My Mongrel (2)

Min Ho couldn't really process his emotions. Everything had spiralled out of control so quickly. A simple trip with Kang Ho had ended up being a nightmare.

On a level, Min Ho had always had awareness of the corrupt nature of Kang Seung and the Kang Family. If the Mung family was the light then the Kang family was their shadow, entrenched in all manners of shady business. Over the years he had heard all kinds of rumours while working at the Kang Estate. From shady deals, murders, to adultery. He learnt that injustice was real, that the rich and powerful were able to get away with all kinds of evil. He hated it, but he didn't bother with it.

Those rich and powerful people, no matter how much he hated them, were his employers. And he could turn a blind eye to the rumours because they never affected him. Out of mind out of sight. He arrogantly thought he would never be pulled into their corruption.

Yet here he was.

Surrounded by masked and ravenous strangers.

The crowd was jeering at him so loudly that his ears were ringing and under his palms, the concrete ground vibrated. He was exposed, his genitals bare for everyone to see but he couldn't even feel embarrassed because he was so scared.

Pain wracked through his limbs from where he'd been whipped and stepped on. His nails had been ripped out from the cuticle and he had several teeth missing from where he'd been smacked around. A cut above his eye was bleeding profusely and he could barely see.

Between the pain and the fear, he was completely disoriented, and this had all started because of one single comment.

A few hours prior Min Ho had been walking with Kang Seung and his people, he had been employed long enough to know to keep his mouth shut, but he couldn't help but be concerned about Kang Ho. Such a small child had been given to a strange and dangerous man so casually.

He had turned to Kang Seung and said, "Sir, I'm worried about the young master, I don't think it's right for him to be left alone in a place like this."

Kang Seung had smiled at his words but then the next second he had gestured at his bodyguard and Min Ho found his legs being kicked in, his face being bashed against the floor and then after that everything was a painful blur.

Before he knew it he was being escorted out like some animal on a leash.

He turned to look back at Kang Seung and began to beg, but he suddenly heard the crack of a whip and next he felt excruciating pain as it sliced open the flesh on his back. Tears leaked from his eyes and he peed himself from the shock.

"He Pissed!!!!" jeers and laughter echoed throughout the arena.

"Dirty animal!"

"Disgusting"

"Pathetic Bitch! Pathetic Bitch! Pathetic Bitch!" What began as one voice cheering "Pathetic Bitch" quickly turned into the whole room mocking him. The awful cheers continued for what felt like an eternity for Min Ho. He had never felt so demeaned...so pathetic before. He would rather be killed than be in this moment.

At that point, two shots were fired. The sound of the gun going off made the loud crowd instantly go silent.

"Now now everyone! I can understand your excitement but I haven't yet been able to announce Pathetic Bitch's competitor" said the presenter; the small figure in the Plague Doctor Mask casually wiped his smoking gun.

"So now presenting our latest challenger, we have another newcomer who has been nominated by Mrs Lady Lake. Everyone welcome Feral Dog!"

The crowd broke out into furious cheers as Feral Dog emerged.

He was a massive man. He was like the offspring of a man and a giant; he was easily twice Min Ho's size. He truly was like a dog, his entire body was covered in coarse hair. As he approached the stage he barked like a rabid mutt as he crawled out proudly on all fours. Behind him was his master, a tall woman who wore a purple dress and a purple mask to obscure her facial features.

The Presenter ran up to Mrs Lady Lake and politely handed her the microphone, "What can you tell us about your contestant?"

The masked women gently waved at the crowd, "Feral Dog is my mutt. He was abandoned as a child and raised by wild dogs before he was found and put into the trafficking system. I bought him at a slave auction a few months ago and I have made him loyal to me. But don't be fooled, just because I've tamed him doesn't mean he's not a beast. He just recognises his owner."

"Thank you for that introduction Mrs Lady Lake! Now before we begin I'll give you all five minutes to place your bets."

***

"Who do you think I should bet on, I think Feral Dog looks quite impressive?" Sang Min asked, he gave me an expectant look but I simply shrugged my small shoulders.

"Bet on who you want to bet on."

"Oh, that's surprising, you must have some hope for your Nanny."

"Hope" I smirked, "I just believe in humans more than I believe in animals." I looked at the screen and stared at Min Ho, "A feral mutt is still a mutt but a human who is pushed to their limits can become a monster. This fight isn't that cut and dry."

"What big words" Sang Min gently patted my head and gestured for his servant, "Put 10 million USD on Pathetic Bitch" he ordered. She wordlessly nodded and silently left the room.

****

"Now for this arena, we bring you to the Sahara" the projectors began to whir and the arena transformed into a sand-filled desert. Heaters even enhanced the illusion and the artificial sun was bright and glaring.

"We all know the rules, there are no rules. The fight only stops with death or mercy."

Feral Dog and Pathetic Bitch were put into the cage, Min Ho tried to resist but after another whip from Kang Seung he obediently entered. The steel doors closed around them with a clang.

A loud horn was blown and then Feral Dog charged at Min Ho.