Although it was only midday, the car park to the grand large arena was already filling up. Reporters, news agencies, livestreamers, and more all got their chance to enter the place first.
They were able to ask questions to the organizers about who they thought was going to win the match, while also getting a few sneak peeks behind the scenes of the arena as well as other programs.
After all, it wasn’t just them that were in the arena. There were also past AFC fighters that had retired who were all talking about the event that was to take place.
In the arena, up in a glass booth, an interview that was going out on a program was showing.
"Vicello, you were once Rank 1 in the AFC. You had climbed the ranks, and then after a loss to Harvor you ended up retiring.
"Many wished for you to come back stronger hoping to fight him again, but that never happened. So I need to ask, why did you never challenge Harvor again, and what do you think of Gary Dem’s chances?"
A man sat in a suit that was stretched out, with thinning hair on his head that made a shape of a pinecone. This man was Vicello, who was only a fraction of his former self.
"Why didn’t I fight him again? First, I have to say, if you look at the facts, anyone who has fought against Harvor has never fought against him again. I am not the only one.
"You might say that I managed to go further than the others, but there is one fact that has been confirmed by every fighter: No one has seen Harvor’s true Altered form, at least not in the ring.
"If I lost to Harvor in his human form, what hope do I have in his Altered form."
The interview broadcast was meant to be quite casual between the host and the guests, but Vicello’s answer was straightforward and was spoken in a way that made even them feel slightly fearful toward Harvor.
"I see, well you are certainly right about that!" the host claimed. "Not a single person has ever gone against Harvor twice. I suppose it’s just a wall that can’t be faced, but now we have someone who’s been challenging him non-stop."
In the interview room, behind the guests, a video began to play of Gary’s great strength—how he defeated opponents one after the other, and his declaration.
"This is also something we’ve never seen before, right? What do you think, Clem? You have followed Gary for a while, right?" the host asked.
One of the other guests that had been asked on was Clem. Traditional media was getting less and less views these days, but big sports events that were placed behind a paywall were slightly different.
Still, they wanted to connect with a new audience, and there was no better way than to invite one of the top-performing livestreamers onto the platform.
"Gary is a king soul, and we have seen that multiple times in the past," Clem started. "But to see him this way in his fights, to see this pure anger of emotion that is coming across.
"It’s clear that something has upset him. When there’s something clear on his mind that he wishes to get, he will get it. I’m betting on Gary winning this fight."
There was a clear amount of laughter that filled the room in that moment from the host as well as the other guests.
"Maybe it’s because you're a woman you understand nothing about the fighting world," Vicello said. "But Harvor is unbeatable. Gary will lose this fight, and the answer will be here today."
"Just because I’m a girl my opinion doesn’t count?" Clem replied back. "I’m sure when you saw Gary fighting against the higher ranks of the AFC you thought the same thing you're thinking now.
"There’s a reason why I was invited on this show in the first place, because your opinion doesn’t matter. No one cares about what a loser like you has to say."
"How dare you, you little bitch!" Vicello said, standing up and rushed towards her. Immediately off-screen, security quickly rushed in, stopping Vicello before he could do anything, and the broadcast show continued as the screen switched to other things.
Inside the large waiting room, Gary hadn’t tuned into any programs nor did he turn on the TV where he could watch the program himself.
He only had his phone on, waiting for a text from his fellow allies. He was in two minds. He still had time now? He could have gone back to help the others.
He could have stayed with them? But it was Kai’s orders and sacrifice to tell him to keep going?
There had to be a reason. Was it in case Stanley had anything planned, a reason to delay Gary in getting here, or was it something else?
In the middle of his thoughts, the door was pushed open. Gary’s head snapped to see who it was and could see Allan enter.
"You have a guest, and they're on the pre-approved list."
Gary’s heart started to thump. Had the others already dealt with the trouble and appeared? If so, he could really do with them by his side right now.
Walking through the doors on high-heeled dark boots though, was a person on the guest list but not who he expected.
"You can leave the two of us now," Daphne said, and Allan quickly left.
"It seems you're not happy to see me, but I can understand why. I got news of the shut-down road and considering you're here on your own, it all makes sense," Daphne said. "Still, you have to remember if you want any chance of beating him, then you'll need me to stay by your side."
Daphne then pulled out her phone which was linked to the program titled The Clash of Kings.
"Because Harvor’s here now as well."
On screen, Harvor could be seen entering the arena reception, flashing lights from cameras and video cameras as well as reporters were ready for him.
Now, the two kings were in the same building, with the fight drawing ever so closer.