"I don't mean any trouble," Kyle said, trying to calm the situation down. "I am just here to participate in the underground brawls."
"So, you came to place your bets then?"
"No, not really. I was thinking of participating in the usual tournament."
"Apart from the usual tournament being two days away, aren't you too scrawny to participate?" the man said, laughing, and all the gang members joined him too.
"Do you want to get yourself killed in the first round?" another added.
"We could help you with that. You really don't have to go to such lengths to die and waste money too," a third man said.
The men continued laughing, their deep voices reverberating and shaking the whole area. But then they stopped when they noticed Kyle wasn't smiling or moved by what they said. Slowly their laughs quieted down, and the area grew quiet.
"Okay, it seems you are serious then. So, before you will be allowed into Coalspire, you would need to pay an entry fee."
Dipping his hand into his pocket, Kyle brought out some notes and handed two over.
"Okay, it seems you came ready," said the gang member. Bringing out a little book, he wrote something on the paper, then stamped it and handed it over to Kyle.
"Keep this on you at all times. If you are ever asked for your pass within Coalspire, just give them that, and then they will let you go."
Saying nothing, Kyle collected the paper and walked into Coalspire, leaving the men at the gate.
Watching him leave and go into Coalspire, one of the gang members leaned closer to another gang member.
"Do you think he will survive the first round at the brawls?" the gang member whispered.
"I really doubt he would. One punch to his head, and I am sure his neck would be broken."
"I didn't think he would too," the other gang member said, nodding his head.
Getting into Coalspire, Kyle could really see the difference. The atmosphere was different and felt more uplifting than Raccoon Ridge. There weren't people outside begging; the only people loitering around were the gang members trying to keep the peace. There were some small shops here and there with people selling things that were of necessity to the gang members and coal workers.
Everything here seemed more organized; the buildings seemed to fare a lot better here too. People could be seen moving from post to post, going about their normal duties. Time hadn't gone much, so it wasn't time for the brawls, as they normally started in the evening.
Since the brawls wouldn't start anytime soon, Kyle decided to walk around the city and check it out. Going from one end of the street to another, Kyle was admiring Coalspire. It had electricity, but sometimes it went off before coming back on again after a while.
Checking Coalspire, Kyle noticed some motorbikes—not much—and on very, very few occasions, he saw a car. To be able to own one of those was really an achievement. Most of the people who did own it were likely gang members or the higher-ups in the coal industry.
Getting closer to where the factory was, Kyle could hear the sound of men shouting and giving orders. As he neared the mines, he could see that there was a kind of barricade and fence made to stop people from getting too close. He could see the miners and workers being searched before they left the mines.
Staying and watching for a while, Kyle decided to leave and head for the underground brawls. Passing through Coalspire, people were mostly closing up for the day. Some headed back to their houses in Coalspire while others returned to their territories.
And then there were those heading for the underground brawls. They were going in groups of twos and threes. The people heading there were numerous, as some saw it as an opportunity to make quick cash. Coalspire's underground brawls were not only used for fighting but also served as a gambling den.
As Kyle approached the underground brawl, he looked at the building, which looked like every other normal building. It was an apartment building; Kyle doubted anyone lived there, but if they did, then they were most likely gang members.
Heading toward what seemed like the basement, Kyle had to join a queue, as everyone was being searched before they could go in. No knives or weapons were allowed to be carried by the gamblers. There was a levy that had to be paid before one was allowed to go in.
The line moved slowly as the gang members had to be thorough in their search. Finally, it was Kyle's turn to be searched. He had to spread his hands and part his legs as he was being searched before he was allowed to move forward and pay his levy, which he later did.
Going into the den, it was a bit stuffy and reeked of alcohol. The place was tight, making it quite hard to navigate through the den. Trying to make his way closer to the center, he noticed that the den seemed to have once been a boxing gym. It had a normal boxing ring, which was now encased in a cage with only one door to enter and exit.
Within the underground den, there seemed to be an upper level where those of high standing could afford to sit. They had seats and a kind of box to separate the different bosses or people who were there. The people who could afford it weren't many, and currently, there were only two boxes with people.
The first one seemed to be of a man dressed in black; he didn't do much or say much. He was literally quite alone, as if in his own world. The second box contained bodyguards standing beside the two prominent figures in the middle. There were also ladies sitting down with them. The ladies seemed to be in charge of feeding and caring for the two men.
The first of the two men was quite robust—something you wouldn't see on a normal day. He was smiling as one of the ladies was feeding him fruits. The second was the one and only "Finn Blackhand," Coalspire's notorious gambler and ex-dragon gang member.