Chapter 42 Hangover 9 (1/2)
John entered the room that was close to the Arena 8.
Just a few moments earlier John was called again by the robotic voice to enter the elevator go to the Arena 8, where he was going to fight his second round.
”... Now, at the left side of the arena, please, welcome the participant 0368!” The announcer shouted.
John helplessly sighed.
He stood up from the chair and walked through the metal door that opened automatically.
The moment he emerged from the door, the sound of cheers and clapping from the audience entered his ears.
It was a wondrous feeling, almost the same when he walked up the stage of the Terrene Protectorate's Academy to receive his Matter Manipulator from the Grand Protector.
Hundreds of eyes focused on him as he slowly walked up in the stage.
His eyes were slightly blurry, his heartbeat was slow. [Damnit... I think I'm tipsy.]
As soon as he entered the arena he met with his opponent. It was just as he saw at the holovision.
They looked at each other in contemplation.
John's opponent was a burly middle-aged aged man with a complete full beard in his face. His whole body was covered in all different types of scars, from blades, bullets and burnt wounds.
One look at him and anyone would say he was certainly a battle veteran.
”Hey, lad...” The man called out for John. ”You're a Protector... Aren't you?” He cruelly smiled.
”...” John suddently remembered Lenny's words, that the less amount of people that know his identify, the longer he would probably live. ”No... I was just a citizen-”
”Stop the bullshit.” The man's eyes glinted dangerously. ”I always hated Protectors... I had killed a lot of Protectors in the Sigma Sector. I can identify a Protector with a single glance. Their mannerism, speech, actions, and... Combat movements, I had seen and killed a lot of them, so I know all this at the back of my hand.”
John pulled up his guard immediately.
The conversation between them was heard by no one, the judge had already retreated to the side togheter with the announcer.
”I'm going to crush your skull and drink your blood.” The man licked his lips and locked his eyes on John's body.
John slightly trembled. This was the first time he met with someone that had this much hatred and killing intent locking on him.
Even that Agent that he met at the Lunar Base 12 only wanted to kill John and Lenny because it was his job.
The person in front of John was different.
The amount of hatred and killing intent was overwhelming.
One look at the man's eyes and John was able to tell that the hatred was very deep.
[Why does he hate Protectors...?] John tried to think of something, but his thoughts were interrupted by the siren signalizing that the battle began.
His movements were slow because of the drink he had earlier, so he was unable to dodge the man's fast attack.
*Puh*
John was sent backward heavily coughing. The punch was very strong, with no intention of holding back, it hit John right on the stomach.
*Bam*