LIGHTNOVELONLINE XXVII. Old Habits
The following day, Rel and Virno make their way to the arena to search for Cabdan. Much to their surprise, no one was guarding the entrance.
Rel: Well, that's unusual... It's not like Cabdan to let just anyone enter.
Virno: Maybe there are no fights today...?
Rel raises his brow. As they get closer to the building, they hear sound coming from within... The cheering of a crowd.
Rel: Something's not right here.
Virno: C'mon!
They hastily make their way through the double doors. Upon entering, they are greeted with a most unexpected sight: there was a free-for-all happening in the arena. Inside the ring, five men fought with anything and everything at their disposal to beat their opponents. Blood splattered the floor, and several fighters were already critically injured. The audience didn't seem to mind all the gore, on the contrary, they were enjoying themselves.
Rel: What the...? Where's Cabdan?! This has to stop!
After hearing Rel, one of the men in the audience turns around. Rel and Virno recognized him: he was one of the arena's security guards.
Gorila: Ah, it's you! Sorry Rel, the arena's under new management starting today!
Rel and Virno look at each other.
Virno: New management...?
Gorilla: That's right. See, Cabdan is too busy to be hanging around the slums, and since he can't be here to witness the fights, he doesn't care much for what happens in the arena. So we're basically running the show around here now! You boys interested in participating? Anyone can hop in!
Rel puts his hand up to his forehead, rubbing it.
Gorilla: I can't promise ya coin, but I can promise you a damn good fight!
Virno shakes his head.
Rel: We're fine, thanks. Why's Cabdan so busy though? Where is he?
The gorilla shrugs.
Gorilla: All I know is that he's got some new deal going, and that's gonna be keeping him pretty occupied for a while. I don't know where he's at, but chances are we won't be laying our eyes on 'im for some time now...
Rel: Damn...
Virno: C'mon. Let's head to the orphanage and ask around... Can't hurt to try.
Rel: Thanks for letting us know. And, uh... Have fun, I guess.
Gorilla: Hahaha, damn right we will! Take care you two, oh... One more thing...
The man leans in towards them.
Gorilla: If I were you, I'd steer clear of the streets at night... Word around here is that things are about to get wild when the sun is down, but you boys didn't hear it from me...!
Virno squints, trying to make heads or tails of this information.
Rel: Got it. See you around.
They turn around and leave the building.
Virno: What the hell was that about?
Rel: I don't know, but something very strange is going on... I mean, Cabdan's not around, his goons are doing as they please with the arena, and then that guy tells us to be careful after sundown... That worries me. Cabdan usually has some of his men keeping crime in check around the slums at night. He's no lawful guy himself, but he despises the idea that there're others shitting where he does his business. But if what that man said is true and Cabdan really doesn't care anymore...
Virno: ... How bad can things get without them?
Rel takes a deep breath.
Rel: I guess we'll find out after tonight... Whatever you do, Virno... Make sure you and your mother stay indoors. We should let others know about it, too. Better be safe than sorry.
Virno nods.
Virno: Alright. Let's be on our way to the orphanage then, maybe we'll get lucky and get some more info there...
They make their way there and ask around for Cabdan. Sadly, nobody knew of his whereabouts. They did their best to inform the people they came across of the likely danger of walking the streets at night, but most people shrugged them off...
Meanwhile, near Cabdan's prostitution ring...
Punjo: PAHAHA!
Jargen: Shut up, Punjo. You're lucky I can barely move in this, or I'd be smacking you in the mouth already...!
Punjo and Jargen had donned their best suits to try and get inside Cabdan's ring. Jargen's only suit must have been from a couple of decades before, however, as he barely fit inside it...
Punjo: Sorry, sorry... It's just a damn rare sight ta behold, Jargen...!
Jargen shakes his head, annoyed.
Jargen: Enough talk, let's get down to business!
They approach the entrance, where one of Cabdan's goons examines them. His expression said it all: he wasn't impressed...
Punjo: We're 'ere for the show, kind sir.
Jargen: May we be allowed passage unto thy, uh, establishment?
There was an awkward pause.
Punjo: Ta see the naked young ladies...?
Another awkward pause. Jargen shakes his head.
Punjo: Young but of legal age, of course!
Jargen sighs. The man just looks at them with a blank expression on his face.
Jargen: Look, just let us in, would ya pal?
The man extends his open hand.
Guard: Entry fee.
Jargen and Punjo look at each other. Their eyes widen simultaneously.
Jargen: The fee, Punjo...!
Punjo: Of course, Jargen! The fee, the fee...
Jargen: Go on then, Punjo. You can pay today.
Punjo: No no, Jargen! I insist, YA can pay today!
Guard: No fee, no entry.
Punjo looks at the man.
Punjo: Nonsense! We got yer fee right 'ere! Jargen c'mon, 'elp me out 'ere...
They dig into their pockets searching as hard as they can for anything they could give the man as payment.
Punjo: 'Ere we go!
Punjo manages to find three copper coins, and places them on the man's open hand. Jargen widens his eyes.
Jargen: Three coppers?! This bastard came loaded with coin, I can't match that...!
He pulls out a piece of old embroidered cloth from his back pocket, the kind people use to blow their noses.
Jargen: It's your lucky day today! Not only are you getting three coppers, you're also getting this fancy cloth for your nose! How's that for an entry fee, eh?
At least it was clean... The man wasn't pleased, however.
Jargen: But wait, there's more! Whenever you got something that needs fixing, be it a water leak, broken floorboards, cracks in the wall... Just come around the orphanage and ask for Jargen! I'll give you a hand free of charge!
Punjo looks at him in surprise.
Punjo: Good deal, Jargen...!
But Jargen seemed to regret his proposal immediately after.
Jargen: Er... But only the first time, alright...?
Punjo: Still a good deal...!
The man seemed even less impressed, despite their best efforts.
Guard: Sorry, gentlemen. The entry fee is a minimum of five silver coins per person. And we only accept coins...
He hands them back their belongings. They seemed defeated...
Punjo: Look mister, we an' Cabdan go way back. Can'tcha call 'im out 'ere for us? He'll sort this situation out!
The man shakes his head.
Guard: Mister Cabdan is unavailable, I'm afraid he can't come today.
Jargen raises his brow.
Jargen: Can't come today? Well, that's quite a busy man! Say, you don't happen to know where he may be, do you?
Guard: I cannot disclose such information.
Punjo and Jargen's eyes widen.
Punjo: Is that so... Well, I'm sure it's nothing we can't discuss over a walk!
Jargen looks around. It was broad daylight, there wasn't anybody around the ring at that time of day. Night time was the busiest.
Punjo: Why don'tcha join us...?
Before the man could yell for help, Punjo puts his enormous hand over his mouth and places him under a choke hold. With a deadly hold, the man's throat was constricted to the point where he could make a sound even if he wanted to. He drags him to a nearby alleyway, as Jargen keeps an eye out for any witnesses.
Jargen: Alright, lad. Here's what's gonna happen next.
Jargen takes off his suit's jacket.
Jargen: Me and Punjo over here tried to be friendly with you, but you weren't very cooperative.
He untucks his shirt from his pants, undoing several buttons and rolling up his sleeves to free his movement. The man squirms as tears start forming around his eyes.
Punjo: Oy, stop movin' or I'll choke ya tighter!
Punjo increases the strength of his hold. The man's eyes start rolling to the back of his head.
Jargen: Careful Punjo, don't over-do it!
He relieves some pressure, and the man can breathe again.
Jargen: Alright. So, before we start... You sure you don't wanna share anything else with us?
The man nods, as if to say he's willing to talk. Punjo eases the hold so he can speak.
Guard: HELP! SOMEONE HE-
Punjo constricts his neck again, as he shakes his head.
Punjo: We gave ye a choice, lad.
Jargen: Hold him in place, Punjo. I'll try not to be too rough, but it's been a while since I've done this...
Jargen charges up a punch, and delivers it with massive force and speed straight at the man's liver. When the fist hits his side, he screams at the top of his lungs under Punjo's hand, as tears stream down his face. The attack was so strong even Punjo took a step back.
Punjo: Solid hit, Jargen! Ya still got it!
Jargen: Heheh! Felt pretty good, too!
The man kicks and thrashes around, as if to say that he wants to speak.
Jargen: Sorry, we gave you a chance before. You're gonna have to put up with at least one more punch...
Punjo: Hit 'im straight in the chest! I'm gettin' tired o'holding him with so hard...
Jargen charges up and delivers another punch, straight at the man's chest. Bones crack, a popping sound is heard.
Jargen: Ah, crap.
Punjo: Whoops...!
As Punjo relieves his hold, the man drops to his knees and coughs up blood.
Guard: WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU...?! YOU'RE ANIMALS...!
Jargen: Ah, he's still fine! Grab him again, Punjo.
Before Punjo could grab him, the man shakes his head and speaks.
Guard: Stop...! Cabdan won't be coming around the slums anytime soon... He's got more important matters to deal with, alright? That's all I know...! Please...
Punjo looks at Jargen.
Punjo: What do ya think, Jargen?
Jargen: I think he opened up too easily, I don't buy it! Hold him, Punjo...!
The man thrashes around as Punjo grabs him again. The hold was even tighter than before. His muffled screams coated the palm of Punjo's hand with blood.
Punjo: Dammit Jargen, I can feel his blood on my hand!
Jargen: Alright, alright, let's make this quick, then. Let's see...
Jargen grabs one of the man's hands. He instinctively clenches it into a fist.
Jargen: Hey, open up! Don't make this any harder than it needs to be!
The man shakes his head, trying his best to keep his hand shut. But his strength began to fail him thanks to his injuries, and Jargen manages to pry it open. He grabs his pinky finger.
Jargen: Let's start with this one. One, two, and...
Snap. He breaks it. The man screams in agony.
Punjo: It's all right lad, we'll just take one more an' then ya can talk again!
Jargen grabs his ring finger.
Jargen: On you, Punjo.
Punjo smiles excitedly.
Punjo: One... One and a half...
The man screams in anticipation as tears and snot stream down his face and onto Punjo's hand. He seemed to be hyperventilating, entering a state of complete shock.
Jargen: He's not gonna last much longer if you take too long, Punjo...
Punjo laughs.
Punjo: Fine, fine...! One... Two three!
Jargen breaks his ring finger. Once again, the man screams.
Punjo: Heheheh!
Jargen: Alright, let him talk now!
Punjo releases the hold, the man falls to his knees again. He can barely talk.
Guard: I don't know... Please... Please... Don't kill me... Just please... Please...
Jargen raises his brow.
Jargen: Kill you? Nonsense, lad! We just wanted information.
Punjo: Seems like he was telling the truth, Jargen.
Jargen: I guess so. Alright, let's be on our way, Punjo.
They leave the man behind as they start walking away.
Guard: Help... Don't leave me here...!
Punjo looks back.
Punjo: Ah crap, we forgot somethin'!
Jargen looks back, too, but doesn't see anything.
Jargen: What?
Punjo: You told 'im where to find you. Can't 'ave that.
Jargen: Ah, drats... Right you are.
They return to the man.
Jargen: Sorry, we forgot to take something. Got anything sharp on you, Punjo?
Punjo taps his pockets, but has nothing they can use.
Punjo: Nope.
Jargen: Not to worry, we'll just use the old "nutcracker"!
The man's eyes widen, in fear of what was to come. A puddle of urine began to form underneath him.
Jargen: Dammit, no need for all that! Your nuts will be fine, worry not! Grab his head, Punjo.
Punjo holds his head still, with a hand on each side. Jargen kneels down, and sits the man's jaw on his bent knee.
Jargen: Alright, so your gonna feel a slight discomfort...
The man was too overwhelmed with everything that was going on. He didn't fight back anymore. He didn't make a sound. His eyes just looked straight at Jargen, absolutely petrified.
Jargen: Open wide...
Jargen pries his mouth open, and grabs the man's tongue with his hand. He pulls it beyond the teeth line.
Jargen: There we go...
Using his other arm, he puts his elbow on top of the man's head.
Punjo: One...
Jargen: Two...
Punjo: And...
With all his strength, Jargen pushes his elbow down, forcing the man's jaw to close with great force against his bent knee. The teeth cut the tongue cleanly in two, and Jargen is left holding the other end of his now severed tongue.
Jargen: There we go!
Jargen dangles the man's severed tongue in front of him. He passes out.
Punjo: Ah... And he's out.
Jargen throws the piece of the man's tongue at Punjo.
Jargen: Last one to touch it has to keep it!
Punjo tries to dodge, but his tongue hits him in the arm.
Punjo: Dammit...!
Jargen: HAHAHA!
Jargen grabs his coat and runs out of the alleyway. Punjo runs behind.
Punjo: Wait for me, Jargen! Goddammit...!
Punjo follows him out. They call it a day after gathering the information, and use the rest of the time before the evening meeting to rest and do some odd jobs in exchange for food.