Due to the ringing fire alarm bell, everyone had been escorted out of the building. Many of the event staff were focused on making the people comfortable and not causing a disaster.
Since there was less panic, more people had time to think about the fight that had just gone on inside as well. They were talking to each other about the event.
“Man, Jayden Tiger did better than I thought. It was almost as if he drew out more power because this was a title match.”
“Yeah, it makes me wonder what would have happened if he just waited. If he had climbed the ranks and then challenged Harvor. At this rate, it feels like Harvor is going to be the champion forever until he grows old.”
“What I want to know is what is going to happen to Jayden Tiger. What even happens to Altered fighters who have such a great career and then get banned like that?”
“I don’t think you have to worry about them. They must have earned a fortune for all of those years of fighting, especially at the top. They’ll probably just lay low and retire. I wouldn’t be surprised if we never hear about Jayden Tiger again after today.”
Inside the arena, if one was to look around, there wasn’t a single person. The only ones present were in the rings themselves.
What did stand out were the glass VIP rooms that were one-way, allowing them to view the fight. So it was hard to tell if these were empty or not.
Among the many seats, though, if one was to look hard enough, they would be able to see two bent-over backs.
“Seriously, what are we doing this for?” Park asked.
“Because everyone has left the audience. If we are the only two left here, then it would be pretty obvious we were trying to start something,” Austin explained.
“But we are trying to start something. Didn’t we clear the area so we could do something?” Park replied.
“Right, but who gets to decide that, us or him?” Austin looked in the corner of his eye at one of the glass VIP rooms, which was placed in the middle of the stands, looking down at the center of the ring.
“We did that just to help him out. We don’t act unless he acts,” Austin explained.
Inside that very VIP room, now that the situation had cleared up, Gary was seeing it—he was seeing an opportunity to get involved.
‘Right now, a lot of the One Gang will be frantic helping people out in the arena. There’s still about ten guys down there, and then we have the Zodiacs as well. There’s Harvor, and he’s right in my sight,’ Gary thought.
The thing was, for a long time Gary had thought this wasn’t his fight; he was just here to support Jayden. As Kai had told him, the One Gang and the Howlers weren’t currently against each other.
‘With him having fought against Jayden already, I’m sure he must be somewhat tired out or hurt, right? This might be my best chance to take out a future enemy,’ Gary thought.
“Stop it,” Apollo said, standing from his seat. “Both of you. I can tell from the look in your eyes, you’re both thinking of jumping in there.”
“You saw what Harvor just did to your brother. He will do the same to both of you, and…” Apollo’s fist was shaking; it was hard for him to get his words out.
“If you go out there and start a mess, then it means I will have to be your enemy as well.”
——
The ringing from the fire alarm had eventually come to a stop. Regardless, they weren’t going to get people to come back in, since the event was practically already over at that point.
Right now, Jayden had been lifted onto his feet. The front of his uniform was dirty with his blood that had come out from his mouth.
Holding him tightly were two more of the Zodiac members, as Stanley was still controlling everything from his room, including the Zodiacs’ movements.
All of the Zodiacs were present in the building in one place or another.
Slowly, Jayden’s eyes started to open again, his vision becoming clearer, and he could see Harvor looking right at him.
“You’re awake, which I expected of an Altered of your caliber,” Harvor said to Jayden, who tried to move his arms, but his body was already beaten, and the strength of the two holding him was more than he thought.
“Now, now, you see, I’m in a bit of a rush. There was a meeting I was meant to get to, but you managed to last a lot longer than I imagined,” Harvor said. “So I’m going to make it quick for you.”
“I have an offer—to join the One Gang. I can’t publicly put you back in the AFC, but being part of the One Gang will change your life in ways bigger than the AFC itself,” Harvor explained.
Jayden lifted his head up and started to chuckle.
“Work for you… I’ve already worked for people I hate for long enough. If I was part of your gang, then I would make you look over your shoulder every second.”
“Wondering when I would stab you in the back and rip your head off!” Jayden snapped in anger.
Harvor shook his head, and for the first time since the fight, his smile had disappeared.
“That is a shame. I don’t like getting stabbed in the back. So it seems I’m going to have to get rid of you right here and now!”
Harvor readied his fist and then stomped the ground as he threw out a punch right at Jayden. Just as Harvor corked up and clenched his fist, a loud smashing sound was heard.
Turning his head, Harvor could see glass had been smashed from one of the VIP rooms. Jumping from the VIP room, in the air, heading straight to the arena, Harvor could see the black-haired youngster.
“HARVOOR!!!” Gary screamed at the top of his lungs with his fist out, leaping over the stadium seats.
“So, you decided to play,” Harvor said.