"I understand why we're watching other fights... but you aren't helping that much."
Currently, both Pesculo and I are watching a fight between two contenders.
Pesculo told me that watching two high-level fighters wouldn't help much since I wouldn't relate to how they fight. Instead, we're watching two relatively mid-level fighters.
They have their own proper ring, and from what I can see, their territories are big. I can even see people from other territories infiltrating to watch—or to stir up trouble among the fans.
"If you need my help with everything, then you need to relearn the basics, kid."
I guess he's right...? I should be able to figure out a few ways to improve.
"Let's make some bets! Tell me which of the two will win," Pesculo said, stretching out his hand while grinning at me.
"I didn't bring any money."
Pesculo spat on the ground and scoffed.
---
I wish every single person here was like Little Bear. He was a respectful guy.
As for the two fighters, they were both fast and highly technical in their fighting styles.
The fight went on for a few minutes, with neither wanting to lose their spot.
I got particularly interested in one of them. He kept his distance and waited for his turn. At first, he threw quick jabs to bait a reaction. After a while, he started mixing up his approaches, trying to analyze his opponent's weaknesses.
I was sure he was going to win.
And sure enough, the one I picked started pulling ahead.
"Enough watching, kid. Let's go," Pesculo said in a bitter tone as he began walking away.
I followed behind him as we walked through the crowd of partying spectators.
I'm grateful that he's taking the time to help me, which is why I tolerate his awful teaching methods. But my God, I hate that old man.
"I have three more guys you can train with."
---
---
---
I... I'm ashamed to admit that I lost two of those three fights.
I won the first fight. The guy was a bit faster than me, but he lacked strength and seemed tired from a previous match.
The second guy was tough—like punching a concrete wall. None of my blows did any damage, and his punches felt like being hit by a truck.
The third guy absolutely destroyed me. His fighting style was fluid, almost like dancing. I had no chance against him.
I stood up as I saw Pesculo approaching me.
"What's the next less—"
I was interrupted by a slap to the face.
"You worthless sack of shit! I'm wasting my time with you, and you can't even win easy fights!" he yelled, spit flying from his mouth and landing on my face.
"What the—what's your problem!?" I yelled back.
"You dare talk back to me after I decided to help you!?" Another hit—this time with his beer mug.
"Ughk!"
I kicked him in the groin with enough force to probably shatter a ball.
"Go to hell, old man! I put up with your worthless advice because you were helping me out. But I won't take any of this abuse!"
Pesculo clutched his crotch and fell to his knees.
"You...!" he looked up at me with rage. "You'll regret... you'll regret this"
I turned around, but someone suddenly grabbed me.
"Huh?"
They spun me around and punched me in the jaw.
---
---
---
Waking up next to trash bags in a back alley was never on my to-do list.
I sighed. My body trembled from the winter cold as I lay there looking at the sky.
"It's still nighttime. I guess I have enough time to do what Zagressa ordered me to do."
Sending two fifteen-year-olds to fight in an underground—and probably illegal—arena is definitely something only a meathead like our teacher would do.
And I got betrayed by that damn old man.
"I swear to God, Pesculo, I'll beat you to a pulp the next time I see you."
He did nothing but confuse me and suck at teaching. I'd rather have Zagressa by my side than him.
"Little man, is that you?"
The voice of concern came from none other than the one decent person in this hellhole.
"Little Bear?"
"Looks like you could use a hand. Here." He extended his hand to me.
His simple decency gave me hope—maybe there were good people in the arena.
I grabbed his hand and stood with his help.
"Thanks, man."
"Don't mention it, little man. You helped me up after our fight."
Little Bear's smile beamed with genuine appreciation.
"Hey, hope your night goes well, Little Bear. I've got to head back inside to challenge Snap."
"Let me help you get back in. I don't think someone like you could enter without help."
Even though his words could've been taken the wrong way, I only saw a genuine desire to assist.
"Thanks. But I don't want to be a nuisance."
"Nonsense, little man. Come on."
With his help, we returned to the underground fighting arena.
"Let's grab a drink first. You look like you could use the rest."
I followed the shirtless man around until we reached the underground bar.
Compared to the arena—dusty, sandy, crowded—the bar was relatively cozy and relaxed. Still dusty, but definitely an improvement.
Behind the counter, next to a menu of drinks, there was a blackboard with fighters' aliases. Most had two sets of numbers: one for their territory, one for their betting value.
"Sorry, little man. This is the only thing I could buy for a kid like you—room temperature water," he said, handing me a mug. "Sorry I couldn't find colder water."
"Don't worry, man. You've already done a lot for me."
Please, Little Bear, don't betray me too.
We kept chatting—mostly about our fight and how we could improve.
He gave me useful tips: avoid unnecessary punches, and focus on only attacking when it has a purpose.
The chat was nice. The bar's warmth helped too. I could've stayed all night... but not really. I don't like this place.
Still, maybe it'd be fun to come with friends to waste money betting on fighters.
While Little Bear was talking, I saw someone in the corner of the bar.
"Little Bear, give me a sec. I'll be back in a minute."
I stood up and made my way over.
"Snap!" I said as I reached him.
He turned and looked at me. "Huh?" He squinted, probably trying to remember who I was.
"Please..." I bowed. "Don't leave the arena. I need to challenge you."
"Wait, you're that kid that fought me," he finally said. This time, he was the one trying to remember.
He eyed me up and down, resting an arm on the table.
"Fine... you're lucky I'm in a good mood, kid."
"Thanks. I'll make sure to defeat you next time." I raised my head.
"Don't get cocky. Last time, you barely lasted a minute," he said with a smug grin.
"Why are you still here anyway, Snap?" Little Bear asked.
"You see, I finally got one of the barista girls to agree to go on a date with me." Snap puffed his chest proudly.
"Really? Who?" Little Bear asked, a little too surprised.
"That beauty over there."
Snap pointed to a girl serving drinks at another table.
"Isn't she beautiful?" he asked with a dreamy sigh.
The girl looked about two meters tall—without heels—and she was seriously muscular.
"She seems respectable," Little Bear said with a smile, sitting down at Snap's table.
I... personally... in my own opinion... preferred someone like Fran—refined and slim.
But I couldn't say she wasn't my type.
"Good for you," I said as I also took a seat.
"Thanks. Took a lot of charm to get her to agree."
"Did you get on your knees and beg?" Little Bear asked so calmly it took a second to register.
"No...! Yes..." Snap lowered his head.
"In the end, she agreed, and that's what matters, right?" I said, rubbing Snap's back, trying to comfort the guy after that ego blow.
"Anyway, what happened to that old man that was with you, little man?" Little Bear asked me.
"Fuck that old, wrinkly, alcoholic waste of a human being!" I crossed my arms and frowned.
"He betrayed me. I thought he was helping me out, but then he comes out of nowhere and hits me for not being good enough!"
"It seems like a skill issue to me, kid," Snap said, raising his head again.
"Huh?"
"Most newbies in here tend to be manipulated by people who make them feel indebted—showing them how this place works and managing their fights. Then, if they make it big, those same people take all the money," Snap explained, like it was something that happened every single night.
"What happened with that old man?" Little Bear asked, concern in his voice.
"I kicked him in the balls. I don't tolerate people disrespecting me."
My comment earned laughs from both of them.
"It seems you've got some fight in you, kid. I thought you only knew how to stand up after getting beat up, but I see you've got other things going for you."
"Can you tell us something about that man, little man? So we know who to look out for," Little Bear said.
"His name is Pesculo. Long, crusty beard. Fat and old. It's impossible not to notice him, especially since he's really loud."
After I said that, there was an eerie silence.
"H-His name?" Little Bear asked, almost afraid of what I'd just said.
"Yeah, Pesculo. You know him?"
"Kid, no one here uses their real name. No one knows a Pesculo," Snap said, with an unusually serious tone.
"Little man… don't tell me he knows your name," Little Bear said, clearly hoping I'd say exactly what he wanted to hear.
That's when I finally connected the dots.
Pesculo had told me to never say my name unless I wanted to get involved with the wrong people.
My silence was all they needed to hear to know my answer.