From Bullets To Billions

Chapter 149: A Super Human

Right on cue, there was a knock at the door.

Not a second too early. Not a minute too late. Just like always.

That was Aron.

Max had been expecting him, but somehow the knock still set his nerves on edge. He took one last glance at himself in the mirror, just casual clothes for now. Nothing that might give away the real plan hiding underneath. He was planning to change later, after Aron was gone.

He had to play this right.

Opening the door, Max forced a smile.

”Itʼs good to see you with no wounds for once,” Aron said immediately. He placed a hand over his chest and let out a dramatic sigh. ”Every time I knock, I brace myself for the worst. Thought Iʼd find you beaten black and blue again. Honestly, this is a relief.”

Max let out a soft chuckle. ”Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Once inside, Aron made himself at home like he always did, flopping down on Maxʼs bed and leaning back like it belonged to him.

”So,” Aron said, getting right to business, ”any big plans this weekend? Something you want to do? Any clues about the Stern family? Because as far as I know, theyʼve gone quiet. No signs. No sudden movements.”

That, at least, was some good news. Max nodded, filing that away.

”I do have something,” Max said, dragging his desk chair across the floor and turning it around so he could lean over the back. He rested his arms across the top, locking eyes with Aron. ”I need you to do something. And I think youʼre the only one who can pull it off.”

Aron straightened, eyes narrowing slightly. ”Okay... Iʼm getting the sense this is something you want me to do solo.”

”Donʼt jump to conclusions yet,” Max said, raising a finger. ”Let me explain first.”

Aron leaned forward slightly, still wary.

”Have you ever heard of the term Super Human?” Max asked.

”I have,” Aron replied, ”but I doubt itʼs the same version youʼre about to give me.”

Max nodded. ”Probably not.”

And then he launched into the explanation.

He told Aron everything, about individuals who didnʼt just operate outside the system, but above it. About assassins who could dismantle syndicates solo. Soldiers turned into one-man armies. Martial artists hidden away from the world, legends that could wipe out entire platoons.

To someone else, it mightʼve sounded like Max was quoting straight from a comic book. But he tried his best to ground it, pulling from stories, rumors, even whispers in the darker corners of the internet. He knew Aron needed something solid to believe in.

Aron listened quietly, absorbing every word.

”Now that you mention it,” Aron said slowly, ”I think… I might have heard of something like that before. Canʼt say I remember details, though.”

He paused. ”But what does any of this have to do with you?”

Max leaned in.

”Because you know people are still coming after me. You know I canʼt count on you always being around. And honestly? I donʼt want to keep relying on you like that.”

Aron frowned but said nothing.

”So,” Max continued, ”what better way to prepare than to find one of these Super Humans and have them train me?”

There was a beat of silence.

Then Aron stood up, brushed off his pants, and turned toward the door.

”Well then,” he said with a grin, ”letʼs go find one.”

”Wait!” Max said, jumping to his feet.

Aron stopped and raised an eyebrow, half-smiling like Max had just suggested they go wrestle a lion.

”You remember what I said,” Max continued. ”This is something you need to do alone.”

”Thatʼs… probably the dumbest thing Iʼve ever heard you say,” Aron replied, crossing his arms.

”Look, these people are dangerous. One wrong step, one wrong word, and Iʼm toast. You, though? You can handle it. Youʼre stronger. Faster. Smarter in a fight. If Iʼm there, itʼs just a bigger risk. For both of us.”

Max could see Aron trying to make sense of it, trying to find the flaw in the logic.

”We donʼt know when Iʼll be attacked next,” Max pressed. ”Timeʼs ticking.”

Aron rubbed the back of his neck. ”Then why not let me train you? Wouldnʼt that be easier?”

”I donʼt think that would work,” Max admitted. ”Your skills, they werenʼt taught, not really. You grew into them. Theyʼre instinctual for you. Thatʼs why youʼve never trained anyone before. And thatʼs okay. But I need something different. Something bigger.”

Max walked closer, his tone softening.

”Youʼre my Silver Ranger, Aron. Youʼve always been the one I could count on. And right now, I need your skills more than ever.”

He reached into his desk and pulled out a slip of paper.

”Iʼve already done the research. Iʼve tracked one down, or at least a lead. Thereʼs someone nearby. A Super Human. They call him Hercules.”

Aron raised both brows at that.

Max handed him the paper. ”Use whatever money you need. Use every resource youʼve got. This is your mission. Find him. Convince him to see me. Convince him that Iʼm worth training.”

Aron stared at the note in his hands. For once, he didnʼt speak right away.

”And most importantly…” Max added, his voice low, ”donʼt get hurt. If it gets too dangerous, leave. Promise me.”

Aron looked up, and something shifted in his expression.

This was the moment. Would he accept it? Would he go? Or would he insist on staying close to Max, protecting him the way he always had?

It felt like the entire room was holding its breath.

Max decided to give him one last push.

”Iʼll stay in my apartment all weekend,” he said. ”No trouble. Nowhere to go. If everything works out, maybe tomorrow weʼll go see Hercules together.”

Aronʼs lips twitched into a smirk, then a smile.

”Alright,” he said. ”It makes sense. Iʼll do everything I can to find this Hercules guy. Iʼll get him to meet you. I promise.”

He walked over and clapped a hand on Maxʼs shoulder.

”You can count on me. Your Silver Ranger… and your brother.”

The word hit harder than Max expected.

Brother.

For a second, Max almost told him the truth. Almost.

But he held it in.

Because no matter how guilty he felt, this was something he had to do. And truthfully? He really did need Aronʼs help.

”Thanks, Aron,” he said quietly.

Aron grinned and turned toward the door.

Max watched him go, the slip of paper still in his hand.

”One more thing,” Max called out. ”The Super Human I want you to find, they call him Hercules.”