[The Test]: Part One

The day was finally here. Batu stood by the mirror in the bathroom and checked himself out. He had to make himself look fresh when he passed the test; it was the only obstacle in his way from getting into the Golden Horde.

Batu had been itching to get back into the gang. He missed the time when he got to beat down a of bunch of roid-injected meatheads. Now with the opportunity to get back into the gang, Batu couldn't wait to back and do what he loved best: to fight.

Batu left the bathroom where Yu Mei was waiting for him. Jin Mayleen had asked all the members to gather at the headquarters to watch the upcoming match. However, it wasn't required to attend if they were busy. Yu Mei would definitely come watch this fight to cheer for him.

"You ready champ?" Yu Mei asked.

"When am I not?" Batu threw on a black jacket.

"Pssh~ some day, that overconfidence will get to ya brain," She smiled, adjusting Batu's jacket.

"Better overconfident than scared shitless.

Yu Mei couldn't help but giggle, "Then ya better have that same attitude when you're up against them." She bumped her fist over his chest.

"I will."

Although, Yu Mei had faith in Batu that he could make it through, she couldn't but feel nervous for him as well. These girls were the elites of the Golden Horde with insane strength. She had seen them fought before; they were a tough trio that could take down dozens of men.

It was in the afternoon when they arrived at the Golden Horde base of operations. Batu saw Emiko standing at the front door as she smoked one out. She seemed to be waiting for them.

Her arms had their exoskeleton armor on this time - they looked compact and sleek in design. However, their given term was 'Exoframe'. The last time Emiko came by to their place, Batu never saw her wear them at all. Those exoframes enhances the body by increasing its strength, speed and protection against bullets.

If Batu remembered correctly, those types of armor where incredibly expensive, so not a lot of people could afford them. The least expensive ones can go around fifty-thousand, and the highest can shoot up to six digits.

However, it depended on which body part they wanted them on. Leg exoframes were more expensive than the ones for arms. While for a full set, well, you're definitely looking at a fortune.

The reason for these sky-high prices was due to the fact that the government of The Great Republic placed heavy restrictions on them. They were banned for civilians and only the approved industries and the military were allowed to use them.

So, everyone else was essentially looking towards the black market. Those who had personally worked on the technology were highly sought after by criminal organizations. So basically, high demand and low supply creates price inflation.

It was the same as modifying your body with cybernetics which were even more costly than purchasing armors. Only those who were wealthy and have a lot of power can attain them.

It was no wonder Yu Mei didn't have one, it just too expensive to buy. Perhaps, if Batu had enough dough in his bank, he would buy one for her and himself.

"Hey, Emiko," Yu Mei lazily waved at her. "Came here to watch the test, too?"

Emiko clicked her tongue as she blew out a puff of smoke, "No, I came to see the ogre lose." She took a quick glance at Batu before she averted her eyes again.

"Then, I'll just have to prove you wrong," Batu replied.

"Like hell you are," Emiko flicked her cigarette butt away. "If you can even last ten seconds against one of them, I would be surprised."

"Then how bout' a bet?" He suddenly asked.

"As if I'd bet with an ogre like you," She rolled her eyes at him.

"Then how about this, Emiko," Batu grew a smirk on his face. "Loser gets to do whatever the winner tells them to. Sounds pretty interesting, wouldn't ya say?

"W-who the hell would want to do that?" Emiko asked. However, her imagination began to grow wild as she thought of the various ways she would have with this ogre. A faint blush suddenly grew on her face.

"Don't tell me you're scared?" Batu taunted.

"I'm not scared," Emiko honestly wanted to punch this guy's face. "I just don't care about your stupid bet, you ape."

"Yeah, you are," Batu crossed his arms. "Weren't you so confident that I was gonna lose?"

This man always finds a way to get on to Emiko's nerves, "Damn it. Fine, I'll play along with your dumb little game." Emiko finally gave in. "But, you better not back out when you lose."

"I could say the same to ya."

"Whatever," She replied with scorn. "Good luck in there cause you'll need it."

Emiko watched Batu's back as he and Yu Mei walked inside the building, biting her lips. A small compartment opened up on Emiko's exoframe, and she pulled out another cigarette; she needed to calm her mind. However, she glanced at the cigarette for a moment before sliding it back into the compartment.

"Fuck it, I'll just go watch," Emiko followed after them.

Batu, Emiko and Yu Mei stood before a door that separated them from the training hall and walked inside. The training hall looked old-fashioned to say the least, much inspired by Japanese dojos. The walls were painted white while the floor were of laminated wood.

A large beige mat laid across the wood floor while small paintings of nature hung across the wall. The training hall was quite barren due to the lack of furniture.

All heads suddenly turned towards Batu, Emiko and Yu Mei as they walked in. It was a gathering of beauties - not more than twenty - that sat in two rows spaced far from each other. Among them were Yoona and Angie sitting across from one another.

"Who would have thought that brat wanted to join the gang," Angie said. "I was beginning to wonder why the Khanate called us here just for some recruit."

Yoona simply nodded as she always done in all conversations. Nobody knows if Yoona could talk or if she was actually mute. Figuring out her emotions did no good when her grey eyes were always expressionless to begin with.

Whispers quickly broke out amongst the women as they stared at the lone man in the room. This was the first time they had seen Batu. Some were surprised, some were curious while the remaining weren't to keen with the idea of a man joining their gang.

"It seems like our main guest have arrived," Like an empress to her subjects, Jin Mayleen's powerful voice silenced the whispers.

She sat on an exquisite mat above a raised raised floor. Standing by her side were the Golden Horde three elites. Nomin's sapphire eyes narrowed dangerously at Batu.

She would make sure that this man would not make it into the gang. It was unfortunate that Nomin couldn't kill him, however, she intended to cripple him instead.

"Oh, he's quite the looker," Morena grew a pleased smile.

"Emiko, Yu Mei, you can sit down with the others," Jin Mayleen continued. Emiko and Yu Mei bowed their heads and sat on the sidelines, leaving Batu to stand there alone.

"Well?" Jin Mayleen asked, raising a hand towards him. "Why don't you introduce yourself to everyone here."

"Oh, well, umm...I'm Batu; here to become a member just like you guys, y'know," Batu awkwardly scratched his head. He wasn't too great at speaking in front of a crowd. "I like to kick ass and crack jokes. Ah wait, here's one: What do ya call a girl with an hourglass figure?" He looked across the room. "A waist of time."

Ba dum tss.

Only the silence of the girls greeted him as Batu finished his joke. There were glares and deadpanned faces all around him.

'Tough crowd,' Batu thought to himself.

"Haha, good one..." Yu Mei looked around the room before she started clapping. Unfortunately, no one laughing along with her. Well, at least she tried.

"Oh, god," Emiko facepalmed herself. She didn't think this ogre would be any less stupid.

Jin Mayleen quickly cleared her throat, "Anyways... why don't we get straight to it? I already told you this, but I'm going to say it again for everyone else here.

The rules are simple: You have until one minute for each fight; if you managed to make it through all three rounds, then you will be allowed to join our gang.

Melee weapons will be allowed in this fight. No guns or exoframes are allowed. Remember, this is only a spar, don't try to kill each other. If you understand, then let's begin."

"Wait a minute, I didn't know we can use weapons!" Batu cried out in shock. If he knew, he could at least buy some nunchucks.

"Aren't fists weapons as well?" Jin Mayleen teasingly smiled at him. "I guess you'll just have to use that instead, boy."

Soft giggles erupted from the girls. Was their Khanate purposely trying to make it a lot harder for him? Meanwhile, Yu Mei couldn't be more worried for him. It was nail-biting, to say the least. She prayed that Batu would be okay.

Unlike Yu Mei, Emiko sat there sporting a large grin on her face. She couldn't be much happier by this outcome, 'Serves that stupid brute right!' Emiko laughed maniacally in her head. She was so going to win this bet.

"Now this would be fun to watch," Angie said. "Let's see how the brat does against the three elites."

Yoona nodded silently again.

Batu suddenly clicked his tongue, "Fine, either way, I'll still kick their asses back to their mom's wombs." He then cracked his knuckles. "So who's first?"

Jin Mayleen look at her three girls, "Any of you like to go first?"

"I'll go," Diah quickly stood up. "I'm just itching to give this big guy a little beating."

She stepped down onto the lower floor amidst the cheers from the other girls. Diah stood a few distances away from him with a roguish grin on her face.

"I'll beat that cocky attitude of yours, kid," Diah tossed away her rivet jacket, revealing a blade attached by a long chain that was wrapped around her waist. She loosened the chains around her and spun it around.

"Let's see ya try," He grinned with excitement.