Alex Ray breathed a sigh of relief, and the matter finally came to an end. The reason Alex wanted to join the High Table instead of destroying it was partly for himself and partly for Hell's Kitchen.
By first joining the High Table, Alex could gain his own power.
The fact that they did not belong to Wilson Fisk's forces did not mean that Alex didn't trust Fisk. It was like the emperor and the prince — the emperor's people always followed the emperor.
Given the emperor's order and the prince's order, guess who they would listen to. No matter how favored the prince was, and moreover, Alex wasn't even Fisk's biological son.
Secondly, he could access convenient services from mainland hotels, intelligence centers, and employment agencies. Alex also obtained most of the tangible benefits such as money and real estate.
Finally, it was for the people of Hell's Kitchen. This was a fine tradition from Alex's previous life.
As the saying goes, one returns home in glory and wealth. Haven't you seen how after a certain crime boss got rich, he hired everyone from his hometown? Or how a certain police chief made even the lowliest dogs into police dogs?
Alex didn't have such a grand vision, but he shared the idea. No matter how chaotic or bad Hell's Kitchen was, it was still his hometown in this Marvel world.
Ultimately, the chaos was caused by the government's inaction and deliberate neglect.
What Alex could do was bring the mainland hotel industry to boost consumption in other Hell's Kitchen industries.
First, ordinary Hell's Kitchen residents could find jobs at the Continental Hotel, either as waiters or cleaners. This way, they could earn some money. Secondly, thugs with gangster backgrounds could take on missions.
Alex provided regular tasks similar to those at mainland hotels. After all, they didn't know how much of the money they earned before was taken by middlemen.
If that didn't work out, they could join scavengers or handle gun production. These were all relevant professions for Hell's Kitchen.
Some people in Hell's Kitchen were born bad, and Alex would kill them all if he saw them. But most had no choice. Didn't they know that stealing, robbing, and drug trafficking were illegal and wrong?
People from Hell's Kitchen were inherently disadvantaged. When they went out, they couldn't even find jobs, either because they were rejected for lacking a social security number or because of the stigma attached to "Hell's Kitchen."
So they survived by stealing and robbing.
They just wanted to live—was there anything wrong with that?
Alex thought it was understandable, though he did not encourage it.
But Alex hoped they could have a better future, so the Continental Hotel gave ordinary Hell's Kitchen residents a choice — whether to seize this ray of light.
If the Continental Hotel represented hope for the present residents of Hell's Kitchen, then the community school Alex was about to build represented hope for the children.
They could study hard, get into good universities, find good jobs, and escape Hell's Kitchen through their own efforts. One represented the present, the other the future. Alex wanted both the present and the future.
There was only so much Alex could do. He couldn't completely change Hell's Kitchen, but any change he made was good enough.
As for other things, Alex didn't think too much about them. He just wanted to strengthen himself while saving his own life, then return to his original world if possible. Before going back, he wanted to help the place he had lived for more than 20 years so that his time in the Marvel universe would be worthwhile.
Alex then asked John Wick, Caine, and the others to sit down, and said, "Is there anyone who doesn't want to be a judge? If not, I will report everyone's information to the High Table."
Deadpool was the first to speak: "I want it, I want it, but isn't the status of Arbitrator a bit low? The elders seem more fitting. So, can the Arbitrator stay in the hotel for free?"
"Not only can you live here for free, but you'll also get paid," Marcus replied from the side.
John Wick was stunned by this and asked, "Can I become a judge too?"
Happiness came too suddenly. John Wick never expected that after working hard his whole life for the Continental, at best he was someone's subordinate with the title Night Demon. Not to mention being a judge — he wasn't even a member of the Continental.
He was so disheartened. He tried his best but only got retirement. His wife died, his dog died, his house was bombed, and he was hunted.
If he hadn't met Alex Ray, he might have died somewhere. Let alone become a judge of the High Table.
Marcus was slightly better off. Caine didn't expect Alex would trust him so much when he first arrived.
"In fact, to put it bluntly, the Arbitrator is my subordinate with just a higher title. If you don't mind, you can be one. We're all friends anyway," Alex said nonchalantly.
After hearing this, Deadpool clamored to stay in the hotel for free. Pietro nearby didn't care. He had long regarded Alex as family and would do whatever Alex asked.
Caine swore, "Although I'm blind, it doesn't affect my judgment. I can see people's hearts clearly. You're a good man and you saved my daughter. I will become your sword and clear everything for you."
"We're all friends, family. There's no need for that," Alex scratched his head.
"If you, Alex, don't mind my old bones, I can help you," Marcus added.
Finally, everyone looked at John Wick. John didn't disappoint Alex. He knelt on one knee, placing his right hand on his heart: "I will be loyal to you, Alex. As long as you need me, just say the word. Even if it costs me my life."
Alex heard the system voice in his mind:
Ding
...
"Congratulations, host. Marcus's favorability has been raised to full stars."
"Congratulations, host. Marcus has become family."
"Congratulations, host. John Wick's favorability has been raised to full stars."
"Congratulations, host. John Wick has become family."
"Congratulations, host. Caine's favorability has been raised to full stars."
"Congratulations, host. Caine has become family."
"Detected: host already has five family members, meeting system upgrade conditions."
"System has been automatically upgraded."
"24-hour upgrade completed."
Alex looked at everyone and the voice in his head, laughing happily.
"Alright, alright, I'm embarrassed. We're all friends, brothers, and family. I'm going to cook. Stay and eat together before returning to the apartment. Caine, call your daughter."
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Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones