Shuffle The Deck

Chapter 18 - An Ember

The two spoke for a while, and Lilah wished him good luck when his number was called out. She was relieved to have someone to converse with after a whole week of talking to herself.

She stayed in her seat until she was called, and when she was, it was nothing, just like the 160th floor all over again. The guy was a snob and bragged all about his skills right to her face.

This guy even had the audacity to make a wager with her right before the match started.

He stated that if he defeated her, she would have to go on a date with him.

The audience did not take this well and shouted discouraging insults at him, but he didn't seem to mind. Lilah accepted, saying that if she won, he'd have to hand over all his prize money that he'd won.

Being a mindless idiot, he accepted her offer, and they went to battle. Ren watched from the screen in the waiting room, smirking as she approached him head-on, and smiled.

The man charged at her with a punch, but before he could even move closer, she appeared behind him, foot in the air.

With a powerful windup, she kicked him square in the back, sending him to the floor with a wheeze.

She placed her spotless heel on his back as he lay motionless on the concrete, and pumped a fist into the air.

The audience went wild, throwing her so much praise for her outstanding win once more. She took it all in, and waltzed out of the ring with a wide smile, waving to all her adoring fans.

Her ego really was getting the best of her.

"Nice job out there." Ren held up a fist.

"Appreciate the support," she smiled, bumping her closed fist against his. "I'll see you on the 200th floor."

He nodded as she waved, leaving the waiting room.

As she was out, her first stop was to pick up the money the guy owed her. She made sure he was still able to move, but also that he wouldn't stand up for five minutes. She had kicked a spinal nerve that limited movement for a short amount of time, something that Illumi had taught her.

"Miss, miss!"

She turned her head in the direction of the voice and saw a woman in a business suit and skirt racing towards her. She panted as she reached Lilah, and held out an envelope to her face.

"This is Mr. Jung's prize money in cheque format. You are free to cash it in and do what you please with it," she explained hurriedly. Lilah nodded and thanked her, and before she knew it, the woman raced off.

She found her way to the receptionist's desk and handed her the cheque.

"I'd like to cash this into my account, please," Lilah politely said as she handed over the envelope.

"Of course ma'am. Great work out there! You really know how to show up the impolite men in this crude complex."

Lilah chuckled and thanked her for the compliment. There were those people who were rude and incompetent, and there were those who were kind and caring. Heaven's Arena was the perfect place to earn money, get lost in battles, and judge the hell out of anything and everyone.

Lilah wandered the streets of the city, getting lost in her own world. She could challenge the 200th floor at any time, but the drive to fight just drifted out of her system. It was like this the first time she went when she was ten. Right after her last match, the shame she had felt from her defeat led her away from the arena. She had finally gotten justice for herself and gave the man who had bested her in the past a taste of his own medicine. In retrospect, of course.