Chapter 530 - Day MMCXXII, Part VI

I joined Vikram on the couch, and we watched people in the studio, still stunned by what happened in the arena, and even more about the stuff that appeared outside of it. They tried to keep up the discussion going, letting the guests really talk a lot on the topic, probably because the broadcasting team from the desert asked them for it.

- I think that this will be it for today - said Vikram after a moment.

- Me too, I really fucked up everything out there, but to be honest, it's not my fault. They should be better prepared for the fights. 

- You almost destroyed the bunker - he pointed out.

I noticed that he was slowly going back to his old self. The confidence was returning. 

- Look.... When two strong dudes clash you have to use heavy guns to deal any damage, and even heavier to finish the fight. You cant expect a fight like that to be less flashy, especially in a case like me and Semenov. We literally summoned armies to fight for us. It just had to be messy, and all over the place.

He didn't argue with me. Meanwhile, on TV they still kept talking, trying to buy time.

- I'm gonna go and ask if they really want to keep on going with the broadcast - said Vikram.

He got up from the couch and left. I shrugged my shoulders, finished the drink in one go, and threw it straight to the trash bin, placed in the corner of the room. Then I made myself more comfortable on the couch, spreading my arms, and crossing my legs.

I listened to the conversation going on in the studio. It was a bunch of bullshit to me since they were looking at it like on some kind of sports tournament, like the Olympics, but it was completely different.

People could die here very easily, and they knew it, that's why they were so careful during the duels. It was much more calculated than in normal fights, but because of the skills, and supernatural capabilities of our bodies, it didn't look like it.

Fortunately for me, Vikram showed up very soon and saved me from that farce.

- They can't broadcast anymore. There is so much damage, that they will need a whole week to replace everything - he informed me. - There were even some voices proposing to cancel the event since the fights might be more dangerous to the staff than they originally thought.

- Well... I didn't really care if it continues or not.

Just as I said it, the decision to postpone the rest of the tournament arrived at the studio, and they announced that the whole event will be taking a week of a break to fix the arena because only a few cameras were still working.

- Let's go - said Vikram, and opened the door.

He left the room. I quickly joined him in the corridor. It was filled with people from the broadcasting team, informing everybody, from hunters to the other staff members like medics, that there will be a break.

My presence was enough to make everybody just make space for the two of us, and we managed to get outside. Other hunters joined us very soon.

- Good job, Peter - said Will.

The sourness in his voice was quite obvious.

- Shut up, or you will be walking to the hotel on foot.

My words made Boris laugh. Without any suggestions, everybody gathered around me, and people grabbed each other's hands, predicting that I will be shadow walking wack to the city. I did just that, and we appeared in the same place from which we departed.

I immediately went to the restaurant, shadow walking past people. I was simply hungry after the fight.

Many others joined me, and I found myself sitting at one table with Will, Nobuo, Boris, Ki'rai, and Vikram. There was not much talking between us, but that soon changed, as Adam Silvas showed himself, and he was clearly coming towards us.

- Good fight - he said, as he stopped right next to the table. - I have to say, I'm impressed. You not only matched what they told me about you, but you even surpassed it. Some of my guys finally shut their mouths about you.

He smiled at me.

- What were they saying? - asked Will. - Just out of curiosity.

- That they probably can take Peter on - sadi Adam. - Now I doubt any of them would want to even try. I guess you might be winning the whole thing... If they won't decide to cancel it of course.

- They might - said Will. - The cancel culture is very strong for some reason.

- Yeah - Adam agreed and laughed. - Anyway... I'm not gonna interrupt your meal anymore. Enjoy your food.

With those words, he passed by us and found a table for himself among the other hunters from his gate.

People finished their food, and everybody kinda went to their rooms. I decided to hand around the bar for a bit. Vikram joined me.

- I know I shouldn't, and you probably won't answer anyway, but I just have to ask - he started as we ordered our drinks. - What other ridiculous things can you do?

- Define ridiculous.

- The same type of ridiculous as the black skyscraper monster that demolished the desert, and the arena.

- How do several skyscraper monsters sound?

He snorted and shook his head. Our drinks arrived just after that, and we slowly drank them in silence. There was enough drama for one day, so I decided to go back to my room when my glass got empty.

Vikram on the other hand ordered a second round for himself. I guessed that the emotional rollercoaster was hard to handle for him. It was hard to relate since other hunters and I didn't felt so helpless in the presence of such ridiculous powers. For the people who witnessed my moloch, and survived the earthquakes and the punch it really had to be tough.

Since there was still some time before the nightfall, I just sat by the small table, pulled the notebook, and started writing. I didn't suspect what life would bring me and the whole world the very next day...