CHAPTER 308: THEY CAN TRY.

The thug must not have expected Dante to agree right away, which is why he appeared rather shocked. Dante walked past him and climbed into the van. With his hands still in his pockets, he sat down on one of the long seats lining the back of the van and leaned back, facing the other person inside. The door closed, and the van began to move. Dante remained silent for a while, and so did the other guy, if he could even be called that.

If your head almost reaches a van’s ceiling even while you are sitting, that’s a sign you aren’t entirely human. If your arms are almost a thick as a person, you aren’t a normal human. Or it might just be the interior of the van, which was furnished like a limo, making him look bigger.

Last time, he was facing the ground, covered in blood, so Dante didn’t get a good look at his face. Half of it was covered in metal plates, while the other half was made from cheap synthetic skin divided into geometric shapes. Dante remembered him having black hair, but from the looks of it, the giant had shaved it all, or gone completely bald.

Tyler Moreno, better known as Riot. Dante was expecting to meet him at some point, but it came earlier than expected.

"You gonna introduce yourself or something?" The giant spoke, his deep voice adding to the vibration running through the vehicle.

"You had your people follow me around and didn’t even learn my name?"

Dante’s reply returned silence to the back of the van. He even sensed the idiots driving it tense up. Riot didn’t say anything and didn’t turn red with rage.

[Dante, they seem to have turned off their NIMs.] Volcan said.

’Smart.’ Dante replied. ’But useless.’

It didn’t matter if all their implants were turned off; Dante could still will them with brute force. A single thought would be enough to summon an armor, and by the time he’s done, the entire van would be gone. Along with all the evidence.

Dante considered just getting it done right then and there, ending the problem before it could get bigger. If it were him from a few minutes ago, he would have done so already, but he had already calmed down.

After some time, the giant let out a long sigh and shook his head.

"Going by your response, I assume you already know who I am."

Dante didn’t answer. He expected the violent gang leader to start glowing red any moment now, but Riot remained strangely calm, like a patient at a mental institute who had just taken his meds.

"I will cut to the chase." The giant said. "Come work for me."

Once again, Dante remained silent, only because he was too shocked, however.

"I was told you’re a pretty good diver." The giant continued. "I’ve been looking for one, a good one, but no luck."

"You want me to work for you?"

"That is correct."

Dante almost burst out laughing, but he somehow managed to keep his expression from changing. Pretending to think for a moment, he closed his eyes and shook his head.

"I work solo these days." He said. "Not interested in joining gangs."

The silence returned, and the two continued to look at each other.

"I don’t remember asking if you are interested or not."

"You forgot to ask, then," Dante replied.

Intimidation was a very bad tactic to use, especially when dealing with a Diver you want to work for you. They might have turned their NIMs off, but were they going to keep them that way forever?

A lot of Divers are known to have very petty personalities and could hold grudges for a very long time. The only way to get one to work for you is by paying them enough and being respectful; otherwise, they become a ticking time bomb with a hidden timer.

Dante guessed that the gang leader had no real intent to hire him. That door, he might be just a moron. As the silence continued to linger, the van came to a stop. That was when the giant spoke again.

"A few days ago, I sent some of my boys to do some errands. They said you got in the way."

"And?"

"You must have had a good reason," Riot said. "But I would appreciate it if you didn’t get in our way again."

"So long a it doesn’t involve me or people I know," Dante replied.

The door to the van opened just then. Dante took it as his cue to leave, but just as he was about to step out, Riot spoke again.

"The Blood Hounds."

He only said three words, but those were enough to freeze Dante in his place.

"You’re right. I had some of my boys follow you around. Even I am surprised by how much they learned."

"Your point?" Dante replied.

"Did you know? The Black Cross had a lot more survivors. They don’t seem interested in coming back together, or reclaiming their territory for that matter." Letting the corners of his mouth rise a little, the giant added. "But they sure still hold a grudge for what happened last year."

Turning around, Dante narrowed his eyes.

"Again, what’s your point?"

"Nothing, really." The giant shrugged. "Just telling you to be careful out there. My boys were able to find you with ease, and they didn’t mean any harm. Others might have... other intentions."

"... it doesn’t suit you."

Dante’s response wasn’t what the giant expected, hence the confusion that followed it. Dante let it simmer in for a moment then continued.

"If you’re going to threaten someone, you should just be direct. Being roundabout is for the guys in suits and lanky assholes."

Finally getting the idea, Riot’s expression darkened. Paying him no mind, Dante stepped out of the van.

"You don’t have to worry about me. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Looking over his shoulder, he spared the giant one more look. "If anyone wants to come after me, they can try. It’ll be the last thing they do, though, so they’d better consider their choices very well."