Upon entering the private room, I saw a man and a woman seated in a room that resembled a karaoke room with a huge table in the middle and sectional couches hugging the walls. The room was barely enough for 8 people to sit in. The only thing missing was the karaoke itself.
I wish they had it.
When I entered they looked up at me and their eyes lit up with greed.
All businesses are like this. I don't blame them as they are not non-profit organizations, but establishments whose sole purpose is to sell and loot customers 'legally'.
I walked up and sat comfortably while they made eye gestures among themselves.
"Are you the Phantom? We need to verify it, so please tell the code we sent through IntraNet to you." Asked the woman with pale bluish skin, who wore a white pantsuit. She was average-looking with chestnut hair and similar-colored eyes, but her skin was saxe blue which was her racial trait.
I nodded and activated my unique skill, [Aberrant Cry], which distorts my voice to something horrendous using magicules in my body. I tried to limit it as much as I could so that their hearing is not impaired by my rugged sound as I spoke, "XXXXXXX", the secret code they have given me to verify my identity as The Phantom.
"My name-" The man sitting beside the woman was about to introduce himself when I raised my palm.
"No need. Let's just get down to business." I am a professional and professionals don't waste time chatting around instead of doing their job. Thus my tone, even though distorted carried heaviness and strictness that didn't allow for any refusal.
The man was a normal human being, with pale skin, short black hair, and black eyes, who wore a proper grey suit nodded in confirmation, and with a wry smile started talking about the terms of the contract. Hmm, he looks like a typical Manager material.
The contract was great. I had to use a layout, with the company's brand name, on my Livestream. He then pointed out several clauses and showed me the papers for the same. I briefly read through them and I was honestly pretty satisfied. The income was huge as my audience is worldwide.
IntraNet could be used all over the planet, both in BrightAxis and NightAxis. Thus even though the planet is divided into two regions where two different monarchs rule, IntraNet connects the people.
The company that is willing to sponsor me sells magical weapons like swords, spears, etcetera made out of various mysterious elements found on the planet infused with high concentrated magicule elements.
Yes, there are long-range magical weapons like guns, and cannons specifically made for the purpose of penetrating bodies strengthened with magicules but they are limited to police and military.
Of course, people need these weapons in the outer world. It might be safe inside the city, but as one decides to go out unless they are not good magicians they will have to rely on weapons. Even good magicians will face the consequences if they are overconfident in an unexplored area of the planet. Thus magical weapons are essential.
As I was reading the contract, the ordinary-looking man squeezed his brows together and relayed what was on his mind in a tight tone, "Umm, Sir, we do have a simple request."
I raised my brows, but to him, it was not visible as I was wearing a mask, "What kind of request? Why not include it in the contract?"
His eyes roamed around the room for a second, "That will be unofficial but we want you to do something if you want this contract."
I heard him gulp a mouthful of saliva while I saw the woman shuffling her hands through the pocket of her blazer. Oh no, is that a weapon? If you are this scared of your clients, how will you serve them? This is not at all professional.
You must have a big smile with all your teeth showing, body comfortably relaxed, posture straight and poised, even if your customer is a black, slimy deadly creature with hundred eyes and thousand tentacles.
I am pissed. I want to rip his throat right now.
Hmm... I believe this room is fully secured as it is specifically made for privacy reasons... I can kill them both. I heard that 'Geheim' has a reputation for what goes in the room stays in the room. Hehe.
But let's just listen to what he wants to say...
"What is it?" My smile reached my eyes but my eyes didn't smile.
"T-That," He stuttered. I don't understand why is he so scared? It's not like I am planning to kill him, right?
Poor guy. Calm down. Why are you shivering like someone poked a knife in your butthole?
"That what?" After my prompting, he finally came back to his senses and immediately blurted out everything like a chicken.
"T-The Underground Arena wants you to fight ten provisional matches. After which you can decide whether to continue or not."
"Hmm?" I blinked. What? Ok. Let's not kill him and hear what he wants to say first. "Go ahead." I prompted again.
He visibly relaxed after my moderate prodding. The woman beside him, placed another set of papers on the table in the middle, "Originally, people who want to climb their way up to the ladder has to play ten matches without any income when starting their journey." The woman commented in an appeasing tone, " But we want to give a generous stipend. After which we can renegotiate the terms of the contract."
The man sitting beside her nodded and added, "The higher you climb the more money you can make, Sir."
These guys... They want to boost their ratings, aren't they? Of course, when a world-renowned professional like me will fight, they will also have an increase in viewership.
That is true. I just don't like playing with children.
Killing is not allowed in Underground Arenas. Crippling is also forbidden. It is a game that is nothing but a theatrical drama of magicians weaving spells at each other as multiple fireworks are set ablaze on stage.
It is not my cup of tea. Where is the fun, the excitement, the thrill, if you are not fighting for your life?
This is another reason why I never chose to fight in the arenas. The first one was that most Arenas are inside the city. Police will find me if I fight there while the other reason has been that it is boring children's play.
Also, I have skills specialized in assassination. Not brutal fighting. And on top of all that, I don't have any spells because it costs money to buy good spells for a frontal assault. I have tried practicing on my own but spells that are premade for maximum efficiency will outpower your original spell if you haven't perfected it to excellence. Even a [FireBall] that is on market will be better than a [Fireball] that I will make with my own hands.
You may ask why is that? It's similar to how people go to famous restaurants to taste some delicacies because eminent chefs are specialists in the food industry. Of course, you can try replicating the food that they make but it won't be as good as theirs.
My eyes met the man's eyes. It's the typical 'This is business' bullshit, isn't it? They won't sign the deal unless I play according to their rules. So annoying.
I am sure he is the company's envoy and that woman is related to the Underground Arenas. The UA must have contacted this company to set up a deal with me.
Fuck them both.
My swirling rage gets to my head but I control it. This time, I am the customer and not the seller.
Tsk. I clucked my tongue as I spoke in the same distorted voice, "On two conditions."
"First, the fights will be made outside the city because of the police. I don't care, even if they have spies outside, I can take care of it."
The woman nodded as if expecting such a condition, "Don't worry, Sir. Your fights will be in Felony of Nights only."
"My second condition," I added with a big smile on my face.
My lips curl up, my finger tapping on the table excitedly, while my eyes smile, professionally, "Fight with me will be a DEATHMATCH."