brother Scarface can accept this goodwill and not make things difficult."
Scarface was fuming. It was clear that the White Scarfs were bullying them with bigger numbers and yet the guy was shameless enough to suggest this was goodwill. Nevertheless, Death Associates was at a disadvantage. Trying to force the issue would just bring them harm. Hence, he clenched his teeth and gave his members the sign to retreat.
"We're leaving," he snarled. He glared at Silverwing before turning to look hard at Jack's group and threatened, "This is not over. You'd better watch your backs!"
As Scarface began to leave with his people, Silverwing said, "Thank you, brother Scarface, for giving me face. I will remember this favor and make it up to you someday."
Scarface spat in reply and walked away.
Bowler, seeing all their enemies leaving, finally exhaled a relieved sigh. He sat down heavily on the ground.
"Man! That was intense! I almost shit myself."
Jack, however, turned to Silverwing. He didn't think that their problems had ended just yet.