Kyle and the girls were in one of the most unpopular districts in Musutafu city. A place that was so concentrated in crime, that even heroes rarely made an appearance.
Worse of all, they were all wearing dark clothing, hoodies and masks, making them look more shady than even the local drugs dealer.
"You know, when you told me we were going to steal the money, I had a very different thing in mind." Sakura said coldly as she stared at the suspicious building in front of her.
Its windows were shattered, the walls were crumbling and moss hung onto its sides like a second skin.
It was the type of building you saw in horror movies, only several times worse.
"Alright, let's get in!" Kyle said, marching forward when Akiko held his shoulder and pulled him back.
"Not to complain, but what are we going to do there?" She glanced at the building and grimaced. "They don't look like they have any money…"
Kyle smiled. "This old rust bucket is actually the entrance to an underground fight club. Cyno told me about it."
Akiko tilted her head slightly. "Cyno?"
"Don't worry about him. You'll get to meet him soon."
"An underground fighting arena… So are we here to fight?" Solvane asked.
"Precisely!" Kyle nodded.
When Cyno told him about this place, Kyle knew from that moment that he had to visit it.
A questionably partly legal fighting pit was the perfect way to expose his vampires to real life, deadly situations.
The fights would groom their senses, and give them valuable experience that would help them with the real battles to come.
"Although you both are already strong. One way to get stronger is by gathering experience." Kyle said, addressing Himiko and Solvane.
"Thia fighting arena will give you the experience you need…"
Solvane stared at him blankly. "But isn't it illeg—"
"Who cares if it is?!" Himiko giggled, wrapping her hands around her shoulders. "What are the police going to do? Arrest us?" She chuckled.
Solvane sighed, surrendering to her coaxing.
"What about us? Does this mean we don't have to participate?" Sakura asked with a gleam in her eyes.
"Yeah yeah, you are still fairly new to this. You will only be observing today."
Sakura smiled wide, her shoulders visibly relaxing.
Akiko stared at the building for some time, her brows creased together.
"But what does this have to do with making money?"
"Oh? Good question."
Click!
Kyle opened the briefcase he had with him, revealing rows of mint fresh bills.
Everyone's eyes widened as they stared at the briefcase.
Sakura in particular was deathly pale, she was the one in charge of Kikimaru cafe finances, so she knew how important that money was.
"Kyle…" she said calmly. "What are you doing with so much money?"
"Hmm? We're going to double it of course." He replied calmly.
"…"
Sakura suddenly latched onto the briefcase and pulled it towards herself, but Kyle would not let go.
"Boss… think about this logically! Do you really want to bet one million Yen in a shady wrestling arena??"
Kyle held the briefcase firmly. "I have a plan, a sure full-proof plan—"
"That is what all the gambling addicts say!" Sakura quickly cut in.
"This is all we made during our big promotion. If we lose it, how will you sustain your contract??" She pulled the briefcase towards herself.
"If we lose it, all we have to do is make it back."
Sakura's expression turned solemn. "You are already talking like a gambler…"
"I am not. It is just your imagination… How are you even this strong? Maybe I'll have you participate in one of the figh—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Sakura let go of the briefcase and cleared her throat.
"That is what I thought." Kyle closed the briefcase and tucked under his armpit. "Let's go."
Although the building looked like a post-apocalyptic dump on the outside, the moment they stepped inside, everything changed.
The floors were covered in marble tiles that reflected the massive chandelier hanging up on the ceiling.
All around them were white walls with a brush of gold. There were paintings hanging on the wall, guards dressed in full uniforms and neatly dressed receptionists behind the counter.
"Woah…" they all breathed out as they took in the scene.
The place looked more like a high class auction center, than an illegal fighting organization.
'To think there was something like this in Musutafu…'
As strange as it was, it was very logical.
People would pay thousands just to see two men duke it out in a boxing ring, how much would those people pay to see a superpower fight instead?
Even the UA Sports Festival had received global attention in the city, it was no shock that these guys were super rich.
Kyle smirked. 'It's time to suck them dry…'
When they arrived at the counter, the receptionist greeted them warmly.
"How may I help you today?"
"I will like to register two fighters for your championship tournament."
Although Kyle had heard about this place a long time ago, there was a reason he had chosen today to visit.
And that was the championship tournament.
Today was the only day they would be able to fight the number one talent in this place, and the grand prize?
There was one million yen waiting for them
If they could make it to the final fight, and if they won, the money would be doubled.
'If I play my cards well… I might leave here with 5 - 10 million yen.' Kyle smiled internally.
"Alright, I'll put you down as their sponsor. So who do you want to register?"
Kyle pointed at Himiko, and she took down her details then he pointed at Solvane next.
The receptionist stared at her for a long moment, then turned to Kyle who stared at her blankly.
Although she could not see his face through his mask, she could see the smug smile on his lips.
"Sir… registration is a hundred thousand yen per member. Are you sure you want to—"
"I am sure."
"Why don't you go back and rethink—"
"There will be no need for that."
"I see…"
Deciding to not push the issue any further, the woman handed him their wrist bands and gave the rest of them tickets to the event.
Before Kyle left, he asked. "Excuse me, where can I find the betting centers?"
Sakura stiffened like a log.
"Someone will move around during fights…" the receptionist replied.
"Thank you very much!"
Once Kyle left, she glanced at her colleague who only shrugged in response.
Then she sighed. "Things can't possibly get weirder than this—eek!" She barely jumped out of her skin as someone walked up to the counter.
It was an immaculate woman with pure white hair and a white gown that clung to her gorgeous figure.
But next to her was a man who looked as though he had been brought back from the dead.
He had countless stitches on his head, bleached skin and rough hair. The person was also large, nearly six foot five, with thick powerful muscles.
"Ummm… how can I help you ma'am?" She asked nervously.
The woman smiled. "I will like to register a fighter…"