Challenge

Chapter 22: Challenge

"Sorry for the trouble..."

As Sulu left the library, his expression darkened abruptly.

Molly had seen him looking for a book on the Gulam Language.

Though the woman wasn't very suspicious, she was still a suspect. For all he knew, she might be connected to the mastermind.

What if she had some connection to the corpse in the sewer? Wouldn't he be walking straight into a trap?

"And that policewoman—Marilyn! Doesn't she know how to protect a witness?"

After investigating for the past few days, Sulu was quite sure that she hadn't sent anyone to protect him.

Otherwise, whoever she'd sent would have had to be so skilled that they'd slipped past his awareness, which was obviously unlikely.

"Maybe... I should secretly write a letter to Marilyn, or put up a big-character poster?"

As a transmigrator, certain habits had become instinctive.

Sulu considered himself a law-abiding citizen. Naturally, if there was a problem, he'd think of going to the police. Here, he conveniently ignored his earlier desecration of a corpse.

But he hadn't gone far before he realized that a group of people had blocked his path.

"Charlie? Baron? And... Angelia?"

Sulu looked around and saw that they were all Combat Club students. He couldn't help smiling. "Hello!"

"We're not fine. Not at all!"

Charlie said nothing. Baron replied coldly, "The club president has decided to challenge you to a public match. Do you dare accept?"

The Combat Club had nearly been taken down by one of its own students. It had suffered serious damage to its reputation.

As president, Donald naturally had to find a way to make up for it.

But Sulu was a real mystery, and that made him wary. So he'd called in favors and had him investigated.

One thing had led to another, and it had taken this long for them to issue the challenge.

"Donald... He really is a cautious man!"

Sulu's eyes shifted as he guessed what the other man had been up to. He glanced at the Attribute Panel. "When and where?"

"Tomorrow at noon, at the Combat Club!"

Angelia gave Sulu a long look. "Other people will be there to watch and serve as witnesses. What do you think?"

Is there a wager?

Sulu was tempted to say that, then put all his Silver Dollars on the line.

After all, he'd already seen Donald's abilities. His LV3 Krav Maga Combat Arts might not be enough, but after reaching LV4, the boost from [Tiger Power] had brought him close to the limits of human ability.

But...

He'd learned his fighting techniques at the Combat Club, after all. What would it mean if he turned around and took them all down?

'It was one thing to beat a few of the instructors... But if I beat Donald too, the Combat Club might have to shut down.'

Sulu sighed and looked at Angelia and the others. "I... accept!"

He had no choice. These people wouldn't let it go.

Still, there was a chance to make things right in private.

"We'll be waiting!"

Baron glared at Sulu before leading his underlings away.

The scene looked just like a gang seeking revenge, making ordinary students steer clear.

Of course, quite a few students watched with shining eyes, a cool already on the tips of their tongues.

'Tomorrow's match can't actually happen... If I beat Donald in front of an audience, it'll be too humiliating for him. But I can't refuse either... I'll just have to sneak over tonight and let Donald see the gap between us...'

Sulu watched the Combat Club members walk away and rubbed his chin. 'The best outcome would be for Donald to cancel the match himself... Of course, if he offers enough money, I'm willing to throw the match!'

When it came to having a thick skin, a poker face always had its advantages.

He thought this was a great opportunity to make money. He even thought of Sean.

If there were odds on tomorrow's match, he could team up with Sean. They could decide exactly when to win or lose, and if they tipped the right people, they could even strike a few poses to play along... Ahem... I'm getting carried away.

Lost in his thoughts, Sulu arrived at the school cafeteria.

He'd had a little extra money lately, so he ordered a steak and some fries. He also got the bread and vegetable soup that went with the meal.

'Sigh... I miss the food back home...'

Sulu ate and drank quickly. Though he'd acquired a foreign stomach, he still missed the food of his homeland.

Western food was fine as an occasional treat, but eating it every day was hard to stomach.

Back in his dorm, he continued studying the sheepskin and the diamond-shaped iron piece.

Sean stopped by in the meantime and paid him the remaining wages for the job—a total of three Silver Dollars.

He said that the swindler had been very pleased with his work and had even offered to recommend him for a few more jobs. Sean had refused without hesitation.

According to Sean, you'd have to be an idiot to work with that swindler again!

But Sulu had a feeling that, given Sean's personality, he'd be saying it was actually pretty good before long.

The summer evening breeze blew gently, bringing with it a soothing atmosphere.

Night fell. Sulu took a walk along the river and, without realizing it, ended up near the Combat Club.

He'd come here to 'set Donald straight' and stop him from making a fool of himself.

Of course, he was also looking forward to the experience points the man might yield.

He hadn't said so earlier, but the other man was definitely hostile toward him now.

'A red-name monster's first-defeat experience is bound to be higher than Baron's!'

When Sulu reached the Combat Club entrance, several students warily surrounded him. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey! Take it easy, guys!"

Seeing that they were almost ready to attack, Sulu spoke up at once. "I'm here to see Donald. We need to talk!"

"Let him through!"

Just then, Angelia walked over and spoke to the students.

After sending them away, she turned to Sulu, her expression complicated. "Why are you back?"

"I think this whole thing was a misunderstanding from the start. We can't let it keep getting worse!"

Sulu gazed sincerely into Angelia's eyes. "Listen, Coach... I want to have a proper talk with Donald, just the two of us! In the small woods by the lake! Please pass the message on to him!"

Donald was probably still full of confidence right now. He needed to suffer a proper defeat before he'd come around.

But Sulu couldn't fight him in front of all these people.

It had to be somewhere private, with no third party to witness the fight.

Sulu thought he was really going to great lengths for the man.

He just didn't know whether the other man would appreciate it.

"..."

Angelia was speechless.

You'd beaten three of the club's instructors, and now you were calling it a misunderstanding? Wasn't it a little late for that? She took it as Sulu backing down.

Still, her kind heart moved her to say, "I'll pass the message on to the president. Whether he goes is up to him."

"Thank you!"

Sulu thanked her sincerely, then turned and walked out of the Combat Club.