Chapter 980 - Claiming champion positions (2) (1/2)

Shortly after Jesse finished his ten fights, and got proclaimed as the new champion, Sarah was done speaking with seven fighters who are currently in the club. One more from the list arrived in the meantime so that made a total of eight candidates with whom she spoke.

She didn't take long to talk to each of them, it was mostly meet-and-greet where she gets to gauge her first impression: would she trust them enough to allow them to fight by her side? Of course, no one gets her trust like Aiden, but Sarah decided to believe in her instincts and use her first impression as a guide if the person in front of her is suitable for the game that will start soon. And of course, Sarah wants to find out more about their motivation for coming to this gruesome place and how grateful they will be if she helps them out.

The screens above the arena showed updated status:

'1. Mr. A -> Wins: 723 wins, Losses: 0 losses, Ties: 1

2. Shift -> Wins: 151, Losses: 2, Ties: 0

3. Blackstain -> Wins: 124 wins, Losses: 3, Ties: 0

4. Nyx -> Wins: 12, Losses: 0, Ties: 1

5. Jay -> Wins: 10, Losses: 0, Ties: 0'

With this, Jesse (aka Jay) officially claimed his position as the champion.

Blackstain didn't show up. Chad told Sarah that Blackstain got delayed in the White Valley club and that after a challenge to the champion, he got seriously hurt and now he is in the hospital. Blackstain lost his champion position there, and a fighter named Spike took his spot.

”Hospital?”, Sarah was unable to hide her disappointment. She hoped to meet Blackstain because she didn't meet him last time, and because Aiden listed him in his notes as a person of trust. But they don't have the time for a hospital visit tonight.

With news that there is a new champion, Sarah and her companions decided: their next stop is the White Valley club. If someone can defeat a champion, that person must have noteworthy skills.

...

~ Austin, White Valley club ~

The setting in that club was almost the same as in the Black & White club: caged arena in the middle of the lower floor, and VIP rooms on the second level.

The biggest difference from the layout in the Black & White club is that the glass enclosed VIP lounge for the champions and the handler is suspended above and connects to the hallway on the second floor via skybridge.

The handler that goes by name Diva was not so friendly with Sarah like Chad, but she didn't dare to provoke her or show disrespect. That was enough for Sarah. She is not here to make friends, she wants to hire people.

Large screen below the suspended glass room showed:

'1. Mr. A -> Wins: 583 wins, Losses: 0 losses, Ties: 0

2. Shift -> Wins: 172, Losses: 3, Ties: 0

3. Yoda -> Wins: 163 wins, Losses: 4, Ties: 0

4. Twister -> Wins: 78, Losses: 2, Ties: 0

5. Spike -> Wins: 11, Losses: 0, Ties: 0'

Haru was next. Sarah was reluctant to allow Ade and Jamari to go into such a vicious environment to fight. She can see that they are eager to go, but they are just kids, no matter how skillful they are. Sarah would rather see them in their pajamas, reading a book or doing homework… or playing a console game.

All five of them had their masks on, and Diva arranged for six people on the list Sarah got from Chad to come and talk to Sarah (aka Nyx).

Yoda and Spike were in the room as well.

Yoda was curiously looking at Sarah, unable to hide his curiosity.