Carlos is a big guy that likes straightforwardness, no chit chat, straight to the point. Something pretty stereotypical to brute guys like him.

But something particular about him is that he doesn't pick up fights with 'smart' people. Once he had asked him why is that. Apparently, when he was twelve years old, he had picked up a fight with a smart guy, something he shouldn't have done. The very next week he was expelled from his school and beaten to shit by a group of friends from that guy.

It wasn't something that needed much wits, connections actually, but still getting expelled within just a week is still something.

Not like it was enough, actually two more fights with 'smart' guys made him learn his lesson. From then on, he began to watch more carefully his prey, what friends they have, their personalities, and if it's worth it picking a fight with them.

Beating someone poor brings him nothing more than a jerk reputation while beating someone shy and meek with some money brings him money, and... also a jerk reputation.

Regardless he gains money and that's the point.

They've been good friends because Carlos sees him as a 'smart' guy, with a violent personality very much like him. After the System came, he regularly asked Cesar if he should pick a fight against ''X'' dude or ''C'' dude.

If his assumptions were right, and those guys were just easy money and no problem for his persons.

Carlos was watching him with expecting eyes as he got closer and closer to him, finally, arriving and receiving a sideways hug from the brute and a big clap on his back that pretty much resembled as a hit.

A left fist bump as their usual greeting and Carlos asked.

"So? What ya been thinking of?" he asked rudely in a hushed voice, scheming is better in a silent way, he had learned that years ago when he was thinking out loud about what doing to that particular pretty girl.

What was her name again?

"First of all, come with me" our blonde protagonist said indicating the brute guy to follow him.

They started walking far away from the main group to avoid eavesdropping. Normally he wouldn't get so far away, it was just a simple and generally quiet talk, but with people like Fredo, with enhanced senses, he could never be so sure. Not when he didn't know the limits of his skill.

Finally, he deemed it good enough to start talking, in hushed tones obviously.

"For now, I'll need you as a show-off" Carlos understood what he meant, very much like when he was used to intimidate or 'remind' the debts of some idiots. He never got whats up with drugs when you can easily buy some chips for a mere dollar.

"Later, I'll need you to bring someone down" Cesar finished.

Carlos understood instantly who he meant and couldn't help but let out a big grin responding "Ha! Against dat nigga? Da shit beat ya to shit right, saw all dat shit happening, pretty fun ya know?"

He sighed a bit frustrated.

It infuriated him knowing that Carlos didn't do anything to stop Henry when he was getting beaten to shit. But still, he knew his reasons. Carlos wouldn't meddle into a personal fight, he preferred to watch and have fun rather than intervening between a fight.

"So fun tu watch!" the brute said a bit more loudly than necessary.

"Yes, against Henry. Not only that but I'll need you to motivate others into joining my own group/team as you'd like to call it"

Stolen novel; please report.

"Hmmm...? And what do I gain from this?"

"Vanessa, if she doesn't accept we will eventually force her into joining us, then, you can do as you'd like with her. I won't care a shit what you do to her. But get this clear, it's prohibited breaking her down. Understood?"

"Accept!" shouted Carlos loudly excited at the prospect of having Vanessa only for himself, not caring a bit about the tone Cesar was using, too accustomed already with his antics.

Cesar only nodded and planned on what to do next.

For once, he didn't know about Alan nor Fredo. Based on mere looks, Fredo looked like an evil dude, disregarding others as inferior with his sharp eyes. While Alan was more like of a neutral person with a passive look.

Now Alex is the best option because he knew him and were friends, more or less. Alex doesn't have a bad attitude towards others, he ain't the best guy nor the worst one, he's neutral.

Maybe a bit selfish, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Though, he's pretty shy and manipulable, something he dislikes. Anyways, what he really likes about Alex is that he has wits, he's pretty intelligent and he likes talking with him during class.

Now that Alex has a very good skill, and not only that, EarthBorn to top it all, he's definitive in inviting Alex to his group. Based on their friendship, and that accepting his invitation shouldn't harm him, Alex should accept him.

Now Vanessa is hard to say. So far he has never seen her being particularly good or bad. In class, she always remains quiet and in recess, she always goes with her group of friends talking outside of class. He obviously hasn't stalked her, previously not interested in her.

Oh yes, he has hots for her, but aside from that, nothing interested him from her person.

Regardless he would force her in the future, her skill was too useful to be wasted on someone else.

Now the problem was Alan and Fredo. Maybe approaching them later when he has a better idea of their personalities would be better than rushing it. But their skills were pretty useful, not only that but-

WIS 19! (<18)

Oh? He kinda had forgotten of that stuff.

Well, it didn't matter, for now, he would focus on getting at the very least Alex on his side, Alan and Fredo could be for latter.

"Follow me" he simply said turning to the direction of Alex.

"So what we doing??"

He ignored the question and observed Alex. He wore a calm smile, but he knew better based on how his legs moved. He's nervous. The shifting between legs could also mean that Alex is excited, but considering the situation they were currently in, nervousness is the most mood from someone like Alex.

Worried of his life.

"Hey Alex!" he shouted making Alex flinch, but quickly changing his expression and responding with a.

"Hey! Whassup Blondie?" Blondie a stupid and unoriginal nickname Alex made for him, ¿Why? No idea, it's not even a good nickname.

"What about doing a little team? You probably already feel this will go south, this expedition, I mean. So why not staying closer to each other during the journey? When things go south we can escape, what about it?"

"Ya! With me and Blondie we the best!" shouted Carlos excited animating Alex to join.

"Huh..."

"If you're worried about Henry group don't worry. We won't separate from the group, we are just making this group in case of emergency, remaining close with each other and aid each other when things go south. Depending on the situation we are going to retreat"

"Huh... Basically a inter-group? Kinda like that?"

"Exactly. Carlos is going to stay at the front defending us while we support him the best we can"

"Huh... That's sounds good, fine, ill join" he simply responded after pondering it a bit. 

Nice, that was fast, now, Alan or Fredo... Suddenly the loud voice of Henry made its presence once again throughout the Gym.

"2 MINUTES BEFORE GOING OUTSIDE! PREPARE"

He observed how Alex trembled and paled a bit after hearing Henry's voice. That part of his friends is indeed, troublesome, he just hoped it would get better after a phew killings.

Not only him, but a lot of other students were also nervous about the journey they would proceed on mere minutes later.

"Don't worry, it's going to be fine" said Blondie with a reassuring smile, uncharacteristic from him. Giving a little clap on his shoulder and moving away, aiming for his next pawn.