Chapter 43 - Rookie Crushers

Hugo's breathing fastened as he stared at Moll's eyes. Thong and Li clutched their hands tightly as the audience stared in silence. Ronald overheard two businessmen sitting beside him talking about the match.

Man 1: The result was obvious, but this just hurts to look at…

Man 2: Hugo looked like he was going to impress us, but I guess Moll is still too high of a wall to get over.

Ronald's thoughts: That's what scum like us get…

???: Ronald?

Ronald turned around to meet a familiar face. Kusari walked down to his row, taking a seat beside him.

Ronald: Kusari? Long time no see, hehehe… I didn't see you in the prelims.

Kusari: Yeah, my ride came here late. But I see someone made it to the main matches.

Ronald: Hehehe… I feel like it was just yesterday when we were all working together. Our old rookie crushing group…

…

Around the age of nineteen, Hugo was a jobless high school dropout. He felt the world around him was lacking. He was bored with the mundane life of school, but with his parents no longer wanting to support his lazy lifestyle, he knew he had to get a job soon. Eventually, he was able to land a position as a caretaker at an elderly home. Having worked there for years, Hugo was loved by the people around him. Despite his lazy life choices, his physique was still no laughing matter.

Old Lady 1: Oh Hugo, please help me with my packages.

Hugo: No prob!

Hugo helped all around, with all the heavy-duty work helping keep his body in great condition. One person living there that he was especially close to was an old man by the name of Lorance. Hugo looked up to Lorance, seeing the strength behind the old man's eyes.

Lorance: Why do you continue to stick around here? You're young, don't waste your youth with us old ones.

Hugo: Don't say it like that. You still look really young with that look in your eyes.

Lorance smiled, before leaning back in his wheelchair. Hugo moved it through the open field as Lorance stared at the bright blue sky.

Lorance: I truly wonder how long I'll keep this look.

Hugo: Probably forever, you are quite the determined individual.

One day as Hugo walked to Lorance's apartment, he knocked on the door, waiting for the old man to buzz the door open. But no sound came. Hugo knocked harder, his smile becoming a bit more nervous.

Hugo: C'mon, man. No time to sleep in! You got a lot of time ahead of you.

With no response, Hugo pulled out the master keys he was given, slowly opening the apartment door. Hugo's eyes opened wide as he saw Lorance sitting in his living room couch, his head cocked back while his eyes were closed and his mouth was open. After immediately calling medical assistance, the room was filled. Hugo standing nervously by the door. One paramedic walked out, placing a hand on Hugo's shoulder.

Doctor: It turns out he passed earlier this morning. The primary cause appears to have been old age and natural causes. He seemed peaceful.

Hugo's heart dropped as he heard the doctor's words. He gritted his teeth before storming out of the building.

Hugo's thoughts: That's impossible! That old bastard can't die, we aren't supposed to die. Isn't that why we've come so far? Dying of old age… Old age… Are all old people surrounded by death? An inescapable fate?

Hugo never appeared at the elderly home again, with his rebirth coming in a match which he had barely won. From the audience, Kusari and Ronald walked up to him.

Ronald: You're pretty strong, hehehe. Want to join us?

Kusari: We're a pretty strong group and are rising through the ranks slowly. Join us and we'll achieve victory.

Hugo stared at Kusari's outstretched hand, meeting it with his own. Finding a place to keep his youth.

…

Moll: If you have nothing more to do, then how about I end this now. This tournament is on a schedule after all.

The audience stared as Hugo's head dropped as Moll's sword raised.

Moll: I guess you've made your answer.

Moll struck down with his blade, with Hugo jumping out of the way. Moll's sheathed blade stopped short of striking the ground, Moll's attention turning to Hugo.

Moll: You got up quicker than expected.

Zachary: From the depths of hell, Hugo has managed to get back up to his feet!

Zenzo: What determination is driving him forward against such a high wall?!

Hugo slowly lifted his head, a smile on his face.

Hugo: I have two students that are watching me. And a whole organization I one day plan to rule. I ain't losing!

Moll: A strong bravado. Show us what you're made of then.

Hugo clenched his fists, charging directly at Moll as Moll thrusted his sword forward. Hugo's upper body went limp, his lower body slightly bending as Moll's sword missed its mark. Hugo pivoted on his waist, flying up on Moll's left as he swung a wide left hook. Moll immediately raised his right arm in defense, the sound of flesh impacting filling the room. Hugo skipped back, a small bruise forming on Moll's arm.

Moll's thoughts: His strength is no joke. And his limber body makes him hard to hit. If he perfected his craft, he may really be a strong fighter.

Hugo began panting, staring down Moll as he clenched his fists. Ronald and Kusari stared in shock at the match.

Ronald: Oi, this is nothing like the rookie crusher I know.

Kusari: He's clearly improved since his days with us… What pushed him…?

Hugo prepared to run at Moll once again before noticing that Moll had already started his charge, running with the sword clutched in his right hand. Hugo charged at him, his upper body falling back as Moll got closer and closer. Once Moll had entered his range, Hugo's upper body shot forward with a quick right jab. Another impact filled the ring, Li and Thong looking on in shock. Moll held Hugo's charged-up punch in his left hand.

Moll: That was pretty strong. But I guess that's all you have to offer.

Hugo felt as the sheathed sword struck his shoulder bone, feeling a few cracks deep in his bones. Hugo began to fall as he met Moll with a smile.

Hugo's thoughts: Old people are always surrounded by death… right? Meaning there's gotta be some near this old guy too… I got one last shot… My two great students… watch me… Watch Hugo in action.

Hugo jumped off the ground with his left foot, Moll stepping back as Hugo's right-foot shot upward.

Thong: He's going for that backflip kick!

Li: The what?

Hugo's body began to flip back, all his strength entering his right leg as it got closer and closer to Moll's head.

Moll's thoughts: He's trying to take me out at this much of a close-quarters?!

The announcers stared on as Hugo's foot scratched Moll's face as Moll side-stepped the attack. Blood followed Hugo's foot as his toe tore Moll's skin. Moll immediately flipped the sword in his hand as he grabbed the hilt with both hands.

Zenzo's thoughts: He's going at it with his full strength?!

Moll stared down at Hugo, whose eyes were no longer locked on the end result of the kick.

Moll's thoughts: You tried to meet me with your all, so allow me to give you a taste of mine.

Moll brought his sword down as he gritted his teeth, Moll's sheathed blade slammed right into Hugo, forcing all of the air out of his lungs. Hugo gritted his teeth, clenching his fists once more as he swung helplessly into the open air. Just a moment later, a hard slam against the hard ground was heard, with Hugo's spread-out body laying there with Moll's blade pushing down on Hugo's solar plexus. Blood dripped from the left side of Moll's face as he stared down at Hugo. Hugo wore a smile on his face, his eyes closed as he remained unmoving.

Thong's thoughts: Hugo… get up…

Li placed a hand on Thong's shoulder as Moll stepped away.

Moll: Perfect that kick more and maybe you truly will be even a match for me.

Zachary: A-AND WE HAVE A WINNER!!! THAT WINNER IS RANK NUMBER SIX, MOLL SONATAAAAAAAA!!!

The audience cheered as Thong, Li, Ronald, and Kusari stared on in disappointment.

Ronald: He started as scum, but he might be more than that now.

Kusari: I just wished he could've gotten up again… Just once more…

Thong dropped his head as the paramedics walked past him and Li. Li placed a hand on Thong's shoulder before walking him away. Hugo's body was picked up and carried away as Moll made his way to the infirmary. Cero stood at the end of the hall, Moll passing by him.

Moll: Try not to be the only top ten that doesn't make it, alright?

Cero: Just go get some rest, old man.

Moll: I'm not even that old.

Moll walked away as Cero stared towards the ring. The audience cheers as the curtains close on the second match.