From Bullets To Billions

Hearing the name Hercules, of course, a particular image had instantly appeared in Max's mind. And now, seeing the man in person, he couldn't help but wonder, was it truly a nickname, or somehow his real name?

Maybe the world knew what he would become, Max thought. Maybe his mother and father, who had brought him into this world, had given him such a name for a reason.

However, no one said a word as the three of them entered the rather large and surprisingly spacious cabin. The ceiling soared high, easily four meters tall, leaving the entire area feeling open and vast.

Everything inside followed the same design: uncluttered, built for strength rather than comfort. Among the furnishings were two massive couches that looked as if they had been reinforced to handle more than an ordinary person's weight. Hercules settled casually onto one of them, spreading out like a king in his domain, while Max sat stiffly on the opposite side.

"I had quite the interesting meeting with your friend," Hercules began, his voice calm and steady as he rested one muscular arm along the top edge of the couch. The way he stretched out, utterly relaxed, left no doubt that there wasn't a shred of fear in his eyes or voice.

And somehow, that simple display of casual confidence only added to the overwhelming aura of power the man gave off.

"Honestly, based on how well he fought, I found myself curious," Hercules continued. "Curious to know just who a man like that would choose to follow. A man with his skill is capable of many things, and yet, to hear that he works for a student of all things? That... that got me really interested."

Then Hercules paused, leaning forward ever so slightly. His eyes sharpened. "But what has my curiosity the most... is how a student like you even knows about the Invitation."

Max's mind raced. He had to tread carefully here. He wasn't the one holding the cards, not this time. He was the one asking for a favor, and money alone wasn't going to carry him through this negotiation. Not with someone like Hercules.

I need to figure out exactly what his interest is, Max thought, keeping his expression neutral.

If Hercules truly wanted to refuse him outright, they wouldn't be sitting face-to-face right now. The fact that this meeting was happening at all meant the man was, at the very least, willing to listen.

"Can I first talk about why I was looking for you?" Max asked carefully, his voice steady. "And I promise... it'll all tie back into the Invitation."

Hercules gave a small nod, silently granting him permission to continue.

"The reason I was looking for you... is because I want you to teach me."

There was an immediate, almost instinctive reaction from Hercules. Max caught the subtle shift in his posture. Even Aron, seated nearby, leaned forward slightly, as if bracing for what might come next.

"I'm surprised," Hercules replied after a moment, his tone thoughtful. "You've got quite a skilled man at your side. You could ask him to teach you. Or you could join a club, find another mentor, you didn't have to go to such lengths to come here, all the way out to find me."

Hercules gave a light shake of his head. "When I heard how desperately you were searching for me, I assumed you'd be asking for a task, a job, a favor. Something I was fully prepared to deny." His eyes narrowed slightly. "That is... until I heard about the Invitation."

At that, Max purposely shifted in his seat and began fiddling nervously with the fabric of his trousers. But it was all an act, meant to make him appear weaker, less prepared than he truly was.

"And that's exactly why I need you to teach me," Max said firmly. "You see... I don't know why, but I was given an Invitation. And through it, I discovered... well, everything about that world."

He drew in a breath. "But I have no idea why I was chosen. Maybe it's because of my family's status, maybe not. The truth is, I don't know. All I have is my guard by my side, my brother, he's the only family I've got left, and my money." Max locked eyes with Hercules. "But you know as well as I do, money means nothing to those who hold an Invitation."

His voice rose slightly with conviction. "That's why I need a teacher. Someone who can help me survive!"

For a moment, silence hung between them as Hercules seemed to weigh his words carefully.

Truthfully, Max didn't know all that much about the Special Invitation. He had only received it recently, after all, through his connection with the White Tiger Gang.

nvitations were only handed out to individuals who were part of the Triangle.

This meant that, more often than not, when it came to business empires or powerful syndicate gangs, the Invitations would be given to the leaders. However, there were rare exceptions, individuals within these groups so exceptional, so skilled or influential, that even if they weren't at the very top, they still earned one. Sometimes, members of major corporations or syndicates received Invitations purely on merit or notoriety alone.

In truth, Max hadn't exactly earned an Invitation in this current life, in this current body. And given his supposed position, there was no real reason for him to have one, or even to have knowledge of such things.

That's why his only real option was to play it off, to convince Hercules that he was one of these rare, impressive individuals who had been singled out. Someone who'd caught the eye of the right people.

"Because you knew about the Invitations, you knew about people like me," Hercules said, voice low and deliberate. "And you used your vast amount of wealth to track me down, because you believe that sooner or later... someone is going to come after you."

Max felt a chill at how easily the man had read him. Hercules leaned back slightly, his gaze unwavering.

"I've received an Invitation," he continued, voice calm. "But I've never once attended any of their events. It's not something I ever wished to be a part of."

He paused, as if weighing whether to say more, then leaned forward again, resting both muscular arms on his knees. His tone darkened.

"But then someone else came looking for me as well. Because they had heard something... a rumor that, as it turns out, was true."

Max swallowed. He had a sinking feeling he knew where this was going.

"That if you kill someone with an Invitation," Hercules said quietly, "then you can claim it as rightfully yours. And they, " he gestured vaguely, meaning the shadowy powers behind it all ", they won't do a thing about it."

The air in the room seemed to grow heavier. Hercules fixed Max with a piercing stare.

"Now," he said slowly, "are you going to show me your Invitation, so I know you're telling the truth? Or is this about something else entirely?"

He tilted his head slightly. "You're not here to kill me, are you?"