Thong looked at the man who tapped him on the shoulder, slipping his money into his pocket before staring at the man.
Thong: Did you say a job? You mean, like another match? Wait wait wait. First of all, who are you?
???: Oh, me? Well, simply call me Marvin. And this job I have for you, I guess you can see it as another match… But a much more dangerous match.
Thong: I'm not going to listen to you any further unless you explain yourself.
Thong wasn't sure where this confidence in himself was coming from. Was it in self defense against this Marvin that he had no connections with? Was it still from the adrenaline from his match? He wasn't sure, but he stood firm as he stared at Marvin.
Marvin: You're a strong man, exactly what I was looking for. Simply put, I'm trying to hire you for an assassination job.
All the confidence that had filled Thong's body immediately disappeared at that moment. "Assassination." Thong had wished to avoid that darker corner of the Eclipse for as long as he could live, but it had reared it's hideous figure in front of him. Marvin wore a smile on his face as Thong's eyes showed the fear that filled him.
Marvin: Looks like that shook you up a bit, not what I expected from a fighter that kept going until his opponent was knocked out.
Thong tried to control his breathing as Marvin reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
Marvin: The job is quite simple, really. I wish for you to kill a mafia member that has recently been released from jail. He was able to escape on bail, but this bastard knows what he's done. Obviously this job won't come cheap like that single stack in your pocket.
Marvin showed his phone to Thong, the number filling Thong with shock.
Marvin: All of this can be yours if you simply take this job.
Thong's body froze up, staring deep into Marvin's eyes, who didn't seem fazed in the slightest at the idea of having someone else killed. Thong clenched his fists, his vision shaking as his mouth started to move, a form of rage filling his body as he looked at Marvin.
Thong: No!
Thong immediately stormed off. He ran and ran, not looking where he was going, his mind racing with the thoughts of him possibly needing to kill another human. Before he was aware of it, Thong was at the front door of his house. He walked in, his parents sitting at the table as they discussed things. They looked up, Thong's mother rushing up to look at Thong's bruised face.
Hoa Tran: Honey… What happened to you? Why do you look like this?
Anh Tran: You never looked this bad in training, something bad go down outside?
Thong looked at his parents before his eyes bolted around the room. The only light came in from the windows, the floorboards felt weak below him.
Thong's thoughts: This is the home I returned to… A home where the living conditions are less than perfect… And these are the two parents that made sure I could live the best life I could…
Thong held his mother's hands.
Thong: I'm just back from a quick job. It's nothing major…
Thong avoided his mother's gaze before reaching into his pocket. The money in his pocket was much larger than what he's ever brought home from a day of work ever before. But he knew his parents would question him heavily if he showed them all the money at once. He pulled out three hundred dollar bills before putting them into his mother's hand.
Thong: I know this isn't much, but use this to buy food. I know you haven't been eating much, for me and dad.
Hoa began to burst into tears as Thong held her in a tight hold. Anh looked down in his seat, Thong could feel how ashamed his father was in himself. His own son was able to provide money that he hasn't been able to for nearly a year.
Thong's thoughts: Don't worry, dad. I promise you that I'll get us out of this debt. You'll be able to run the dojo normally again, and we can be a happy family. I'll get us that money.
Thong left his parents, going into his room and lying down on his bed. It wasn't even past 3pm, but Thong had felt so much time had passed. Everything felt to be weighing down on him. Through his tired mind, Thong could hear the voices of his parents from down the hall.
Hoa Tran: I don't know where those bruises come from, do you think he's doing something dangerous?
Anh Tran: Thong isn't that type of boy. He's timid and shy. Ever since that time with his grandpa, he's been unable to raise his voice to anyone.
Hoa Tran: You're right, he's been timid for so long, but I can't help but be worried. He's doing something for us, I just wish I knew.
Anh Tran: He's a man now. Men do things for the ones they love. We need to trust Thong, he's the only one…
Thong began to cloud out his parent's words, shutting his eyes as he raised his hands to the sides of his head.
Thong: I don't care about how much money they stupid job can give me… I'll never take another human's life!
Thong's thoughts: But that amount was huge… In the ten thousands? How can I not want that type of money?
Thong: No no no! I won't do it, I will never kill another person!
…
Thong blinked as he looked down at a fancy home over a cliffside from an even higher cliff. He held onto the branch of a tree as he raised a hand to his head.
Thong: Why the hell am I here?
A man wearing all red with a blade at his side walked up to Thong, looking down at the villa.
???: I don't know, man. You're the one that came with me.
The man shrugged as Thong let out a sigh.
Thong: Oh god...