Free Web NovelChapter 25: A Different Path
What Ronan was contemplating in his mind was a dangerous thing. But then again, would it be more dangerous than traveling back and forth to an apocalyptic world? Definitely not.
What he was thinking was indeed dangerous. But more than the danger itself, he was worried about the path he would be taking if he made this decision. A path he would have never otherwise imagined himself taking. A path into a different world, metaphorically. A path of no return.
But would he reject this path? Would he reject the great opportunity that had fallen into his grasp?
From his childhood because of certain incidents, Ronan had known that power and influence were privileges. If you were powerless, you were worthless. Be it in the form of wealth or a very influential position in society, you need to have some kind of power to survive in this brutal world.
Just a few days ago, the only option he had been able to see for himself was to study, and study hard and pull him out of the great cycle of poverty. But with this method, there were limitations to what he could have achieved. There was very little possibility of him breaking and crossing over that limitation.
But everything that had happened over the last few days had opened an entirely new path for him. A path where there was no limit. He could reach the top of the world and even rule it if he played all his cards right. It was up to him what he would choose. And at this exact moment, Ronan made his decision. He would choose power. He would choose influence.
"Mark," he called out, walking toward the man, who was now huddled together with his lackeys. frёewebnoѵēl.com
"Yes," Mark stammered, wondering what the boy wanted now.
"How much money do you make in one month?" Ronan asked.
"What?" Mark questioned in confusion.
He heard the question and understood its literal meaning, but he could not comprehend the true intention behind it. Where did his earning come into question?
"I asked how much money do you make in a month from looting and snatching?" Ronan repeated. "And from whatever else you do?"
Though confused, Mark answered honestly.
"On average, I make somewhere around thirty thousand Dunts," he said, gesturing towards his lackeys. "These two make about twenty thousand Dunts."
Ronan took a sweet couple of seconds to process this.
"I am thinking that I will establish my own gang," Ronan said. "Will you work for me? You will make more money than you do right now."
Mark and his lackeys’ eyes widened in shock. Their eyes were practically bulging.
"What did you say?" Mark almost snapped. "Establish a gang of your own?"
"M-hmmm," Ronan nodded. "Do you think this is not a good idea?"
Mark did not respond immediately. He was silently staring at the ground, scratching his head.
"I do not know," Mark answered. "How would I know?"
"You would not," Ronan remarked. "But what about working for me?"
Before Mark could even think of replying, he caught something flying toward him in his vision. He instinctively raised his hands and caught it. It was a thick bundle of notes.
"Fifty thousand Dunts," Ronan said. "An advance payment for the three of you."
"If you agree," he continued, "many more bundles like that will fly your way."
Mark and his two lackeys gulped as they stared down at the cash. It was almost equal to what they earned in a whole month sometimes.
Though it was very enticing and alluring, Mark ultimately shook his head. Ronan raised his eyebrows in surprise. He was almost certain that Mark would agree to work for him.
"It is not as easy as just declaring that you are establishing a gang, and voila!" Mark said.
"There are already a lot of gangs in the market. The competition between them is fierce and often bloody to control different areas of the city. You establishing a new gang will only make them come after you," he explained. "Not to mention about countless other problems coming your way."
"And I am already part of another gang," he added. "If I join you, you and I will both become their prime targets."
"You are part of a gang?" Ronan asked with mild interest.
"Yes!" Mark answered with slight hesitation.
He could tell that the interest being shown by Ronan was not a good thing. At least not for Mark.
"Tell me about it," Ronan said. "About your gang."
Mark gulped, but seeing Ronan’s narrowed eyes, a shiver of fright ran through his body. He opened his mouth to speak.
"It is nothing special," Mark said. "You can say that it is a small gang."
"And to be honest, in the grand scheme of things for the city, we are hardly worth mentioning," he continued with an awkward chuckle. "If we were, I would not be engaging in such small crimes as snatching and looting."
For a moment, Mark cursed both his lackeys inwardly. It was them who had spotted Ronan coming in the alley and proclaimed that, even if nothing else, they would get a mobile and at least a few hundred Dunts. Even so, he continued.
"I think if I count everyone, there would be twenty or twenty-five people in my gang," he said. "And we control three or four streets around this area."
"But even in this area, we do not really have a monopoly. There is always one group or another contending with us for territory," he added. "So, yeah, we are nothing special."
"Hmm," Ronan looked thoughtful.
"Mark," he said. "When you say that a particular gang controls a territory, what does that mean? Suppose I control this territory, then what do I have to do? What is expected of me?"
"No way!" Mark almost cried out loud. "You do not even know this, and you intend to establish a gang?"
Ronan glared at him, and Mark immediately clamped his hands over his mouth in fright.
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