The Black Swan Behind (Beauty of Fire)

127 Fight For Life

Two big, muscular men stood within the two fighting rings. Jack and Marcel were placed in each ring to fight the wrestlers who had been fighting for years in Paradise Cave.

‘Just fight! You can do it, Marcel! I know you’re not weak! Do not forgive. Remember my words. In a fight, never give mercy to your opponent!’ Jack’s words were still ringing in Marcel’s ears. His brother’s words before they had to be forced to fight in separate rings.

“Raise the curtains!” The man who hosted the show exclaimed. After that, the black curtain that separated the two rings was lifted, so that Jack and Marcel could see each other.

On the other hand, Viggo was seen sitting on a large single sofa facing the two rings. Finally, the bell rang and the battle began.

So far, it was only Jack and Marcel who knew each other’s ability to fight. Actually, they both had the dream of becoming Muaythai athletes, but it wasn’t possible because they didn’t have the money to register for the martial art studio and had to keep working all day to earn money. Instead, the two of them always used their spare time to practice.

Jack looked at his brother who was in another ring. They both nodded together. Indeed, they have never received any special training. Indeed, they were too poor to be able to get training from a professional. But, it didn’t make them weak. It made their spirit stronger.

Everyone who watched the match did not expect at all that the battle would turn out to be so fierce. No one expected that the two bar waiters who had received mockers since the start had now turned out to be so powerful that they could overwhelm the two wrestlers who had years of experience.

Jack threw his kick into the chest of the man in front of him which turned out to be his final attack on him. Yes, the kick immediately brought down the battered man. The uproar immediately resounded in the place. Jack, who already looked exhausted, swiftly stepped to the edge of the ring to see his brother who was still fighting with all his might.

Unlike Jack, Marcel was still weaker than him. The boy’s face was covered in bruises and his mouth kept spitting out blood from the constant beating of his stomach.

.....

“Marcel! You can do it! Come on! I can do it! You can do it too!” Jack exclaimed after seeing his little brother was lying face down. His eyes trembled at the sight. He had never seen his brother beaten up like that. It felt like he wanted to help, but if he did, it would be the end of their fate.

Marcel, who saw the face of his big brother a few meters away from him, seemed to have received a huge new power. With all his strength, he rose from his slump. As soon as his big opponent attacked again, he immediately lowered his back and crashed into the man’s stomach to make him fall backwards. With his fat body, he jumped on the man’s chest and punched him in the head mercilessly. Like what Jack had said, if you were fighting, do not give mercy to your opponent.

Viggo did not hesitate to applaud. His lips kept smiling because he was very amused by the two fights he witnessed at the same time. He tilted his head at Albert who was clapping in amazement beside him, unable to take his eyes off the arena.

“What are their names?” Viggo asked.

Albert immediately turned to the chairman, “It’s Jack Douglas and the fat one is his younger brother Marcel Douglas.”

Viggo smiled, “Remove them from servant status. Make them fighters in the arena. Train them as core fighters. They will make a lot of money.”

Since then, Jack and Marcel Douglas’ lives had changed. The dingy guys who had the bar servants status were now the core fighters in Paradise Cave. Not only that, but they also gave very rapid progress. They could beat opponents who were even bigger than them.

Amused by the fighting between the two brothers, Viggo visited his gold mine more often. But what he didn’t know was that the guy named Jack had another intention which would be the beginning of his destruction.

**

“You are a very strong one. Come join me. We will establish a great empire. I will make you the number one.” Said a man with an oriental face and very fine hair.

Jack who was cleaning the blood splatter on his face and hands, seemed disinterested, “Find someone else. I have more important things here.”

“There’s none. What I see, you are the most suited with that power of yours.” He denied it by pinning both hands in his trousers pockets. He was a tall man. His face looked beautiful.

“Hm.. Kei.. Matsumoto. That’s your name, right?” Jack got up from his seat while throwing down the wet towel he had used to wipe the blood that wasn’t his. Then, he brought his face closer to the sharp-eyed man, “I can see the cunning in your slanted eyes. You’re just looking for a tool that you can control. Am I right?”

Kei smiled faintly, apparently, Jack Douglas was quite smart. That meant, he had to abandon his plan, “Hm.. Isn’t there a strong but stupid one here?” he muttered as he walked towards the exit of the changing room which only contained the two of them.

“Definitely not my brother. If you dare to touch him, then I’ll force you to have plastic surgery.” Jack replied.

Kei chuckled then shook his head, “Sorry. I don’t think he’s strong enough.”

“You just don’t know,” Jack said calmly. He could see that the slanted-eyed man who had a sassy mouth was the type to easily judge others based on their strength. It seemed that he had a lot of things so he wasn’t afraid of losing some things in his life. That’s why he could act as he pleased.

Jack, who had finished cleaning his body after the fight, finally came out of the room. But, he was quite surprised when he found a blue-eyed old man standing beside the outer door with two guards by his side.

“Chairman!” Jack immediately bowed respectfully.

Viggo chuckled as he patted Jack hard on the shoulder, “Keep your head up, young man. I have something to ask you.”

Jack raised his head in confusion. All this time, slowly but sure, Jack had been trying to be an apple polisher to the leader of Apollo. He had come to Paradise Cave not only to fight. But, sometimes he greeted Viggo with hidden meaning.

“Just now, I heard a little of your conversation with that Asian boy. May I know, what is that very important thing?” Viggo asked with a slight smile.

Jack looked surprised. He was silent for a few seconds before clearing his throat a few times. Then, he took a deep breath before answering decisively, “This place, this job, and this environment. They are all important to me. I will serve Apollo and nothing can shake my stance.”

“Hm.. Is that so? I thought it was your brother?”

Jack shook his head firmly, “We’ve been here for two years. Soon, Marcel will be an adult and I don’t have to protect him anymore. We’ll all have our own lives and goals. It will be the time I should think about my own.”

Viggo nodded at the guy’s explanation. Then he said, “Actually, It’s not that I never realized about your behaviour trying to get close to me. Are you aiming to be part of my core team?” he asked.

Again, Jack shook his head firmly, “For me, to be a part of Apollo is a feeling of proud itself, regardless of what my status here is. Because, whoever works in Paradise Cave is part of Apollo. I’m just showing my gratitude to you, because Thanks to you, I don’t live in poverty anymore.”

“You’re good at talking, huh?” Viggo replied by lightly patting Jack’s neck before walking away, leaving the guy alone.

Jack clenched his fists tightly so they turned red, feeling his pride was destroyed by saying things that were contrary to what was in his heart.

‘Everything will be paid off soon. I will destroy you, Viggo Fisher!’ Jack exclaimed in his heart.

A few days after the incident, Jack received word from Albert that Viggo would come to watch the match at Paradise Cave with some of his colleagues. At first, Jack only responded casually. Whatever the theme was, he would fight as usual because he was sure that he would win, as always.

But on the appointed day, Jack was surprised that it was Marcel who was asked to come into the fight. Reportedly, Viggo Fisher’s colleagues wanted to see the chubby guy fight a new man who had won fights several times and was becoming a fresh star.

“Jack, the Chairman asked you to be the referee for that match,” Albert said. From his face, he also seemed to know something.

It seemed Viggo was deliberately trying to tempt Jack over their conversation a few days ago. He was indeed very cunning.

Finally, the long-awaited day had come. The battle entertainment venue was cleared for some sessions to welcome Viggo’s important guests. Marcel’s fight was deliberately set to be the last battle because Marcel was one of the strongest fighters there. He would fight a new boy who had never been paired against him.

“Alright! This is the fight we’ve been waiting for! The final fight that concludes this event! With our number one fighter as the referee, welcome.. Jack Douglas!” The presenter exclaimed, answered by loud applause from the audience. Along with that, a light brown-haired man in a referee uniform entered the ring.

“Our top two contenders! They are the strongest in the history of Paradise Cave! Those who have never faced each other. In this battle! We will see who is the strongest!” The presenter continued. Then, he spread his arms to point to the right and left sides of the ring.

“On the left side, is the Sumo Monster! Marcel Dooouggllasss!!” He exclaimed, followed by loud applause.

“Then, on the right side, is the Iron Bone! Roonnnn Smithhh!!” He continued with louder applause.