Chapter 43: Military Enforcement Department.
''MATCH OVER! THE WINNER IS SLYCH RAFTEN!''
''The Round of 16 - Match 4 winner is Armya!''
''Hah…Hah…'' Slych was panting heavily while looking at the unconscious body of Ichiro.
''MATCH OVER! The winner is Slych Raften after an incredible match!'' Commentator A loudly said and started discussing the match with his Quest Commentators.
*CHEEEEEEEERS!*
''Ah…'' Lucas exclaimed and fell down on his seat, he looked at the sky and his eyes started to moist.
The students around Lucas, and the club advisor also had moist eyes, tears threatening to come out of their eyes.
…
(In Raften Household)
''Yes!!!'' Zeux cheered loudly.
*Whew*
''That was a close one…'' Sara breathed a sigh of relief.
Emilia sighed and finally relaxed, while her beautiful young face morphed into a sweet smile.
Penelope also smiled, but she saw Slych's face. 'He wanted to fight him when he was in full strength…'
'Maybe one day, son…'
…
(In Irio)
''…Ah.'' Eiji sadly murmured and sat down in the seat.
''Is Onii-chan alright?!'' Ayako asked with concern, her youthful cute face was morphed into anxiousness.
''…He is only unconscious, but I will call the Club Advisor later,'' Azumi said with her face pale.
*Ring*
''…They keep calling,'' Azumi muttered with annoyance and closed her phone.
…
The old man sighed and sat silently at his chair.
''…''
''They were so cool! I wanna learn Martial Arts as well!'' The young boy with shining eyes said, he stood up and tried to imitate Ichiro's, Iron Lance.
Everyone in the household looked at the young boy in surprise.
The old man smiled and nodded, he ruffed at the young boy's hair.
''It's a tough journey, not everyone can success.'' The old man said sadly.
The young boy nodded firmly. ''I will succeed! And I will fight Ichiro one day and win!''
The old man chuckled. ''Then you must train hard.''
The young boy nodded smilingly.
The future Martial Divinity started his journey with a goal…
To defeat Ichiro and Slych in the fight.
It will be found out in the future… Will he be able to defeat either one of them, once they meet…
…
(Somewhere in the World)
''Hey, why are you watching some Middle School tournament?'' A female with a military outfit asked curiously.
A man with a military outfit with 13 stars on his shoulder pads and words [Sovereign] which described his rank - With black hair and a slick haircut. he sat in the chair comfortably and watched the tournament shown on TV.
''I started watching the tournament before I arrived here - I wanted to see it to the end.'' The man said and stood up.
''But the tournament isn't over yet, aren't you going to finish it.'' The female military officer asked.
The man shook his head. ''The one I rooted for is now out of the tournament, not worth watching anymore.'' He turned and walked out of the room with the female officer following closely behind
…
Slych walked out of the arena towards his teammates who were celebrating happily.
''Good job!'' Evol said cheerfully.
Slych gave a small nod and sat down on the chair.
*Pfft*
He spat out a few of his teeth while blood flowed down from his lips.
''Are you alright?!'' Eyrim - The Coach of Armya asked with concern.
Slych shook his head. ''Not really… I will go to Medical Bay to rest.'' He stood up with shaky legs but Evol grabbed him tightly.
''I will help you,'' Evol said, Slych gave a grateful nod and started limping towards the Medical Bay.
In the stadium stands…
Higher-ups from Ramu watched with angry expressions towards Slych.
''Did you call him?''
The Yakuza leader next to him nodded. ''He can't do anything inside the stadium, but he will attack outside of the stadium.''
''Good.''
While they were talking.
One of the Quest Commentators Mars looked thoughtful.
''I am sorry, but I will have to skip the other matches.'' He said and stood up from his seat.
''Did something happen?'' Quella asked worriedly.
Mars gave a small smile. ''No, It's just something I have to do.'' He left through the room and started walking towards Medical Bay.
'Let's ask them what they are up to.' Mars thought with narrowed eyes.
…
A few hours later…
Ichiro's eyes started to open slowly.
'It hurts!' Ichiro screamed internally, his whole body was is in pain
'System, my HP?'
[6/65 HP]
''You awake?'' Ichiro heard a voice and saw a man he has never seen before sitting next to his bed.
''…Who are you?'' Ichiro asked after some moment of silence.
Mars went blank for a moment, he thought that he would notice him being a Quest Commentator.
*Cough*
He coughed out of embarrassment and said. ''I am Mars Wereos, I was Quest Commentator of this tournament.''
''…Ok,'' Ichiro replied and closed his eyes.
''…What are you doing?'' Mars asked strangely.
''Rest, my body is in pain,'' Ichiro replied.
*Sigh*
Mars sighed, his hand started turning green in color.
He touched Ichiro's arm with his hand which started to heal Ichiro's body.
Ichiro opened his eyes and looked at Mars in surprise.
'This seems like a Power Trait… Is he a Martial King?!' Ichiro thought with surprise.
Mars healed him for few more minutes until taking his hand off Ichiro's shoulder.
''Y-You are Martial King?'' Ichiro asked for confirmation
Mars nodded. ''My Power Trait is called Heal-Or-Harmful, I can heal everyone to some extent, but I can also cause Harm.''
Ichiro nodded. ''So… Why are you here healing me?'' He asked with slight suspiciousness
''I already talked with Slych…I was curious why were you pretending in the fight at one point and then suddenly got rid of the referee - He said that Referee was trying to get him disqualified, and when I asked how he knew - He replied that you said to him.''
Ichiro sighed. 'Of course, Martial King could see our pretending… Should I tell him the truth… Maybe he can help…'
Mars saw Ichiro not really trusting him.
Mars gave an approving nod. 'He really doesn't act like his age, maybe I can make him join the military…'
''You can tell me, I am from Military Enforcement Department Director and you should know what we do.''
Ichiro widened his eyes. 'Military Enforcement Department is mostly Enforcing the Law and the Rules of any tournament…'
Ichiro looked at him and nodded, he saw his phone on the table next to him, he reached his hand and grabbed it.
He opened the phone and started searching for a certain video.
He hid it quite well, under many files, and locked the file as well to make it even more difficult to get access to.
He found the video shortly afterward, it was a video of Hiena and Ledorman talking, he clicked the video with his finger and gave the phone to Mars.
Mars took the phone and saw a video of a team with a reddish outfit talking with a referee, he sat comfortably and started watching.
A few minutes later the video finally ended.
Mars gave the phone back to Ichiro.
Ichiro looked in silence towards Mars.
He saw him grab his phone and dialed a number.
''Jack, bring the team… We have another incident… It might be very big this time…'' Mars ended the phone call shortly afterward.
He looked towards Ichiro and asked. ''Was the Referee from your match also planning to rig the match?''
Ichiro nodded and sat up in his bed. ''Yep, I don't think they are targeting us in specific, but instead any stronger teams.''
Mars raised an eyebrow. ''You mean someone is behind this.
Ichiro nodded.
''Who?''
''Who has the most power in Ramu?'' Ichiro asked.
Mars said. ''Ramu's Higher-ups, if this tournament goes well and if their team goes well… Their market value will rise in high amount.'' Mars realized something…
Ichiro nodded. ''It was them… And they won't stop.''
Mars raised an eyebrow. ''What do you mean… It would be a risk to try to use referees to rig the matches anymore.''
''They aren't going to use referees… Instead, they will attack outside of the stadium… Slych must be in danger!'' Ichiro pulled himself up from the bed and started staggering towards the door.
''Hold on!'' Mars said and tightly grabbed Ichiro from his shoulder. ''You are still injured, my heal can't remove your exhaustion and you still have some wounds which need time to heal.''
''What about Slych?'' Ichiro asked.
''My squad will be here in a few hours… I will keep eye on Slych.'' Mars said and took Ichiro back to the bed.
Ichiro lied down on the bed and looked at the ceiling.
''Your personality would be great for the military, do you have any ideas of joining?'' Mars suddenly asked.
Ichiro raised an eyebrow. ''Military?''
Mars nodded and took a card from his pocket. ''Call this number if you decide to join the Enforcement Department, we will make you strong there.''
Mars said and walked out of the room to find Slych.
'Enforcement Department huh…' Ichiro thought and put the card in his pocket