In Coldland.
Azura was lying on her bed while having blankets covering her figure. She was holding her phone while a picture of the young man was as the wallpaper.
But then, her body flinched as she felt a disturbance in the force.
''ICHIRO!'' She screamed and started typing a message.
[NightButterfly: Ichiro… Did someone touch you?! I am not talking to you anymore!]
''Hmph!'' She pouted and slammed the bed, ''He promised me! Dummy!''
''I won't talk to him anymore!'' She crossed her arms and covered her face with the blanket, ''No more kisses! Eh… M-Maybe few won't hurt, but not more than that!''
*Brrr*
Her phone vibrated, signaling that a message had arrived.
''Let's see what excuses he has!'' Azura, with a pouting face, looked at the phone.
[KingOfGames: Not my fault! But, if you forgive me… We can do it, I promise you]
Azura became blank, but then she started screaming.
''Kyaaaaaaaaaaaa!'' Her face went bright red, ''Finally!''
She quickly typed the reply and closed the phone.
She stood up and ran out of her room.
''MOM! We need to go buy some stuff!''
…
Back in Underworld City.
''Why did you talk with him?'' Mei curiously asked from Elina.
Everyone in the room also looked curious.
Elina giggled and answered, ''I tried to hook up with him, but I guess he doesn't like an old lady like me,'' She sighed and wiped her imaginary tear.
''He has guts.'' Rijun grinned viciously, ''I want to fight him!''
Elina rolled her eyes, ''You are always fighting people weaker than you. Maybe all rumors about you are false, and you are nothing but a coward.''
''What did you call me?!'' Rijun angrily stood up and glared at Elina, ''It's not my first time fighting against Martial Monarch, and I am not afraid to wipe that smirk off your face!''
Elina giggled while covering her mouth with her frail-looking hand, ''Oh, how scary. Fine… Bring it on!''
Rijun gritted his teeth and was really about to attack, but then Leppercon's voice echoed in the room.
''Please, we are here to enjoy the tournament.'' Leppercon appeared in the middle of them.
Rijun clicked his tongue and sat down.
Elina looked calm with a small smile on her face, but there was cold sweat pouring on her back.
'Oh dear disciple, you don't even know how much I am protecting you, tsk tsk.'
Ali glanced at Elina and narrowed his eyes. He doesn't know how strong Elina is, and he has only heard rumors.
Every rumor said that her strength was terrifying, but that's all he has heard about her.
Seeing her be so composed while facing Rijun, who definitely has enough fighting experience to fight Martial Monarch and not necessarily lose, her being so calm made Ali impressed.
Longel looked towards the party, and his cold expression started crumbling after seeing how Darc was acting.
Assassins should be low-key, but Darc doesn't know the meaning of that word!
Even now, he is trying to flirt with women while their husband is literally in front of them!
But that's not all… They are VIPs!
The husbands of the women had red faces out of pure anger, while their wives looked quite amused, and some even felt tempted.
But Darc looked completely shitfaced, could barely stand straight.
Longel took deep breaths. He is trying to calm down his rising anger. He has been over 30 years Assassin, and he has learned numerous mind-calming techniques.
Arkenthym sat silently thinking a lot of things, 'Now that his bitch girlfriend knows that he is part of Underworld… He can't be allowed to die in the tournament; otherwise, Abyss will just start his massacre…'
''Ark, what are you thinking?'' Leppercon asked.
Everyone's attention was shifted towards Arkenthym.
''I think we need to change rules,'' Arkenthym said with a grim expression.
Leppercon became serious, ''Why?''
''Ichiro went and told his girlfriend that he is here.''
Leppercon grimaced.
''So? Why the fuck would it matter?'' Rijun raised an eyebrow.
''His girlfriend isn't a nobody… Her father is Abyss!''
Rijun and Longel widened their eyes in shock. They weren't aware that such a threat was fighting in the tournament!
Mei also gasped out of shock, while Ali and Elina seemed composed.
''What rule changes are you talking about?'' Longel said with his cold voice.
''If the fighter has been knocked out or has dropped out of bounds, they are lost, but this time they won't die, instead have to enter an Underworld tournament somewhere else.''
''VIPs won't be pleased. They enjoy killing the ones who try to run away,'' Rijun said with disdain.
''Doesn't matter, they have to listen to us.'' Arkenthym sighed, ''And lastly… Longel, make sure that Ichiro won't die!''
Longel clicked his tongue, but he nodded.
''He did this on purpose.'' Leppercon said with slight amazement, ''He must be informing his girlfriend if he is still alive, but once she doesn't receive any news… She will tell Abyss.''
''What if we kill him and steal his phone? He must be communicating with text messages,'' Mei suggested.
''Then, what about after the tournament is over, and Ichiro isn't returning?'' Leppercon shook his head, ''Abyss will hunt us down.''
''Longel, any ideas?'' Everyone turned their heads towards Longel. He is most experienced with killings.
Longel closed his eyes and said, ''The trump card is that Ichiro's family is in danger. He is being very careful. Did you tell him that you will give him his freedom if he wins the tournament?''
Arkenthym nodded.
''Give him his freedom if he wins… If he doesn't, make him participate in more tournaments.''
''What if he tells Abyss?'' Arkenthym grimaced. The threat of Abyss is not to be underestimated.
Longel stood up and looked towards a black-haired young man who was returning from the restroom.
''Pride of Martial Artist… Is a foolish thing, but it is also their greatest weapon.'' He turned his head back to the others, ''Rankless Ones and Martial Artists have one thing very different. Rankless Ones does not care if they use dirty means if it means winning, but Martial Artists are so proudful that they want to do everything by themselves.''
''You mean… He won't tell because of pride?'' Arkenthym stood up in anger, ''You don't know him! He is full of fucking tricks! He has less pride than a newborn baby. He is literally the meaning of Shameless!''
Longel looked at Ichiro and said, ''You are greatly underestimating him. His pride might be sleeping currently, but there is also a raging fire inside him.''
''He feels pride… But it isn't about his current strength… It is about his Martial Arts Style. He wants to prove to everyone that his Style is the strongest!''
Longel looked at Arkenthym and said, ''One day, he is coming for you.''
''I am not afraid of little shit like him!'' Arkenthym angrily sat down.
Longel sighed and took one last glance at Ichiro.
But… He also saw Ichiro looking straight at him!
Longel's mouth curved into a small smile, 'You should be afraid of him…. This young man will bring a storm!'
