CHAPTER 24: NEIL ARKES

I saw Theo still holding the envelope of money I gave him.

I slowly placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Hey... there’s only one problem now."

Theo turned to me slowly, tilting his head a little. "What do you mean?"

"I... accidentally signed myself up for the next match."

I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.

"Which means... the next fight will be me against you."

Theo’s mouth dropped open. His eyebrows shot up, and the envelope slipped from his hand, landing on the table.

"Wait, wait, what?! Why the hell did you sign up to fight?!" Theo shouted.

"How was I supposed to know the guy who beat 50 people was you, Theo?"

Theo sighed and rubbed his temples. "Damn it... So what now? Can you cancel it?"

I let out a bitter smile and looked away toward the door.

"Unfortunately, I can’t. I already begged the staff, but they won’t let me." I turned back to Theo. "Why do you look so hesitant to fight me anyway? What, are you underestimating me?"

Theo frowned and stared at me. "I’m not underestimating you, idiot! I’m just tired. And we already got the money we needed, didn’t we?!"

I glanced at the bruises on his face and the injuries covering his body.

"Yeah... You’re right. But don’t worry, Theo. I told the staff to delay the match a bit so you can rest up."

"Ugh... damn it..." Theo muttered under his breath.

"What’s wrong with you? You’ve got good stamina."

"It’s not that," he said. "I’m just afraid... of fighting you. You’re someone I actually know. And... you’re the one who gave me that money." He pointed at the envelope.

"What if I lose control out there and actually hurt you? This place... it’s not a joke. People bleed for real. You know how brutal this club can be. The audience is hungry for blood."

His words made my jaw clench. I tightened my fists.

"Oh, so you’re saying I’m weak, huh? Fine, Theo. Fine. We’ll see how it goes. Hold back if you want, or don’t. Just know—I’m the one who’s gonna destroy you in that match."

Theo smirked.

"Oh really? If that’s how you want it, then get ready, you bastard. I’m not holding back. I’m going to beat the crap out of you. That’s for what you did to Ivansia. So prepare yourself. You’ll regret this."

We shouted at each other in that resting room, trading insults. Then, silence.

After a moment, I asked, "Theo... how did you even find out about this fight club?"

"Well... I was looking for a job, you know. Something to help me get quick money. Then I saw someone getting bullied by some thugs."

He paused.

"I stepped in and fought off the bullies. Told the guy to be careful on his way home. He thanked me."

"Yeah, yeah, but how did you find this place? And where’d you get the membership card?"

"Chill, man. I’m getting there," Theo said, glaring at me. "After I helped that guy, someone else came up to me. Invited me to a nearby supermarket. We talked for a bit... I ended up venting about the whole Ivansia situation."

"He told me about a way to make fast money. Gave me this black membership card."

Theo pulled the card from the bag beside his bed.

Wait... Who gave him that card? From what I remember, Theo only found out about this club after the Ivansia mess.

"Who gave you that card, Theo?" I asked.

"Oh, his name was—"

His words were cut off by a sudden, strange noise.

The doorknob turned. Light from the hallway flooded the room as a tall figure stepped inside, bringing with him a chilling presence.

I looked at the door, and my eyes widened. Sweat rolled down my neck.

No way. He’s here?!

His bright red hair burned like fire against the dim light of the room. He wore a sharp black suit and pants, clean and formal, but his aura was far from friendly.

His charisma was dangerous, a force that pulled and pushed at the same time.

But the most terrifying part—his face. His pitch-black eyes were always closed, as if he didn’t need to see to know everything. Or to scare the hell out of people.

And then... that smile.

His lips curled up slowly, revealing perfect white teeth. Too perfect.

But the smile wasn’t warm. It was cold, terrifying, and full of hidden threats. A predator’s grin. The kind that made your skin crawl and your spine freeze.

He stepped inside calmly, but each of his steps echoed like a warning.

His presence filled the room, wrapping around me like ice.

There he was. The main variable of this loop. The villain behind everything that was about to unfold.

Neil Arkes.

He comes from one of the most influential families in the Shadow Economy

I glanced at Theo beside me. Oddly, he wasn’t scared at all. In fact, he smiled—like he knew Neil Arkes.

Neil glanced at me briefly. I noticed his eyelids twitch slightly open.

He cleared his throat. "So, you’re—"

"Whoa, Neil! Finally! I’ve been waiting for you. Come on, take a seat!" Theo cut him off cheerfully, like they were old friends.

Theo, are you serious right now?! Do you even know who this guy is? He’s dangerous!

"Sure," Neil replied. "You’re terrifying, Theo. How many times have you fought here now?"

"Fifty times. Didn’t think the fighters here would be that easy... though the Twins were a pain."

Neil laughed. "They’re not weak. You’re like a monster. No, you are a monster."

Move, damn it! Say something! You’ve faced him in a hundred loops before... So why the hell are you frozen now?

But that was when I knew exactly what move Neil would make next.

This time... the script has changed. I can’t predict him anymore.

Theo laughed and scratched his head. "So, what brings you here, Neil?"

Neil placed a hand on Theo’s shoulder.

"Just wanted to thank you. Because I recommended you to this place, I’ve made a huge profit. You wouldn’t believe it—when I came back, the staff said I’d earned hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Theo shook his head. "I should be the one thanking you."

Neil pulled his hand back and tilted his head to look at me.

"So, who’s this guy, Theo? Mind introducing us?"

"Oh, him? He’s my friend..." Theo hesitated. I hadn’t told him my name yet.

I forced myself to speak. "Just call me C," I said flatly, trying not to show any fear.

"Yeah, C came here and accidentally signed up to fight me." Theo looked at me. "C, this is the guy who brought me into the club. His name is Neil Arkes."

Neil stroked his chin. "Hmm... C. I feel like I’ve heard that name before."

What the hell does he mean by that?

"Heard of me? Maybe someone else. What’s your name again?" I asked, doing my best to stay calm. Truthfully, I wanted to punch him right now.

He walked toward me, staring down as if I was beneath him.

I readied myself. My fists were clenched behind my back.

He reached into his suit pocket, and with a swift motion, pulled something out like it was a sword.

I dodged instinctively. He was trying to slash my face. No—he meant to.

The item? A business card. With four digits printed on the bottom.

"Why’d you dodge? Something wrong with my card?" he asked, his eyes barely open now, smile stretching wider.

Damn it. That card—yes, it looked like an ordinary business card.

But inside it... was a razor-thin layer of titanium.

Thrown or slashed the right way, that card could cut someone’s throat clean.

I touched my neck, checking for any cuts. My breath was quick.

I’d been killed by that card before.

I need to make one of those myself.

"Let me take a look at your card."

He handed it to me. A sleek black card with gold edges. His name, Neil Arkes, was printed in red. And beneath it, those four digits.

"Can I keep it? I might need your help later," I asked casually, trying to take it.

"Oh, of course not. But I can give you a duplicate later."

He turned back to Theo.

"By the way, Theo—would you like to work for me? I’m really impressed with your skills. You’d make a ton of money. Whatever you want, I can pay. After all, you’re fighting here for cash, right?"

Theo shook his head. "Sorry, but I’ll have to pass. I’m not doing this for myself. I have my own reason for fighting."

"Ah, fighting for your childhood friend, huh? Young love is always the sweetest."

Neil turned to leave the room.

"Later, Theo. I’ve got something to take care of."

He walked slowly toward the door.

And then I heard it.

"Maybe I should just kidnap the girl."

He muttered it—soft, almost impossible to hear. But I heard it. My awareness around him was on high alert.

I stood up, ready to tackle him.

But the door closed. He was gone.

"C? What’s wrong?" Theo asked.

I turned and grabbed Theo’s shoulders tightly.

"Theo! Listen to me carefully. You have to be careful around him. Don’t trust him. Don’t believe a single thing he says. Stay away from him! He’s dangerous!"

"What’s with you all of a sudden? He’s the one who helped me. Without him, I wouldn’t have made all that money."

"Please, Theo—just this once, trust me. I know what I’m talking about!"

Theo frowned, narrowing his eyes and clicking his tongue.

"Why are you being so annoying all of a sudden? Just leave. I need to rest."

He brushed off my hands.

"Tch."

I turned around and left the room.

I walked fast, heading straight out to find Neil Arkes.