From Bullets To Billions novel Chapter 163

Chapter 163: Meeting With Hercules (Part 2)

The pressure radiating off Hercules in that moment was undeniable, and it only intensified after he asked that final, pointed question.

Aron could feel it, clearly. The man wasn’t bluffing.

Seeing how serious Hercules looked now, Aron wasn’t so sure he could protect his master if the man suddenly lashed out.

Why didn’t you tell me anything beforehand, young sir?! Aron thought in a panic. I have no idea what this Invitation is, but with our connections, we could have contacted anyone. We could have forged one, a perfect forgery, down to the tiniest detail. Any stamp, any signature…

It might have cost you a few million, but with this man, it might very well cost you your entire life.

From the corner of his eye, Max could practically feel what Aron was thinking. He didn’t need to guess.

But no, no amount of money could forge this Invitation. Not this one.

And that’s why Max did the one thing he knew would disarm the moment.

He smiled.

Calmly, he looked straight at Hercules.

“Was that some kind of test?” Max asked, leaning back casually in his seat. “You know I can’t do that.”

There was a brief pause, just a heartbeat, before Hercules suddenly let out a deep, genuine laugh.

“Haha! I guess you really did get an Invitation,” he said, amusement glinting in his eyes. “Still… it’s strange. Based on your age, I’d guess you’re an heir to some company, or maybe a crime syndicate. Which makes me wonder: why were you given an Invitation?”

Hercules’ gaze sharpened again. “Of course, there’s always the chance that you killed someone else to claim their Invitation. But if that were the case… coming to me of all people wouldn’t make any sense.”

He paused for a moment, thoughtfully stroking his chin.

“Now that I think about it… there are reports of many others out there, people like me. With your connections, you should’ve been able to find quite a few of them. So I have to ask…” Hercules’ voice dropped lower, more deliberate now.

“Why did you come to me? Is it because you thought I was the weakest?”

Each question felt like a carefully laid trap, like Hercules was trying to corner them into saying something foolish.

Thankfully, Max had anticipated this line of questioning. He had, after all, prepared for exactly this moment.

“That’s not the case,” Max replied firmly. “You should know what most of them are like. They wouldn’t even meet with me. They’d kill me on the spot.

“Even if I told them I had an Invitation, they’d assume it was some kind of trap.”

His voice was steady now, his gaze never wavering.

“However… as you said, even though you’ve received an Invitation, you don’t attend any of the events. You don’t take part in their world. Which tells me, you don’t care.”

Max leaned forward slightly.

“And the second reason… is simple. I heard rumors that you once took in a student.”

Those words struck a nerve. Max could see it clearly, Hercules’ reaction was immediate. His gaze dropped to the floor, his expression hardening for just a moment.

Sensing the shift, Max chose to press on, to fill the sudden silence.

“I’ve been given an Invitation,” he continued, voice low but resolute. “And unlike you… I don’t have the strength to survive what’s coming.”

He clenched his fists slightly. “I’ve done well so far, thanks to the man by my side, and thanks to my connections. But without strength… it’s only a matter of time.”

Max took a breath, letting the weight of his next words land.

“There had to be a reason why you took a student before, right? If it’s money… or anything else you need, whatever it is, I’ll do my best to provide it.” He looked Hercules straight in the eye. “If you’ll just teach me.”

For a long moment, Hercules said nothing. But then, slowly, he lifted his head, his gaze locking with Max’s, sharp and unwavering.

“Anything I want,” Hercules said at last. His voice was calm, but there was a tension beneath it. “You’re right, there wasa reason why I took a student before. And that… is exactly why I’m reluctant to do it again.”

He leaned back slightly.

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