Killer was seriously wondering what he had done in his past life to deserve all of this. Or maybe it was some acts in his current life, some of the students he had cut up and left scars on. It was honestly making him second guess the decision he had made to live this type of lifestyle, because before this, things were clear sailing for him.
Now he had already been badly beaten, and then got an earful from his boss Herbert about bringing Austin to the last underground fight.
They had caused such a commotion in the last event that they even thought they wouldn't have been brought along to the Phantom Brawl, luckily it seemed like the blame had been shifted to Vlad.
With everything happening, Killer had assumed both of them had been buried deep in some forest somewhere, never to be found again, yet here they were in front of him, trying to ruin his life just as it was getting back on track.
Austin quickly wrapped his arm around Killer’s neck before he could attempt to make a bolt for it, and he could feel the strength within him. He had already tried to fight this guy once and the fight wasn’t even close.
“You want to go to the Phantom Brawl, are you guys crazy!” Killer said. “You should damn well know that everyone will be looking for you. Do you have a death wish?”
“Do you?” Asutin said, pulling Killer’s head even tighter.
“Does it really matter why we want to go to the Phantom Brawl? We just know that you have an in and we need to go, and don’t worry we don’t plan for there to be anyone left to punish you once we're done.”
Killer’s instincts were telling him that these two people were crazy, how could two teenegrs single handedly go against an entire gang and would do so while there were multiple other gangs watching.
“Alright, I’ll help you!” Killer said and could feel pressure being relieved from the back of his neck. “But… it's not me you have to convince. The fighters don’t get the invitations personally, the gang leaders do, so we're going to have to speak to my boss Herbert, do you remember him?”
Austin did since he was introduced to him briefly as Killer’s replacement. With a hand pointed in front, he was suggesting for Killer to lead the way. With a spit on the floor, Killer walked ahead mumbling a few words under his breath.
Killer was already meeting up with Herbert and his gang, their location of choice was out in the fields on the side of the highway. One would have to wait until there were no cars before bolting over to the other side.
Then once they were there, they would have to go through the high grass that went up to one’s knees. The view from the motorway was blocked by larger trees so no one could really see them.
Then about a few hundred metres away from the car highway, there were several worn out sofas, seats, chairs and a few barrels with fires lit. There were around ten members including Herbert himself that were getting ready for the event.
They would often be drinking at this time, but instead they were trying to gather as much money as they could between them, in order to make a few bets on the event tonight.
“Killer, you're late!” Herbert shouted with a stack of money in his hand, passing it to the other as he counted how many bills he had. “And who the heck did you bring with you? After the last time, I don’t like strangers coming around this place.”
Killer didn’t even want to say a word, and his legs were already buckling. Thankfully, Austin was the one that walked ahead and as he did, he was taking his mask off.
“I’m only going to ask nicely one time, because I really don't have time to be messing around.” Austin said, the mask was now off and everyone quickly realised who it was.
Now, they could see his whole face, not just the bottom of it, but with his body structure, it was clearly Big Mask.
“I need you to get me into the Phantom Brawl, as one of your guests.” Austin asked.
“And why would I do something like that?” Herbert asked. “If I do you any type of favour, the Scavengers will kill me, stupid idiot.”
Herbert went back to counting the money in his hand, and he was going to order the others to catch him. Bringing Austin to the Scavengers, they would surely reward him nicely, but the second he looked down, Austin was right in his face.
Austin lifted him in the air with one hand by the scruff of his neck, and his body started to change. His shoulders, his muscles and most importantly his face. He was using his full transformation.
“Holy sh*t!” Killer said, stepping back, and he felt like a dribble of pee had wet his underwear from the sheer sight of the person in front of him.
“If you don’t take me to the Phantom Brawl, then I’ll be the one to kill you!” Austin's voice was deep, with his full transformation, and it came out with such power.
Not a single one of the others that were laughing up till this point, wanted to get close to him to even try and stop him. The Scavengers had rooted fear deep into their minds, but it was different from being faced with a literal monster right in front of them.
Letting go of his shirt, Herbert dropped down, but Austin quickly closed his hand, gripping around Herbert’s neck with just his fingers. It was covering it entirely.
“A single squeeze and you're dead, so now tell me, are you going to take me to the Phantom Brawl?” Austin asked.
A stench could be smelled coming from down below, and liquid from under his trousers started to fall.
“Yes!” Herbert answered.
Immediately he was dropped, falling into the pool of his own mess that he had made.
“Tell the Shadow Fighter, we were successful.” Austin said.
****
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