In the blink of an eye.
Caelus had arrived at the entrance of the "Fight Club."
He eyed the old man muttering to himself at the door.
"Haha, the off-season is finally over. The peak period for matches is about to begin. If I raise ticket prices by ten percent, wouldn't that be just perfect…"
The old man's face practically had the words "shady businessman" written all over it. He instinctively glanced at Caelus.
"Huh? Who are you? Did you buy a ticket? If not, don't just stand there gawking. Wait—your outfit… you're not a local, are you? Could it be…?"
The next moment, the old man's expression changed like a Sichuan opera performer.
"Haha, so you're an 'Outlander'! My mistake for not recognizing you earlier—no offense intended! My name is Scott, the owner of this club.
"Word inside is that you've got some decent skills. And this getup? Not bad for showmanship!
"I'm exactly in need of talent like yours. How about it? Want to sign a contract and become a regular fighter here?"
As he spoke, Scott extended his right hand.
In just a few sentences, he perfectly embodied the image of a ruthless capitalist, grating on the audience's nerves.
Caelus only gave a verbal reply: "I'll think about it."
Hearing this answer, Scott's tone grew even more pompous.
"Fine. If you're not here to fight, then you're here to watch? Go stand in line and buy a ticket. Scott here always keeps business and personal matters separate. Don't think just because we've exchanged a few words, you can get in for free!"
[Damn! This guy's obviously a scumbag!]
[Punch him! Who does he think he is?]
[Typical capitalist face—hang him from a streetlight!]
"I was just curious about the fighters' skills!"
Scott raised his head another three degrees, now looking down his nose. "Hmph. If you're curious, buy a ticket and see for yourself. If you can't tell, then blame your own lack of judgment."
Caelus clenched his fists until they cracked.
Scott heard it but wasn't intimidated. "Got a problem? If you're unhappy, step into the ring and try your luck. Fight a few matches, and you'll know."
"Bullying the weak isn't real boxing."
"Ha! Listen to this noble talk. Are you just scared?
"If you don't even dare to step into the ring, what's all this nonsense about 'real boxing'? Who are you trying to fool with that act?
"Stop making excuses. At the end of the day, you just don't have the guts, right?"
"Belobog's Underworld doesn't have Silvermane Guards. These people are just ordinary folks. I won't fight ordinary people."
"HAHAHA!" Scott burst into laughter.
"The 'Fight Club' doesn't take nobodies. You can ask around—no one steps into this club without some reputation.
"Since you're so confident, fine. There just happen to be a few fighters training inside right now.
"If you can beat them, I'll give you a cash prize.
"How about it? Dare to give it a shot?"
Caelus's face darkened with anger. Clearly, Scott had him cornered.
"I'm in a hurry. Make it quick."
The scene shifted. Now, Caelus stood on the familiar stage—last time, it was to save Dan Heng.
This time, it was to stand his ground.
Caelus pulled out his massive bat and got straight to work.
True to his words, "ordinary people are no match for him." Soon, Caelus was the last man standing.
He didn't bask in the crowd's cheers. Instead, he walked straight out the door.
His goal was singular: to collect what Scott had promised.
When Caelus confronted Scott, the latter wore a grin that screamed "up to no good."
Caelus asked coldly, "I won. Where's the prize money?"
"Hahaha! I knew it—you 'Outlanders' never disappoint. You're young, but your skills are extraordinary. Much better than those clowns who only know fixed routines.
"As for the reward? Don't worry, it's coming! But—"
Caelus took a deep breath. He knew all too well what "but" meant.
"Cut the crap. Spit it out."
"What's the rush? I'm right here. It's not like I'm running away.
"How do I put this? Uh… the club's profits aren't exactly ideal right now.
"I can only pay you part of it upfront. As for the rest…
"Do me a favor first. I need to find a special 'fighter.' After that, I'll settle the balance. Relax, where am I gonna go? Can my club run away?"
"Why does it have to be me?"
"I'm not singling you out! I've signed plenty of fighters, but all they know are fixed routines!
"Anyone with half a brain is already sick of those clowns.
"What's the point of fighters like that?
"So last month, I sent them all pay-cut notices.
"Either take the voluntary pay cut or get lost!"
At this point, the audience's blood pressure was rising. Since the web series began,
this was the first time such a cartoonishly vile character had appeared.
The most infuriating part? It felt way too real, like staring into a mirror.
"Fighters have their own aspirations. Do you understand that?"
"Aspirations? Can aspirations put food on the table? Do the audience care?
"My demand is simple: Go to the Fragmentum and bring me a set of humanoid monster armor, and I'll pay you the rest.
"What are you standing around for? Hurry up! Every day you're late is another day I have to feed these parasites. At this rate, I'll be ruined!"
Caelus shot Scott a glance. "Not like I have a better choice. Fine, I'll make the trip.
"Can't be helped. These days, the one who owes money is king!"
[Ugh, this is so frustrating!]
[Wasn't the tone before more like a classic shounen manga? Why the shift to realism?]
[Scott's attitude is genuinely disgusting.]
[What's disgusting isn't that he's acting vile—it's that people like him are everywhere in real life.]
—
The scene changed. Caelus now stood before a Fragmentum creature—the "Everwinter Shadewalker."
"That's the one! Let's finish this quick!"
Though alone, Caelus made quick work of the monster, sending it to the afterlife.
He then retrieved the so-called "armor."
Before long.
Caelus returned to the club entrance. Scott's face lit up at the sight of the armor.
He promptly paid the remaining sum.
Out of curiosity, Caelus asked about the armor's purpose—and was horrified by the answer.
Scott actually wanted his fighters to wear this inhuman gear—
all for the sake of gimmicks and spectacle.
But.
Despite Caelus's repeated warnings,
Scott remained smugly dismissive.
"I know my people inside out. What could possibly go wrong?
"You just want more benefits, don't you? Fine, I'm not some heartless boss.
"Since you did help me out, and you've got some skill,
I'll throw in a special privilege: From now on, you'll be treated as a VIP here.
"Free entry, and you can fight in the ring whenever you want."
With that, Scott happily carried the armor inside.
Some time later.
Caelus returned to the club—only to see a familiar "Fragmentum creature."
"That armored figure… Did Scott really assign a fighter that fast?"