Mito and I have set out to the location provided by Obo. I'm a bit apprehensive about this mission to say the least.
Mito: "There's the building!"
Mito and I get a good look at VIPs walking into the building along with fighters. I see Lord Gishie walk into the building as well, along with his despicable sadistic guard. I have a score to settle with that one.
Mito: "On missions like these, confidence is everything. I have a plan. See that guy over there?"
I peer towards the building and squint my eyes to see who he's talking about, but suddenly the world goes dark.
I awaken later behind bars with a throbbing headache. Hearing voices on the outside of my cage, I scramble over to listen to them.
Mito: "How much can I get for him?"
???: "Around 1000 cuts. He looks like a strong one!"
Mito: "Awesome! Thanks for the business."
To say I'm shocked by what I'm hearing is an understatement. Am I really being betrayed right now? He'll never get away with this. I shout down the hall so that Mito will hear me.
Adachi: "Traitor! You'll never get away with this!"
Mito walks over to where I can see him while chuckling.
Mito: "Looks like I'm getting away with it right now! Don't even think of escaping. That collar you have on will kill you instantly if you try anything."
Before I can say anything, Mito winks at me and begins walking away while whistling. I know that he would never betray me, but to do something like this without consulting me will have its consequences. I'll be sure to put bugs in his bed before he goes to sleep or something.
As he walks away further, I decide to sell the act a little more.
Adachi: "I'll kill you! No matter where you go, I'll find you and kill you!"
Suddenly, a voice comes from the back of my cell.
???: "It's no use."
Startled by the hidden figure, I almost jump out of my skin. Then, ever so slowly, I approach the dark figure. As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I can see a younger boy in rags.
Adachi: "I'm sorry. What did you say?"
Boy: "I've been here for months. I'm always looking for a way out, but as long as they have these collars on us, we're nothing but property."
I sit down beside him and quietly begin to collect my thoughts. What do we know so far?
We know that VIPs gamble on these fights and that some fighters are forced to compete against their will. Others might come here to fight of their own volition, but someone needs to win each fight. I assume that collared individuals are meant to lose fights.
Adachi: "You've been here for months, you say? How have you survived this long? Surely, you've been in over ten fights at this point, correct?"
The boy nods and continues to stare blankly ahead.
Boy: "Twelve fights. Tonight will be my thirteenth. As for how I've survived, so far, it's mainly been luck. I learned how to use basic physical enhancement by watching my father when I was young, but that alone isn't enough to keep you alive here. By some miracle, I've only been pitted against weak opponents such as myself. I've used as many cheap tactics to survive as possible. I'm afraid that tonight my luck may run out."
Adachi: "Why do you say that?"
Boy: "They don't feed the prisoners enough to recover from each fight fully. My injuries have been stacking up from every fight, and now it's all I can do to stand upright. If this fight doesn't kill me, I'll probably starve to death regardless."
I inspect the boy closely. His arms are skinny, and his skin is loose. Not only does he not have fat left on his body, but his body has also already begun to eat away at his muscle. I had many a harsh winter on Mount Nova, but this starvation is intentional. They don't want the prisoners here to last too long.
Adachi: "Listen. Just make it through tonight's fight, and I'll get you out of here. Can you trust me?"
The boy looks me in the eye for the first time.
Boy: "As always, I'll do my best. However, I don't think it'll be enough today. Thanks anyway."
I choke on my words and look away. No boy this age should be talking like this. Who am I to be making promises?
A bell rings, and the boy staggers to his feet.
Boy: "That's my signal. Wish me luck."
Guards come to the cell door and begin to unlock it.
Adachi: "Wait! My name is Adachi! I never got yours."
Boy: "Nice to meet you, Adachi. Unfortunately, after today my name won't matter. Thanks for being positive on my final day."
My heart sinks as I watch his cold, dead eyes turn around. He's just too young…
The guards take the boy away, and I can't stand not knowing what's happening. Running over to the bars, I call for the nearest guard.
It takes a little while, but a guard comes to answer my call.
Guard: "What do you want?!"
Adachi: "Is it possible for me to view this fight? I want to watch it."
Guard: "Eh? I suppose so, though it's probably already over. I heard that kid is facing the Lord's top guard. I doubt he'll last long out there."
My stomach turns as I recall the beating I received from the same man in the Lord's manor. I gulp down my anxiety and continue.
Adachi: "Take me all the same! I need to know."
The guard sighs and unlocks the door.
Guard: "Just to be sure, you know what will happen if you try to run away, right?"
Adachi: "No, I don't. I assume it has something to do with these collars."
Guard: "Correct. Any form of rebellion and that collar will tighten until your head is cut off. Understand?"
I face forward and begin to walk.
Adachi: "Understood."
The guard clicks his tongue, presumably off-put by how little this information affects me. As we progress, the sounds of impact and the crowd's cheers grow louder and louder.
Soon, we enter the area in which contestants enter the arena. Without intruding on the arena, the guard and I observe what's happening inside.
As soon as I lay my eyes on the scene, I fall to my knees and vomit.
My eyes feel like they're sinking into my skull as I watch the boy I was talking to being stomped on repeatedly. His body is lifeless, yet that sadistic guard doesn't stop.
If this goes on, there won't be anything left to bury.
I'll kill him.