Profits

Connor awoke in the waiting room, both M and Robert were sitting next to him, though his head was on M's lap. Connors entire body felt stiff and sore. Connor sat up quickly, surprising M.

"See, fifteen minutes later, and he's right as rain." Robert stated. He was still wearing his Leprechaun outfit.

"No. My body feels stiff." Connor corrected as he stood up and stretched.

"Yeah, stiff people don't stretch though, it hurts." Robert pointed out.

"Its okay. I hardly feel anything." Connor replied.

"Are you a robot?" M finally interjected.

"No." Connor replied.

"Like I said. He's perfectly fine." Robert clapped and stood up.

"That's not possible! You saw what he did in that ring! His veins were bursting under his skin! There's no way, whatever skill he used, has that light of a drawback." M logically argued.

[Fatigue 60%[

[Warning! Fatigue will not decrease below (60)%. Suggested outside assistance.]

[Would You Like a Battle Report?: Yes No]

'Yes.'

[You Leveled Up ×6.]

[Gained Skill: Resilient (Level: 1)- Your mind is a steel trap. 10% resistance to mental attacks.]

[Resilient Leveled Up ×9.]

[Black Blood successfully Integrated with Body. Base Stats permanently increased by ×(1.5) Rounded to nearest whole.]

[Strength: 103->155]

[Agility: 111->167]

[Intelligence: 102->153]

[Sense: 109->164]

[Magic: 139]

[Title: Ascended.]

[Favor Increased with Invidia ×3]

[Favor Gained with Mars.]

[Favor Increased with Mercury ×4]

[Interest Gained with a goddess of War.]

'I'm getting too much attention from gods.'

"What's the matter with you?" M was way in Connors face. He was so occupied with the screens, that he failed to notice M.

"Nothing. I just realized I need to rest a little. I'm tired." Connor answered.

"Hmm... Well, you should do that. You're in the quarter finals now. All your other opponents forfieted, you breaking that barrier scared them off. Oh, and here's your mask... was he always that hot?" M muttered the last bit as she walked away, so Connor didn't hear it. He just caught the mask thrown to him and put it back on.

"Quarter Finals?" Connor mused. He was one of eight contestants left, which meant his next opponent was most likely going to be far stronger than She Devil.

"I hope she's alright." Connor Yawned and paid down on the bench, his eyes closed.

*

"LADIES AND GENTLEMAN! I'M SO EXCITED FOR OUR NEXT MATCH UP! RAINBOW KITTEN RETURNS TO THE STAGE AFTER HIS TERRIFYING DISPLAY OF RAW POWER! AGAINST HIM, IS NONE OTHER THAN KING HERACLES! WITH HIS LARGER THAN LIFE FIGURE, AND CRUSHING BLOWS, COULD RAINBOW KITTEN FINALLY MEET HIS MAKER? OR WILL IT BE THE KING WHO'S USURPED? IRISH!!!!!" THOUGHTS?

"BOB, PLEASE STOP SCREAMING INTO THE MIC. THIS IS A TOUGH ONE TO FIGURE. WHILE KING HERACLES IS LARGER THAN RAINBOW KITTEN, HE IS SLOWER. THIS MOST LIKELY WILL TURN TO A BATTLE BETWEEN SPEED AND POWER."

"BUT, KING HERACLES HASN'T BROKEN THE BARRIER!"

"BOB, DO YOU REALLY THINK HERACLES HAS GONE ALL OUT?"

"I GUESS WE WILL FIND OUT!"

Connor watched from within the barrier as a giant of a man with a cartoon lion mask stood outside of it. He was shirtless like Connor, but Connor at least had more clothes on. King was wearing a red speedo and a pair of Calceus. Roman sandle boots.

"WHAT IS HE DOING?"

King Drew his fist back and punched the barrier, shattering it like Connor did during Mania. Connor paled under is mask.

'But my stats were going up by half every two minutes, by that time I was probably in the three hundreds or higher!'

"Bow out little man. If not, I'll crush your Skull like this barrier." King pointed, his other arm crossed over his chest. Connor couldn't help it... it just bubbled forth.

"You know, if you were that embarrassed, you could have worn a shirt. Are you gonna scream 'Kyaa' too?" Connor pointed. The crowd stared on, dumbfounded.

[Taunt Leveled up ×9]

[Target Successfully Taunted.]

'Ah... fuck.'

"I'll take your head as a trophy Kitten!" King roared.

"Okay." Connor answered blankly. The bell rang and King burst forward, the ground shattered behind him. He was slower than Connor, and it was proven when Connor suddenly appeared under Kings vision. Connor used every ounce of power he could muster. His Dark Mana coat adding extra as he buried his fist deep into the abdomen of King, King's momentum added extra self inflicted power.

To the crowd it looked as if King had just folded suddenly, but then they noticed Connor, and then watched on as King dropped to the ground. One hit K.O.

"LIKE I SAID, SPEED AGAINST POWER."

The crowd exploded with noise. Cheers and whistles, Chants and Boos. It was an Anticlimactic fight, but it was intense nonetheless. Connor turned around and left the pit, heading back to his waiting area. M was waiting for him.

"Are you hiding your actual power?" M asked.

"No. That was luck." Connor answered. His skill caused King to blindly rush forward, forgetting defense. An opening was created that allowed for such a miracle.

"Me and you, we're going to be rich! All the bets being placed, you and I get a portion if you win, and right now I'm raking in the profits! You ever think about going pro?" M rubbed her hands together greedily.

"No. I'm a Seeker. Not an entertainer." Connor answered as the two sat in the waiting room.

"Really? You're going to shoot to the top, and then quit?" M questioned Connor.

"I doubt I'll make it to the top. I might not make it past the semi finals." Connor replied.

"So, that was a fluke huh? Man, should I place my bets on the other guy then?" M carelessly inquired.

"Do as you want. Just know, I don't intend to quit unless I'm killed or forcefully put out of commission." Connor advised. M smiled.

"Obviously." M leaned her head against Connors arm.

"What are doing?" Connor asked.

"I gave you a lap pillow while you slept, the least you could do is the same." M childishly responded as she plopped her head down on Connors lap and stared up.

"Take that mask off too. No one's around to see your face." M continued. Connor did as she asked and shook his sweaty hair, the cool air felt nice.

"Gross." M commented, but she remained staring up at Connor. Connor glanced down, obviously uncomfortable and concerned.

"Do you have to stare?" Connor asked.

"Yes." M replied simply, copying Connors emotionless/uncaring/indifferent manner of speech.

"Hah, I see." Connor sighed.