This is a bit unexpected.
I never thought that 'Four Star ' the de facto second-in-command of the Seven Stars Society , would come find me personally.
"You must be Viper. Nice to meet you."
Four Star has a solid physique and a rather large build, giving him an impression of dullness at first glance.
'But one shouldn't judge by appearances.'
It should be considered that he, along with One Star), plays the role of the brains in the Seven Stars Society.
The Seven Stars Society is one of the top five underworld gangs dominating the back alleys of Changsha.
'If he's the guy managing such an organization, it means he's smart.'
And such a man came to find me personally.
'Usually, they send a subordinate... Does this mean there's something urgent?'
I hid my expression and asked.
"What brings you to me?"
"What else. Is there any other reason to find a professional brawler?"
"I heard that the Seven Stars Society is in conflict with the Iron Dog Gang over the Red Flower Pavilion
The Iron Dog Gang is also a fairly large underworld gang boasting power comparable to the Seven Stars Society.
"You have quite sharp ears. That's right. I came to find you because of that matter."
"Has the opponent been decided?"
Four Star stared at me quietly for a moment before mentioning a name.
"King Fist ."
"...!"
I flinched without realizing it.
King Fist.
His real name is Wang Chil. Like me, he is a professional brawler and a strongman who ranks within the top five in this field.
"King Fist, huh. He is certainly a tricky opponent. I understand why you came to find me personally."
"Brother One Star told me to go find you."
"As expected of the Big Brother of the Seven Stars Society, his eye for talent is excellent."
"..."
Four Star stares at me quietly.
'Hm?'
"Would you mind standing up for a moment?"
"Why?"
Despite my informal speech, Four Star spoke with a gentle expression.
"It will only take a moment."
"Tsk, annoying..."
When I stood up from my seat, Four Star scanned my body with sharp eyes.
'What the hell? Makes me feel bad.'
Four Star, who had been staring piercingly at me, even moving around, slowly nodded.
"Indeed, Viper."
"Hm?"
"Since you are still young, I wondered how great you could be."
"...?"
"Shoulder and back muscles, thighs and calves, and..."
Four Star slightly pokes my abdomen with his finger.
I frowned and said.
"What are you doing...!"
"Even your abs are incredibly trained. I didn't expect there to be a guy with such a body among professional brawlers."
Look at this bastard?
"Those wide hemp clothes are to hide those developed muscles, right?"
Four Star, this guy.
'He's quite sharp, isn't he?'
Should I say, as expected of the brains of the Seven Stars Society?
'He managed to notice my muscles hidden under the hemp clothes.'
Honestly, the level of brawlers is more or less the same. It might seem trivial, but you have to hide things like this so the opponent cannot properly gauge your capabilities.
"I understand why Brother One Star insisted on entrusting this to you."
Punk, everything is good but you talk too much.
"I'll take that to mean you're entrusting it to me. So how much will you give?"
The opponent is King Fist. He especially became the talk of the town recently by defeating Chun-sam, who is famous for his stone head.
'In the Changsha area, I'm the only brawler who can beat King Fist.'
So, should I call a high price?
"Five taels of silver."
"Five taels?!"
At the enormous amount, the surroundings started buzzing.
"..."
It's not unreasonable. Usually, it's two taels, or three at most.
And that's because I get paid more than others; five taels is a huge sum.
'Calling such a big amount from the start.'
I intuitively thought there was a reason.
My single eye flashed.
"When is the duel?"
"It's today at the Hour of the Rooster- 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM)."
"...!"
I knew it.
"You know that I have a 'Gladiator Match' at the Son Family Manor in two days, right?"
Gladiator Match.
It's a job that brawlers of the Wave Market often take, acting to liven up the atmosphere by being invited to banquets and such.
'Two brawlers fight fiercely in front of people.'
For a brawler, it's the best job. Not only is the pay large, but you get paid even if you lose.
"I do."
"And you want me to fight again after only resting for a day, against an opponent who isn't just anyone but King Fist?"
For a professional brawler like me, my body is my asset.
If I get hurt, I won't be able to fight properly at the Son Family Manor, and I'll even have to pay a penalty.
'There was a reason Four Star came personally and offered a high price.'
The Iron Dog Gang recruiting King Fist was probably also calculated with the thought that it would be hard for me to come out since I already had a prior engagement.
'Seeing that they came to find me only now, it seems recruiting a brawler from outside didn't go well.'
There's no way Four Star doesn't know the situation. He spoke with an embarrassed expression.
"...That's why it's five taels."
"That calculation doesn't add up. Seven taels."
Four Star paused, then made an offer.
"Let's make it six taels."
"...Deal."
Normally I would have haggled more, but I decided to be satisfied with that much.
'Because I also want to fight King Fist.'
I currently think King Fist is the only brawler in Changsha worthy of being my opponent.
'So if I defeat him, I become the best in Changsha.'
"The place is the rear garden of the Ten Thousand Power Inn."
"It's Brother One Star's favorite place. I guess he booked it to have a company dinner after winning."
Four Star looks at me with a peculiar expression.
'Why? Am I not right?'
He turned his body just like that.
"Don't be late."
"Don't worry, just think about what to eat for the dinner."
"..."
As Four Star left the Wave Market like that, other brawlers around swarmed toward me.
"As expected of Viper."
"But will you be okay? King Fist really won't be easy."
"Plus, two gigs in three days. Isn't it too dangerous?"
I waved my hand with an annoyed expression.
"Hey! Are you putting me on the same level as you guys?"
The men grumble and back off.
"Tsk."
"Still, you'd better be careful."
"He's too overconfident just because he's doing well lately."
Envy, jealousy, and worried gazes are mixed together.
I spoke as if for them to hear.
"Finally, we'll see who the best brawler in Changsha is. Of course, it will result in my victory."
Sang-jung, who was keeping his seat, shakes his head from side to side.
"That guy, his confidence is really something."
"Brother Viper, are you really confident?"
'Jeong-san,' who still remained in front of me, asked me with wide round eyes.
"Of course."
I looked at the guy and frowned.
"And hey, I told you not to call me brother. You and I are the same age."
"Ay, but you started much earlier than me and rose to your current position, so how could I..."
Unable to endure it any longer, I slapped the back of Jeong-san's head.
Smack!
"Ugh!"
Jeong-san, who has a naive appearance and clear eyes, unfortunately has a flat back of the head.
'So the hitting sensation is quite good.'
"Punk, you already look old (No-an / 老顔), but because you keep saying brother, brother next to me, I look even older."
Jeong-san scratches the back of his head and bows.
"I'm sorry, brother."
"Again!"
"Haha."
I entered this field at fifteen and am already in my fourth year, but Jeong-san is a rookie of just two months.
'He hasn't even been in a real fight yet.'
For the past two months, Jeong-san came here every day and begged to be taught just one move.
'Every time, he got beaten up and kicked out, but...'
It's not because I have ill feelings toward him.
It meant that a young guy shouldn't jump into a fighting ring where it's easy to ruin his body.
But Jeong-san didn't give up and hung on persistently.
People who pushed him away at first gradually opened up to Jeong-san and taught him little by little, so his skills seem to be improving, but...
'Then what's the use? He can't even attack the opponent.'
I thought he'd be somewhat capable because of his build, but that wasn't the case.
Even when he seizes an opportunity, he hesitates every time and ends up getting countered. His strength was quite good, but he lacks guts.
'What kind of brawler does a soft-hearted guy want to be... Give it up. If your mindset doesn't change, you can never win.'
Well, for a guy who hasn't learned anything and has nothing but his body, there aren't many things he can do, though.
'Not my business.'
Jeong-san made a bitter expression.
"It's a shame, brother. I really want to see the match with Brother King Fist, but I have to gather wood..."
Jeong-san, who hasn't received a formal request yet and thus has no income, makes a living by selling wood in the afternoon.
"Just work hard on that. It helps train your lower body too."
"Ah, yes."
I stared quietly at Jeong-san.
"Jeong-san."
"Yes."
"Why do you want to become a brawler?"
"Hehehe, because I want to be like you, brother."
"...What?"
"Was it four months ago? I coincidentally saw you fighting an opponent wielding a knife at the intersection."
"Ah, when I fought that guy Blade (Do-in / 刀刃)?"
Blade.
A guy notorious among professional brawlers.
Originally, the principle of matches between professional brawlers is to fight fair and square with bare hands.
'That guy did all sorts of cowardly things, so other brawlers were reluctant to deal with him.'
Because even if they lost due to foul play, the winner often ended up more injured.
"It was really cool, brother. You dodged the dagger Blade had hidden in his bosom and knocked him down in one breath..."
Ah, I was slightly out of it back then. Because the bastard suddenly swung the dagger and cut my left eye.
'Cowardly bastard.'
What happened to him now, you ask?
His jaw was shattered and one foot became crippled, so he retired.
It's all self-inflicted.
"Jeong-san, could you drive an opponent fiercely like I did back then?"
"Yes? How could I..."
"Punk, even if your skills aren't there yet, you should have that kind of mindset. A brawler is someone who has to swing their fists until the opponent falls. Do you understand?"
"...Yes."
"If you don't have that mind, don't come out here again. Just go gather more wood instead."
Jeong-san nodded with a gloomy expression.
"Yes, brother."
"Brother again... Haa, do whatever you want. Instead."
My single eye flashed.
"If you can't land a clean hit on even one of the brawlers here, don't talk to me again. Got it?"
"..."
"I asked if you got it!"
Jeong-san answered reluctantly.
"...Yes."
Smack!
I slapped the back of the guy's head and stood up from my seat.
"This punk, not answering right away. I'm going."
As I was leaving, the voices of other brawlers were heard behind my back.
"Are you going without eating Liangpi?"
"Eat plenty, you guys."
"Viper! Come back after winning!"
"I'll accept all your arrogance, so make sure to win!"
Old geezers, anyway, they have a lot of affection.
The corners of my mouth went up slightly.
"Even if I win this time, there's no soup for you guys (nothing for you)."
Sang-jung chuckles.
"That guy... say some empty words at least."
I waved my hand without looking back.
I didn't know back then.
That today would be so long.
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