The cheers and curses from the crowd of spectators rang in Fyar’s ears as he walked back into the dark corridor of the arena. He did not look back. The heavy wooden door at the end of the corridor opened, and two large members of the Iron Fang Gang were already waiting for him.
"Kail is waiting for you," one of them said, his voice more polite than before.
That was fast... Fyar thought.
Fyar just gave a short nod and followed them up a narrow and steep stone staircase. At the top of the stairs, a sturdy oak door opened, revealing a private stone balcony.
The balcony was not too spacious. Its stone floor was rough and cold, same as its dark walls. A wooden table with simple carvings stood in the middle, flanked by four carved chairs with maroon cushions. On the table, some food, drinks, and bags of gold coins were scattered about. The air here still carried the smell of sweat and the bonfire from below, mixed with the aroma of wine from the glasses on the table.
Kail was sitting in one of the chairs, laughing boisterously with a fellow bookie who stood beside him. When he saw Fyar enter, his laughter grew louder.
"STARFALLLLLLLLL!" he shouted as he stood up and walked toward Fyar. He clapped Fyar hard on the back, causing him to stumble forward a bit. "Hahahaha! Good work, kid! It wasn’t a waste choosing you, haha!! You really are special!! Really special!!"
Kail pushed a very heavy leather pouch into Fyar’s chest. The clear clinking of gold coins could be heard. "This is your bonus!!!"
Oh my god, I got a bonus?!! It seems I underestimated you, Kail!! Fyar maintained his flat expression behind his mask and took the pouch. Its weight felt right in his hand. He walked to an empty chair beside the table and sat down, placing the pouch down with a soft thud.
bakail, who was sitting not far from him, just glanced at Fyar for a moment before looking back at the arena.
"So," Fyar began, his eyes fixed on Kail. "The top 8 is tomorrow?"
Kail nodded. "Yeah! Make sure you keep your winning streak, kid! I’m sure a lot more people will be betting on your name tomorrow! Hahaha!"
Kail then looked at the table and noticed the food and drinks were almost gone. "BRING HIM OUR BEST DRINKS AND FOOD!" Kail ordered a servant who was waiting by the doorway.
Fourteen minutes later, a glass of red wine and some roasted meat were placed on the table.
"Enjoy, kid!!! Don’t be shy!! Celebrate your victory!" Kail said, patting Fyar’s shoulder again.
Who would refuse free food, boss!! Fyar thought.
He took a piece of bread. He lifted his mask slightly with one hand, just enough to put the bread in his mouth, his eyes never stopping their scan of the surroundings. After he finished chewing, he asked again, "Who’s my opponent in the top 8?"
Kail gestured with his chin toward the arena below. "Whoever wins between those two."
Fyar’s eyes returned to the arena.
"THE NEXT MATCH!" the announcer’s voice echoed again. "IN THE RED CORNER, FROM THE MERCHANTS’ GUILD... LEVEL 17 HUNTER, ERION THE ICE STORM! "
He was a young man with spiky green hair who stepped into the arena. He wore light armor in white and blue, layered with a blue cloak with white fur trim. Faint ice and lightning energy crackled around his gauntlets.
"AND HIS OPPONENT, FROM THE SHADOW BLADE GANG... LEVEL 18 ASSASSIN, SILAS ’THE SLICER’! "
From the other side, a woman stepped in confidently. Her long black hair flowed down her back. She wore a tight black leather outfit that revealed much of her skin, with several short swords sheathed at her waist and thighs.
"Who are you betting on, Kail?" Fyar asked, his eyes focused on the arena.
Kail chuckled. "nah I’m not betting on their fight."
Fyar was slightly surprised. This guy can resist his gambling addiction?! Did I enter another universe?! He turned to Kail. "That’s new... why?"
After taking a sip of his wine, Kail answered, "Their fight is hard to predict. I’m not that stupid to bet, kid!"
Fyar raised an eyebrow from behind his mask. "Hard to predict?"
Kail nodded. "Yeah. One is a Hunter with a lightning sub-class, the other is an Assassin. From the information I have, their levels are almost the same, seventeen and eighteen."
I wonder how much money you spend to buy information... well, as a gambler, you’re probably smart, Fyar thought.
Kail looked at bakail. "who are you betting on?!?"
bakail chuckled. "Erion, of course!"
An ice sub-class and an Assassin... well, whoever gets through... neither of them will be an easy opponent, Fyar thought. He then leaned his body forward slightly. This was a good opportunity to gather data.
The fight began. The Hunter named Erion immediately created a thick wall of ice around himself, then shot sharp ice projectiles from behind his cover.
Ssst! Ssst!
His opponent, Silas the Assassin, disappeared among the shadows created by the bonfire.
She can disappear through shadows?! What the hell is that?! Fyar couldn’t hide his surprise at seeing the assassin.
Erion remained vigilant, his eyes darting around wildly, searching for movement. Suddenly, Silas appeared right behind him. A pitch-black dagger formed in her hand. It was a shadow dagger.
Erion, who felt a chill on his back, was a split second too late. He tried to turn, but the shadow dagger had already pierced his leather armor and stabbed him in the back.
Erion screamed in pain. He collapsed forward, his breath ragged. He tried to stand, but his legs were trembling.
What the fuck was that?!!?! is assassin that strong?!?!! godammm What’s the weakness?! Fyar thought.
Silas didn’t give him a second chance. She dashed forward and kicked Erion down, then pointed her real dagger at the Hunter’s neck.
"AND OH MY GOD, THAT WAS A RATHER QUICK FIGHT, FOLKS!?? TODAY IS TRULY INSANE!!!!! SILAS IS THE SECOND FIGHTER TO ADVANCE TO THE TOP 8 AND WILL FIGHT THE FALLEN STAR, STARFALL!!! " the announcer’s shout echoed again in the arena.
"Hey, did you see that?!?!"
"Damn it, I bet my salary on Erion!!!"
"You pig!!! I lost again!!!!"
"FUCK FUCK FUUUUCKKKKKK"
"Wooo baby, I’m rich as fuck!!"
"Finallyyyyyyy wooooo"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA"
Shouts of disappointment and joy began to be heard from the stands.
Kail then stood up, pointed at bakail, and laughed boisterously. "Hahahahah, you idiot!!! You lost again, HAHAHAHA YOU SO STUPID HAHAHAHAH, how much did you lose today???!"
bakail just bit his lip, not responding to Kail’s insults.
"A boring fight," a calm voice was heard near Fyar.
Who??! Fyar turned quickly. Wilas, the man in all white, Martis’s envoy, was now standing at the entrance to the balcony, ignoring Kail who was still shouting at his friend. He was holding a glass of wine in his hand.
Since when he was Here?! Fyar thought, looking suspiciously at Wilas.
"Starfall," Wilas greeted. "A very... intelligent fight... you used poison to kill an opponent who was physically stronger than you, whoa... smart, smart."
Fyar didn’t answer, just looked at him from behind the mask.
Wilas gave a thin smile. "You know, Starfall...Martis and I bet on your name, you know..."
Martis? Wait, don’t tell me he’s his companion.. That was fast..huff What would have happened if I had lost earlier... Fyar thought.
"Heh, is that so," Fyar replied curtly, maintaining his rough persona.
"Of course," Wilas said. "I was quite impressed with your intelligence and your fighting style... and also... your power, mmm, I’ve never seen it before... what is it?"
Fyar ignored Wilas’s question. Instead, he answered, "Why should I tell you?"
Wilas gave a light laugh. "Oh, is that so?" He then placed a jet-black coin with a gold engraving on Fyar’s table. The coin was different from a regular gold coin. "Keep winning. Perhaps Lord Martis will watch your fight in the finals."
Kail, who saw Wilas, looked startled. His pupils constricted and cold sweat began to pour from his body. "L-Lord Wilas? How have you been??"
bakail also immediately stood up and bowed his head for a moment. "Lord Wilas, it’s rare to see you. Is there anything we can help you with?"
They seem to be very scared of this person... Fyar thought.
Wilas just gave a light laugh. "Oh, bakail and Kail?" He then gently patted Fyar’s shoulder. "I just wanted to congratulate this Starfall."
Kail raised his eyebrows. "Congratulate?"
Wilas nodded. "Yeah....Martis and I bet on his name. You know, I think this person is quite interesting..."
bakail and Kail flinched. They looked at each other.
Kail looked back at Wilas. "I-is that so?! That’s great!! Hahaha, this kid really is special!!"
bakail chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, he’s pretty amazing!"
Wilas nodded once. "Exactly!" He then turned and walked away. "See you, Starfall! Keep up your style!" he said, waving his hand and disappearing back into the corridor, leaving Fyar now staring at the strange coin on his table.
This is faster than I expected... Fyar picked up the black coin, feeling its cold, heavy metal, then put it in his pocket. He leaned back in his chair.
bakail and Kail let out a sigh of relief and sat back down in their seats.