I also got to catch up on the little things.
Like how the Pavilion crew broke apart shortly after I left.
News regarding what the other crew members were about and what they are doing in the present.
And somehow amidst all that I got a lecture about how to do business from Moriarty and how to make people fall for you from Sin.
I think the last part is probably because of the liquor Duke gives, not sure what in it but it does pack some real punch.
Either way, by morning I left the place heading to my next destination.
Still somewhat sober, I managed to get myself out of Renova City.
Experience wise, not bad. But I prefer cleaner air all around.
Either way it shouldn't take me long, maybe 3 days of straight walking.
I have no money left, so can't really afford anything for transportation.
At least the day looked pretty.
About an hour or so later it started raining heavily.
"Nice, if just walking isn't tedious enough"
Most people would already stop now. Find a nice place to stay warm and out from the rain.
"Not me though, I got a place to be...And, it isn't that bad."
I said while the heavy down pour hit me like a magic missile while a thundering roar screamed in the background. The dark cloud is probably itching to smite me on the spot. But it didn't happen... Yet.
"This is fine"
Funnily enough, it rained for 2 days straight.
At least it isn't as heavy as the first time.
"Is it a rainy season or something?"
I utter my first couple of words feeding my dry humor after not talking since the last time.
Whatever it is, I am nearing my next destination.
Another day later.
Here I am in the forgotten city. Certainly not forgotten since there are still a lot of people living here, but it has always had such a nickname for some reason.
Underlying below this city is a hidden colosseum being used to conduct a shady battle tournament with questionable fans.
Not enough entertainment in the forgotten city perhaps.
In the broad day light I went under the great cri bridge.
Kind of forget how to open the hidden door. So I spend quite the time trying to push the correct brick.
But at last it finally opened, leading down.
Without hesitation I move forward.
I was expecting that cheering crowd and roaring fans like last time.
Instead I was hit by a foul smell. To be more precise a rotting corpse.
When was the last time this place got clean?
Reaching the bottom, I got my answer straight away.
Well, what a sight. If I had been more normal this probably would traumatise me. Good thing I'm not.
"Just bodies. No survivor at sight...Look pretty recent too"
I kick the mangle body blocking my way to the side.
What could possibly be happening here.
Just as I reach the bottom of the stair my eyes shift to the left hearing a small movement of something.
"Just look at that, I got company. A survivor? The culprit maybe... Or perhaps some bandits?"
As I say that I dodge a knife throw aiming straight for my head.
"You couldn't possibly be the culprit. Such a wound that I would have got if I didn't dodge would be too clean compared to all this mangle body."
My eyes are not even focusing on the attacker. Taking a clear look at some of the body on the side.
"Huh, either the body is mangled or their inside has exploded. Quite a disgusting way to end someone. What kind of sick fuck do this? Do you know?"
I ask the person rushing in on me with a knife.
Before the knife even reaches me I already catch the hand holding the knife.
With one swift motion, I bring the arm of the person to stab himself on the neck.
"Guess I wouldn't get an answer to it."
As the person's body slowly falls from my arm.
A few more people show up looking for trouble.
"This work too"
I said before jumping to the middle platform.
"I had dance on this stage as Mori in the past and I shall do it again today"
I walk to the middle of the platform.
Four people start surrounding me on all sides with a knife. Maybe some of these people had a little secret they might have concealed,so be alert for the uncertainty.
"I haven't fought in a while. Let see if I still got it"
I said raising both of my arms up, taking a defensive posture.
And soon the fight commenced.
Ducking the first strike, I land an uppercut, followed by a frontal kick to the first.
Elbowing the second person arm, the knife being held changed in trajectory causing it to stab the third person thigh.
Grabbing the second by the neck I threw him to the first who was trying to stand.
Backhand the third face while spinning, I meet the fourth person face to face.
Dodge the first and second slash. The third never came because one of the people on the floor threw an ice spike magic, missing me just by a step but also killing the fourth individual.
'Good thing I kept the uncertainty in mind.'
I went to snap the head of the third person.
Picking up the knife I throw it straight to the head of the person who tries to conjure another ice spike.
Only one remaining.
"This is not fun. The time I spend on the underground tournament put me more in trouble than this... shame"
I said slowly walking toward the first who was trying to push the dead body of his comrade.
By the time he manages that I already reach him.
And just as quickly I end that person's life too.
"Has I always been this ruthless when fighting?"
Questioning myself as I view the scene.
I mean, killing isn't always my first option. I usually avoid it if I can but I don't have a problem with it if it is really required.
Benevolent when can, ruthless when needed.
Just another classic Mori I guess.
This is also the very same place I got accepted into the Confluence.
Which also raises the real question. My original purpose for starting all this.
But that had to wait, I need to be somewhere first to grant that question more impact.
Dropping down from the stage. I caught a familiar silhouette among the dead body.
Walking up to it I pull the hair of the dead man up.
It was the informant, the very same one who had enlisted me into the tournament back then.
I didn't get to know much about him but seeing the rotting face of his, it really made me glad I didn't.
What caught my eyes however, is the pouch of a money bag sitting beside his dead body.
"Thanks for returning this. I will put it to good use"
I left the place shortly after. Stepping foot outside the breath of fresh air is really needed after spending way too much time down there.
Well with my money back I can afford dry clothes and food and maybe a place to sleep tonight.
Just great all around.