Chapter 328 - The Intermission (1/2)

I first thought that I'd be able to fight Ilya after these knockout rounds but turns out we're gonna have a little break. I wore all of my equipment back for the moment but I had to wipe down my body first. It took me a few minutes amidst the shouting, cheering, and curses raining down on the other contestants.

”OH~ SHITTTT~ THE GOLIATH STRIKES AGAIN~!!!” the announcer was getting pumped up beyond reason.

The large guy I saw earlier took out another contestant with a single slap to the face. The only problem with him is that he's too simple and he's taking a few hits before he manages to get his strike in. It doesn't matter if you can take the damage, it still means you're taking some. Sooner or later, it would all pile up and give you problems when you least expect it.

While I'm busy on the fights I made Edd do a little something with Ben. It's another source of income aside from the prizes we would be receiving later. Ben was already familiar with it so I asked him to help Edd for a bit.

It's the betting area for the people watching. The house is managing the odds for each participant and the returns are based on the amount of people betting on each participant. They're obviously getting a small cut from these because their security is so tight, no one would mess with them. Having a lot of small cuts from different people would in the end make them having the largest cut when it's all over.

”I might do something like this in our place after we're done with the important stuff. Mr. Cuervo is lucky he's been doing this a long time.” I thought to myself.

All the equipment and other miscellaneous items that we won earlier besides the body armor we bought from the house was placed on me in the first game as betting ch.i.p.s. I don't know how much we've won based on the odds but Edd said it was more than double. When the second game started, the first game winnings were divided into two and placed on me and Ilya. It's because I already made an impression on the first game so a lot of people would be betting on me as well as the other winners.

Ilya on the other hand also made an impression before the games started but people were disappointed when they learned that he wasn't gonna play when it started. It was a last minute thing he did, joining late and not a lot of people knew about him since I made him stop early on before the other people came in. Less people are betting on him to win and the return if he does would be substantial.

I was kinda ticked off when he bought himself in but in the end, it was my fault for taunting him earlier about beating his other team members.

I lastly wore my gloves and I sat down next to Kaley.

Kaley is not speaking at all and she's just looking at me with a solemn expression.

”Something on your mind?” I asked.

She shook her head but she whispered, ”Later.”

”I know this is stupid but why did you have to break that guy's arm?” Irene said.

”That's too much eh? Want my real answer?” I looked at Irene, the same as the others.

She nodded.

”It's a lot of things. I guess in the world where someone has a big stick, you need to have a bigger stick.” I started.

”Did he say something to you? Your eyes changed earlier...” Kaley quietly said.

”Yeah, just think of someone that has a history of doing time behind bars again and again would say to a man with a beautiful wife. I know it's different for me to react the way I did but I chose to do it nonetheless. It's extreme to do that to someone who is not a grave threat to me at the time but people like that have done a lot worse when they're outside. Besides, I'll gladly take the insult if it's towards me but it's a different story if he involves other people, especially you.” I replied.

”You forgot to mention you saved a lot of energy by fighting only two people. I might do the same thing you did if we're doing something similar.” Tatiana chuckled.

”Well, that too I guess...” I replied as I scratched my nose.

”I see, but doing could create trouble for us and Irene's group. They might get back at us when we go outside.” Kaley said.

”Hmm, I don't think so.” I replied.

”You sure about that bro? I can see a few of them glancing at our direction sometimes.” Jared interjected.

”This place is built from fear, respect, rules, and strength. Unless the rest of his group is pretty f.u.c.k.i.n.g stupid, they won't do anything after this. Isn't that right Jerry?” I replied.

”Ya got that right. Those people already know the rules.” Jerry nodded.

”See? Let's just keep our eyes open for anything. Good thing we have a backer here, heh.” I chuckled.