Bad Born Blood

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor: Greedy
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< Chapter 12 >

The colosseum manager, Aleph, was a sleek-looking man. He sat in a tattered, split leather chair, puffing on a cigarette. Behind him stood two gang members armed with guns.

Aleph motioned with his chin, acknowledging Kinuan and me.

“Send this guy into the match. No match fee, and I don’t care if he dies while fighting.”

Kinuan cut straight to the point. Aleph raised an eyebrow, flicking his cigarette butt at Kinuan.

Whoosh!

I reached out and knocked away the cigarette butt.

“It seems you’re mistaken… We didn’t let you in to entertain your requests. We brought you to a place where it’s easier to clean up a corpse.”

Aleph shrugged, laughing. The gang members behind him laughed as well, fingers on their triggers.

“…Where’s the previous guy? Torah, I mean.”

At the mention of Torah’s name, Aleph flinched.

“He’s dead. Got caught fixing fights.”

As the two talked, I assessed the atmosphere. Aleph’s words were a kind of bluff. If they really intended to kill us, they would’ve attacked already. He was willing to negotiate and talk.

I focused, tuning into the sounds of anyone nearby.

‘There are two more armed gang members outside the door.’

I prepared for things to go south. If I shielded my head and heart with my arms and charged forward, I could probably subdue the gang members in the room. I’d take a few bullets, but it shouldn’t be fatal.

‘Then…’

If things escalated, the two outside would come in. At that point, I’d retaliate using the gun from one of the downed gang members.

Hmm, it’d be best to take one shot before the door opens to check for any aiming deviations. No matter how skilled I was, I couldn’t guarantee a headshot on the first try with someone else’s gun. Though, Ilay might be able to pull it off.

‘This weak body is such a hassle.’

If I still had my original prosthetic limbs, I’d be confident I could subdue them without a scratch.

Just for the sake of imagining the ideal scenario: first, I’d kick the solid metal desk at the gang members, using it to obscure their view as they went flying. Then, I’d punch right through the metal desk, smashing straight into the gang member’s head. The two gang members waiting outside would then burst in through the door. By then, I’d already be gripping a gun, clinging to the doorframe, pressing against the wall or ceiling.

‘Bang, bang.’

Two shots to the top of their heads, and it’d be over. With point-blank shots, there’d be no need for aim adjustment.

While I indulged in this fantasy, Kinuan continued talking.

“Torah’s not the type to rig a fight.”

At Kinuan’s words, Aleph scowled. However, he didn’t resort to violence.

Aleph couldn’t easily treat Kinuan with disdain. There was an undeniable aura around Kinuan—a sense of danger that emanated from his mannerisms and speech. He had the presence of someone who’d been through it all.

“Hey, if you’re so keen on rambling about some has-been, why don’t you go across the street? Plenty of women there who’ll listen to all sorts of nonsense—as long as you’re paying credits, that is.”

Despite Aleph’s warning, Kinuan went on with what he wanted to say.

“The colosseum’s quite a profitable business, isn’t it? Looks like you killed Torah to take it over. I’m not here to blame you. After all, Torah got his position by killing his predecessor. That’s just the way of the streets.”

“Who the hell are you? Do you have a death wish or something? Who’s killing who now?”

Aleph shot up from his seat, and the gang members behind him raised their guns.

“Sit down, Aleph. And you all, lower your guns. Unless you’re keen to join Torah. I don’t repeat warnings.”

I stood expressionlessly at Kinuan’s side.

Honestly, deep down… I wanted Aleph to attack Kinuan. I was intensely curious to see how he’d handle this situation with his weaker prosthetics. Unlike me, he wouldn’t rely on some plan that involved getting shot.

“Damn it…”

Aleph raised his hand to signal his men to stand down. He sat back down.

Aleph was capable enough to hold a certain status in the back alleys. At the very least, he had an instinct for sensing danger. He’d instinctively concluded that crossing Kinuan was a bad idea.

‘Smart move.’

Aleph had just saved his life.

“So, you’re serious about sending this guy into the colosseum as a fighter?” Aleph said, sizing me up. I could see his pupils faintly glowing as he analyzed my limbs.

“You have my word—I won’t hold you responsible if this boy dies.”

He was casually waging my life. But I didn’t voice any complaint. I was the one who’d asked for this training. Not that it mattered—Kinuan, as my instructor, already held the right to decide whether I lived or died.

“Life or death isn’t the issue. You can’t put on a shoddy match. His limbs aren’t even built for combat. His body’s still all soft flesh. Once it starts, he’ll get smashed to a pulp and sent flying in under a second. You think the audience is going to buy that?”

Hmm, a reasonable argument. I had the urge to nod in agreement at his words. I felt I might start liking this man little by little.

The colosseum in the black market was teeming with fools who’d risked their lifespans for illegal modifications. These were people who didn’t care about side effects, living only for the day. But in exchange, they’d gained power. Today might very well be the day of my own funeral.

“I guarantee you… I could shut down your business in a single day. You’re welcome to test it out—pull the trigger if you want. Do I look like I’m asking for a favor?”

Kinuan spoke with sheer nerve, his tone rich with years of experience, blending threat with command. If I tried saying the same thing, I’d have bullets flying at me in seconds.

‘Every move Kinuan makes is calculated from the start.’

Kinuan had brought up the previous manager first. Because of this, Aleph assumed that Kinuan, with his imposing demeanor, must be a big shot.

‘And of course, he’s right. Kinuan is beyond anything you could imagine.’

The Empire was well aware of the black market’s existence. They could sweep in and obliterate it at any time. This place only operated under the Empire’s tacit permission.

Aleph’s hands and feet showed faint tremors, and his pupils were unfocused. He was anxious. He was likely using all his sources to figure out Kinuan’s identity.

It was a wasted effort. The information networks in these back alleys would never hold any details on an Imperial Guard.

‘There’s much I have to learn from Kinuan.’

I observed Kinuan’s demeanor. He dominated his opponent and took control of the situation without resorting to force. I didn’t have that kind of command over words.

“Fine, I’ll pair the boy with a suitable opponent at his level. Will that do? But I’ll need something in return for my troubles.”

Aleph opened the way for negotiation. Kinuan, as if he’d been waiting, dangled a tempting offer.

“I know where Torah kept his vault. You likely have Torah’s eye, which is the key to it, don’t you?”

Aleph was momentarily speechless. His pupils widened with excitement.

“I’m truly curious about your identity now. How much exactly do you know…?”

“Just a ghost from a past you don’t need to know about.”

Kinuan gave a faint smile. At the mention of Torah’s vault, Aleph adjusted his posture, his former arrogance vanishing.

“Would it be acceptable if I confirmed this information about the vault, sir?”

His tone had become exceptionally respectful. I struggled to hold back a smile.

Kinuan and Aleph spoke in whispers. Once the confirmation process was complete, Aleph clasped Kinuan’s hands in both of his.

“Just say the word. Ah, if you’d like to watch the match, we have VIP seats, with fine drinks and women, if you’d like…”

Kinuan waved off Aleph’s flattery.

“Just the drinks will do. And don’t go easy on this one—match him with a top fighter.”

With that, the conversation was wrapped up in no time.

“Two hours from now. Get yourself ready.”

As soon as we arrived at the colosseum’s waiting room, Kinuan spoke. He walked over to the camera mounted in the corner and twisted it off. Given Aleph’s overly accommodating attitude, he probably wouldn’t mind minor property damage like this.

“Who is Torah?”

“He’s an old friend of mine.”

“So Aleph killed your friend, Instructor.”

“He deserved to die. He played the role of gang boss in the colosseum, so it’s only natural he’d accumulated some karma.”

Kinuan spoke in a detached tone. My guess was that they’d been fairly close. If it were me, no matter the backstory, I’d have beaten Aleph to death on the spot.

“What’s in Torah’s vault that made Aleph’s attitude change like that?”

“Hidden assets. Judging by his reaction, he’s probably been searching for it all along.”

My first thought was that it was a shame.

“You should’ve just beaten him up and taken Torah’s eye then and there. That’s what I would’ve done.”

“If a fight had broken out, I might have been fine, but you would’ve gotten shot.”

I couldn’t deny that.

“If it had come to a fight, what were you planning to do?”

I let out the question I’d been holding back.

“You’re really curious about that, huh? Win this fight, and I’ll tell you.”

Kinuan pointed to a screen on one side of the waiting room. An ancient display, at least several decades old, flickered with a faded image.

‘Gabriel the Steel Fist.’

On the screen was a hulking fighter with silver, gleaming arms. He was a good two heads taller than me.

Gabriel’s profile also popped up. He stood 2 meters 30 centimeters tall and weighed over 300 kilograms. His nose was crooked in a zigzag, likely broken more than once. His thick lips had been split and healed repeatedly, giving them a grotesquely swollen appearance. His eyes were unusual too—each from a different manufacturer, making them mismatched in both size and color.

He was a truly hideous-looking guy.

“Hmm, looks like he’d be popular with the ladies.”

Kinuan chuckled as he spoke. He wasn’t being sarcastic—that was a genuine statement. And I understood exactly what he meant. I was from the lower districts too, after all.

A guy who’s “popular with the ladies” around here… is one who earns good money and kicks the bucket fast.

* * *

“Remember the advice I’m about to tell you, Luka. It’s the most important thing in the Arkies Combat Method.”

Kinuan spoke just before I stepped into the colosseum.

“Advice?”

I stood still in the corridor leading to the colosseum, waiting for Kinuan’s words.

“…Adapt to what’s given.”

I frowned involuntarily. Adaptation was a word I didn’t like.

“I was taught that adaptation is defeat.”

“Water doesn’t lose. It only changes form. You have potential. I noticed from the moment you deflected a bullet without a Ballistic Trajectory Prediction System. And when you came to me on your own, I was genuinely surprised. It was as if someone with the right talents had been drawn here by something.”

“You’re giving me praise all of a sudden.”

“Well, it might be your last moment, after all.”

Kinuan said it with a fierce smile.

I laughed aloud in response. Maybe it was because I was in the lower districts, but I felt more at ease than usual. Kinuan probably felt the same.

After today, I thought I might be able to get closer to Kinuan. If, as he said, I survived.

*Step, step.*

The colosseum drew nearer. Aleph’s voice boomed through the speakers.

– Challenging Gabriel the Iron Fist in his first match! Could this boy be a David? A mere novice, who’s not even lost his innocence! His name is… Good, Good Boy!

Good Boy—clearly made up on the spot. Shaking my head, I entered the colosseum.

“Boooo! What kind of idiot comes out here?”

“Did you come here to die, moron?”

“What’s this? Did they really sell tickets to this match?”

Complaints filled the colosseum. But through it, I could faintly hear the delight of their twisted desires, seeping into my ears.

“Oh, we’re in for a good show.”

“Is today the day? A slaughter show. It’s been ages. Who knew Aleph would put on something like this?”

The dark desires of people eager to see the blood and guts of others. That kind of anticipation pushed at my back. They were eager to see my limbs ripped apart, my chest and belly crushed. I even spotted some freaks clutching themselves in excitement.

Not bad. In fact, it was good. I finally felt like I was back home.

I smiled.