For a moment, Tristan wondered if Asher Ilom, the strangely antisocial film director, also had a second identity as a crime boss.
However, Sea Devil's beard was definitely real, and Ilom didn't have a beard. And after looking closer, Tristan could see more slight differences, like several tiny moles spread across Sea Devil's face, or the scars on his knuckles.
Either Sea Devil was just a person who coincidentally looked exactly like Asher Ilom—or a brother, or even an identical twin.
'I can't do anything with this guess unless I have the facts, which I don't. But even a guess can be worth a lot. The information I have on him only said that he's reckless and ruthless, but cunning, effective and mostly fair. His people respect him, and other gangs are cautious of Bluebirds.'
"Mr. Sea Devil. Or do you prefer being called Damien?" Tristan said before he stood still for too long. "I hope you didn't invite me here just to gun me down. That won't work for you, anyway."
Tristan and his people not only had weapons but also bulletproof vests under their clothes. The gear brought by Tristan's reinforcements was uncomfortable, but it made Tristan much surer about himself.
His analytical skills were already calculating shooting trajectories. Half of Sea Devil's people didn't have a clear line of shot because he stood in front of them.
In case of a fight, Tristan and his crew could shoot much more effectively... although that fight won't end without losses on his side.
Sea Devil narrowed his eyes.
"Call me whatever you want, Mr. Hayes. I see the rumors aren't lying. 'Handsome like the devil, alluring like a siren, terrifying like the deep sea things that never see sunlight,' they say. And you already convinced Vargas to wag his tail for you like a dog. Well, well, well, I'd like to see you work your charms on me!"
He spread his arms wide with cockiness.
From what Tristan could see, this man really was a tougher nut than Vargas, even if Vargas wasn't convinced by Evelyn.
"Try again, Hayes. One more time! Show something worthwhile!"
Inwardly, Tristan gasped.
'This is it. It doesn't matter how scared Daniel is, because he was ready for this. It only makes him more dangerous!'
Suddenly, he let his shoulders drop. His posture relaxed and his smile became soft.
In an instant, he stopped looking like a prowling serial killer from a horror story. Instead, he looked just like a handsome young man who could be anyone's friend.
The sudden change of attitude was akin to a bucket of cold water splashed on people's heads. Damien froze for a moment, and Tristan immediately seized this opportunity.
He walked right toward Damien, ignoring the way he and his people tensed, like he was an animal trainer entering a tiger's cage.
It was risky. Every moment could be considered an act of aggression, worthy of gunning Tristan down.
But when Tristan approached like that, with nothing but friendliness in his movements and on his features, he didn't seem threatening enough to raise weapons against!
As he walked, Tristan spoke,
"You are so intent on being my enemy, Damien. Intent on being everybody's enemy. In my city, people know they live not in boats separated by a wide sea, but in a stone jungle where you must gather in larger and larger packs to survive and thrive."
Eventually, the brains of Damien and his people will catch up with them and they would realize that this was just a trick—but they were too distracted by Tristan's hypnotic voice to act yet.
Tristan stopped right in front of Damien, tense like a confused predator, and reached out with his palm. An offer of a handshake.
"You plan to conquer this city. I plan to conquer this country, and maybe the world. So, for the last time—instead of being my enemy, would you rather be my friend, Damien?"