MM - Chapter 58 - CHAMPION OF NOTHING

Dimitrey paced left and right like a cheesy villain, walking off his fury. Raine, seeing the wealthy gamblers’ enthusiasm wane too early, removed his armored jacket to further display his confidence. Celeste was there in an instant and he narrowed his eyes at her. She shot him a saucy grin, holding out her hand.

Making her choice clear to everyone before seeing what I can do? Impressive. Maybe I misjudged her.

Her smile nearly slipped, the slightest twinge in one eye the only sign she heard his thought. [You think?! Asshole!]

Raine, assuming the twitch was because he wouldn't acknowledge her by handing his jacket over, made his choice too. She accepted the expensive and heavy garment, then faded back through the ring of onlookers to stand next to Mel once more.

By the time he looked back, Dimitrey's jacket was also off and he was back to the calm state of mind Raine found him in, “You caught me off guard. I won't forget this lesson. And for giving it, I won't kill you today. Don't expect to ever regain the use of your legs though. I'm curious, who in DyingNight sent you?”

Raine snorted, “As if I’d work for them. I'm new to town, and you're just the next step on my path.”

“Unbelievable. Do you not realize how many enemies you've already made? Even if you win, you won't survive the night.”

Raine's only response was a shrug. The mayor called off the betting and raised his hands to shout the traditional speech, “There are no rules on the martial stage! It's kill or be killed. Any who would dare to intrude and open familial grudges, take your places now.”

If either of them had a master present, this would be their chance to take a place at the edge of the ring. Raine knew Dimitrey’s master wasn’t in the city yet, or he never would have made a move. When none spoke out or approached, the mayor simply nodded, “Very well.” He threw his head back and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Let there be blood and glory!”

Dimitrey exploded forward at a speed only possible by destroying the body with internal force. He arrived before Raine, whose arms weren't even raised to defend. Not that blocking a punch from an internal force expert was ever a good idea.

The crowd didn't even have time to gasp at what was obviously going to be an instant loss. Carrying the force to shatter a concrete wall, Dimitrey's knife-hand jab sliced toward Raine's shoulder where it would easily cut the limb free.

At the last instant, Raine activated exactly the muscles needed to contort and twist his torso to the side. The deadly attack missed his shirt by a hair. Dimitrey was mid-air, his momentum impossible to stop. Raine's right hand lashed out in a simple, inside backhand as his opponent flew by.

Dimitrey proved his status as a nationally acclaimed fighter when he managed to get his left arm up in time to block. When knuckle and forearm connected, a crack just as loud as a gunshot tightened every scalp in the room. Dimitrey’s block flew wide from the force, displaying his chest for a fraction of a second as inexorable momentum began to separate the fighters.

Raine didn't miss the opening, extending his fingers at the last microsecond to graze Dimitrey’s chest. Another sound filled the onlookers' ears, this one of cloth, flesh, and bone tearing. Dimitrey's flight took a sudden turn and he shot to the side, spinning like a top before he crashed and slid across the floor. A long crimson stain followed him.

Raine stood calmly, one hand raised with his fingers fully extended and coated in blood. Dimitrey flopped onto his back, revealing a spreading stain across his chest. He thrashed in terrible pain, the arm he'd used to block snapped in half with the bone greeting open air. 

Amidst the gasps, a few voices dared to speak, “Did you see it!”

“No! Quickly, look at the recording!”

The dam broke and the crowd buzzed with excitement as Dimitry's life drained onto the floor, filling the air with a coppery tang. As with most fights between internal force experts, theirs was decided with the first blow. While they were at the level they could drastically increase their offensive power, creating a body capable of receiving that level of destructive force was an entirely different matter.

Raine approached and stood near enough they could look each other in the eyes. He felt a tinge of disappointment. The world's current idea of what a class four martial should be capable of was a joke. Soon, ZionLine would reshape those standards into something else entirely.

“Who?” Dimitrey gurgled, coughing blood.

“Raine KongRu. You fought bravely. Die or live as you please.”

Dimitrey tried three times to swallow before managing it, “Live!” He gasped. A group of medics to the side rushed forward, ripping open his shredded shirt to reveal the four tracks where Raine's fingers had cut deep enough to shatter ribs and rake out parts of his lung.

Another round of gasps were heard, but they were a distant sound to Raine as he scanned for additional threats. It was always the quiet after the storm when the most deadly assassins struck. His gaze circled the whole room, finding nothing nefarious. Compared to the other face, Mel and Celeste wore completely different expressions.

Mel beheld him with awe, wearing her heart on her sleeve as always. Celeste bit her lip, her breaths heavy and eyes lidded. The mayor disrupted Raine’s view, clapping excitedly, “What a show! A real upset to be sure! A round of applause to the new champion of our great Carter City!”

The man held little real power and they both knew it. Raine balked at his audacity, pointing to Dimitrey, “Your champion is there. I don't work for free.”

The mayor was already sweating when he gingerly patted Raine's shoulder, “Oh, ho-ho. Of course not, of course not. How about we go somewhere private and discuss the many ways we can benefit one another.” The sharp glare Raine gave him caused an audible gulp, “later, obviously. We're here for an auction!”

“Bring my winnings to my booth,” Raine walked away without waiting for confirmation. The message he would be using the amount to judge the opportunist's worth was clear.

The mayor nodded enthusiastically, “As you wish, Expert KongRu. And please, take my premier booth if it pleases you!”

Snickers could be heard from the crowd as they enjoyed the dance between politician and champion, a tale as old as the modern era.

“So audacious.”

Another agreed, “The temperment of a victor. My loss today was worth seeing two experts display their mettle.”

“Is KongRu even younger than Zhilikhoz? Perhaps Carter has a brighter future than I thought.”

“Imagine if we could actually start taking back the farmlands? Nationals are right around the corner!”

They have no idea that their tiny little pond is about to become the center of an ocean.

Raine reached Mel and Celeste while the peanut gallery continued their unending speculations. Mel launched herself at him, “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”

Raine caressed her mussed hair with his clean hand, “No. I'm completely fine.”

Celeste stared into his eyes as she grabbed his other hand and wiped the blood from his fingers with a cloth she must have grabbed in advance. The differences between their knowledge of how martials were usually treated in high society couldn't have been more obvious.

Raine enjoyed both reactions, appreciating Mel's honest innocence, and Celeste's regal propriety. His breath caught when he noticed she had fixed her makeup, revealing the abundant freckles that should never have been denied the light of day in the first place. He coughed gently, “Let's go.”

They kept pace as he headed for the mayor’s booth. There was no reason to turn down his attempts to curry favor. It would set the precedent with the rest of those present, winners and losers alike, that he could be negotiated with.

Not that he planned to remain in the spotlight. After tonight, he would fade into the shadows as best he could while continuing to consolidate his strength. Between ReGen, Aspect of the Werewolf, and the guild headquarters that he would soon be constructing, Carter City wasn't long for remaining in obscurity. With such up and coming distinction, assassins and martial masters would descend on the city en masse, competing over the valuable soil. Raine had no intention of being a protruding nail when they arrived.

Inside the expansive, decked out booth, Mel let loose a huge sigh, “That was insane! You could have warned me, you know? I thought my heart was going to explode!”

Raine shrugged, picking up a slice of roasted duck, “It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. By the way, which of those little boys were you trying to scare off?” He pointed the hunk of meat toward Celeste before shoving the entire thing in his mouth.

Knowing how much calories and protein internal force required, she didn't bat an eye at his table manners, “None. They knew I was off limits even before your display.” 

Raine narrowed one eye, widening the other, still happily chewing on the tender meat.

Yeah, right.

“I'm telling the truth. There aren't any boys my age that can take me, so they don't get me. Zhilikhoz wasn't interested, but wouldn't let the older generation have me either. Not that I minded.”

Raine chewed faster, eager to swallow and change the subject.

Nobody asked for your life story.

Mel hurriedly threw back a drink, hiding her face. Celeste’s lips sealed, turning to a tight scowl. Raine was thankful she realized she was babbling on her own. He made sure to be more specific with his next question, “Why did you latch onto me, then? I made it clear I didn't want anything to do with you back at Soulgen. It's nothing personal. It's your family I have a grudge with.”

Celeste avoided his question like a seasoned politician, “What did my family do to offend you? I asked father and he said he's never heard of the KongRu's.”

She waited patiently for him to finish chewing his next bite. He responded, half the slab of meat clasped between his fingers and dancing in her direction, “You're coming after my company using your typical dog licking tactics and you want to know why I have a grudge?”

She expressed an ‘Ah ha,’ with an animated face, “So it was your organization that bought all those shares! I knew it! But what does your family want with a small-time pharma?”

“As you're a Luu Rahn, I'm obliged to remind you to fuck off,” Raine wasn't about to correct her misunderstanding. It was better for him to appear to have connections. If everyone in the city knew he could be crushed like a bug simply by hiring a master for a day, he would be in big trouble.

The hurt on her face surprised him. She'd so easily rebuffed his ‘admonishments’ before, but clearly hadn't expected his harshness this time.

Doesn't look like she's bluffing. She must not know. If she did, she probably would have fought harder to keep her uncle from usurping her ownership percentage.

[Chance!] Elated, Celeste managed to keep her trembling lip and puppy dog eyes on display, “Sorry. I…You're right. We're competitors. But maybe we don't have to be. I could introduce you to my uncle and maybe we can work together?”

Pretty little liar. You're a hundred years too early to be trying to pull a fast one on me.

Mel coughed from the side, spitting a cherry into a napkin with a guilty face. She was staring at Celeste, whose cheeks were flaring with fresh color. Both girls locked eyes, and Raine could practically feel the conversation they were having with that drawn out look.

What the hell? Are they into each other?

Suddenly, both their eyes widened. Mel choked again, and Celeste grabbed the nearest drink, slamming it back and turning away from them both.

“Alright. What the hell’s wrong with you two?”

“Nothing major,” Celeste tried to play it off, “I just realized we went to primary together and she's the girl who shit herself in front of the whole school. Last I saw her, she was running to the bathroom holding her cheeks together.”

Mel's jaw dropped, “You-you.”

“Don't worry. He’s not the type to care about something from that long ago. Unless… you don't still have that problem, do you?”

“I never had that problem, you lying cow!”

“That's enough,” Raine waved his hand between them. “Celeste, if you're going to fight with Mel, I'll really kick your ass out of here. Don't think for a second there will be a chance for you to come back, either.”

“I'm so sorry if I brought up something unpleasant. I'll never speak of it again. Promise!” Celeste went as far as bowing, holding her dress together with an arm across her chest. [Damnit! I was so close to getting him to think about uncle! I can't believe she can hear his thoughts too. No wonder she's been burrowed into his side like a leech!]

Mel stomped her foot, “I still don't know what you're talking about. There’s nothing to not bring up again, so your promise doesnt mean a thing.” [Can she really hear him too? I think she doesn't want me to say anything. What if she does? I need to come clean first! I can't handle this pressure. But… he'll definitely hate me if he finds out.]

Celeste wore a broad smile that would fool most into believing she was sincere, “That's wonderful. I'm glad we're in agreement. I promise to be nicer to your number one, Expert KongRu.”

Raine twisted his lips in a scowl, “Cut the shit. You're not fooling anyone. I admire you’ve got decent foresight for latching onto the winning horse, which is the only reason you're here. So long as I have a use for you, you can stay. Unless Mel gives the word.”

I'll ask Mel what that look was about later. The auction is starting soon. I need to link my account and upload my items.

While Raine was busy connecting his watch with the auction interface, Celeste pinned Mel with a pleading, pitiful look. [I can't believe my future rests upon the whims of this hussy. Just you wait, mr. champion. You'll slip up eventually and I'll get the dirt I need to tie your hunky ass around my waist like a belt! As for the hussy, we need to get some things clear sooner rather than later or I’ll be screwed.]

Raine finished and turned back to the girls who had been sitting with their heads together in whispered conversation. Celeste faced him with an easy smile, one brow lifted invitingly, “You said you have a use for me? I do hope it's an exciting one.”

“Yah. You're going to tell me every way your family sabotaged my company.”

Celeste pursed her lips, tapping them with her most recent glass of wine, “Why would I do that? You'll just throw me away afterward.”

Raine rose to his full height, approaching to tower over her, “You think I'm that short-sighted? I have more uses for you than you can possibly imagine. And the creds you’ve dreamt about making are a drop in the ocean compared to what you can gain by being loyal to me.”

Celeste opened her mouth to respond, then paused as Raine's thoughts tumbled into her mind.

Afterall, having the Crimson Nebula at my side will create many possibilities. But that woman was the result of incredible loss and suffering driving her to extreme action. This little girl will need training and guidance, but the potential is there. In fact, with ReGen, she may become far more than she ever was in the past. She could become a god.

Celeste took a long drink, her eyes never leaving Raine’s as her heartbeat raced out of control. Then, she gave her answer.