Chapter 95: Silent Yet Shining

Caelus walked up to the fighter clad in Fragmentum armor, examining him carefully from all sides.

The fighter wore a helmet, so his expression was hidden,

but his body language made it clear that Caelus was making him uncomfortable.

"You… who are you? Do you need something?"

Caelus stroked his chin. "Sorry, I'm the Trailblazer, Caelus. Did Scott tell you about the armor?"

"Oh! My name's Kluzer! Yeah, he told me to wear this and act like a Fragmentum monster. Anything else?

If it's not urgent, please don't bother me. I'm still getting used to this armor."

Caelus had an ominous feeling about this inhuman gear.

He kept pressing Kluzer for details,

but fortunately, Kluzer showed no signs of discomfort—for now.

After that, Caelus wandered around the spectator stands.

Ironically, ever since Kluzer donned the Fragmentum armor,

the audience's enthusiasm had skyrocketed.

Kluzer was branded the "Monster Armor,"

and many spectators were instantly drawn to him, becoming his fans.

Say what you will about Scott being a shady businessman, but his instincts were sharp.

The "Fight Club" had gained massive popularity.

Every match featuring the "Monster Armor" was packed to the brim, with ticket prices soaring.

Frowning, Caelus left the Fight Club.

The screen then cut to black, displaying the words: "A few days later."

Caelus stood at the entrance, face-to-face with a smirking Scott.

"What did I tell you? Sooner or later, you'd be eating good with me.

Now, it's not too late to become one of my fighters, but the pay and split won't be as generous as before."

Caelus scoffed. "How's the 'armor' doing now?"

"Not bad. Still has some hype, though nothing like the beginning. But that's no problem—I'm planning to pit him against a robot next.

'Monster' vs. 'Machine'—sounds thrilling, doesn't it?"

"Aren't you worried the armor might corrupt Kluzer?"

"Corrupt?" Scott laughed as if he'd heard a joke. "Hahaha! Don't be ridiculous. How can armor corrupt anyone? Look at him—he's alive and kicking! He could tear apart a robot barehanded."

"I don't believe you!"

"Believe what you want! Tch, why care about some musclehead fighter? Not worth your time.

Fine, since you're so concerned,

he's got a match inside today. Go find him yourself. Just don't bother me!"

Caelus then approached Kluzer, asking about his physical condition.

After some conversation, it was obvious to the audience that Kluzer was coughing repeatedly, barely holding on.

"Cough, cough… It's my turn… Thanks for worrying about me. You're the only one who cares… Thank you… Thank you!"

He trudged toward the stage, each step heavy and labored.

With a thud, his armor scraped against the ground, producing a dull clang.

Then, a few fighters surrounded him.

"Hey, 'Monster'! What's wrong? Weren't you tough?"

"Hurry up! The crowd's waiting!"

"Wake up, wake up! Hey! Monster! Wake up!"

"I'm… fine… I can still…" Kluzer tried pushing himself up with his hands, but it was futile.

Caelus grabbed Kluzer's arm and hauled him over his shoulder.

"I'm taking you to the clinic for a check-up!"

Too uneasy to leave Kluzer's condition unchecked, Caelus rushed toward Natasha's clinic at breakneck speed.

Along the way, Kluzer, barely conscious, kept muttering:

"Let… let go…

I have to fight…

I need the money…

Without it…

They'll…"

—

Scene transition. Caelus kicked the door open and immediately placed Kluzer on the sickbed.

Recognizing Caelus, Natasha didn't question him and asked for details.

After hearing Caelus's explanation, she understood the situation.

Upon examination, she found that Kluzer had already been eroded by the armor—his body was undergoing assimilation.

The erosion acted like a toxin, increasing physical strain until organ failure led to death!

Natasha urged him earnestly, "You must remove the armor and rest. No more fighting until you've fully recovered."

"No more fighting?!" Kluzer, who hadn't reacted even to the word "death," trembled violently at this.

A few seconds later, he seemed to reluctantly accept reality.

"Got it, Doc… I'll go now." Kluzer swayed as he stood, bowing slightly to Caelus.

"Thank you… stranger."

Then, he dragged his injured body out of the clinic.

Natasha sighed heavily. "Sigh… I've seen too many patients like him. He probably won't follow the advice…

Oh, Caelus, can you do me a favor?"

Caelus's gaze shifted from the door to Natasha.

"What is it?"

"Lately, packages full of supplies have been delivered to the clinic every few days.

The contents are always the same—food, toys, clothes for the kids, etc.

But each time, a different person delivers them.

No matter how much I ask, they never reveal who the donor is.

Thanks to them, the children here lack nothing for now.

But we have some extra supplies now—formula, baby clothes, and books.

Could you deliver them to those in greater need?"

Caelus thumped his chest. "There are still good people in this world. Leave it to me."

Before long,

Caelus had distributed all the supplies.

Just after delivering the "clothes," a letter slipped out.

He picked it up—the message was simple.

But when he saw the sender's name, his pupils shrank.

"Kluzer?!

So, he's the one sending the supplies?

His condition is worsening… No wonder he said he needed money so badly! Damn it!"

With that, Caelus sprinted toward the Fight Club.

—

Cut to the club's interior, where jeers filled the air.

"Hahaha! Told you the 'Monster Armor' was all bark, no bite!"

"Total clown—got beaten to a pulp!"

"Could tell he was done for just by looking at him. Who even idolizes the 'Monster Armor'?"

"..."

Suppressing his anger, Caelus asked a spectator, "Have you seen where the armor is?"

"Oh? You mean the 'Monster'? He lost bad, just got chewed out by the boss.

No idea where he is now—probably hiding somewhere crying? Hahaha."

Caelus didn't thank him, instead marching straight to Scott at the entrance.

"Where's Kluzer?"

Scott looked puzzled. "Inside the club, obviously! Tch, let me tell you, that guy's washed up—can't even adapt to the audience's tastes.

Hmph! Bet he's just trying to scam me into paying his base salary!"

"Washed up?"

"You don't follow the matches, do you? The 'Monster Armor' got wrecked by the five-time champ!" Scott clicked his tongue. "Brutal scene!"

"He was supposed to be resting. Did you know that?"

"Resting?! He should be thinking about how to win back his fans instead!

Ugh, if I knew you'd come, I wouldn't have sent him to the Fragmentum for new armor.

But hey, different strokes, right?"

"NEW ARMOR?!" Caelus stared at him in disbelief.

Scott, however, was completely unfazed.

"Yeah? He lost, didn't he? The armor got trashed!

Should've bowed out gracefully, but no—he begged me for another chance.

So I took pity. Told him the crowd's bored—

needs something even crazier to stay fresh!

But whatever. The 'Monster Armor' already made me plenty. He can do what he wants."

Caelus's lips twitched violently. The sheer audacity made him laugh in fury.

"Hah… You really are a vicious, heartless monster."

"If you care so much, go drag him back yourself. He's definitely in Rivet Town."

Without wasting another second, Caelus bolted toward Rivet Town.

"Kluzer… Hold on! Just hold on!"