Chapter 28: Overrated

To Sam's utter bewilderment the fighters in the top brass were only worth ten of his hits, he ploughed through the ranks having not shed a single bead of sweat, to the point where he begun to question Carl's memories as they had indicated the presence of five Peak humans within Madame Alexis' ranks.

But then it hit him leaving him to bitterly chuckle at his own rashness, why would peak Humans be allowed to participate in the Pit?!

They would just bulldoze through the fights like he did but much more bloodier.

He soon unceremoniously reached his final fight, he was up against the Rank 1,a rather lithe fighter, he was slim but shredded as his muscles were as toned as his physique could get. He wore loose harem pants and walked into the stage barefoot, he wore a black hairband whose color matched that of his pants, quite frankly he was very modest in terms of dressing as compared to other fighters.

Sam accessed the man and finally nodded in approval, this man was stronger than the bunch he bullied, he was far more skilled and experienced.

The man took his stance which bordered something akin to the Chinese Karate yet at the same time didn't. ' A personal style or family martial arts,' Sam accessed.

He also for the first time took a proper style as he could finally fight properly without excessive restraint.

The crowds fell silent as the two fighters locked eyes accessing each other, they were so engrossed that they didn't even hear the commentator introducing them.

As if under a silent agreement they both charged forward their hands moving at blazing speeds each aiming for a hit but bring countered by the other.

' Interesting, he uses fast light hits aimed at the several acupuncture points in the body, how cunning,' he chuckled at the decisiveness of his opponents style, even the blocks he made were all calculated an predicted hitting the points in his hands or arms.

' Should I also use a style? Is it worth the effort though?' he mused before finally deciding to use one, he did so out of respect for a fellow Martial Artist as it was only fair to do so.

Sam distanced himself and shifted his stance, his aura changed drastically as his opponent couldn't help but feel a cold sweat run down his spine ' What the hell?! Did he finally decide to go all out?! Maybe a decisive finish?? No matter I'll just have to strike him down before that happens,' the martial artist grinned as for the first time in a long time, he enjoyed his fight against another martial fighter.

" My name is Tian Yu what's your name?" He asked Sam as he adopted his stance

" My name is Sam," he replied calmly as his eyes glowed dimly I'm gold

" It's a pleasure to exchange pointers with you Martial Fighter Sam," he added to which Sam replied with a nod "likewise."

The two charged forward with Sam being highly offensive and aggressive, his strikes were sharp and precise.

His onslaught was unending as if he had already planned out all the moves and was mearly enacting them.

But Tian Yu was not one to be easily suppressed as with every two strikes Sam landed he replied with one of his own.

The battle turned from one speed to one of Endurance as neither gave in with both having crazed grins plastered on their faces.

The palms and fists soon turned to kicks and stellar choreography that most would assume to be scripted scenes of some popular action Flix.

After nearly half an hour of their back on forth Tian Yu finally conceded, or more like outright passed out after a hit to the head from Sam knocking him out.

The crowd bellowed in elation as they witnessed something that could be likened to a real life movie scene.

The commentator rode on the waves of pure ecstasy as he psyched the crowd before announcing Sam the 'One Hitter' as winner and also taker of the Bonus As he had truly not shed a single drop of blood

Sam quickly left the stage breathless and sore, he had pushed his body for a bit, despite not being a fight he imagined it was still worthwhile in his eyes.

He was led through a maze of rooms before finally ascending a fleet of stair to what was the VIP booths of the Pit of Culling. He was motioned to enter by his guide which he did.

Inside were two people and a helper, servants maybe? A man African American, bold with a pair of shades. A full set black suit with a white shirt, a Gold watch presumably Rolex, with a half smoked Cigar that glowed with his every inhale. He had a large bulky silhouette evidence of his extensive work out, he seemed rather tall almost gigantic nearing seven feet at the very least.

And next to him was a lady in a red side slit dress, brown hair tied in a loose high bun, she was rather beautiful with a modest bist and figure.

Sam knew them both, though not personally. Carl had visited quote a few shady Organizations be it gangs, syndicates or mafia he was not new to any and from his memories Sam recognized them both.

Tyrone Rogers known as the hulking Tiger, he was a ruthless fighter who's fights tended to end in fatal injuries or death. He was the Leader and Lord of the Black Tigers a reputable Gang that covered nearly five cities. Despite being called gang he usually tended to more money making endeavors as he was the owner of a majority of the money lending firms.

He also owned a few Gyms and dojos which he used as a cover up for his unsightly dealings. Carl was a frequent user of his forms services as his debts never ended borrowing from one to pay the other, he had at one point introduced Sam into the web of debts but the two had prevailed after years of toil.

Madame Alexis' was also another one of Carl's few ventures, he at one point thought the Pit was the best way to earn quick cash, this led to months of beatings and injuries with insufficient earnings.

Madame Alexis had taken a liking to his ever daring and constant fights despite his losses and turned him into her pet...this was one of the major turning points in his life as he finally Obtained enough money to clear his debts and also regained what little remained of his self.

Sam now standing Infront of these two was surprisingly calm, Rogers was mearly an indirect cause to Carl's financial dilemma and did not even now someone like Carl existed, he mearly saw it as business and took it as such.

Alexis however was one who breached his Friends lowest....the things he did were one of the many he regretted in life and death.

" Welcome Mr. Sam, congratulations for your wins and profitable gain," Alexis stated trying not to lash out, she would be lying of she said she wasn't unwilling, Sam had raked quite the sum of money, a million plus to be exact, that's with adding the bonus which she suggested on a whim.

" Thanks," Sam replied his voice steady and calm not giving away anything stirring in his heart.

Rogers who had been sizing up Sam abruptly leapt forward as threw a left hook at Sam, he who had been on alert after seeing them quickly responded dodging and countering delivering a Palm to his Chest that knocked the air out his lungs leaving Rogers wheezing for air.

" I'd appreciate it of you don't abruptly attack me, I tend to be quite brutal, don't let my looks fool you. I will retaliate," he stated calmly as his eyes glowed with Golden hue.

Rogers who met his eyes was grinning inwardly as he calmed his breathe and locked eyes with Sam for a brief moment before offering " Would like to work for me?"

Sam whose haze was still fixed on his did not reply to his offer but asked

" Isn't there something you should be saying first?" he asked his voice as steady as it was.

" Hold your tongue boy!!" Alexis lashed out but was stopped by Rogers who raised his hand silencing her.

"I apologize for attacking you without cause or reason, it was not my intention to harm but test." He apologized and explained briefly to which Sam nodded and finally answered.

"It depends on what I'm doing,"

" Nothing grand you'll be my sparing partner for around Six months or so," he replied with a excited smile before taking of his shades revealing his chocolate brown eyes.

" Sparing partner? How much? When? Where? " Sam asked trying to grasp the basics of his unexpected employment chance.

" I'll pay you 4,000 per round, you'll be housed, fed and catered for in those six months," he replied

" Why six months?" he asked, it was far too convenient for his plans

" Ohh that..." Rogers chuckled " My son tells me there's this new immersive game that has been released, I am bound to play for a month before even having the thought of quitting. So I'd rather play when the VR Pods come out giving me half a year of breathing time." He explained with a light chuckle.

Sam nodded lightly in understanding before extending his hand toward Rogers.

"Well it's nice to meet you boss, we'll discuss the minor details later, until then thanks for having me."

Alexis who was at the side was left staring at the two suddenly feeling like a third wheel she cleared her throat and took out a check which she was about to give when both Sam and Rogers spoke simultaneously

"" Direct Transfer. ""

Alexis' face turned red with embarrassment as her subtle way of trying to trace him was quickly seem through.

Rogers and Sam locked gazes briefly before bursting into a short laughter

After the transferal Sam left the pit having taken Rogers contact, he showered and left for home smiling foolishly as he read the confirmation message.

His account now had four million dollars, the bonus reward was doubling the fighters earnings, Sam who had earned two million dollars surely got the best out of it.

After all he had fought close to twenty rounds under the unbeaten Bet, this was an extremely rewarding bet that was an all or nothing type.

He crashed at Carl's place after informing his mother, he had issues to solve with his best friend. Issues that could no longer wait.