Chapter 248 [248] The Golden Brawler.
Time passed, and Edward became more and more famous with each fight.
What could one say? He was unbeatable, he was ferocious, he was unpredictable and most of all he was victorious.
He won each and every fight by dominating his opponent, whether he was experienced or a newbie, it didn't matter. They would die by his hands.
Many had tried to beat him, and many failed.
Over time, he was one of the fighters that people betted on mostly, and the results of these bets were fruitful.
But there soon became a problem...he couldn't hide.
He had a hidden feeling that the higher-ups knew. The higher-ups that oversaw the arena knew where he lived and about his family.
Could it be called his intuition? Whenever he went home, although he tried to be as discrete as possible...he always felt the gaze of someone.
And the problem was that he was not awakened...He was just a normal demihuman fighting against normal humans, and from what he had heard, The higher-ups had awakened under them, and these awakened could kill him in no time.
In an era where Awakened were everywhere and their raids and fights were broadcasted everywhere, the people craved normal fights...
And the people that craved these fights, some of them also provided them.
"You can enter."
The large and buff man said as he opened the door.
And Edward entered the room, the office of a Crime Boss that ruled over the black market in Aror.
A luxurious and opulent space, lined with top-of-the-line furniture and decorations. Edward didn't have any artistic knowledge, but he knew the paintings in the room were worth good money.
A wooden desk lined with gold, and a black, high-quality leather seat was in the middle, Behind it a heavy, reinforced mirror that had the view of the Black market in full.
*Sniff!*
"grr..."
The scent of smoke and weed was unpleasant to Edward's nose.
"Oh, my? Does the smell irritate my guest?"
The 'Boss' said. A scantily dressed woman with golden hair and the eyes of a vixen. The mask she wore was that of a vixen as well. Vile and deceitful.
Two buff men stood beside her, probably acting as Bodyguards.
*Puff*
She smoked a pipe probably filled with weed.
"No..."
Edward answered, clearly lying.
The smell bothered him greatly, because of his enhanced sense as a demihuman the smell was getting to him. And the fact that his nose was the most sensitive didn't help.
"I've been watching your fights, Edward."
The woman said as she raised her feet and placed them up on the table.
'Awakened...'
Edward thought as he felt pressure from her.
"Your ferocity, Your brutality, Your savagery...it intrigues me."
She said as she licked her lips whilst looking at Edward's petite face.
A shiver went down Edward's spine...
'Why does she need bodyguards?'
Edward thought in his mind, from what he could discern, The woman was stronger than both the men combined.
The men were useless, literally. She could probably take on ten of them and beat the shit out of them...So were they just for the show? A display of power perhaps?
"I want to become your sponsor, Edward."
Said the vixen-like woman, her 'big bazonga's' bouncing up and down as she looked at Edward.
Edward stared at them for a second before turning his eyes away.
He thought about the offer, and when he was about to turn it down...her eyes glowed.
"Think about it carefully Edward..."
She warned, before smiling.
"You can't keep your earnings safe for long...you know? And your residence is so far away..."
Edward's senses tingled.
Run? Or maybe do what she says? What were his instincts telling him?
He didn't know...but soon she said something that made him forget about those instincts.
"Or perhaps the protection of dear little Emma? hu-? Oh my."
As soon the name of his beloved sister left her mouth, Killing intent filled the entire room.
The men reacted and were about to attack Edward before being stopped by the woman, who raised her hand.
"Oh my! Such killing intent emitted by a child! HAH!"
Instead of being threatened, the woman laughed, it was as if she was amused by the act.
"Do you show this side of you to your little sister? Or does she just know the kind brother that takes care of her like a parent?"
And that was the last straw, Edward was enraged and he leaped at her, He was going to rip her throat out. But unfortunately, his hot-headedness had gotten the best of him.
This vixen was strong, she was incredibly strong. She could kill Edward in an instant, but the rage blinded Edward didn't know that.
"Stop."
A single word and Edward was lowered to his knees, the two guards of her as well.
As he was on top of her table, his claws dug into the wood as he tried to stand, but the mana pressure made it impossible.
"Think about it carefully darling~"
Her seductive voice was like a melody to Edward's ears...and he was certain that something was wrong.
"I'm the boss of this market, I own you, in a way."
Her voice seduced him...his ears lowered as his tail wagged a bit. He didn't know what was causing this...the mana in the air pressured him.
"Let's keep it simple, I'll sponsor you, and I'll even take care of your lodging and safety. So fight for me when I tell you too...Got it Sweetie~?"
Edward tried his hardest to fight back...but her next words made his heart sink.
"Or would you like something to happen to her? Look."
She pointed to the computer at the side of the room, and a holographic video of Emma cleaning the warehouse was seen.
Edward lost...he didn't dare make a single move.
"Now now...You don't want her to suffer...do you darling?"
She grabbed his chin...and her tongue licked his ear...She had captured his weakness. And would make full use of it.
"...Okay..." A weak voice escaped Edward's mouth.
The young fox had made a deal with the Vixen.
******
Edward ran to the warehouse with all his might. For maximum speed, he was running on all fours.
He was anxious and scared as he ran towards the warehouse, worried to death about his sister...thankfully she was okay.
Emma was just cleaning the dirty warehouse when Edward entered.
He had surveyed the entire surroundings...and he found no one...his nose went crazy as he tried to search for the littlest trace of someone else...and he smelt the scents of multiple humans...
That footage was real.
"Your back?"
His sister, Emma said as she looked at her tired brother with confused eyes.
Edward ran to her and hugged her as tears fell down his face.
"What's wrong? Edward?"
His sister asked, innocent...whilst Edward just kept muttering a singe word.
"Sorry...Sorry..."
He tried his best to keep her away...but in the end, his involvement made her prey.
He failed to protect her...and now he would pay the price.
Miserable...no?