Lucius left the medical wing at ~7:45 PM, his boots making soft sounds against the corridor floor.
The Underground's usual energy had shifted. Crews were already dismantling equipment, preparing for the post-tournament transition. Guards moved with purpose through hallways, their routes more deliberate than usual.
Two of them were following him.
Not obviously. They maintained distance, changed positions periodically, tried to look natural. But they'd been tailing him since he left medical.
'Mike Ross's doing,' Lucius thought, keeping his pace steady. 'Making sure I don't disappear before he makes his move.'
Good.
He could use that.
He didn't elaborate on the thought, just filed it away with the rest of his developing plans. Surveillance was a tool. Like everything else, it could be turned around if you knew how to work it.
His mind shifted to Hannah's offer.
The District Head's daughter. The girl from the rooftop months ago.
That encounter had been... complicated.
He'd been on stakeout, positioned on a building rooftop topside in the commercial district, conducting surveillance on a hero Green Gate suspected of evidence tampering. Deep focus. Hydro-sense extended to maximum range, tracking movement patterns, cataloging personnel.
Then something had bypassed it completely.
Just appeared inside his sensing range without triggering any of the usual signals. No warning. No gradual approach. One moment nothing, the next moment someone was there.
His body had reacted on pure instinct—combat reflex honed by years of survival. In that split second of complete surprise, his mind had gone to lethal response. Focus shifted immediately to her heart and brain, preparing to stop both simultaneously.
He'd caught himself. Barely. Pulled back the killing intent before following through.
The girl—Hannah—had been searching for her cat. Small thing, had a collar with a name tag. Mint.
She'd thanked him for finding it. They'd talked briefly. She'd seemed genuinely appreciative.
And she'd completely bypassed his hydro-sense. Something about her abilities allowed that. He'd filed her away mentally as "someone to avoid" and moved on.
But now, thinking back on it...
'Does she think I was threatening her?' Lucius wondered. 'That I was going to attack?'
The rooftop had been quiet that night. Clear sky. Good visibility. Peaceful, even.
'It was a beautiful night,' he thought. 'Just two people on a rooftop. I found her cat. We talked. That's it.'
But she'd felt his killing intent in that first moment. Had to have. The spike of lethal focus before he'd reined it in.
'Or maybe she's one of those weirdos who finds that attractive,' he thought, then immediately questioned himself. 'No, no, no. What are you thinking? She probably misunderstood it'
'Well,' his internal voice countered, 'wouldn't be the first time you've met one of those.'
'True,' he admitted. 'But that's not—'
He cut off the internal dialogue. This wasn't productive.
The point was: Hannah had bypassed his most reliable defensive mechanism. Had caught him completely off-guard. And instead of running or attacking, she'd just... talked to him like a normal person.
That was unusual.
And now she was offering him protection. For himself and for Odd. Using leverage that actually mattered—Odd's daughters.
It was effective leverage because it was genuine concern. Hannah wasn't threatening them. She was offering to protect them from Mike Ross, who absolutely would use them.
'She recognized me from the rooftop,' Lucius thought. 'This isn't just professional recruitment. Something about that encounter stuck with her. Made an impression.'
But she hadn't brought it up. Waiting to see if he would.
He wasn't going to. That complication wasn't necessary right now.
The arranged meeting location was ahead—a small lounge area on the transitional level between fighter and executive sections. Neutral ground. Both groups could access it without raising suspicion.
Seung Hoon was already there, sitting at a corner table with a drink in front of him. He looked noticeably less stressed than he had during the tribunal. The man had aged ten years in those three days, but now seemed to be recovering.
He saw Lucius approaching and gestured to the empty chair.
Lucius sat down, noting the two guards who'd been following him position themselves near the entrance. Not hiding. Just... present.
"King," Seung said, his tone carrying genuine relief. "You look like shit."
"Feel like it too."
"Medical clear you?"
"Enough to walk." Lucius leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed despite the discomfort in his ribs. "We need to talk about the money."
Seung's expression shifted, becoming more businesslike. He pulled out his tablet, bringing up their betting records. "Right. The winnings. After everything's tallied—fees, cuts, final tournament adjustments—we're looking at a substantial amount. Your seventy percent comes out to—"
"Give it to Odd."
Seung stopped mid-sentence. His eyes went wide, staring at Lucius like he'd just spoken another language. "What?"
"All of it. My share. I'm gonna need you to give it to Odd."
Seung just sat there, tablet still in hand, completely frozen. Several seconds passed. Then he blinked, looked down at the numbers on his screen, looked back up at Lucius.
"That's—" He checked the numbers again, as if they might have changed. "King, that's a lot of money. Enough to set someone up for years. You're just... giving it away?"
His voice had genuine disbelief in it now. "Why?"
"He needs it more than I do." Lucius's tone was matter-of-fact. "It's just money. There's always more to be made."
Seung stared at him for a long moment, mouth slightly open, processing what he was hearing. Then he let out a short, almost breathless laugh, shaking his head slowly. "I mean... after seeing all the shit you've pulled, I shouldn't be surprised at this point. But this is..."
He trailed off, still looking stunned."Fine I'll get it done".
There was a pause. Seung set his tablet down on the table, looked at Lucius directly.
"Look i feel like i need to clarify, " His voice was serious now, measured. "I'm not trying to con you. I'm not going to run off with the money or disappear when things get complicated. That's not what this is."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Believe me ive considerd it but I'm loyal so long as I stand to gain. That's just how I operate—I won't lie about that. But from what I've seen? You're something else entirely." Seung gestured slightly with one hand. "The way you read fights, predict outcomes, see patterns nobody else can see—that's not normal talent. That's rare. And I know a good investment when I see one."
His expression was genuine. "So I'm in. For real. Whatever you need."
Lucius remained quiet for a moment, studying him.
"Good," he said finally.
Then something shifted. The temperature didn't actually drop, but it felt like it did. Lucius's posture remained relaxed, his voice stayed calm, but something in his eyes—
"Just so we're clear," Lucius said quietly, "betraying me would've been a very poor decision. You stand to gain significantly more by staying loyal than you'd ever get by running. Understand?"
The weight behind those words was undeniable. Not a threat—just a statement of fact. But the implications hung there anyway.
Seung swallowed, nodded slowly. "Understood."
The oppressive feeling lifted as quickly as it had appeared. Lucius's expression shifted slightly—almost amused now.
He let out a quiet laugh. "You know, I actually did expect you to run during the tribunal. Take the money and disappear before things got too complicated."
Seung's tension eased slightly at the lighter tone. "You thought about that?"
"Would've been smart. Clean exit while everything was chaotic." Lucius's voice was conversational again. "Can't say I would've blamed you."
"I'll admit, the thought crossed my mind," Seung said carefully. "But like I said—I know a good investment. And you're worth more than a one-time payout."
"Then here's how this works." Lucius leaned forward slightly. "Give my share to Odd like I said. Set up a secure account, make sure it's documented properly so he can show financial stability. Handle all the logistics."
"I can do that."
"You'll be contacted after I leave here. You'll know what it is when it happens."
Seung nodded, understanding the need for discretion. "Got it."
Lucius looked at him directly, his voice dropping to a quieter register but carrying absolute weight.
"Stick with me," he said. "Keep doing what you've been doing. The betting was just the start. I've got plans. Bigger things in motion. Stay loyal, stay smart, I'll make you one of the wealthiest people on the planet."
The promise hung in the air between them.
Seung's eyes widened slightly. Not disbelief—more like recognition of something significant being offered. Something real.
"You're serious," he said quietly.
"Completely."
"What kind of plans are we talking about?"
"The kind that require patience. Discretion. And people I can trust to handle logistics without asking too many questions." Lucius's tone was calm but absolute. "You've proven you can do that. Keep proving it, and you'll benefit."
Seung sat back, processing. His fingers drummed once against the table, then stilled. Finally, slowly, he nodded.
"Alright. I'm in. Whatever you need."
"Good."
Seung took a drink, then asked, "So what are you doing next? After the tournament formalities wrap up?"
Lucius's voice shifted—not dramatically, but enough. Louder. Clear enough to carry to nearby tables. To the guards at the entrance.
"Taking a vacation," he said conversationally. "Dubai. Been thinking about it for a while. Never been to that region. Figure it would be good timing. Get some actual relaxation." He stretched slightly. "After all, I just spent the last few weeks throwing hands with strangers."
The guards near the entrance didn't react obviously. But one of them shifted position slightly, attention focusing.
"Dubai?" Seung said, picking up on the tone shift smoothly. "Nice choice. Expensive though."
"I'll manage. As I said, money is not an issue. Already looking at some high-end resorts. Might stay a few weeks. Really disconnect." Lucius's movements remained casual. "After everything here, I need the break."
"Can't blame you there."
They talked for a few more minutes—surface-level conversation about Dubai tourism, vacation planning, nothing substantial. Just two guys discussing travel plans.
The entire time, Lucius was aware of the guard near the entrance. The way his posture had changed. The subtle movement as he activated what was probably a communication device.
After appropriate small talk, Lucius stood. "I'll be in touch once I'm out of here. Take care of the Odd situation."
"Will do. And King?" Seung's expression was genuine. "Thanks. For trusting me with this."
"Don't make me regret it."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Lucius left the lounge, the two guards following at their usual distance.
---
The main arena area was in transition mode when Lucius passed through.
Cleanup crews worked methodically, removing equipment and reinforcing damaged sections. The massive displays were powered down, their screens dark. The seating areas—usually packed with spectators—stood empty and quiet.
Officials moved through with tablets and documentation, preparing final reports. Tournament conclusion ceremonies would happen soon. Awards. Official recognition. The ceremonial aspects of closing out a major event.
Lucius walked past it all, disconnected.
He'd won his fights. Lost the finals by choice. Achieved his actual objectives. The rest was just theater.
Other fighters moved through the corridors—some celebrating survival, others dealing with defeat. A few nodded at him in passing. Most kept their distance.
His mind worked through multiple threads simultaneously.
Hannah's offer. Protection for Odd's family in exchange for becoming her bodyguard. Loss of autonomy versus security. Using what ever she felt from the rooftop encounter to manipulate the situation—something that felt wrong but might be necessary.
The guards following him. Mike Ross's surveillance ensuring he didn't disappear before being properly recruited or eliminated. A problem that was also an opportunity.
That mysterious presence he'd felt throughout the tournament. though he'd never confirmed the identity directly. The shadow orchestrator who'd been present for key moments—watching, evaluating, planning something.
Notably absent during the finals. Only appearing during the killing intent moment when Lucius had threatened Adam.
'We'll meet again,' Lucius thought with certainty. 'I know it. Whatever game they're playing, I'm part of it. And eventually, they'll make their move.'
The trafficked boy mission.
The auction. He had the date, the general location e.t.c
Everything converging toward that point.
Lucius continued walking, his path taking him back toward the medical wing.
---
Executive Section - Mike Ross's Private Office
Mike Ross sat behind his desk, the wide smile on his face as permanent as ever. Leon Hauser and Caesar Dan Chen stood before him, tablets in hand, professional and attentive.
They spoke in low tones, their conversation too quiet to make out specific words. Leon gestured to something on his tablet. Caesar added details from his own notes. Mike listened, that smile never wavering, fingers drumming rhythmically on the desk surface.
After several minutes of discussion, Mike gave a slight nod. The assistants acknowledged and left the office to implement whatever had been decided.
Mike remained seated, alone now, still smiling.
Still planning.
---
Medical Wing - Intensive Care - 8:30 PM
Lucius stood at the observation window again, looking into Odd's room.
The father remained unconscious, but the monitors showed improvement. Heart rate stable. Breathing slightly stronger. The worst of the danger had passed.
He'd survive. Recover fully, according to the medical staff. Return to his life. Get his daughters back.
The money Lucius had arranged through Seung would help with that. Financial stability. Proof he could provide. Maya and Ruby would have their father again.
'You fought well,' Lucius thought, looking at the unconscious man. 'Took punishment that would kill most people and kept getting up. That's worth something.'
Odd had made his choice during the tribunal. Refused the pardon deal. Stayed loyal even when it cost him.
That loyalty had value.
Lucius remained at the window for another long moment.
His ribs ached. His knuckles throbbed. The electrical burns across his torso sent periodic sharp pains through damaged tissue. His face was bruised, one eye still partially swollen.
But he was functional. Mobile. Thinking clearly.
Hannah's offer sat in his mind, unresolved. A decision that would shape everything going forward.
Protection for Odd's family. Security for himself. Structure and oversight. Loss of autonomy. Not to mention he needs to get prepared for the grand auction, which whould mostlikely be green gates biggest mission yet.
The weight of it pressed down, complex and heavy.
Mike Ross's surveillance continued. Guards following, watching, reporting. Pressure building toward some inevitable confrontation.
Everything connected. Everything moving toward conclusions that were still forming.
Lucius turned away from the window and walked toward the exit.
The Underground's corridors stretched ahead, familiar now after weeks of navigation. Soon he'd leave this place. Return to the surface.But he has to make his decision about hannahs offer first.
But for now, he just walked.
One foot in front of the other.
Thinking.
Planning.
Preparing for what came next.
The tournament was over.
Everything else was just beginning.
---
TO BE CONTINUED
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