Arc 2 : Blood and Love

Chapter 1: The taste of excitement

In everyday life, everyone has one or more activities they like to do to relieve stress or simply because it makes them feel good.

For example, eating ice cream when it's too hot, exercising to clear your mind, or crocheting.

Some people can't be satisfied with ordinary activities and seek out high-risk hobbies to feel alive and show what they can do.

Even though this could be harmful to their physical and mental health in the long run, or even illegal, that doesn't stop them. In fact, it encourages them to take even more risks.

DING DING DING !!!!

"Ladies and gentlemen here or watching live, the third fight has just finished. Our newcomer, Flash has won again. Congratulations to all those who bet on him." The fight host proudly announced.

Standing in the middle of a competition cage, surrounded by dozens of people shouting his name, a young man with his face covered by a black mask was sweating profusely. He felt like his heart would explode as he felt pain in various parts of his body. But it didn't matter. He felt very happy to have won his fight and was looking forward to leaving with a well-filled envelope.

His opponent, were lying on the octagon floor, was carried to the infirmary by several men.

Exhausted, Flash left the cage and made his way to the locker room. It was his last fight of the night.

"Here."

Just as he sat down on a bench, a deep voice spoke to him. He looked up and saw a bottle of water being handed to him.

"It was a good fight."

Seeing who was standing in front of him, the young man quickly stood up and gladly accepted the bottle.

"Did you see my fight? Thank you!" He exclaimed, surprised.

In front of him was his idol, one of the most famous fighters in this place : Dark Angel.

Mysterious and blessed with unparalleled speed and agility. He'd never lost a fight. Like many of the participants, his true identity was unknown. He always wore a black mask covering the lower part of his face and heavy dark make-up with a hint of red and white on the other half. When his arrival was confirmed by the organization, the number of bets and fighters was very high. Many participants dreamed of fighting him.

But why "Dark Angel"? Rumor says that during one of his first fights, his opponent ripped off a part of his top, revealing impressive wings tattooed his back. But, there is no video or photographic evidence of this event. Others thought that he actually worked for the organization that ran the place. They thinked that he was there to confront those who were no longer wanted or who had broken the rules. Add to this a "cold aura" and the fact that none of the people he defeated ever returned, he was soon compared to a kind of god of death, hence the nickname.

Flash, who had only been visiting this place for three months, had already had the opportunity to see what Dark Angel was capable of. He had become an absolute fan. He dreamed of learning more about martial arts from him.

"Do you think there's a chance that we'll fight one day?

"Maybe. If the system allows it... Besides, you tend to lean too much to the right and your guard is a bit too low, so be careful."

"Huh? Than...Thank you for the advice!" He replied excitedly.

"I've got to go now."

"Good luck for your fight!" shouted Flash, bowing quickly at forty-five degrees.

As Dark Angel entered the arena, the crowd warmed up.

"After a month and a half absence, he's finally back! Make some noise for Dark Angel!"

Everyone passionately chanted his name as the fighter entered the ring.

"Let's make some noise for his opponent tonight as well: METALFIST!"

The crowd went wild. Everyone was looking forward to a memorable fight. Of course, Flash had no intention of missing out. He had found himself a prime spot with other challengers to witness the confrontation.

A giant screen displayed the stakes for each of the combatants in real time. Although Metalfist had a much more imposing build and had sent several competitors to the hospital, few spectators thought he could do the same to this Fight Club's Reaper. As a result, there were drastically fewer bets on him.

After about ten minutes, the bell rang and all bets were off. The referee stepped out of the cage.

The gong sounded once more to begin the hostilities. Without waiting, Metalfist lunged straight at Dark Angel, who easily dodged and spun around him in a defensive stance. He lunged at Dark Angel a second time, pinning him to the grid and landing several heavy blows. The latter gritted his teeth and maintained a solid guard. Finally, Dark Angel found an opening. He landed a swift right hook to Metalfist's ribs before nimbly stepping aside and continuing to circle. Enraged, the steel-fisted fighter tried to attack, only to be met with a swift right to the face, followed by a left hook to the side. Stunned, he stepped back but attempted another series of blows that were deftly parried. Picking up speed, the black angel landed a series of well-placed punches and finished with a high kick to his opponent's temple. Metalfist staggered backwards, struggling to see clearly. Refusing to be defeated, he was determined to make one last move, but unsurprisingly, he failed. Seeing that his opponent was completely exhausted, Dark Angel ran towards him and executed a lightning knee blow to the chest. Metalfist fell to the ground. There was no need for a countdown.

DING DING DING !!!!

After the referee confirmed that Metalfist was offside, the crowd erupted.

"Yes!!!"

Ashlay, who was also watching the match from home, stood up excitedly. He couldn't stand still.

"He's still unbelievable! And that punch! That high kick! It was crazy! I really have to see him fight for real. How can he be so accurate every time?"

Ashlay finished his glass of whiskey and sat down at his desk to continue watching the live feed.

Metalfist was taken to the infirmary. Dark Angel headed for the locker room after the host confirmed his nth victory.

At the end of a corridor, Dark Angel noticed a group of men in suits chatting with the manager of the place, who seemed very submissive. They didn't look very friendly to his eyes and he hoped he wouldn't have to deal with them. One of the men in black exchanged a look with him. After a few moments, he walked away.

After taking an exit known only to him, the mystery fighter put on a leather jacket and got on his motorcycle.

High-pressure fights of all styles, bets of up to tens of thousands of won, and a computer system that generated random fights. This was the way the underground fight club called Nemesis operated. Dozens of challengers had been coming to fight regularly there for years.

____

The Park Dae Jung case had been over for almost two weeks. Fortunately for Gwenval, his professional and personal life had not suffered any dramatic consequences. However, he had fallen behind on some of his projects. He also had to start organizing with Orchid Prestige. So he didn't have time to see Ashlay who was also very busy. But the two young men kept in touch from afar.

They sent daily messages and called each other from time to time. Ashlay even got into the habit of sending the musician encouraging messages every morning and even ordering his favorite drink, which he had delivered directly to Gwenval's studio.

The musician found it interesting and cute that Ashlay was so involved, but he was in no way convinced for the moment. However, he enjoyed talking to the young businessman and learning more about him. From the beginning, he'd sensed that he was very different than the other he'd met. For the first time, he was eager to keep in touch with him for a long time.

Even if they didn't become a couple in the end, Gwenval hoped to remain friends with him.

____

Around half past eight, the musician had just fed his cat. Just as he was about to eat, his phone rang.

"Hello Kae."

"Hi Gwen. Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"I've finished packing. Lio is coming to take care of Eika."

"And how do you feel about spending a weekend at the Turquoise after what happened?"

"It's not that I'm traumatized by the place. If I was, I wouldn't have agreed to sign with Orchid Prestige in the first place. Besides, it's not every day you get to spend a weekend in one of the best hotels in the city, with all the services it has to offer."

Kaelan laughed on the other end of the line.

"I had nothing to worry about." he admitted amusedly.

"What about you?"

"Me? I see it as an "experience" rather than a bad memory. Plus, I'm really looking forward to taking good and proper advantage of the hotel. I've wanted to take a real vacation there for a long time."

"You're the only one who would consider "not getting killed or seriously injured" an "experience"."

"I've even found inspiration for a new work." Kaelan replied happily.

"Tell me about it..."

"Let's move on to something more interesting. Will Nienrao spend the weekend with us?"

"I feel like you're very involved in my relationship with him. I could ask the same for Bai."

"Gwen... Between him and me, it's not the same. We're just your respective friends. Besides, I haven't heard from him since we went to the police station."

Quietly, Kaelan added in a thoughtful voice: "Will he really call me?"

"Hmm? What did you say?" Gwenval asked.

"Nothing. So ? You still haven't answered me."

"I don't think he will. He told me that some very important partners were coming. I think it will be just you and me."

"That's also fine for me, but it's a bit of a shame. That's for another time."

Gwenval heard the sound of keys jangling and a door opening on his friend's side.

"Did you just get home?"

"Yes, I've been spending a lot of time on a new project."

"I'll let you get some rest."

"Hm. See you tomorrow anyway."

After saying goodbye to Gwenval, Kaelan heaved a paint-stained black bag to a random spot in his living room. He stared at his phone screen for a few seconds.

"Is he really going to do this? " He asked thoughtfully.

____

The next day, Gwenval and Kaelan meet in front of the Turquoise Hotel, ready for a dream weekend.

Shortly after their arrival, the musician received a message from Ashlay:

"Hello Gwen Gwen, I hope you and Monroe are enjoying the moment. I know you're (very) sad that I won't be there. I'm sad too. But don't worry. I'll make it up to you at our dinner."

Gwenval laughed a little.

"Who's sad you're not here?" He continued, shaking his head in amazement at such "self-confidence".

Secretary Shin, come to greet the two friends at the entrance.

"Hello, Mr. Altaha, Mr. Monroe. It's a pleasure to welcome you to the Turquoise under much better circumstances. Please follow me to your suite. Then I'll give you a thorough tour of the various parts of the hotel."