Mark caught the coin with his spare hand. He could feel its punctured hole scratch against his palm.
Throughout the action, he neither averted his gaze from the boss nor lowered his gun.
"And why, exactly, should I be throwing away my life just to join the rotten underbelly of the city?"
He was sorely repulsed by the idea of being affiliated with the Spheks. Knowing and having experience with their malicious exploits, only his disgust grew for the scoundrels the gang consisted of.
Biases aside, many disadvantages would come with joining. His social credibility would instantly plummet, barring him from even attempting to get jobs... not that it was working out anyway.
But there is also his relationship with the brunette, he couldn't risk losing the invaluable help she has been, and still is giving him. Even though he would gain support on the streets, Mark would end up without a sustainable source of food and even more, a home.
Sure, there was his house back in the hood, but he was probably piled in debt for that place. Then there was its poor positioning- which was right in the middle of Hound territory, the gang that had been directly opposing the Spheks.
Overall, the offer was terrible.
Yet, when looking at the rose-eyed leader, he felt a foreign desire to join and stand by his side, behind him even. It seemed as if in his expression there was an incomprehensible sweetness that came with the invitation, while thorns lurked around refusing it.
Under the subtle dread he felt, Mark unwaveringly held with his reluctance to join.
Yet the leader disregarded that, and instead raised his hands in a welcoming manner, as if reaching out to receive the lone man.
"We have already taken the central part of the city, and the rest is only a matter of time. You are being given the opportunity to guarantee yourself a spot amongst our ranks. From there on, you can live as you please."
He smiled- the invitation seemed genuine.
"Just follow me."
'Oh no, this guy has to be insane.'
First the leader revealed how Mark assaulted and slaughtered his subordinates, then wants him to join- is this some sort of guilt trip?
Looking at the man's expression, it didn't seem that way, which means the leader must have lost his mind.
Though when thinking about it, this lunatic is quite fitting to lead the bloodthirsty Spheks. Whether it was his vision or the unorthodox methods he was using to achieve it, the gang seemed to fit him perfectly, like a well-tailored set of clothes. It was almost easy to see how the gang was able to prosper under his command.
Still, no matter how great the leader was, Mark was unwilling.
"Ok, that's great and all, but how would I really know that you control the whole central district? You might have less of a grip on it than you say. Besides- even with the manpower in your possession, do you even stand a chance against all the gangs in the southern district, the Hounds?"
Mark licked his lips.
"Most importantly, once you do control the city, how exactly are you going to make things better? Or, will you just leave everyone to rot and turn this whole place into a giant slum?"
Looking at the big picture, everyone knew that the world was deteriorating. It was even beginning to show at a visible pace. The slums have started to expand, the amount of lost-looking people in the central district has greatly increased, and prices have been climbing to unrealistic heights.
Above everything else, Mark was trying to survive. And if in the future he would have to suck up to some unhinged group of scoundrels, he was going to do it.
However, that brought him to the second problem, which was finding who exactly he should affiliate himself with. Even though he had a connection with Aaron from the Hounds, he would nevertheless join whoever comes out on top in the rivalry of the two criminal powers.
The leader nodded.
"It is always good to be cautious with our futures. For the first few concerns, I advise you to take a closer look for yourself- whether it be to test how deep we run into this city, or to see how the Hounds pale against us. But as for the destiny of this city, only one thing can be assured: when my order falls upon this land, it will be held- no matter what happens."
Mark was slightly taken aback.
This man, contrary to his expectations, was decently reasonable. Not aiming too high in his expectations, but establishing a fairly challenging standard at that. He was also smart enough to answer Mark's question without showing the extent of his reach. The mystery only added to how powerful the man seemed.
It would have really been a pleasure to work under him.
As much as the leader's impression advocated, the actions of his gang are what most influenced him.
Mark smiled brilliantly, trying to mask his utter disgust.
"There is no problem with everything you said. But there always has been one- since before I've even met you."
Taking a momentary pause to collect himself, Mark continued.
"Not a single moment will pass where I will be safe under you. I know how your operations go, and how the internal structure works. Your people kill each other without blinking. And that is something I'll never be able to trust."
The leader shrugged.
"Fair enough, I guess my previous offer will need to be taken back."
Just as Mark was about to throw the coin back, he watched as the leader's red eyes gleamed, his expression turning sharp and indefinitely more menacing.
"This isn't an invitation. You are joining this gang, no matter what you think, feel, or say. You can not, and will not refuse this."
'...'
Restraining himself from laughing, Mark instead tilted his head.
Maybe the leader really was blind.
"I don't think you should be saying that when I have a gun pointed right at you."
But, the red-eyed man amusedly smiled.
"That toy?"
Admittedly, the man's phrase caught Mark off guard for a second.
The next thing he knew, he was dreadfully watching the two attendants finish their movements.
And had two carbine guns pointed at his head.
'Oh shit!'