17 Chapter 17: Preparation

-Underground Fighting Stage-

In the middle of the night, there are two people facing each other inside the ring. On one side, it's a big burly man who left his muscular body showed openly to the people. His height reached two meter easily. Moreover, his old scar from all over his body including his face makes him more intimidating. However, his ragged breathing and new injuries from his body makes his presence weaker.

On the other side, A silver haired masked man with golden eyes are facing the burly man. Compared to the muscle guy, he can be said as tiny. However, the pressure he emitted around his body can't be underestimated at all. In fact, it even makes the burly man exudes cold sweat during the entire fight. Moreover, this man didn't even sweat at all and has a paced breathing while still have the leisure to smile during the entire fight.

Although it is supposed to be the opposite, it is crystal clear who is in the winning side.

Of course, the latter is obviously Rein.

"WAAAAAHHHHH!!!" (Audiences)

"Come on, Charlie! Is that muscle for show!?" (Spectator A)

"Break his undefeated record!! We are all cheering for you!" (Spectator B)

"Kyaaaa!!! Silver lion-dono! Hurry up and defeat that stupid muscle guy!" (Spectator C)

"Sliver!!! Tonight you are still the coolest as everrr!!" (Spectator D)

The audiences, who are circling around the ring are all cheering for their perspective fighters who they bet. Now, this match have gathered thousands of viewers in the stage only. Furthermore, adding the fight is streamed live on underground social media website, it has already gathered millions of viewer.

[Now, the stage is heating up more than ever!! This is the millennium match that everybody has wished for!! It looks like The undefeated champion is still healthy as ever while the other side, Charlie is in a pinch!! There's only 2 minutes left !! Can the underdog Charlie create a comeback in this hopeless situation!!?] (MC)

(....Shit!! if I already can do it, we don't say comeback as miracle !!) (Charlie)

"What's wrong mister Charlie? If you only stand still, you will just lose by point system. Give me your everything." (Rein)

"...Yeah!! I know damn it!"

Responding to the opponent leisure comment, Charlie can only respond to it by immediately dashing to his side and prepare his right straight punch. He himself know the best prolonging the fight is just disadvantageous to him who already gassed out.

Therefore,

(I can only put everything in this short moment!)

Now, his punch is just only few centimeters away before hitting his opponent face in a short moment. Moreover, generally people can't dodge it easily as Charlie took the opponent on surprise attack. The speed of former elite military soldier is not to be underestimated at all.

Unfortunately, common sense doesn't work with the man in front of him.

"Nice punch." (Rein)

*Fwissh*

Before connecting to the face, Rein dodge with a difference of millisecond. The punch only interacts with the air. However, it is not the end. Charlie already expected his opponent can do that much. Therefore, he continue with barrage of attacks continuing with left jabs, kicks and right straight.

*Wing* *Weng* *Fwush*

Even so, no matter how fast is it, no matter what type of attacks he launched, it only landed blank air with Rein dodging the attacks with slightest gaps only for a whole 1 minute.

(Fuck!! Is he even human!?) (Charlie)

"Amazing barrage. No wonder you are the favorite contestant for this night." (Rein)

"!!! DAMN YOUUUUU!" (Charlie)

Unable to hold it anymore, Charlie put all of his everything in the next attack on his right straight. With all of his stamina and power, Charlie launches the attack on Rein's stomach.

However, God didn't side with Charlie today.

*Pang*

"!! Shi--" (Charlie)

"It's my turn." (Rein)

Even if Charlie has tremendous strength on his last punch, Rein easily block with his right hand without problem. Moreover, by dragging the hand, Rein is able break the balance of his opponent.

The next moment, he counter his opponent beautifully who is full of opening by going inside the gasp.

All of this happen in just a matter of one second.

"Huhp!" (Rein)

*Bam!*

"Gahak!?" (Charlie)

A clean hit to the stomach with his right straight. Moreover, the power inside the fist is not normal at all. Just with that punch, Charlie's 270 pounds body has flown to the air for a short moment and ended landing in the opposite side of ring.

Due to the punch, he pukes the blood and mouth piece inside his mouth grandiosely. It is quite a sight to behold. Adding the last touch, Charlie passed out with his white of the eyes showing.

"....."

Silence rules over for a short period.

Waking up from the stupor and shock, The MC regain his composure and hurriedly commented the result.

[Vi-Victory, the silver lion!! Tonight's glory is held over to our undefeated champion!!]

From that announcement, the audience also snap out from the shock. In the next moment,

"WAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" (Audience)

A very loud cheering surround over the stage.

It is a result which any people can't complain at all.

*******

"Man!! You really are my lucky star! Everything works well if I trust you!" (???)

"Thanks for the compliment." (Rein)

After the last fight, Rein goes to his personal resting room, meeting with his promoter, Joshua.

"Hahaha!! I really am blessed by the Gods! My life is just climbing uphill without stopping in this one year!!" (Joshua)

Seeing his ecstatic mood, Rein faintly smiles.

Before he come to this stage, specifically joining the underground fighting stage, it wasn't his first choice actually.

In the beginning however, when he tends to went to the military office to apply for the job, he remember very crucial thing.

(...Ah, I don't have an identity.) (Rein)

Which is so.

Even if he was a resident of earth in his previous life, he doesn't have passport nor personal profile recorded in the database of the government. Therefore, he is figuratively a fugitive if not, trespasser who comes to the country illegally. Heck, maybe the law force will just capture him by pointing that's he's a terrorist in undercover.

So, what is the best solution for him?

"Well, meeting you was also lucky for my convenience. I really owe you a lot, Joshua." (Rein)

"What are you talking about buddy!!? It is ME who benefit a lot okay! In fact, I should be thanking you!!" (Joshua)

Doing a job where there is no eyes.

By chance, he was able to meet Joshua in Tokyo after pondering the problem he has. After knowing Rein's skill and Joshua is a promoter for recommending fights, both of them cooperated each other. So, they immediately go to America where there's underground fighting stage hosting fights regularly .

Basically, it is a win-win situation.

Moreover, Rein can use this chance to train his hand-to-hand combat proactively since Yuuji is more prioritized in training him on modern weapons.

After all, it is literally an underground business where fighters fight each other with almost no law. Worse, there's no problem with killing your opponent since the death can be covered easily.

But, there's a saying that high risk comes with large profit.

The advantages of this entertainment is where the fighters are able to gain money easily just by winning the match in a very high amount depending on your winning result as there's no strict threshold for the viewers to bid on their chosen contestant.

As Rein was able to gather win without single loss, his nickname is 'Silver Lion who doesn't know losing.' Moreover, since the win payment is increasing as time pass by, both of them was able to gathered approximately tens of millions of U.S dollar each.

"Hehehe.... With this pace, it won't be a problem even we debuted normally on official fights!! Hell, the world champion won't be a--" (Joshua)

"Ah, sorry about derailing but I have unfortunate news for you. Today, i'm quitting." (Rein)

"--Eh?"

....Just like always, Rein drops the bomb when the other party is on the top. Even Joshua, who hear it very clearly without missing a word is unable to understand for a moment.

Even so, he immediately snaps out of it and calms his disarray.

"...The hell are you talking now? What do you----- AH." (Joshua)

"You remember now?" (Rein)

"...*sigh longingly* It's time huh? It was really faster than I thought."

Before they made a pact, Rein warns Joshua beforehand that he will going to quit at any time the moment he thought that his funds is enough, which is right now. Moreover,he doesn't need fame as it's going to be a bother as he doesn't want to stand out much, which is why he's wearing mask to hide his identity.

Moreover, he already finished all the preparation he needs for the upcoming events facing him.

That's why,

"It's a farewell. Thanks for having me all this time." (Rein)

"Haaaahhhh.....I was too intoxicated and didn't pay attention to this. ...Shit."

"Hahaha! It's okay. It's normal for you to be high over the moon. After all, your dream of becoming a millionaire has just come true. You can play for the rest of your lifetime without caring about work."

"Yeah...But, there won't be you in my life anymore."

Hearing that, Rein forms a bitter smile unconsciously.

In the beginning, they were just a business partners and nothing more. It was practically 'I use you so you can use me' relationship.

However, as time passes, feelings become involved inside and they become close enough until calling each other as brother.cMoreover, their personality was very compatible so it is like a rope that can't be cut no matter what.

Even so, Rein can't stop now.

He has much more important thing to do.

".....You won't change your mind?" (Joshua)

Although he know the answer for his obvious question, he still can't get over it. Right now, money isn't important anymore. He still have other fighters who is skilled on his wing so he won't have a problem.

....But, he just feels sad for his close friend unable to be with him anymore.

".....Sorry, there's still many things for me to do. I can't just throw it halfway. it's also a promise with my friend." (Rein)

".....Hah. Damn it. I understand. I will handle all the troubles for you quitting. It is the last thing I can do to repay the debt." (Joshua)

".....Thank you."

A sincere gratitude.

He knows that his decision will trouble him a lot, but he didn't threaten him at all. In fact, he knows that Joshua will help him by cleaning all the traces about him so there won't be trouble coming. It's the biggest proof for Joshua seeing Rein as a friend, not as tool for gaining money.

(It's a shame.) (Rein)

In any case, their path has reached cross-way right now.

"Goodbye, my friend." (Rein)

"Hehe.. feels nice to hear that. .....Yeah, goodbye." (Joshua)

Both of them a strong exchange of handshake while seeing each other off with a faint smile.

"Ah, right. One more thing. Give this to the public for my resignation. At least I need to give parting words."

"Hmm? what did you write? let's se-- ..."

After receiving the letter, Joshua stops for a moment and trembles fiercely the more he reads.

Then,

"Pft, pfHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! The hell!? Man, if I post this, you are going to make enemies everywhere in our circle. As expected, it's always fun to be with you!!"

With a wink, Rein responds to him with a playful smile.

"Well, let's just say it's the right for the winner. After all, it isn't fun if i just disappear."

"Hahaha!! that's true. Don't worry, I'll post this tomorrow morning. It'll be my last gift to you."

"Thanks. ....Then, goodbye."

"Leaving so soon? Thought we can have a drink"

"I need to hurry. I still have lots to do. The plane won't wait for me."

"...Alright. Bye brother. You are always welcome if you want to come back."

Instead of responding, Rein only smiles and head to the airport.

It's time for him to go back.

******

Extra:

[Urgent news!! This morning, we found out from his exclusive promoter, Joshua that our favorite silver lion has retired!! According to him, his reason for quitting was...]

"You guys are too weak to fight so I will give you all a chance to win. It's not good to bully the weak right? "

...

.....

......

Of course, it is easy to imagine all of the people in the circle was in uproar, until some people who fought him in the past pukes blood literally.

He was really the master of creating chaos.