He won, but he also lost. Rock may have kept Roberta, Garcia, Fabiola, and even Caxton alive. But, they're also dead. The lives they once knew, the nightmares they thought were put behind, has now arisen and now that stench is permanently attached to their souls. Rock thought he won for everyone's best interests. No, he won for his own hide. He thought his intellect, strong will, and high morale will be the end-all salvation for all parties. Instead, everyone is more fucked up than ever before.

For Roberta, Garcia, and Fabiola, they will return back to Venezuela with heavy hearts. The once comfortable life they had is now gone. They saw the terrible truths with their own eyes, owned up to it, and return home with heavier hearts than ever. Roberta is still a threat, and now Garcia and Fabiola will live a new life under scrutiny. At least for them, they never got their hands dirty. They played their own cards and came away with what they ultimately got, Roberta. However, it was a game in which they were pieces on the chessboard, played by a puppeteer who toyed with their lives with a gameplay that could have easily backfired. They may have not killed anyone, but knew that a lot of pieces were sacrificed around them to attain their goal.

Rock got shot by a blank from Fabiola. He thought he won. But when she shot him with a blank, and told him that he was still playing with the dead, the truth hit him. He's no better than the crazed assholes in Roanapur. He thought his intentions were noble. He thought he could play the game and come away unscathed. He won, but he also lost. What he actually won is that he's no better than his opponent, a Triad leader. He used the trust of the Black Lagoon crew and others in huge gamble that could have easily backfired. Rock was losing early. To his credit, he stood still and adjusted his gameplan, but it took many more maneuvers and the extreme temperament of the pieces that he played to win. He won the battle, but the war got more murkier than ever.

So there he stands, sitting on the dock of the bay, reflecting on the nasty game he played. Mr. Chang hands Rock his reward, a bunch of money for the Black Lagoon.

Garcia and Fabiola proved that they can withdrawal the temptation of pulling the trigger at the most opportune moment. Rock proved that he has the ability to pull the trigger.

Let me take back that Rock won all along. No. He was the biggest loser.

Why? Everyone around him got more fucked up than ever before.

[Happy endings? Fuck that too.]

---

Note: I believe Rei Hiroe has resume writing more Black Lagoon earlier this year after he took a break from ending that depressing and gut-wrenching Roberta arc. At this time, I'm unsure if I want to read more Black Lagoon. I sure as hell not re-reading what's already released (nine volumes). After I cool off, I could go back to see what Rei has in store. But man, after a week (10/14 to 10/19) where work was hectic, my brother getting laid off, and handing my parents $1,500 to assist with the ever-struggling business, this dark [initial] ending was just icing on the cake. FFFUUUCCCKKK.