CH10: GRAY HOODIE.(PART 2)

*Ding*

[Quest Complete]

[Rewards Granted]

[Instant Level Up.]

[Level 2]

[EXP:0/70]

[1 stat point available.]

[Side Quest One. Complete.]

[Side Quest Two. Locate the other pendants before the Hunters find them.]

'Oh I get it," Dezhong remarked while wiping the blood off of his face. 'This system has a reward function for each quest I finish. Sort of like, a video game. Wait if it's like a video game, WHAT HAPPENS IF MY LIFE ENDS UP AT O?' He wondered but never got an exact answer so he moved on to the next question.

"System, who exactly are these Hunters?" Dezhong asked but the system didn't give him any response. Since he was left to handle it on his own, Dezhong chose to temporarily ignor the Quest since he had much better things to worry about.

Right now, the teenage boy was with his friends at the back of the crowd. His nose was still bleeding but thanks to this new unknown power, the pain was lessening as his bones restructured themselves into place.

Blake handed Dezhong a towel to wipe the blood off his face while Luke made sure no one else got close to them. "Alright, Dezhong. So far, the first half of the first phase is going as planned. You're now in Kong's inner circle."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Luke asked.

"The inner circle is in charge of everything single aspect of the Gorilla Gang. This includes trades, to legal and illegal businesses. It also means Dezhong will get as much information as possible concerning the Mutant Battle Royale."

"And see where the pass will be kept." Luke said.

"Exactly."

"So I'm going to be the mole in the group, huh?" Dezhong asked.

"Indeed. However, do not get caught. Do not mention us except that we're your friends and do not gain any mutual trust or friendship with those people. Remember, you're not staying in there forever. Once the job's done, you're leaving, got it?"

"Yeah, sure. I get it." Dezhong replied. The boys cut their conversation short after noticing the second new member of the inner circle. A teenager, two years older than Dezhong, managed to run down the clock in the ring with Kong. Unlike Dezhong, he was a tall, muscular boy with chestnut brown skin, slick, prosthetic arms, and a buzz cut as a hairstyle. He had a calm, collected look on his face and his eyes were as green as the crystals in his arms.

"There's your new workmate, Dezhong. Go make friends." Luke said as he pushed Dezhong to the second winner. Blake and Luke got back to watching the fight while Dezhong introduced himself to the second-place participant.

"Err, hello. My name's Prince, Dezhong Prince." He greeted with his arm held out ready for a handshake. The boy, however, looked down at Dezhong and pressed his arms while saying, "My name's Jamal Knight. You can call me either." He replied as Dezhong tried as hard as he could to not scream from Jamal's killer grip.

"So, Jamal. How did you manage to stand against Kong? Did you use the same tactic as I did?" Dezhong asked while hoping to get on Jamal's good side.

Jamal replied saying, "I commend you for your efforts to beat Kong but anyone with a trained eye could see how sloppy your dodges were. I have to say, you're really fast for a boy of your stature but if you were up against me, you wouldn't stand a chance."

"Yeah, that's because you've got crystal energy flowing through you." Dezhong rolled his eyes. "I was able to dodge and take Kong's attacks head on, literally. I doubt if you'll be a challenge."

"Even though my crystals were taken, you'd still be no match for me. Your skills are minuscule and I could read them like an open book." Jamal scoffed once more.

Having had enough of his taunts, Dezhong pulled out his phone and ignored Jamal. He may have stood against Kong but his pride and ego were starting to get on Dezhong's nerves. 'Talk about a superiority complex. I'll just get strong enough and make you eat your words, dipstick.'

--------------

After Jamal's debut with Kong, five more contestants had been taken out in the first thirty seconds of their time. Kong made the challenge for the third position even harder by making them fight instead of simply dodging him. The leader fought them head-on, but he made sure to hold back slightly since he didn't want to knock anyone out too early.

Within three minutes, he took out four more challengers, making everyone else lose confidence in challenging him. The gang leader shouted while saying, "Come on. Isn't there anyone who can take me on?"

[Ding]

[Side Quest failed.]

'What the? I haven't even started yet. What's this supposed to mean?'

[The second pendant has been found. However, there's still a chance for you to claim the remaining awards. Retrieve the third pendant before it's taken as well.]

'Taken. Did the Hunters get to it before I did?' He wondered. Ten more minutes passed and no one dared to challenge Kong. The gang leader sighed in disappointment and said, "Since no one's willing to challenge me, the challenge has come to an end. Those of you looking to join the other sectors of the Gorillas should return tomorrow night...."

"WAIT!!" A voice shouted from the back. Everyone turned to the extreme back and noticed a person dressed in a grey hoodie with blue jeans. The person kept their head down as they made their way to the center of the ring.

"Who do you think this could be?" Jamal asked as he nudged Dezhong's ribs. However, Dezhong's petty character refrained him from answering Jamal and instead made him keep his eyes on the stranger with the hoodie. Like him , Gray hoodie was the same height and size as them and even looked to be around the same age.

'Does this guy really think he can take Kong on?' He asked himself. 'The man's a freaking tank of energy. This guy can't seriously take him on. I couldn't take him on if it wasn't for this werewolf thingy.'

"He could be a mutant." Jamal replied as if he was reading his mind.

---------------

Kong stared at the hooded stranger with a distinguished look of bewilderment. He wondered if the person was either bold and confident or very stupid. Judging by his size, he figured they were the same as the other contestants so he knew it would be a simple fight. "I don't know if you're either brave or really stupid." He taunted.

"Who said I'm not both?" The person replied with a slightly deep, scratchy voice. " I'd like to be a member of your inner circle…right after I knock you out in an instant."

Kong smirked at him and said, "Alright hot shot. Let's see how you'll handle this and also…I won't be taken down so easily so come at me with all you've got."

"You should do the same too, Kong."

"BEGIN"