Contents
Chapter 41: Second Chance
Overview
Jon Remi elevates three Snakeheads as jade-wearing Vipers, including Maik Tar. The moment Tar regains jade, he assassinates Remi, fights his way out, and surrenders to police. From the hospital, Tar contacts Hilo, then cooperates with authorities, crippling the Snakeheads. Cory Dauk counsels Tar, who rejects rescue and frames his act as a “death of consequence.”
Summary
After hours at the Feast of Janloon in Resville, Jon Remi conducts a solemn ceremony to create three jade-wearing Vipers. He awards medallions to two proven Snakeheads, then to Maik Tar, granting him three jade pieces due to Tar’s veteran Green Bone past and exceptional reliability.
The instant Maik Tar reconnects with jade, he kills Remi with Steel, drops a guard with Channeling, and fights off the others. Wounded by gunfire and knives during his escape, Tar smashes through a window, uses Lightness to survive the fall, then limps away before surrendering peacefully to responding police.
In the hospital, Tar privately calls Hilo, who promises legal help and urges silence, praising Tar’s action. Interrogated later with an interpreter, Tar claims he killed Remi in self-defense after being lured to an execution, and he fully cooperates—identifying Snakeheads, hideouts, and crimes—devastating the gang’s operations.
Cory Dauk visits Tar in jail, criticizing his early cooperation for losing leverage but outlining a likely reduced sentence and witness protection. He warns that No Peak is considering illegal measures to free Tar; Tar says they should not. Pressed on motive, Tar says Remi chose the wrong enemy and declares he sought a “death of consequence,” declining to confirm any prompting by Anden.
Who Appears
- Maik TarFormer No Peak Pillarman; regains jade, assassinates Jon Remi, escapes wounded, surrenders, cooperates with police, seeks a “death of consequence.”
- Jon Remi (Bad Keck Remi)Snakeheads leader; conducts Viper ceremony, gives Tar jade, is immediately assassinated by Tar.
- Kaul HiloNo Peak Pillar; receives Tar’s call, promises legal help and restraint, praises Tar’s action.
- Cory DaukNo Peak’s Espenian lawyer; advises Tar, projects sentence, warns against jailbreak, probes Tar’s motive.