Chapter 55: Risking the Weak Against the Strong

On the way to the arena, their eyes were blindfolded. At first, they tried to silently memorize the route, relying on their sense of direction, but after several twists and turns, even the best memory could not keep track. Still, they knew it wasn't too far; the entire journey took less than half an hour, including about ten minutes on an elevator and light rail.

When the four were finally allowed to remove their blindfolds, they found themselves locked in a sealed room. Three of the walls had no windows; only one side was barred, allowing them to see outside. The view was limited, obscuring the arena’s full layout, but it was enough to guess that it resembled an ancient Roman coliseum.

"It seems our suspicions yesterday were right," Damin said as he stood at the bars, straining to see beyond.

“Damin, don’t talk,” Lin Xiaofeng whispered, pressing his ear to the wall. He seemed to hear something and signaled the others to keep quiet.

The group followed Lin Xiaofeng’s lead, curiosity piqued, and pressed themselves against the wall to listen. The metal walls were not well insulated, yet sound did not carry clearly either—the main issue was the surrounding noise. Nonetheless, the four members of Falcon Squad could easily discern that there were many similar compartments around the arena, likely forming a ring. Each held people like themselves, for they could hear weeping, angry shouts, and other sounds that suggested beings stronger than humans.

There was no need to speculate for long whether the ground level held men or beasts. The upper rows of the audience were already filling with people: the weekly gladiator contest was about to begin.

Let us shift our perspective to the stands. The spectators here were, of course, no ordinary people—they were the rulers of Future City, formal members of the Dark Organization. Newcomers like Falcon Squad, who had just defected, were not qualified to sit among them. Most newcomers were merely playthings, the lowest rung in Future City, akin to animals that could speak. Only extraordinary luck could elevate one from this misery to become a slave—still without rights. Only those slaves who performed exceptionally well could become probationary members of the organization, gaining partial freedom, as Crew Cut had. Observers who made outstanding contributions would ascend to the pinnacle of this world, free to do as they pleased.

Of course, there were shortcuts. Take, for instance, the undercover agent discovered two months ago; after defecting, he was immediately granted full membership, becoming a citizen of Future City, one of its top five percent.

Falcon Squad, locked in their cage, were now mere playthings—tools for the amusement of those in the stands. Though they didn't fully grasp their predicament, seeing the bustling crowds above and hearing the bets placed on Red or Blue, they had a rough idea.

The host launched into the same impassioned opening speech as every contest, then explained the rules. The gladiator games officially began.

The first contestant was a scrawny young man dressed in thin, tattered clothes, caked with dirt and riddled with holes that revealed muscular lines—likely a student at a sports institute before arriving here.

As for his opponent, Falcon Squad found no stranger—a giant ape, the same kind they had once encountered in Jiangcheng City. This one looked even stronger. In comparison, the young man seemed as frail as a chick.

The crowd in the stands debated enthusiastically. They relished such mismatched spectacles, whether it was a handful triumphing over many, or a poor youth becoming the giant ape’s meal—it was all thrilling, especially when a correct bet meant profit.

Falcon Squad, confined in their iron cage, felt their hearts clench for the young man. They had faced the giant ape before and knew its terrifying strength. For an unarmed human, it was certain doom. Of course, if one wielded a weapon, the outcome might differ.

Unlike Falcon Squad, the young man showed no fear in the face of this massive beast. His gaze was fierce, and he held a short knife in his hand; one glance revealed he was no novice.

The giant ape possessed some intelligence, but not nearly as much as a human. At a slight provocation, it charged savagely. The young man spun, using the arena wall to push off, flipping gracefully over the beast’s back and kicking it hard.

The giant ape, carried by its own momentum, slammed into the arena wall, its nose bleeding from the impact. The spectators were stunned—a lumbering beast bested by a scrawny youth. Indeed, a brute remained a brute, no matter its size.

But the situation quickly reversed. Before overwhelming strength, no amount of skill was enough. Despite the young man’s best efforts, he was forced back step by step by the ape’s relentless assault.

Everyone thought the young man was doomed, especially those who had bet on him—their hearts bled as their hard-earned money evaporated before their eyes.

Only those familiar with combat could see that things were not as dire as they seemed. Though the youth dodged and retreated, he remained uninjured and as agile as at the start. The giant ape, on the other hand, was already slowing down, growing agitated at its repeated failures.

The giant ape roared in fury, venting its frustration. The young man, unfazed, seized his chance to counterattack. With the ape’s strength depleted, its steps became heavy.

Once again, the youth lured the ape toward the wall, using its height to gain an aerial advantage as he leaped behind the beast—a maneuver he executed flawlessly each time. The giant ape, now sluggish, couldn't turn quickly enough. This time, the young man didn’t kick but gripped his short knife tightly and drove it into the ape’s back, dragging it downward with the help of gravity.

Naturally, the ape would not submit easily. Wracked with pain, it twisted and managed to fling the youth away—right toward Falcon Squad’s cage. Instinctively, they shielded their eyes and crossed their arms over their chests.

Before they could finish the gesture, the youth was already near the barred door. This time, Falcon Squad saw clearly: he didn’t crash into the bars, but skillfully absorbed the impact and landed steadily.

“What magnificent skill!” Long blurted out.

Hearing praise, the young man glanced back but said nothing, quickly returning his gaze to the front. Across the arena, the giant ape, blood streaming from its back, was charging once more.