The sun had fallen and few people were out and about in the semi-abandoned westernmost point of Coney Island.
What had once been a gated, private community since the late 1800s had been opened up with the influx of people fleeing the suburbs for the safety of a city. It was then left fallow when those same people moved into the newer neighborhoods built to house them.
That gave the Coney Island Lighthouse a somewhat haunted look, especially enhanced by the twilight. The Ecoplast company that had once been its neighbor had also been emptied out, and while the rat problem had been solved by Team 0, it was still not a particularly inviting place.
James and his companions fearlessly walked into the semi-empty parking space, ready to get the ball started once and for all.
At the center of the lot, standing tall with an aura of arrogance, was Callum Wright. Flanking him were members of the Radiant Guild, forming a half-circle of observers - among whom James recognized the five his team had pushed around the other day- with Callum as the focal point. It was evident that he had called for a gathering to witness the impending showdown.
The low light gave the whole confrontation a noir, cinematic feel, but James made sure to keep his senses peeled in case an ambush was in the works.
Callum smirked as he saw James approaching, his eyes briefly flitting to the others who were not too far behind him. "Didn't think you'd show.” He taunted.
James, unfazed, retorted "Couldn't pass up the opportunity to show you up, Wright. After all, it's about time someone put you in your place.”
A murmur spread among the Radiant Guild members. They exchanged glances, clearly not having expected James to be this bold in front of the E-rank.
“You think you can go around Brooklyn talking shit about us, and then ambush one of our teams? And have no consequences?” Callum's voice dripped with disdain, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “Do you think that just because you didn’t take the G-rank test yet, we wouldn’t know you have been powerlevelling?”
“Oh, good job.” James clapped sarcastically, injecting as much mockery as possible in his tone. “You realized we are not just H-ranks after we destroyed those idiots.”
Callum's face reddened and his fists clenched. The taunts were working, striking deep into his pride. "You're playing a dangerous game, Summers.”
“Am I?” James asked, tapping a finger on his lips as if doubting the veracity of the E-rank’s words.
James was very aware of the disparity in strength and the perilous situation they were in. Alone and surrounded by greater numbers, among which he could feel at least two more E-rankers, this should have been the worst-case scenario.
Instead, James could barely contain the excitement he was feeling. He had daydreamed about this moment. But to get to his rightful satisfaction, he needed to be careful. Fumbling the bag now would be terrible.
James stepped closer, voice cold "Here's the deal, Wright. One on one, we all know you’ll beat me. It would surprise no one if you took that road. But against all of us? I doubt it. So, how about it? Show everyone here that you're not just a big talker hiding behind your Guild's skirts."
Callum laughed, but there was a hint of rage in it. “Do you think me so stupid to fall for it? I have you in the palm of my hands now, Summers. There is nowhere to hide; no one is gonna save you.”
He didn’t seem particularly interested in falling for the bait, but James had not been talking to him. He had known from the beginning that it was a long shot to convince him directly.
But seeing the crowd murmur, he knew he had gotten his hooks in. Now he just needed to push a little more. “So this is what you have come to.” He announced solemnly “The once great Radiant Guild, forced to ambush a team of rookies just to defend their honor. It doesn’t surprise me that people feel free to badmouth you in your territory.”
Ignoring the fact that he had been the one to badmouth them, he could see the first stirrings of discontent with Callum’s conduct in the group.
His teammates stayed silent throughout, knowing he was much better suited to dealing with Wright than any of them. The only reason he would accept a five on one fight, after all, was if it were personal.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
Among the guild members, a tall, lanky fellow with dark curls spoke up. "You heard the man, Callum. Is this what we are doing now? Ambushing kids from the shadows, scurrying like rats?” From the reading James was getting, this was one of the two other E-ranks present and he didn’t seem to mind putting Callum on the spot.
A few others murmured in discontent. It wasn’t so much that they were above this kind of behavior, having done much worse, but the situation they were in did paint it as a desperate attempt to maintain their guild honor by silencing Team 0, where once they would have simply done so in the open, without fear of retaliation from anyone.
Callum's face darkened with fury. His ego was taking hit after hit, not just from James but from his own people. "You're questioning me in front of this vermin?”
It was interesting to James that there seemed to be some friction between the Radiant members, but he should have expected it. With the way things were going, the rats would be looking to jump the ship. They were probably still hanging around only because of their Leader and because no other organization had started making individual offers, concentrating more on absorbing the whole Guild.
It was just a matter of time before that happened, however, and James wouldn’t be surprised if the upper rankers already had started noticing some feelers.
James sensed the perfect moment and pressed on. "Come on, Wright. You claim to be an E-ranker. Surely you can handle us by yourself. Or are the rumors true? That your ranking is nothing but a front? That you're just a paper tiger?”
Of course, there was no such rumor. He had just invented it for the occasion. But James did have a few suspicions about the speed of Callum’s ascent between the ranks, and it wouldn’t surprise him if some palms had been greased.
There was a collective gasp from the Radiant Guild members. James' words cut deep, and the implications were clear. If Callum backed down now, his reputation and by extension the Guild's, would be in tatters.
He can’t really back down from that. I’m pretty sure he’s not particularly beloved, and considering the precarious situation Radiant is in, he can’t afford to let something like this go unpunished.
Callum glared at James, his face a mask of pure hatred. "You're going to regret those words, Summers.”
"Prove me wrong then.” James said coolly, leaning in slightly. "Take us on by yourself. Show your Guild that you are not just a big talker, but worth the position you hold.”
The lanky E-ranker from Radiant Guild, clearly enjoying the situation, decided to push it further. “You know, Wright, I've heard some of the same rumors. Of course, I’d never believe them, but putting them to rest right now would be a good idea.” He flashed a malicious grin.
The crowd’s unease grew palpable. More whispers and murmurs spread, and the looks on the faces of some Radiant Guild members shifted from uncertainty to something akin to anticipation. They were clearly curious to see if Callum could back up his talk with action.
None of them believed there was anything Team 0 could do to get away. And if their fate was sealed, well, they might as well have some fun.
Lauren finally broke her silence, stepping forward with a smirk. "Maybe you're all talk after all. Big muscles, big ego, but when push comes to shove, you hide behind your minions." Her voice was calm and measured, every word dripping with sarcasm. She had not forgotten the looks he and his cronies had given her.
Being insulted by a girl in front of his men seemed too much for him to bear, and James had to suppress a triumphant smirk as he saw victory come close.
Callum’s nostrils flared. The combined pressure from James’ team and his guild members started weighing on him. "Enough!" He roared. "I'll take you all on. I'll show you why I’m the pride of Radiant Guild and why none of you should dare stand against me!”
The entire parking lot was abuzz now. The Radiant members quickly created an open space for the impending battle, forming a ring of spectators.
Callum took a deep breath, positioning himself at the center of the makeshift ring, trying to radiate a semblance of confidence. But even from afar, the tremble in his hands, the light sweat forming on his forehead, and the darting glances at his guild members told a different story. He didn’t seem afraid, but it was evident that he had been unnerved.
It wasn’t the kind of look one would expect in someone certain that he’d be able to win easily. For a moment, James seriously contemplated the possibility that Callum was truly just a paper tiger and that his rank had been, if not falsified, at least substantially inflated, but he pushed the thought away. He’d find out soon enough, and underestimating him now would be a big mistake.
Ezekiel leaned in to whisper to James "You sure about this? He's cornered and unpredictable. He looks like a wild animal.”
"We got him where we want him.” James whispered back, eyes never leaving Callum. “And we’ve practiced for this.” Turning back now was not an option anyway.
He knew that what Ezekiel and the others were worried about wasn’t necessarily this fight, but the following one. To give their operation the credibility it needed to stand up against a judge’s scrutiny, Miss Walker would have to delay her arrival long enough to be realistic that she had been called only after the Radiant Guild Leader had intervened, and that interval of time was the scariest bit.
Facing against Callum was already a hazard. Taking on the leader would be impossible for them. Thus, they needed not only to defeat the incensed Awakener before them, but do so in a way that would require intervention from his boss and then survive the man’s attention.
The lanky E-ranker decided to officiate, perhaps feeling a little responsible for the unfolding situation. “When I drop my hand, the duel begins. No interruptions from anyone. We see this through to the end.” He looked directly at Callum, his meaning clear: no crying foul or running away now.
His presence had not been expected, but James felt grateful. One of his fears had been that others would interfere once things started to look bad, but if this guy wanted to help them, he’d take it.
The tension was thick. The guild members, all watching intently, held their breath. Callum’s reputation was at stake, and with it, that of the entire Radiant Guild.
“When I’m done with you, the only shit you’ll be talking is the one that comes out of your mouth after I rearrange your guts.” Callum said darkly.
James couldn’t help but let out a snort, surprised by the obviously unintended double entendre. His teammates coughed, trying to cover their mirth, and he saw several others in the crowd trying to stifle their amusement.
“Is that why you’ve had it with me since the beginning? You should have just asked me out.” He replied, grin visible.
A low growl built up in Callum’s throat, and from how his eyes had become flinty, James knew there would be no more banter coming.
The referee finally raised his hand high. The world seemed to fall silent, every sound drowned out in anticipation. And then, with a swift motion, he dropped it, and the fight was on.