100 Showoff Part 5

Across all my time in making deals with devils, I've learned something significant, looks are everything. Size, shape, aura, and simply the clothing you wear all paint a detailed picture. That feeling has magnified a thousandfold here in the city of Krimo. This is why I decided to take the extra step and give us the costumes necessary to help seal the deal literally.

With a bit of help from the sultry Nerve and beautiful Fury, I was able to accomplish a short expedition to the middle levels and managed to rob myself of a tailor. That combined with a few modifications here and there, well, the results spoke for themselves.

So with the morning sun still shining, we've made our grand appearance to the more significant criminal underworld in style. Gum and I walked out with twin black tucked-in formal suits and ties, a classic that has remained unchanged in its he decided to sleekness and style even this time. Yet, in classic Eternus fashion, we decided to go for a much bolder approach that fit him perfectly.

This is why instead of usually wearing the jacket, we instead modified it into a dark looming cape of the highest order. To finish off the signature look, the back of said cape got embroidered with a scratchy white form of our rowdy bunches' signature name. Combined that with a walk we had spent ages trying to perfect, and we walked out of that hovercraft with one single bold message.

"We are the Cons, and we are here to take names. But get in our way, and we are happy to take more. "

However, even amongst our fanciful stride, I stuck to the mission and scanned every possible advantage by gazing at the Expo itself. Despite being in the twilight of a rather relentless January, the Expo was surprisingly warm. Upon looking further, that wasn't a surprise when I started to stick my nose even closer.

Even through my insulated suit, I could feel the waves of heat coming from all sides of the barrier. Said barrier also managed to ripple like a pebble to the pond under the merciless bombardment of snow. However, between the staged distractions and light bending refraction tech, it should be of no concern, hopefully.

What was the concern was the line of people in front, though? Even with the huge convention-style building and the secretive nature of it all, the turnout was huge. As far as the eye could see, the streets got caked with people of all different shapes and sizes. Once again, though, the first appearance was all the impression I needed of them.

The glassy eyes, frayed clothes, and overall stench of filth gave us one single bold message. All at once, I could feel our flashy suits turn against us as all it did was translate the writing on the wall.

"You may be The Cons, but we have no name, which means if you get in our way, we are happy to take far more."

That alone managed to turn this sea of people into a frenzy of sharks, with us as the tasty bait in the middle. That thought alone forced me back in time to that damn deal against my father's enemies, back to being in that damn meat locker while my friends fought for their lives, and pretty much other times, I was helpless against absolute power.

However, before I let those memories even think of consuming me though, I took the first step once again and stuck to the mission. This is just the first of many prices I have to pay, and if I can't even do that here and now, I have no right even to be here. So I will not run, I will not be helpless, and I will keep moving forward, no matter what challenges decide to stick our way! Almost coincidentally, my patience and resolve got rewarded as a succulent yet overfamiliar voice started to ring out.

"Usually, I don't respect a man in uniform, but you might be the exception I've been looking for," Nerve said as she suddenly appeared while hugging Eternus' back! In a state of shock and surprise to all of us, Eternal instantly tried to backfist her! However, before it could connect, Nerve was one step ahead, blurring past the blow and grabbing Eternus hand.

For the briefest of moments, Eternus' eyes conveyed a look that could dead a man but just like in breakfast this morning; the look vanished as fast as it had appeared. Even he didn't know what came over him, as Eternus instantly grew just a little bit softer in a look of humanity.

"Sorry, Nerve I-"

"Don't be; you and I should know by now that I like you feisty anyway. Those training sessions of ours are paying off, though. Amongst other things," she said excitedly.

The quote alone almost made me gag in jealousy, but as per usual, I managed to set it aside and the question that was important.

"Hello Nerve, great to see you as always. Since we seem to be running in a bit of traffic, do you think that you can-."

"Give you a personal fast pass? You don't even need to ask Gum; I got you covered, though I'm not sure how long I can stay."

With that, we clung to Nerve like a flock of birds, maintaining our professional and stylish persona as we waded over the waves of almost wraith-like people. It didn't take long before we managed to meet the guards. Similar to us, they were dressed in formal business suits but with a stylish twist.

Instead, they were mostly a dark crimson hue, complete with the only insignia that got needed to display their power: a flaming open hand that got decorated above the hearts of every enforcer we saw. The logo was only for those that knew the truth about Krimo. For it didn't matter how many faux speeches both Omna and Blakk gave about how to fix this city, I learned that for a long time, words without action are utterly useless.

This is why everyone who knows better understands why these lucky few managed to rise above the sea of trash in this city. Because during the tragic Dark Decade, in a time where this city was merely a canvas to paint even further chaos, these men and women were able to pay their price and move forward up to the very top.

They are so ingrained within Krimo's culture that they are almost inseparable from it, which is virtually fitting given the city's history. After all, if this city is going to hell, then wouldn't it make sense for it to be in its grasp? So as we managed to scurry past those stigmatized soldiers, I gave in entirely to my inner demons and made a mental note.

Because one day, I promise to reclaim my family name and sit on the same throne of Hell's Hand with my own calloused hands if need be. So after a very uncomfortable and tense search, we managed to finally enter the Expo without any further hassle, surprisingly enough (I could've sworn Port would have c4 up her butt or something). It was here I could finally see where myth managed to become a reality.

Even with mainly being a stranger in a strange land, I managed to hear little inklings of the Expo. However, Krimo was so big that separating potential fact from fiction was necessary to get anything done, which is why I was disappointed when I saw the whole thing for me.

The place was effectively similar to your average convention center dashed with a Krimo coat of paint. Every inch of the area got effectively covered to brim with content that was probably illegal in most states. Malformed weapons of mass destruction from lower-level gangs, rows of refreshments courtesy of Mutant Monarchy, and of course, panels with pretty much every big supervillain you can think of. The site was almost disappointing to me, but it did serve a valuable purpose, managing to have us come over our initial shock and charge ahead every forward and show off a little bit.