It's sunny afternoon, Angel walked down the street at Pearl Gate City, one of Euphorion trading city on the Northwest of Euphorion's territory. He explored the city as he looked around with puzzled expression. Despite this is a city but the situation doesn't look like that. The city gates are left unguarded with walls that look almost never repaired in years. Even, he wasn't sure if the wall could withstand with monster attacks. Inside the city, there are only some shabby buildings, old shops and houses that some of them look too worn-out to live in. There are almost no traders in sight, only a few people were seen passing by.
'It's weird, the city location is very strategic, even the scenery is more beautiful than Springwell City. This place has potential to become a bigger city, but why does this place look neglected'
His mind kept wondering, while his feet continued to move forward to the city hall. His steps stopped before a big rusty gate with a 'City Hall' sign in front of it. He looked around searching for the guards but couldn't find it.
'Are they already closed?' but the sun that still shining above his head said it was impossible for a city hall closed at this hour.
'Should I barge in?'
He shook his thought, since he didn't want to make trouble on his first day here, finally he decided to find another way.
'Where can I get information other than the city hall?'
Suddenly, he remembered the crowd he had just passed. He quickly turned around and retraced his steps back to the crowd.
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*
The crowd looked so excited watching the street match before them, some of them keep shouted to encourage their hero. He tried to ask one of them but their attention was focused on the fierce battle in front of them.
'I need to get their attention before I can ask them.'
He looked at the match, one of the fighters looked exhausted while the other was still eager to continue the match. He splitted the crowd before him and approached to a man who looks like a judge for their match.
"Excuse me, can I participate in this match?"
The judge frowned while stared at him with condescending look.
"Are you sure? You didn't sound like a fighter at all."
He just remembered the way he talked is too polite for a fighter.
"It's just a habit."
The judge stared at him once again before finally let him to join the match.
"Alright, you're in. But this is a bare hand fight you can't use your sword here."
"Thank you." he replied.
It's not long before, one of the fighters collapsed accompanied by a loud applause and cheers from the crowd. The judge walked into the middle of the match as two man pulled the loser from there.
"For today's last battle! We have new challenger!" he said as he pointed to Angel.
A loud sound of cheers came again from the crowd.
The judge shifted his gaze toward him and his opponent.
"Are you both ready?"
They nodded in reply.
"Go!"
He walked to the middle of the match as he observed his opponent who have bigger body than him.
'Big body, strong arm, stocky leg. I have no choice then...'
His opponent stormed at him with his fist raised to punch him. He simply threw a high kick on his opponent's head before his fist reached him then quickly turned around to avoid his opponent's body falling on him.
Everyone fell silent in surprise as his opponent body collapsed to the ground while the match just begun a second ago.
Angel turned his eyes to the judge since he hasn't announced the winner yet.
"I win, right?"
The judge looked startled while he still gathered his thought together.
"Oh... Right. The winner is... Um..." he turned his gaze to him. "What's your name?"
"Zel" he replied.
"The winner of today's match is Zel!" announced the judge.
A loud applause accompanied by cheers could be heard from the crowd, some of them started to approach to congratulate him. With their attention focused on him, he intended to start ask them but before he opened his mouth, he saw two kids struggled their way to him. He splitted the crowd as he helped them to reach him safely, then he turned his attention back to the crowd and started asking them.
"Excuse me, is anyone know a person named Chay Fadington?"
Some of them shook their head while the rest just walked away after congratulate him. He sighed as the crowd dispersed before he could get any information from them, then he felt someone keep pulled his clothes repeatedly. He turned his to the boy who stood beside him.
"Sir, are you looking for my dad?" said the boy.
"Chay Fadington is your father?" he asked.
The boy nodded as he keeps stared at him admiringly.
He knelt down on one leg to equalize their body height and make them easier to talk.
"Can I know your name?"
The boy smiled innocently at him.
"My name is Cley." then he pointed to a girl that keep held his hand. "And she's my twin sister, Claire."
He gave them a slight smile.
"Nice to meet you, Cley, Claire. My name is Zel. If you don't mind, can you take me to your father?"
"Yes, of course." said the boy in excitement then he grabbed his hand to show him the way.
He just stood up and walked a few steps when the judge called him.
"Hey champion!"
He turned around facing him, the judge suddenly threw a bag of coin to him and he caught it.
"You forget your prize!" the judge continued.
"Thank you." he replied as he turned around and followed them again.