Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Fighting for money!
"Did you just say you are hungry?" Hogi asked looking just as surprised as the others.
"Yeah... Is that a bad thing?" Grayson asked, not liking the look he was getting.
"Here in the soul society. Our souls don't get hungry. The only ones who do are those who possess spiritual powers." Bonsai said taking a closer look at him.
Grayson was a little confused and his stomach rumbled again.
"Ah, crap." He thought as the others all laughed.
"Well shit kid, you're out of look here. Food costs money and we ain't got none of that!" Koga said.
Hogi sighed.
"I'm afraid I have to agree. You see none of us get hungry, there is never a need to buy food. All we need is water to survive." He said.
"I did just hear that right!" Stump said as he kicked the toilet door open.
"This kid is hungry?" He said as he pulled his ragged clothes back over his junk.
"There is only one way to earn money around here lad!" Stump said with a toothy grin coming to his face.
"Stop it Stump. He wouldn't last one round." Hogi said crossing his arms.
"What are you talking about! If he's hungry then that means he got spirit powers, don't it! Means he should be strong!" Stump said.
"What's he talking about?" Grayson asked.
"He's talking about the fight booth in town. It's owned by one of the crime bosses around here. If your desperate you can enter to fight, you take a cut of the winnings, if you win that is." Koga said with his arms crossed.
"Have any of you entered?" Grayson asked.
"Oh yeah, we have! That's how we got these scars!" Stump said with a laugh.
"Did you win?" Grayson added onto the end.
"No!" Stump then shouted.
"We were lucky not to die!" He said.
Hogi sighed.
"I'm afraid he's right. It no place for someone... Well someone that can't fight." He said looking him up and down.
Grayson didnt object there. He didnt like to think he was weak, but with his current ability, he would probably not fare so well.
His stomach rumbled again this time hurting a little.
"That may be so, but if I don't eat I'm going to die of hunger anyway." He thought.
"Correct. Although souls in the soul society don't need food to survive. One's who possess spiritual powers do. If they do not eat their spiritual power will be drained until their body gives out to starvation." The system said.
"Great..." Grayson thought.
"Any chance you can tell me where these fights happen?" Grayson asked.
Hogi cocked an eyebrow at him.
"You're that serious?" He asked.
Koga also stood up, standing at his full height.
"I like your spirit kid, I'll take you there." He said.
"If nothing else, it will be fun to watch you get beaten to death!" Stump said laughing.
Grayson laughed nervously before he got serious again.
"Alright, I'm ready when you are!"
With that the group set off, walking through the town. It was more like a slum than a town consisting of makeshift huts and hand-built shelters that the poorer people lived in.
"Quest compete, explore the area. You have been awarded 100 exp." The system's voice said in his head.
Grayson couldn't help notice that everyone wore rags for clothing and pretty much no one had any footwear on.
"The place is just a little further up ahead," Hogi said as they approached what looked like a small street market.
Here vendors were selling what little bits of food and fresh water they had to offer, along with other things.
"Through here," Hogi said as they approached an alleyway between two of the larger buildings. Grayson followed them until they arrived at a large wooden door with two men standing watch outside.
"What's the password?" They asked.
"Battle born only," Koga replied.
The two guards nodded and opened the door allowing them inside.
Once they entered, Grayson could see that the inside resembled a type of nightclub, filled with people cheering and chatting, all of them gathered around the steel cage in the middle.
"Quest complete, enter fight club. You gained 100 exp."
"Welcome to the fight pit of district 77," Koga said letting the sight of the place do the rest.
Men and women of all shapes and sizes stood around cheering as they watched the action in the middle. There was also a larger area where Grayson gathered that people with more money or influence sat.
He guessed both as they were surrounded by women as they watched the action.
Grayson watched as the two men in the cage punched the living daylights out of each other, each of them covered in blood.
"Still think this is a good idea?" Hogi asked.
Grayson gulped.
He had been to boxing events and MMA matches before, but he had never seen anything quite as brutal as this.
"Get him!" The crowd cheered.
Grayson watched as one of the men drew a dagger and cut the other across the belly.
The large man dropped as his guts opened and blood started to pour out.
"Boo!" Some of the crowd cheered.
Others cheered as they watched the victor raise his hand into the air.
"And the winner is Toyoya!" A small man with a huge set of lungs shouted above the crowd.
"So tell me, folks. is there anyone brave enough to step in the ring with this animal!' The little man shouted.
"This is your chance kid, think you got what it takes?" Koga said as he crossed his arms.
Grayson had decided this idea was stupid after all. However, his stomach growled in protest again, changing his mind.
"I guess I really don't have a choice." He said.
Grayson quickly opened his stats menu to see how he was looking.
Name: Grayson.
Level 3. (500/900).
Class: Human Plus.
Health: 110/110
Stamina: 100/110
Reiatsu: 110/110
Skills-
Strength: 20/100 (0/10)
Speed: 10/100 (0/10)
Intelligence: 20/100 (0/10)
Enhanced skills -
Zanjutsu: 0/10 (0/10)
Hakuda: 1/10 (0/10)
Kidō: 0/10 (0/10)
Skill points available: 0.
"Great, I'm still 400 exp points away from levelling up again and my stamina is going down." He thought.
"Hey system," Grayson asked.
"How can I help you?" The system responded.
"Can I see an enemies level and strength?" He asked.
The system didnt reply for a moment.
"Yes. Who would you like to see?" The system asked.
"Check that guy out over there." He said looking at the man in the cage.
"Assessing his combat strength now..." The system said.
Suddenly his display screen popped open with a full list of his stats.
Name: Toyoya.
Level 5.
Class: Human Plus.
Health: 80/130
Stamina: 80/120
Reiatsu: 0/0
Skills-
Strength: 40/100 (0/10)
Speed: 10/100 (0/10)
Intelligence: 10/100 (0/10)
This foe does not process enhanced skills...
"Wow, I didnt expect to be able to see this guy's stats like this." Grayson thought.
"That is because he is weak and has no defensive barrier stopping me from reading his stats." The system said.
Grayson just laughed.
"I'm not even going to bother asking right now." He said.
"So how do I enter?" Grayson then said out loud as he turned to Koga.
Koga gave him a surprised look.
"So you really gonna do this, eh kid?" He said as he crossed his arms over his large chest.
"You got guts... I like that." He said with a smile.
"Head over to the little guy over there. Tell him you want to fight and he will get you sorted." Koga said.
Grayson nodded.
"Ok, thanks." He said as he walked off.
"Will nobody step up to the challenge!" The little man shouted as everyone in the crowd seemed a little scared of Toyoya.
"Excuse me!" Grayson said as he waved his hand in the air. I'll fight him!" He shouted, getting a surprised reaction as everyone turned to look at him.
"Did you hear that! We have our next fighter!"
The little guy hopped off the stage as the crowd cheered.
"What's your name?" He asked taking a good look at Grayson.
"The names Grayson." He said.
"Ok, try not to die!" The little man said with a large smile.
"Alright, you miserable inserts!" The little man shouted.
"Give it up for our next challenger! Grayson!" He shouted, getting a cheer from everyone there.
"Now, remember you two. There is no time limit and the only rule is that there are no rules!" He shouted.
"Well kid, it was nice knowing you," Koga said as he lowered his head.
"What a fool," Hogi said as he crossed his arms.
"Don't count him out yet!" Stump said as he jumped onto Koga's large shoulders.
"I'm interested to see what he can do." Bonsai also said as he watched with interest.
"Quest compete. Sign up for a fight in the fight booth. You have gained 400 exp." The system said.
"Congratulations you have levelled up!" It then said.
"Bonus quest added. Win fight to receive 1200 exp points."
Grayson smiled as he quickly opened his stats screen.
Name: Grayson.
Level 4. (0/1200).
Class: Human Plus.
Health: 115/115
Stamina: 100/115
Reiatsu: 115/115
Skills-
Strength: 25/100 (0/10)
Speed: 15/100 (0/10)
Intelligence: 25/100 (0/10)
Enhanced skills -
Zanjutsu: 0/10 (0/10)
Hakuda: 1/10 (0/10)
Kidō: 0/10 (0/10)
Skill points available: 1.
He noticed that his health, stamina and Reiatsu had all increased by five points, along with his basic skills.
"So they increase every time I level up?" He asked.
"That's, correct," The system said.
"Each time you gain a level your basic stats will increase by five points."
"Ok." He said as he placed his new skill point into Hakuda again, bumping it up to level two.
The knowledge of more unarmed training techniques flowed into his mind and body, making him feel as if he had mastered the moves without doing them.
"Wow..." He thought as he closed the menu and looked over at his opponent.
"Alright! Begin!" The ref shouted, signalling the start of the fight.
Toyoya didnt waste any time as he charged forwards with both hands up looking as if he was going to grab Grayson by his throat.
"Here it goes!" Grayson thought as he waited for him to come a little closer.
"Now!" He shouted as he pulled his right leg off the ground, driving it up with as much force as he could muster.
His kick landed right in between Toyoya's legs, halting his advance as the pain set in.
"Arghh!!!" Toyoya yelped in a high pitched voice as he grabbed his junk, bending over from the pain.
"Wow, it worked." Grayson thought as he moved back to get a little room.
"Ok, then how about this!" He shouted as he slammed his left foot forwards, planting it on the ground and twisting as he put all of his weight into a right straight punch.
His fist and bare knuckles connected with Toyoya's face and nose, breaking it from the force.
Toyoya flew back and smashed into the ground hard, making a huge thudding nose that stunned the entire crowd, causing them to go silent.
Grayson pulled his hand back and shook it off.
"I didnt expect that punch to hurt me too." He said as he looked at his hand.
"W...W-We have a winner!!!" The little referee shouted at the top of his lungs.
The entire crowd went wild at the sight of what had just happened. None of them could believe it and they went crazy as Grayson raised his fist into the air.
"Bonus quest compete. You have received 1200 exp points." The system said.
"Congratulations you have levelled up." It then said.
Grayson opened his stats menu again to take a quick peek.
Name: Grayson.
Level 5. (0/1500).
Class: Human Plus.
Health: 120/120
Stamina: 100/120
Reiatsu: 120/120
Skills-
Strength: 30/100 (0/10)
Speed: 20/100 (0/10)
Intelligence: 30/100 (0/10)
Enhanced skills -
Zanjutsu: 0/10 (0/10)
Hakuda: 2/10 (0/10)
Kidō: 0/10 (0/10)
Skill points available: 1.
"Wow, this is amazing." He thought as the crowd cheered.
With that, he went to step down out of the cage door.
"So where do I get my money?" He asked the little referee.
"Over there kid." He said pointing to the guy that looked like the big boss of the whole place.
"Oh great." He thought as he made his way over.
The two bouncers opened the rope to let him in, patting him down quickly to see if he had a hidden weapon.
"Go on." One of them said, happy that he was unarmed.
"So you come for your winnings then?" The shady man with an eye patch said and slicked back hair said. He had a toothpick in his mouth and a 5oclock shadow around his jawline.
Grayson nodded.
"That was my second-best fighter you just beat there." He said as he threw a small bag onto the table.
"Here, 500 kan." He said.
Grayson was confused as to what he meant by Kan. concluding that Kan must be the currency around here.
"Thanks," Grayson said as he reached for the bag.
"How would you like to make ten times that?" The man then asked as he slammed a dagger into the edge of the pouch that the money was in, stopping Grayson from taking it.
"And what would I have to do for that?" Grayson said, taking the bait.
"Kill a hollow..." The man said.
Grayson cocked an eyebrow as the memories of the hollows he had already seen played over in his mind.
"You must be crazy. How am I supposed to kill one of those monsters?" Grayson asked?
The man smiled as he released his right arm from around the woman's shoulders that was next to him, reaching behind his seat.
"With this." He said as he pulled out something that was wrapped in a few layers of cloth.
Grayson waited for him to unwrap it before he said anything.
"This is an Asauchi. Pulled it from a dead soul reaper myself." He said as he fully unwrapped the sword, revealing it to Grayson.
"Asauchi is a basic sword that is given to low-level soul reapers who cannot manifest their own zanpakutō yet." The system said all of a sudden.
"Thanks..." Grayson thought as he eyed the weapon.
"So what's the catch?" He then asked.
"You catch on pretty quick." The man said.
As the youngest manager of a successful global gaming company. Grayson was used to having to deal with shady businessmen.
"First you have to prove yourself worthy to use the thing..." He said leaning back in his seat.
"And how do I do that?" Grayson asked.
"Defeat my best fighter and the sword is yours to use against the hollow." He said with a sinister smile.
"And who is your best fighter?" Grayson asked.
"Oh, Jujo." He said, his eyes never breaking contact with Grayson's.
A large man, standing at about 6 feet 5 inches walked into the booth appearing from under a doorway that was blocked by a sheet.
"He's big..." Grayson thought as he took in his appearance.
He had long black hair that reached to his lower back. he wore a toga kind of robe that only covered his lower body, with two leather wrist bands on each arm.
"This is Jujo. He's my best fighter and is undefeated." The boss said.
Grayson nodded.
"Umm system. Scan his stats for me." He thought as he looked Jujo up and down.
"Scanning now..." The system said.
"So how about it? You in or out?" The boss said as he picked up a cigar and lit it with a match.
"System... Hurry up..." He thought.
"Scan complete." The system said the menu quickly opened.
Name: Jujo
Level 5.
Class: Human Plus.
Health: 150/150
Stamina: 150/150
Reiatsu: 50/50
Skills-
Strength: 60/100 (0/10)
Speed: 15/100 (0/10)
Intelligence: 15/100 (0/10)
Enhanced skills -
Zanjutsu: 1/10 (0/10)
Skill points available: 0
"I can take him..." Grayson thought as he quickly looked over the stats.
"You're on," Grayson said as he locked eyes with the boss again.
"Excellent! I shall start the preparations!" He then said as he stood from his chair.
"Attention everyone! I have a special match lined up for you next!" He shouted getting everyone's attention.
"I hope you know how to use a weapon." The boss said as he turned back to Grayson.
Grayson gave him a funny look before he put a cool face on.
"Of course, I just don't have one right now." He said, acting cocky.
"Get him a weapon." The boss said to his guards before turning back to the crowd.
"Allow me to introduce, a man who needs no introduction here... Jujo!" He shouted getting a huge cheer from the crowd as Jujo stepped forwards.
"And the challenger, Grayson!" He then shouted getting another cheer.
"This will be a winner takes all deathmatch!" He then shouted as he opened both arms wide as if he was the messiah.
"Hold on, deathmatch..." Grayson said.
He wasn't given much choice as one of the men thrust a large blade into his hand. It was nothing special, just a large piece of metal that had been sharpened into a large sword.
Grayson took the weapon and could instantly feel its weight.
"Oh, shit he said as he was pushed back to the ring, along with Jujo.
"I'd better spend that skill point quickly!" He thought as he opened his start menu.
"Boss battle activated. Defeat Jujo to become the strongest fighter. Reward - 2000 exp and one extra skill point." the system said.
"Great, a boss battle..." Grayson thought as he flicked down to his skills and placed his free skill point into Zanjutsu.
His mind was once again flooded with the knowledge and basics of sword fighting, allowing him to feel that the blade now better fit his grasp.
"Ok. I've got this." He said as he stepped into the ring.
"What the hell is that kid doing!" Hogi said as he and the others had watched the whole thing.
"I told you he was strong!" Stump said laughing as he watched from Koga's shoulders.
"Kid fooled all of us... Either that or he just didnt know his own strength." Koga said.
"The question is. How will he fair against Jujo?" Hogi said as he crossed his arms.
"I don't know about you, but I'm betting on the kid!" Bonsai said with a cheeky grin as he disappeared to make the bet.
"Hmm. Me too." Koga said as he tossed a small coin purse to Bonsai.
Bonsai nodded and went off to place the bet.
"This kid had better come through, otherwise I'll dump him back where I found him," Koga said.
"You sound worried my friend," Hogi said with a smile.
"I know better than most what Joju can do." Koga then said as he remembered his battle with him.
"Yes, you were lucky to make it out with your life." Stump said as he crossed his arms.
"Perhaps the kid will fare better than I," Koga said as he crossed his arms.
"Alright, you mongrels! Let's get ready to battle!" The little referee shouted as he started to he pulled a lever.
The roof suddenly started to move as chains and gears started rattling until the roof fully opened, exposing the bright blue sky outside.
"Let's get ready to rumble!!!"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone