SSS Ranked God Marked

It had been a month since the gang registration was completed. During this time, numerous requests had come in, and Pandion had met each one with absolute success.

Their reputation had grown exponentially, whispers of their capabilities spreading through the underworld like wildfire.

The Gamblo family's allegiance had opened doors previously closed to them, and Zilant's formidable presence had deterred many potential challengers.

After weeks of nonstop work, Raxa had suggested they take a day to recharge. The beach had been his idea—neutral territory where they could relax without constantly watching their backs. Now, the core members of Pandion lay beneath large umbrellas on the pristine sand, the gentle rhythm of waves providing a soothing backdrop to their rare moment of peace.

The sun beat down pleasantly, warming the sand beneath their towels. A light breeze carried the scent of salt and sunscreen. Further down the beach, other gang members mingled, some swimming, others playing casual games or simply enjoying the downtime. For once, there were no territories to defend, no rivals to intimidate, no complex negotiations to navigate.

Larry stretched out beside Raxa, his muscles finally unwinding after weeks of tension. He glanced around at his companions—Arashi and Blond sharing a cooler of drinks, Zilant's massive frame somehow fitting comfortably on an oversized beach towel, Hime organizing the supplies with her usual precision. For a moment, they almost looked like any other group of friends enjoying a day at the beach.

"Thanks Raxa for such a pleasant time at the beach doing nothing," Larry said, breaking the comfortable silence.

Raxa smiled slightly, his usual intensity temporarily subdued. "You guys earned it! Enjoy!"

Arashi and Blond, lounging nearby, nodded in agreement. "Sometimes doing nothing is the best."

Several feet away, Zilant shifted uncomfortably, noticing the wide-eyed stares from a group of children building sandcastles nearby. Despite his attempts to appear non-threatening in beach attire, his imposing physique and the scars crisscrossing his visible skin made that nearly impossible.

"Is it okay for me to be here?" he asked, his deep voice quiet enough that only the core group could hear.

"Why not? You're also human," Larry replied without hesitation, his tone casual but firm.

Zilant sighed, his massive shoulders slumping slightly. "I know but kids surrounding us are looking panicked to me."

The children in question were indeed staring, one small boy tugging urgently at his mother's arm while pointing in Zilant's direction. The mother glanced over, paled slightly, then hurriedly gathered her family's belongings to move further down the beach.

Raxa followed Larry's gaze and snorted dismissively. "Let those snotty ass kids be afraid, they'll never be man if they are."

Zilant nodded reluctantly, accepting his blunt assessment though his expression remained troubled. For someone of his size and reputation, he was surprisingly sensitive to others' reactions.

Larry frowned at Raxa's harshness. "Come on Raxa! They're kids! What do you expect?"

"They are future pony believer's, that's what I expect," he retorted, using his favorite derogatory term for the general public—those who lived in blissful ignorance of the true nature of the city's power structure.

Their bickering was interrupted by Hime approaching with a deliberate throat clearing. She stood over them, immaculately put together despite the beach setting, not a hair out of place. "Don't argue! People are looking at us," she admonished. "Besides the whole family is here people ought to be afraid what else do you suppose."

Raxa's relaxed demeanor vanished instantly. His eyes flashed dangerously as he sat up, the air around him almost vibrating with sudden intensity. "Listen you yandere bitch, you can boss Larry, however not me!"

The surge of bloodlust in his voice made Hime step back, fear evident in her eyes. It was a rare sight—Hime, usually so composed and commanding with other members, reduced to uncertain silence. Larry couldn't help but smile inwardly at this momentary shift in their usual dynamic.

The tension was broken by Gable calling from further down the beach, waving enthusiastically toward a volleyball net that had been set up. "Come on! Let's play!"

They quickly formed two teams: Raxa, Larry, Arashi, Blond, and Zilant on one side; Gable, Hime (who had recovered her composure), and some of the stronger family members on the other.

What started as a casual game quickly escalated into something else entirely. Each side played with the same intensity they brought to their operations—calculated, precise, and devastatingly effective. Zilant's powerful spikes left small craters in the sand. Raxa moved with blinding speed, seeming to be everywhere at once. Arashi and Blond coordinated their movements with wordless efficiency, while Larry directed their strategy with subtle hand signals.

On the other side, Gable and his team fought valiantly, employing complex formations and unexpected tactics. Hime, surprisingly athletic in her modest swimwear, executed several impressive saves that earned appreciative nods even from Raxa.

The match drew attention. Beachgoers gathered around, first in small groups, then in larger numbers, watching with a mixture of awe and trepidation as the two teams demonstrated abilities far beyond casual players. Some began taking videos on their phones, others whispered among themselves, no doubt recognizing the distinctive tattoos that marked each Pandion member.

In the end, the monster quintet emerged victorious, though the match had been closer than any of them might have anticipated. Gable's frustration was evident as he approached Larry, sweat dripping from his brow, breath coming in controlled pants.

"We'll win next time, Master!" he declared, the honorific slipping out despite the casual setting.

"Good luck then!" Larry replied with a genuine smile. He respected Gable's determination, even if the outcome was rarely in doubt.

Without another word, Gable stalked off toward the speedboat rental, his posture rigid with renewed determination.

The group returned to their umbrellas, pleasantly exhausted from the exertion. Raxa surveyed their gang members scattered across the beach, some now playing in the water, others enjoying refreshments from the nearby vendors. "Everyone's having a great time it seems."

"Yup! They sure are!" Larry agreed, accepting a cold drink from a passing subordinate with a nod of thanks.

Arashi stretched lazily in the sun, his lean frame seeming almost feline in its grace. "I'm thinking of making a gang holiday to beach party."

"Awesome idea," Blond agreed, his usually stoic expression softening. "The reason for it is they need to look sharp always and vacation is the right way to do it by putting their minds at ease for some time albeit short."

"Fine by me!" Raxa said, lying back on his towel. He turned his head toward Blond, curiosity evident in his expression. "Anyway, don't you feel angry at the Gamblo family for not pledging their loyalty to you instead of Larry, Blond?"

The question hung in the air, addressing something they'd all been aware of but had tactfully avoided mentioning. The Gamblo family had been in Blond's orbit long before Pandion formed, yet when the time came to declare official allegiance, they had chosen Larry instead.

Blond's expression remained neutral as he shook his head. "Nope! I was using them as a mercenary team so they never worked under me, instead they worked with me!"

"Ah!" Larry remarked in understanding, though he suspected there was more to it than Blond was letting on.

The political dynamics within Pandion were complex, with multiple power centers coexisting in a delicate balance. Blond's apparent acceptance of the Gamblo decision helped maintain that equilibrium.

The peaceful moment was shattered without warning. A volleyball hurtled toward Larry's head at tremendous speed, its trajectory precise and clearly intentional. Before Larry could fully register the threat, Arashi's hand shot out, stopping the ball mere inches from Larry's face. The movement had been so fast that few would have seen anything but a blur.

Larry blinked in surprise, then groaned as recognition dawned. "Oh! Come on, not now! Junes."

They all turned to see a young man standing several yards away, watching them with unconcealed interest. He exuded a laid-back, beachside charm that was hard to ignore. His tousled white hair caught the sunlight, glinting like sea foam against a clear blue sky. Bright blue eyes, sharp yet calm, reflected the endless ocean—serene but hiding untold depths.

Dressed in a loose white t-shirt and light blue pants, he looked effortlessly cool, blending perfectly with the coastal vibe. Simple accessories—a silver dog tag resting against his chest, a black cross earring, and a few bracelets—added a subtle edge to his relaxed style. With sun-kissed skin and a casual pose, he gave off the air of someone who belonged by the sea. His easygoing demeanor hid a thoughtful gaze, as if he was always watching the waves, waiting for the right moment to dive into something deeper.

"How ya doing big bro, Larry?" he called out with a wave, his voice carrying easily across the distance between them.

The effect on the group was immediate. Raxa sat up sharply, his posture shifting to combat readiness though his expression remained neutral. Arashi and Blond exchanged glances, a wordless communication born of years working together. Zilant's massive form tensed, ready to move if necessary.

Raxa turned to Larry, surprise evident in his usually guarded expression. "You have a brother? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Long story but in short he's bad news," Larry muttered, his relaxed mood evaporating.

Junes continued walking toward them, his gait casual yet somehow purposeful. "I said how ya doing big brother?"

Larry briefly considered pretending he didn't know Junes—acting as though this white-haired stranger had mistaken him for someone else. But when Junes kicked another volleyball toward him with startling precision, Larry's instincts took over. He moved with practiced ease, dodging the projectile without seeming to exert any effort at all. Junes broke into exaggerated applause, his bright eyes dancing with amusement.

"Instead of avoiding maybe you should go talk to him, he's your little brother after all," Blond suggested, his tone carefully neutral.

Arashi scoffed, an unusual display of emotion from the typically composed enforcer. "You're one to talk! No matter how I tried to talk to you previously you refused."

Blond remained silent, his expression unreadable. The reference to their own complicated history hung in the air, unaddressed.

"Blond had his own reasons so let's not talk about it and ruin our beach day," Raxa interjected, his sharp gaze moving between the approaching Junes and Larry's tense expression.

"Yeah Raxa's right! I'll go to talk to that idiot," Larry agreed with a resigned sigh.

He gestured for Hime to follow him—having her present often helped de-escalate potentially volatile situations. To his surprise, she remained rooted in place, a blush spreading across her cheeks as she stared at Junes.

"Seriously him!?" Larry asked incredulously, recognizing the expression on her face with dismay.

"Why didn't you tell me you had such a handsome brother?" Hime demanded, smoothing her hair with nervous hands.

Larry sighed, exasperation evident in every line of his body. "My bad! Let's go meet him shall we?"

"You go! I'm not ready," she replied, still flustered, utterly unlike her usual composed self.

With an exasperated eye roll, Larry walked toward Junes alone, mentally calculating potential scenarios and responses. Junes had always been unpredictable, which made him both valuable and dangerous in equal measure.

"How you doing brother?" Junes greeted him with a grin, arms spread wide as if expecting an embrace.

"Better but not anymore," Larry replied flatly, maintaining a careful distance.

"Don't be like that! We're brothers aren't we?" Junes said, slinging an arm around Larry's shoulders with casual familiarity.

Larry shrugged it off, his expression hardening. "Just because we grew up in the same gang doesn't mean we were brothers and what trouble did you emerge yourself in this time?"

Junes chuckled, not at all offended by the rejection. "You got me!"

"Save it for later, we are enjoying the beach for now, so don't ruin our merryment," Larry said firmly, gesturing toward his waiting companions.

Junes nodded, his bright eyes scanning the beach and the Pandion members with undisguised interest.