Rhett grinned even wider, clearly liking the idea. The main event would be watched by all, which ant more bets, better odds, more money to win.
Rhett didn't need to say anything to hint that he was ga. His grin said it all. But Whiteshade wasn't done.
"Also, seeing as you are so confident, perhaps you would be willing to up the stakes?"
Rhett raised an eyebrow. "What do you have in mind?"
"I will give you fifty thousand credits to place a bet on him for the fight, and in return, you'll have to do a… small favor for ."
Rhett glanced at Malakai, eting his cold eyes. He smiled, then nodded at Whiteshade, shaking his outstretched hand.
"You have a deal."
"Great," Whiteshade said, happy his plan had finally worked. "Now to make sure we all keep our promises, I would suggest we use this."
He stretched out his hand, and one of his guards placed two bracelet looking devices in it. The instant Malakai saw it, he was shocked, but made sure to mask it well.
'A Clausebane.'
How wouldn't Malakai recognize a weapon capable of killing even a Bloom? They were designed just like lifeguards, but their effects were far more direct.
When worn, they released countless nanite like bombs into the bloodstream, already activated.
They were each controlled by the AI programd into the devices and governed by the set of clauses agreed by the parties.
If one person was determined by the AI to be breaching the clauses, the bombs within them would instantly explode. If anyone tried to remove them, they would also instantly explode.
It was a device extrely rare inside the do. And for this man to have one… Malakai had just concluded he was an important figure in this city.
"I'm sure I don't have to explain what this is, Captain Rhett."
Whiteshade's eyes glinted as Rhett gazed at the Clausebane calmly.
In all honesty, the only way one could use them to kill Blooms was if they allowed it to be worn. And truly, no one in their right mind should accept sothing like this.
But Whiteshade was taking a chance.
'He won't be able to refuse,' he thought calmly.
This was the opportunity he saw, to get a Blood Knight Captain under his control. That "small favor" was vague and could an anything.
But he knew Rhett wouldn't care to think that far. He was a compulsive gambler who wouldn't miss a chance to bet.
And true to form, Rhett grinned and nodded. "Sounds like fun. Looks like I'll be getting rich today!"
Whiteshade smiled from under his mask. He didn't waste ti and quickly finalized the clauses. And after settling everything, they both wore their devices.
"Get him registered and escort him to the arena," Whiteshade instructed one of his guards, who led Malakai toward the attendant. The people on the line cleared the way instantly.
"Why don't you join in watching the show, Captain?"
Whiteshade asked, and Rhett instantly nodded, following him.
'I can't believe it worked.'
"Na."
"Valentine."
The receptionist glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "Na?" he asked again, as though trying to confirm if he heard right.
"Valentine," Malakai answered succinctly.
The attendant furrowed his brows. "Listen, kid. I know this is all a formality, but do you really want to be called… that in front of all these people?" He gestured to the hundreds gathered, roaring at the top of their lungs.
But before Malakai could respond, the guard behind him stepped forward, cold eyes boring down.
"Just shut up and register him."
The attendant shivered. He nodded quickly and wrote down the na. He asked Malakai a few questions like height and weight, but Malakai gave a blank expression to all of them. What holess kid cared about height and weight?
After a minute, Malakai was registered in the system.
"Follow ."
The guard led him toward the door Malakai had noticed earlier, the one without a naplate.
Inside, his eyes landed on two staircases, one leading down, the other up. The guard gestured downward, and after a brief glance up, Malakai began his descent.
Throughout the silent walk, his thoughts were churning.
'It worked even better than expected.' Everything that had happened so far had been within their plans.
At the base, Rhett had told him everything he knew about the Red Maw. It was a gambling den filled with various gas. So ca to place bets on fights and other gas, others brought representatives to fight for them.
The gas ranged from card battles to one on one duels and more. But Malakai had no interest in cards, he had never played.
The mont Rhett ntioned the fighting ring, Malakai's attention had locked on. He rembered Rhett's words:
"Only at most node formation evolvers can participate. They're trying to minimize the risk of Grade Three darkness creatures forming in case of unexpected deaths. A Grade Two can still be managed."
The mont those words left Rhett's lips, the plan had taken full shape in Malakai's mind. He was a node formation evolver. He was going to fight.
But the plan didn't stop there.
Rhett had also told him about the man in the white suit, soone who had been constantly trying to trap him into betting favors. Trying to make Rhett his pawn. Rhett had always dodged it, but tonight, Malakai asked him not to.
To fix the wreck that was their base, they needed a lot of money. And Malakai was going to get it, no matter what.
'At least he listened to .'
Malakai was slightly surprised Rhett had gone through with it. With a Clausebane involved, the stakes had gone through the roof.
It wasn't just their money on the line anymore, it was Rhett's life. And yet, he still agreed.
'I still can't understand him.'
Either he was truly a compulsive gambler… or he trusted Malakai that much.
Malakai wasn't sure which.
'I'll think about it later.'
His eyes flashed cold as he reached the bottom of the stairs, following a narrow passage until it opened into a small room filled with several people.
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