"Why the interest in the championship battle?" Grandmaster's gaze bore into Johnny, curiosity tinged with something deeper lurking in his eyes.
As an elder of the cosmos, Grandmaster's intellect surpassed the portrayal in mere movies. From the moment he laid eyes on Johnny, subtle shifts flickered within his gaze.
Johnny had piqued Grandmaster's senses, sensing an air of peculiarity around Johnny.
In the face of the ruler of Saka Star, Johnny's composure was a rarity.
"I aim for the championship," Johnny's response was crisp, devoid of hesitation, leaving Grandmaster and his companion, Topaz, momentarily stunned.
"Remarkable. You're not like the others," Grandmaster's satisfaction swelled, an unmasked grin adorning his features.
"Topaz, guide him. But understand, once you commit to the championship, there's no turning back unless you seize victory," Grandmaster instructed, before gesturing for Topaz to escort Johnny away.
Johnny merely smiled at Grandmaster's caution. Regret? Was it even an option?
With Grandmaster's decree, Topaz whisked Johnny away, her demeanor far from warm, a hint of irritation tainting her gestures.
Unfazed by Topaz's aloofness, Johnny followed her through the labyrinthine halls of the grand edifice.
"Here we are, kid. Your room is at the fighter zone. The rest, figure out on your own," Topaz muttered brusquely, indicating the designated zone before departing, leaving Johnny to navigate the unknown terrain alone.
After escorting Johnny to a heavily fortified zone, Topaz spoke briefly before swiftly delegating a guard to take over and making a hasty exit.
As Johnny trailed behind Topaz, he kept his senses sharp, taking in every detail.
Despite being designated for championship fighters, the area boasted top-notch amenities, bordering on luxurious. Training facilities and recreation areas alike were meticulously arranged.
"Hey there, buddy, what's your name?" the guard tasked with Johnny's safety asked cheerfully, breaking the ice after Topaz's departure.
"Johnny," he replied, his demeanor warmer towards this guard.
Johnny's demeanor typically reflected the respect he received; in turn, he extended the same courtesy to others.
"I'm Rat, your guardian here. Let's get you settled in your digs first. From now on, you're under my wing. If you've got any questions, just fire away," Rat grinned, leading Johnny towards his quarters.
"Rat, I'm kinda clueless about what's going on here and the nitty-gritty of the championship battle," Johnny admitted, finding Rat easy to chat with.
Rat wore an expression that practically screamed, "I got you," and proceeded to spill the beans, divulging everything Johnny sought to know.
Listening intently to Rat's briefing, Johnny gained a thorough understanding of the championship setup.
His current situation? To even be considered for the championship, he'd have to slog through the brutal knockout rounds, enduring rounds of eliminations until he clinched a spot in the main event, vying for the King's Championship.
According to Rat, these knockout bouts were ruthless affairs. To swiftly sift through contenders, they typically favored close combat. Dozens, sometimes hundreds, would duke it out in the same arena until only ten stood alive. Some didn't make it out at all.
After a brief respite, it was back to the grind with another round of eliminations.
Only those who weathered ten or more knockout rounds earned a shot at the championship challenge.
Such blood-soaked spectacles often stirred the crowd's emotions the most, second only to the final showdown.
"Johnny, now that you've got the lay of the land, this here's your private pad. No one sets foot without your say-so. But keep an eye out for fellow fighters in the area, especially those marked 'fighters'," Rat cautioned.
After Rat's departure, Johnny found himself alone in a secluded chamber, mulling over the cryptic warning about the "mark" mentioned by his guide.
"What's this 'mark' you mentioned earlier?" Johnny inquired, puzzled by Rat's parting words.
"I nearly forgot to mention, according to Saka's laws, once you're recognized as a fighter, outsiders are forbidden from harming you. However, among fighters, there's no such protection. Johnny, if you want to survive here, keep a low profile. Those with 'marks' aren't here by choice; they're criminals forced into the arena," Rat explained, his tone tinged with unease.
Johnny grasped the gravity of Rat's words. Those with the ominous 'mark' were not to be trifled with.
Realization dawned on Johnny: by winning the championship, he'd secure his freedom and wield unparalleled influence in Saka. Conversely, those marked individuals were akin to condemned prisoners, coerced into deadly combat for the amusement of Grandmaster.
"Thank you for the advice, Rat," Johnny acknowledged with a nod, his gratitude evident.
"Alright, Johnny, I'll leave you be. If you need anything, find me at the fighter area entrance," Rat offered kindly before departing.
Alone in his chamber, Johnny contemplated his next move.
Initially, he had anticipated biding his time until the knockout rounds. But Rat's revelations suggested otherwise.
If Rat's portrayal of the fighter's realm held true, Johnny needn't worry about honing his skills.
His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp rap on the door.
"Newcomer, open up! The boss wants a word!" a gruff voice demanded outside.
A smirk played on Johnny's lips; the bait had been taken.
Opening the door, Johnny was met by a group of imposing, red-skinned beings, towering over him with an air of superiority.
"Finally decided to grace us with your presence? Come, we'll show you the ropes in the fighter's area," the leader sneered, eyeing Johnny with disdain.
"Alright," Johnny responded coolly, eliciting a chorus of mocking laughter from the group as they led him away.
.....
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