Date: February 4, 2023 - 8:03 pm

Location: East Byzantine

“Welcome back, everyone, to the world’s first Ultimate Dungeoneer Fighting Championship Tournament” The commentator said excitedly. “We have another exciting match lined up for the first day of the tournament!”

“That’s right, Tyson. For our next match, we will see the appearance of our first A-rank Dungeoneer in this tournament. It will be Angela Tannenbaum vs Karen Ruckman. Now, Ruckman’s a B-rank Dungeoneer, but don’t count her out just yet. As we’ve already seen from the earlier matches between other B-ranks, the synergy in Skills and fighting experience makes a real difference.”

“Yes, and to add onto that Ali, I think it’s also worth mentioning just how extensive Ruckman’s fighting history goes. She first debuted in the professional fighting scene as a mixed martial artist when she was eighteen and up until the point she became a Dungeoneer, she has fought professionally for six years. She fought in several championship matches and even competed for the title of Merrick’s women’s national champion in 2019.”

“Yes, overall, I’d say she is definitely a potential contender for the title. But, for now, let’s go over Tannenbaum’s history. She has never entered the fighting scene, even at an amateur level. However, as for her Dungeon raiding history, she has cleared six D-rank Dungeons, seventeen C-rank Dungeons and twenty-seven B-rank Dungeons.”

“That’s…what is that, more than one B-rank Dungeons a month?”

“Yes, that sounds about right, Tyson. The first B-rank Dungeons appeared in March of 2021, so it’s been about 23 months now.”

“Impressive. Well, even without any formal training, that certainly should mean she has a ton of fighting experience.”

“True, Tyson, but it wouldn’t be fighting experience against people. Fighting against a kraken or a manticore is completely different. Honestly, it could be a difficult adjustment.”

“You think fighting against people is more difficult?”

“Well, that depends. Obviously, I’m sure any of these fighters here would prefer to go a round against me than some giant monster, but the Dungeoneers have superhuman powers. With the flexibility and intelligence of the human mind, it’s just completely different.”

“Haha, yeah, that sounds about right, Ali. Sorry, I thought you were about to say something absurd.”

“You know I wouldn’t joke about something like that!” Ali laughed back.

“Anyways, when it comes down to it, who would you give the edge to in this match?”

“Personally, and keep in mind that I’m not a betting man, but I would say Tannenbaum has the advantage.”

“Really, even after all that stuff about the difference in fighting?”

“Hey, I am just saying it could be a factor. However, when you just look at the difference in absolute performance, as much as I hate to say it, Tannenbaum is faster and stronger.”

“Yes, I know what you mean, Ali. Personally, I’d give it to Tannenbaum as well, but I also wouldn’t be completely surprised if Ruckman somehow managed to pull this off. Like you said, the flexibility and intelligence of the human mind is a very different thing to monsters, so it might get kind of tricky or dirty, but she could totally pull off the win.”

“Well, no matter what, let’s hope for a great match. It is about to start right now!”

“Hooo! Alright! Okay, so the two of them are shaking hands right now, and now they are moving back to their respective corners in the stadium.”

“I see Ruckman’s coach is in her corner while Tannenbaum’s corner is empty.”

“Yeah, Tannenbaum has no coach nor did she want anyone as a stand-in. I heard she requested for her sister to be in her corner, but since she is also a competitor in the tournament, that wasn’t allowed.”

“I see. Oh, there it is, the match has started! Ruckman is cautiously making her approach…Tannenbaum is crossing the distance and- wow! What?!”

“...uh, the referee is counting…it’s over! I mean, wow, what an unbelievable show! Tannebaum has K.O.’d Ruckman with a single blow! Well, looks like we were right about this match, Ali!”

“Uh, yeah! I mean, I’d say I thought it would still be just a little bit closer, but…I mean, really. Fantastic performance. Well deserved win. Um, I hope the other matches between A-rank and B-rank Dungeoneers don’t look quite like that, though.”

“Uh, yea. Well, there are only six A-rank Dungeoneers, with three of them on either half of the bracket.”

“Ah, hold on for a second, they are interviewing Tannenbaum now.” The feed to their microphones were cut and cameras switched over. The two commentators looked at each other.

“Man, what the heck was that?” Tyson said to Ali.

“I knew this fighting tournament was a stupid idea.”

“Yeah, but you said it was stupid because most of the A-rank Dungeoneers weren’t even going to fight in it. You said a fighting championship without the best was going to fail.”

“Hey, if this tournament was only A-ranks, at least we wouldn’t see absolute blow-ups like that. It’s a thirty-two person tournament, but we already know what the finals is going to look like: Tannenbaum vs. Madrazo.”

“Yeah, that’s probably what’s going to happen. Well, I mean, hey, don’t you think that the other fights between the B-ranks were pretty interesting.”

“Yeah, I guess I’ll give you that.”

“And that’s still a pretty exciting final, right?”

“Maybe, but this tournament is just still missing so much. Guess that’s what happens when it was planned for more than a year and gets constantly delayed.”

“Well, if this tournament does well enough, maybe there will be a second one and this time there’ll be some prestige on the line to entice the other A-rank Dungeoneers.”

“There’ll have to be a lot of prestige because a fifty million dollar prize pool isn’t enough to draw their attention, apparently.”

“Does that surprise you? B-rank Dungeon Raids can bring in over $200 million each, and A-rank Dungeoneers get more than a tenth of that.”

“You’ve been reading a lot about Dungeon raiding, huh?”

“Mostly just the stuff Zack Liner writes about.”

“Who? Ah, looks like the interview is almost over.”

“I wonder what the other A-rank Dungeoneers are doing right now. Think they are watching?” Ali shrugged his shoulders as the cameraman counted down for them.

*****

Haley Star, covered up with a hooded black jacket and sunglasses, was perusing the store of a high class chocolatier. Peeking out from her hood, one could see her now-yellow hair.

“Um, Miss Star. If none of the chocolates here are to your satisfaction, I would be more than happy to make anything to meet your custom desires,” the chocolatier suggested. Haley ignored the suggestion and kept thinking silently to herself. For a moment, the chocolatier if he had just made a terrible mistake. He had displayed more than two dozen of his finest creations, fully expecting to receive praise and for her to pick out at least two of them. With that, being known as making chocolates for one of Merrick’s most female celebrities would have also led the way to both more prestige and wealth. However, if she were to walk away unsatisfied, just what would the consequences for him potentially be. As the chocolatier continued to worry, Haley received a phone call.

“Hold on,” she said to him, the first words spoken by her in more than half an hour. Chocolatier continued to hold his breath as she answered her phone.

“Haley, are you busy?” the voice on the phone asked. It was a somewhat gruff, but business-like tone.

“Yes, I am.”

“...What are you doing?”

“I am picking out chocolates.”

“...to eat?” One could hear slight confusion in the man’s voice.

“What?” Haley asked back, even more confused than the caller.

“Haley, another B-rank Dungeon has appeared.” The caller had decided to just get to the point. “When is your earlier availability?”

“What? I don’t know. Do I even need to go to these anymore? There’s like four other A-rank Dungeoneers in Merrick that can do this.”

“...You make it sound like this is me one-sidedly forcing you to go. Wouldn’t you profit most from going?”

“I don’t need any more money. If I have free time, I’m only going to spend it on what I want to do.”

“You were the one who said fighting in Dungeons was interesting.”

“Okay, two things. First, that was from an interview two years ago. Second, it’s not fun anymore. Even if I don’t destroy any of the Empowering Stones first, none of the B-rank Bosses will even last a minute. How is that fun? Just let the other Dungeoneers do it and get more money, instead.”

“To continue our streak of zero casualties from B-rank Dungeon clears in Merrick this year, we would like the A-rank Dungeoneers to continue taking the lead.”

“Okay, then get one of the others to do it.”

“They are all out of the country at the moment.”

“What? Do you need someone today? Just fly one of them back here. Is Merrick’s Dungeon Director incapable of doing that?” The caller was having difficulty understanding why Haley was being more combative than usual. Is she just in a bad mood?

“You are not just buying chocolates, are you? I apologize if I have called you at a bad time.” Haley was just about to raise her voice some more, but then suddenly stopped herself.

“Whatever. I just don’t want to do it, okay?”

“I understand. I will see if I can make other arrangements in the meantime. The scouting should be concluded in a couple days, though, so if you change your mind, please let me know.”

“...Okay.”

“And, if there are any concerns that you have, please let me know, and I will do my best to help.”

“...Any concerns?”

“Yes, any.”

“...I have a question.”

“Ask away.”

“What do you think are good chocolates to give a friend for Valentine’s Day?” The caller paused. Did he hear that right?

“...Sorry, I think I might have heard you wrong. You are asking what kind of chocolates you should suggest a friend to give their partner for Valentine’s Day, right?”

“No, I am asking what chocolates to give a friend for Valentine’s Day.” Alright, so that was what she said earlier.

“...I am not familiar with giving friends chocolates on that day. Is this something more common among young women?”

“It’s common in Sunland.” Sunland, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean. If he remembers correctly, Haley’s mother was born there.

“Your friend is from Sunland?”

“No! Okay, forget it. Bye.” Haley hung up, and then turned towards the chocolatier. “You say you can make something custom?”

“Yes, of course,” he replied almost breathlessly, as if he was holding his breath throughout the entire call.

“How long will you take?”

“It depends on the ingredients and what kinds of chocolates you want.” Haley didn’t look very pleased with that response. “However, if money is not an issue, I guarantee it will be done before Valentine’s Day.” Haley nodded.

“Good. Take me to the kitchen. I want to see you try some things I have in mind first.”

“You want to experiment with something right now?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Well, there are other customers and-” Haley took out several wads of taped-together hundred-dollar bills from her Inventory. The chocolatier turned to one of his staff members.

“We’re closing the store to all other visitors right now!” The staff member nodded and left to inform everyone else. “Follow me, Miss Star.”

*****

Valentina Giocondo stood in the hallway leading to her mansion’s living room. In the living room were the rest of her three siblings who were seated on two couches in front of the television, which was currently showing the Ultimate Dungeoneer Fighting Championship Tournament. Valentina brought her hand next to her mouth and whispered into it.

“Luigi, have you noticed anything unusual so far?” she asked into her hand.

“...unusual in what way?” the voice of Luigi Gallo whispered back. In a stadium in Constantinople, Luigi was hunched over and whispering into his collar.

“If you are not sure, then just tell me everything.”

“...does it have to be right now? Can't it wait until I get back to the hotel?”

“What if you get assassinated before then?”

“...do you really think they are going to kill me?” Luigi’s voice was still a whisper, but the panic was evident. “But, I’m a West Byzantine senator.”

“Who’d be more likely to kill a West Byzantine senator than someone from East Byzantine?”

“Then why did you send me here?!” Luigi had accidentally raised her voice and was now looking around him in a panic to see if someone had noticed. Luckily, there weren’t too many others seated around him, and the ones nearby seemed busy talking to themselves, probably talking about the recent knockout.

“You just need to do what I’ve ordered you to do. So, give me a report of anything unusual.”

“...something unusual…well, maybe there is something up with the betting odds.”

“What do you mean?”

“The odds of Angela Tannenbaum winning the last match was 1.25 to 1. But, the odds of Sierra Madrazo winning her match is 1.03 to 1. Oh, actually, it might have been updated since I last checked.”

“...Luigi, have you been making bets there?”

“...yes…”

“You do know that I can make the invisible communicator on your end explode, right?”

“It’s just some bets! Come on, I barely make any money as a senator! You pick and choose which groups I can get money from!” Valentina silently scoffed at him. For Luigi, a million dollars in bribes is barely any money. It was a bit hypocritical, though, since Valentina would have also considered that barely any money as well if that was all she had.

“If making those bets is distracting you from observing something important, then you can rest assured that I will exact any of my future losses from you, personally.”

“Okay, okay, I understand. I got my eyes peeled, Valentina.”

“That had better be the case. I’m not so quick to believe that this tournament was organized and held in East Byzantine, a nation lacking in high-ranking Dungeoneers, just for entertainment. If they catch onto you, you had better deliver me all your information before they kill you.”

“May I have permission to run away before that happens?”

“No. Just don’t let it happen.” Valentina cancelled the communication magic and went back to her living room.