Chapter-279 Gangs and a War

Keifer's POV

"They're so ugly." Eren said.

"Why are they dressed like that? Is there some kind of dress code when you join a gang war?" That was Denzel.

"I wanna eat already!" Ci-N said while hugging David.

"Get off..." David tried to push Ci-N away.

"Is this really what happens in a gang war? I have no clue! It feels like we just crashed someone's party!" Edrix said.

"You guys know nothing about gang wars!" That was Blaster.

Out of all of us, only Blaster and Drew had ever been in something like this. We were all clueless about what would happen next. This wasn't even my style of fighting. I only face people who actually want to fight me.

"I counted more than 120 of them." Josh said, still trying to keep track.

That's not a lot compared to what Ram usually brings to fights like this. Maybe because some of them don't really like being part of his group. Aside from us, there are other groups who want to challenge their new leader. If you take them out of the count, there are less than 60 left from Ram's old crew.

"Before we begin!" shouted a guy holding a baseball bat. "I want you all to hear what Watson answered to the invitation I sent him!"

If I'm not mistaken, this is their new leader. I haven't seen him before. Or maybe I did, and I just don't remember.

Everyone turned to us. Mostly at me. They looked at me like predators eyeing their prey.

"He said he's the real boss! That if we lose to them, we'll be their dogs! Their lapdogs!" he explained, and some of them burst out laughing.

"WHAT NONSENSE!" one of his men shouted.

"YOU'RE CRAZY! RAM'S THE ONLY ONE YOU CAN BEAT!" Another one added, and they all laughed again.

Just Ram? They're seriously underestimating me. They keep talking like they know me. When in reality, they never had a chance to try me. And now I'll prove them wrong.

"Let's give him a shot!" their new leader said, and everyone fell silent. "...We'll agree to that deal! But if you lose, you'll be the one following our orders!" he said while pointing at us. "And your girl belongs to us!"

My vision went dark the moment he said that. Before I knew it, I was already in front of him, gripping his neck. His guys quickly backed off.

"Don't you dare mention her." I said in a growling voice.

I heard whistles. "Woah! Looks like the rumor that he just used that girl isn't true!"

"He used her? Watson's so savage!"

"Maybe they're actually together?!"

"Who's spreading those rumors anyway?"

"Your group! You idiots!"

"Bullshit! It was your group!"

"You're a grown man and such a gossip!"

I let go of their new leader when I noticed he was about to pass out. I was getting way too obvious.

Everyone started pointing fingers and exchanging harsh words. Then someone threw a big chunk of rock. Fights broke out. People started punching and hitting each other with whatever they could grab.

I stepped back a little when the guy in front of me swung his baseball bat. He dropped it and pulled out a butterfly knife. He spun it before trying to stab me.

I simply knocked his hand away and punched him.

That's all?

The brawl had started. People were running, chasing, yelling, throwing punches everywhere.

The guy in front of me disappeared into the chaos as the two groups clashed right next to me.

I turned to Section E who were just watching the fight unfold. Ci-N was even smiling as he tried to calm himself down.

Obviously excited to punch someone.

"Do me a favor! Show no fvcking mercy!" I shouted to them, and they all grinned like kids about to play with their new toys.

"It's brawl time!" That was Ci-N.

They joined in the fistfights too. Each one chasing after whoever they had targeted. I was also trying to find that fake leader. He's going to pay for what he said earlier.

While I kept searching, a few guys kept charging at me. I didn't waste any time on them. I just knocked them out with a single punch or tossed them through the air.

I had a hard time finding that guy. I finally spotted him hiding behind a pile of crushed cars.

"How did you become their new leader? You did nothing but hide." I said while walking toward him.

I could see the fear in his eyes as he slowly backed away from me. He sat down when he tripped on scattered metal, not noticing what was behind him. I seriously don't understand how they made him their leader.

"I-I'm not their leader." he said, making me stop. "...Ram just ordered m-me to do this."

My forehead creased. "What do you mean?"

"T-they're looking for your girl. They told m-me to just distract you!"

What the fvck?!

I couldn't hold back anymore and yanked him up. I drove a series of punches into his stomach. When I let go, he dropped to his knees, coughing hard and clutching his belly. I wanted to snap his neck, but there were still things I needed to know.

I knew Jay-jay had already gotten home and was with Angelo. I was confident she was safe.

"What's Ram planning?" I asked with authority.

"I-I don't know!" he shouted, followed by a deep breath.

"What's he planning?" I asked again.

He shook his head violently. "I really don't know!"

I kneed him in the face. He dropped to the ground, groaning from his bleeding lips and nose.

"Where is Ram and what is he planning?!"

He kept shaking his head even though he was clearly struggling to breathe. "B-believe me... I-I really d-don't know!"

Fvck this! I won't get anything out of someone who knows nothing.

I looked over to see five guys approaching me. Each one holding something that was obviously meant for me.

One had a baseball bat, another a metal pipe, one held a large chunk of rock, another had a butterfly knife, and the last had his fists wrapped in brass knuckles.

"Ram's order is to kill Watson and take the girl alive!" one of them shouted.

Two of them rushed at me after one threw something at me. I dodged them all, but when one of them swung the pipe, I blocked it and wrestled for it. He didn't let go, so when the other tried to hit me with the bat, I yanked him hard—he ended up hitting his own ally instead.

And I wasn't disappointed. The guy blacked out after getting hit on the head. The one with the bat panicked and didn't know what to do next.

The guy with the rock came at me—he had another one in hand. He was about to smash it into me, but I struck it with the pipe, causing it to shatter all over his face. He winced, and I immediately kicked him in the chest.

The guy with the bat came at me again. He kept swinging and shouting nonstop. I just kept dodging. He was gasping for breath, and when he slowed down, that's when I punched him in the ribs. I even felt his bones crack.

Can I have someone else?

I noticed the last two exchanging looks. I raised both my hands to show I wasn't holding any weapons.

They rushed at me—but I wasn't dumb enough to actually raise my hands without a plan. I took the opportunity to grab the wrist of the guy with the knife and pulled him toward me to use him as a shield. Thanks to the brass knuckles, the blow was extra painful. I even heard his bones crunch.

I tossed him aside and turned to face the guy with the brass knuckles. He got into stance, and I did the same. He tested me with a punch, but he was too slow.

One punch in the face and another one through his jaw. Knockout!

That's all? Don't they have anyone stronger to send my way?

I went back to the fake leader of Ram's group. The bastard escaped! I quickly chased after him everywhere. I couldn't find him, so I was forced to return to where I started.

I finally saw him. Looks like the bastard just tried to hide from me. He was trying to help up the men that had already fallen.

"Get up, all of you! It's just one guy, and you still can't handle him!" he shouted angrily.

"C-call R-Ram. Ask for backup." said one who was struggling to get up.

"He's not answering! Let's just get out of here!"

I smirked. Ram left them high and dry. Looks like he really just sent them here to distract me.

"Tss... So Ram doesn't really care at all." I said, and he turned to face me.

He was trembling as he tried to aim the pipe I used earlier at me. The others scrambled to move aside, trying to avoid me. Some of them couldn't even stand anymore.

"Brace yourself. I'm about to break your bone." I said and marched quickly toward him.

He tried to swing the pipe at me again, but I blocked it just like before. I grabbed it from him and threw it far away. "Please have mercy! I was just following orders." He said, kneeling in front of me.

I quickly seized his wrist. "Don't you dare mention her in your nonsense again. She is mine, no one else can claim her" I said, gripping his wrist tighter.

"P-please forgive me! If you want... I'll help get rid of those who are threatening her. Like the threats they've been sending—aaarrggghhh!" he screamed as I tightened my grip on his wrist even more.

"I don't need your help! After what you said about her, do you think I'll trust you?!"

He couldn't respond because he was crying. I tightened my grip even more, twisting his wrist.

"Keifer..." Someone called my name.

I slightly turned to look at who it is. It was Yuri with Rory and Edrix.

"Jay-jay's here." He said.

WHAT?!

I immediately panicked. Did Ram succeed? Did he get Jay-jay? How did that happen?

"Who brought her here?!"

"It was Kuya Percy." Felix said, walking toward us.

I feel a bit of relief, but she shouldn't be here. Why did Percy bring her here? Looks like he's the one who's going to bring Jay-jay into danger.

I glanced around. I wasn't satisfied with the ones I had taken down.

"Tell me... How many did you defeat?" I asked without looking at them.

I heard footsteps. It seems like the others who weren't here earlier have arrived.

"Quite a few." Felix answered.

"And how many is that?"

"Around more than ten."

More than ten? Bullshit! That's not enough! How can I make a move against the others if we've only knocked out this many in one fight?

I looked back at the guy whose wrist I was still holding. I went back to what I had intended to do earlier. I twisted his wrist further, and I felt his bone snap along with his scream.

This is my warning!

But this isn't enough! This is far from enough!

"FVCK! This is not enough!"

"What do you mean, 'not enough'? Keifer... We've already taken down half of the gang. What more do you need?" Felix said, pointing at the people lying on the ground.

Half? Does it look like half is enough? That will never be enough. Angelo can defeat more than this. There were only what, 8 or 9 of them? And yet they can still defeat more than this.

That idea just made me even more furious.

"Do you think this will make us strong?! Huh?! Do you think this is enough?!"

"What should we do then? Should we join every gang war here?" Edrix said with irritation, which made me turn to look at him in fury.

"If that's the only way, then we will."

"You're just adding more enemies! Ask for help from Jay-jay's cousin. He's got more connections." It was Josh.

No! I will never ask help from him.

"That's not possible. He'll just take Jay-jay away from us if that happens." Yuri said.

He knows exactly what will happen if we talk to Angelo.

"Then that's good!" Drew shouted. "...So we can make sure she's safe."

Yuri and I both looked at him as if we were about to kill him. We had already discussed this matter long ago, but they still kept bringing it up.

"Why are you looking at me like that?! Are you scared of being separated from Jay-jay, huh?!" He asked, as if he didn't know the answer. "...You guys are planning something crazy, and now you're acting like this!"

Talking like he did nothing to her. Wasn't he with us? Isn't he just trying to keep Jay-jay away so he doesn't get asked to pay back his debt?

Yuri quickly lunged at him and grabbed his collar.

"Shut up, Drew." He said.

I noticed them glancing in another direction as if they had seen a ghost. I turned to look, and there she was—Jay-jay, with Percy.

It's true that she's here.

What on earth got into her to come here? Why did Percy let her to come with him? It's not good that these two are related. They both stubborn.

I tried my best not to show any emotion, but I badly wanted to hug her right now. I miss her so much, even though we see each other almost every day.

"J-Jay? H-have long you been here?" Felix asks while looking at both Jayjay and Percy.

I can see anger in Percy's eyes. Felix still seems scared of him. Now I know why they're here.

"Is this what you're worried about?" Percy asks calmly, but I can still sense his anger.

Felix obviously doesn't want to answer, so his brother turns to us. "Is this what you taught my brother while I was gone?! You taught him to join a killing?!"

Both Yuri and I look at each other. I don't want any drama. That's a matter between the brothers.

I decided to turn around, and Yuri did the same, hoping to avoid the conflict, but I froze when I heard her voice.

"Don't be rude!"

I feel a bit of pain. I don't know why, but hearing her voice hurts. Maybe because I miss her too much.

I choose not to turn to face her. I can't—I might lose control and run to hug her.

"Jay—." It was Yuri, but Percy cut him off. "Damn it, Yuri!"

I don't want to drag this any longer!

"Your brother has his own mind. Even if he was taught, it's still up to him if he chooses to come with us." I said, still not facing them.

Out of nowhere, I suddenly feel weird. Like someone is watching us. But this isn't ordinary. I have a bad feeling.

Jay-jay.

Percy continues arguing with Felix. I try to look around without them noticing. And as I look at Jay-jay—there it is! Someone is aiming at her.

I swiftly stepped forward just as someone lunged at her, holding a knife.

"P-PERCY!" she screamed, and they all turned.

But they're too slow to run to her. Adrenaline rushes through my body. In an instant, I'm already in front of Jay-jay, holding the man who tried to stab her by the neck and the wrist holding the blade.

I don't know where my strength is coming from—but I'm ready to break a neck.

"Who the fvck are you?!" I ask furiously.

Instead of answering me, he just laughed—and it pissed me off even more.

I tightened my grip on him, and his laughter turned into groans of pain.

"What the hell do you want?!" I ask again.

I saw his eyes shift toward Jay-jay.

"We… want… her… dead."

Who's "we"? Who are they and why is she their target?

"Who?! Who wants her dead?!"

He laughed at me again. Fvck! He can still laugh even seeing me like this.

I couldn't hold myself back—I twisted his wrist. I heard his bone crack, and he started screaming in agony.

I let him go and watched him suffer. I hate people who don't give me real answers.

"This is your fault!" Jay suddenly shouted. "…I'm their target again! Because of you!"

Maybe she's right. Maybe I am the reason. I'm the one with too many enemies connected to her.

I heard the man in front of me laugh loudly again. He's really pushing my buttons. He might be out of his mind. He's holding his broken wrist, yet he's still laughing.

"Sato," he said and looked at Yuri. "Jason." He looked at me. "And Ram." He looked at Jay-jay.

Wasn't my warning enough? They really teamed up just to go after Jay-jay.

I know Jason is really up to something. He better not show himself or I'll burn his bike right in front of him.

Ram can't move on from what Jay-jay did to him. He can't accept that a girl was the one who brought him down. If he knew something was wrong with Jay-jay at that time, he'd probably go insane with rage.

Sato. Who the hell is he? I've never faced anyone named Sato—if that's even a real name.

"Who is Sato?!"

"Keifer," Yuri called me. "I fought him before. And it looks like… he's coming back at me."

WHAT?! Why is he targeting Jay-jay too?!

This is not fvcking good! I've got more enemies than allies. They're all after Jay-jay. Where did I go wrong?

Rumors about us are already spreading like wildfire. Is it because I spread that warning? But if I hadn't done that, those people would just keep coming for her.

It doesn't even matter if they believe she's my girlfriend or not. They have to stop!

"Go back. Go back to Sato, Jason, and Ram. Tell them to come after me instead—and I'll be ready for them." I ordered him.

I hold myself back before I break another bone from his body.

"I didn't know things were this bad here. I didn't have a choice." It was Percy.

He looked at Jay and Felix. "You're both coming with me back to New York."

NO! Jay-jay can't leave. What if the enemies go after her there? I can't let that happen. I can't let Percy take her. There will be a confrontation.

I looked at Percy threateningly, but he just rolled his eyes at me.

"Let's go! We're going home!" he called to Felix.

But he didn't move. Instead, he looked at me.

"You go ahead! I can go home by myself!" Felix answered.

Percy's annoyance was obvious, but he couldn't do anything. He was forced to leave, though he left with a glare in our direction. Jay-jay followed him. The shock was still written all over her face.

I need to make sure no one hurts her—and that her stepbrother doesn't take her away.

"David. Kindly check if they leave this place safely," I said.

Without saying a word, David left to follow Jay-jay.

"Keifer." Someone called me.

I turned around and saw the bloodied leader of a group I had once fought. He couldn't even step with one leg and was clearly in pain.

A few of his injured men were with him. He tried to approach me, but his body gave out, and he collapsed right in front of me.

"M-make a truce w-with us!" he said while pointing a finger at me.

"What for?"

"We're w-willing to b-be your s-soldiers… As long as you help us… w-when we need it."

Despite the number of enemies they faced, I could tell they were tough. I smirked while looking at them. They're exactly the kind of people I need.

"Deal."

One by one, his companions collapsed to rest.

"Keifer, what do we do with the ones we defeated?" Yuri asked me.

"Leave them. They're too weak. We don't need people like them."

"What about the ones who survived—like them?" Felix said, pointing somewhere.

I followed where he pointed and saw a few men slowly approaching us. They were clearly exhausted, and some were still bleeding.

"I-I challenge you… WATSON!" one of them shouted and charged at me.

I only gave him a light kick to the chest—and he dropped like a dead body. His companions didn't have any strength left either.

"If you're not going to make peace with me like the others, go back to where you came from and don't you ever dare cross me again."

I turned my back on him and walked away. I had no plans to wait for those I defeated to wake up and try to make a deal.

I have too much to do. One of them is stopping Percy from his plan.

"Let's go. Help those who need help." I said to them before leaving.

Yuri immediately followed me. "What are you planning?" he asked, grabbing my arm to stop me.

I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed his number—using my original phone.

"I'm calling Angelo. We need to stop Percy."

A few rings later, he answered. ["Keifer..."]

"Percy is up to something. He didn't come back just to say hi!" I said in a hurry.

["Tell me everything."] he calmly replied.

"He plans to take Jay-jay!"

I could hear his soft, continuous cursing.

["Find him now!"] he said and ended the call.

If I can't stop Percy myself, I'll find someone who will. I won't allow him to take the girl I love away from me.

"We need to find Percy." I said to Yuri, and we both got into our car.

I pressed hard on the gas, determined to find that jerk. I called him several times but got no answer.

He better not make a mistake or he's screwed with me. I'll hunt him even to the afterlife and kill him there over and over again.

He probably dropped Jay-jay home. I was about to turn back toward their subdivision when I saw his car pass right beside mine. I quickly slammed on the gas to chase him.

But it seemed like the idiot didn't notice a thing because of how loud his music was. His car turned into a street I recognized. He's going to Felix's!

I immediately blocked his car with mine. His horn blared furiously in protest at what I did.

"Hey! What's your problem?!" he shouted irritably at me.

I quickly texted Yuri and Angelo our location. I got out of my car and faced Percy head-on.

"I won't let you take Jay-jay away from us." I said in a threatening tone.

"How can you stop me?" he asked mockingly.

"By hook or by crook."

"Don't stop me. She has every right to see her father."

"But not now. Not when someone's trying to kill her. What if they followed her there?"

He shook his head. "You think I can't protect her?"

We both turned our heads when two other cars pulled up. Angelo stepped out quickly and grabbed Percy by the collar.

"I knew you didn't come back for nothing," Angelo said.

"Woah! Relax... I came in peace," Percy replied, flashing a peace sign.

"You can't just take Jay-jay. Unless her mom agrees, she's not going anywhere."

Angelo let go of him but didn't take his eyes off him.

"One wrong move!" Angelo warned, pointing a finger at him. "And I'll put you back in your hole."

Angelo turned around and got back in his car quickly. He left without speaking to any of us again.

I looked at Percy and Yuri.

"Like a child..." Percy muttered, pouting. "...you really had to complain." He scratched his head. "Move your car already!"

Yuri and I both just shook our heads. Now he knows—he can't just take Jay-jay that easily.