Stepping out of the portal, Jake quickly bled into the crowd, weaving his way through the mass of people. As he made his way through the crowd of people, he suddenly felt the air change. It became hotter, the air seemingly shimmering. Everyone else around him seemed to have noticed the sudden change, as all conversation quickly died down and their attention seemed to shift towards the source. Following their gazes, his eyes landed on three men in particular. The trio made their way through the crowd, which gave way as they rocks in a river. Quickly, the place seemed to burst with whispers, each one overlapping another. Listening to the numerous rumors, he heard something that grabbed his attention. A name, one he was familiar with.
Ryder.
Turning his gaze back to the trio, he watched as the trio seemed to go about their evening. However, they had an air that he was familiar with. An air that they believed that they were above others, that they cannot lose.
'Considering that they're supported by Chimera, it makes sense,' he thought before turning around and walking away. After all, the Chimera guild is one of the top guilds in the public eye.
Stepping into the train platform, he made his way towards a nearby bench. Sitting down on the cold metal, he watched as people seemed to gather and chat, the air seemingly becoming lighter for them all. Despite the blood and grime caked on weapons and body alike, none of it seemed to bother any of them. It was simply another part of the day, nothing more than an afterthought.
Hearing the familiar jingle of the train, Jake got up from his seat and joined the crowd of people entering the passenger cars, grabbing one of the railings. Shortly after everyone was able to set foot onto the train, he watched as the platform slowly gave way to the buildings of Northwater. As he watched the buildings pass by, he turned his memory back to the trio. If it was the Ryder he was familiar with from the game, then this served as an opportunity. A chance to gain one of the Staple Weapons. Not only that, it would be a good way to eliminate a hurdle before it had the ability to fully appear.
As he was silently going through the possibilities, he suddenly felt his Harcell go off in his pocket. Pulling it out, he was met with a text.
Jill|Heyo 👋
Jill|debut match rdy
Jill|Come ovr tonite
‘That was rather quick,’ he thought as he put his cell back in his pocket. He assumed it would’ve taken about a week to get things in order and have someone show as his opponent. But for it to be only two days to get everything in order was unexpected.
Might as well get ready.
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When Jake stepped into Little Opulenca, he was met with people coming to and from each building, excitement and anticipation in their steps. Conversation filled the air, with each one focused on the Bleeding Blackout. As he weaved through the packed streets, he pulled out his Harcell before sending a quick text.
Jake|will be there in a moment. meet at entrance
Putting it back in his pocket, he continued his way towards the building, eventually arriving to the sight of a line. Stepping past the unknowing bouncer and into the building, he was met with the same noise as before. However, instead of the constant flashing of multicolor lights, everything was covered in a deep hue of red. It was as if the entire area was waiting. As he looked over the area, he suddenly felt a familiar presence at his side.
"So, ready to get your costume set up?" Jill asked as she stepped into his view. Gone was the track pants and hoodie, replaced by what seemed to be a mix of combat gear and a business suit. Giving a quick nod, he saw Jill smile behind her mask before turning on her heel and going to the back, him following shortly after.
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"Say, what do you have planned for a stage name?" Jill asked as they walked down the steps. He hadn't really thought about that, but it makes sense. They'd need to give the crowd some type of calling card that they could remember.
"Would Coal work?" Jake asked. It was simple to remember and close to his surname, so it'd make sense.
"Nah, too…bland. It needs some kick to it," she responded, waving off the idea, "it needs to be something that people will remember."
As she began to mutter to herself, Jake couldn't help but notice how seriously she was taking the whole thing. It was as if a matter of life and death in her eyes.
Strange.
As the two of them made their way into the lounge, Jill suddenly stopped and snapped her fingers before turning to face him, excitement clear in her eyes.
"How about Zero?" she asked, "It's easy to remember, rolls off the tongue, and fits you! It's perfect!"
"…Yeah, I'm cool with it," he said, shrugging. There wasn't really anything he needed to say. It fits all the categories that he was given, so it'd be best for him to use it.
Accepting his answer, Jill turned around on her heel before continuing in the hallway. As he followed her into the hallway, they eventually stopped at a door of gleaming silver. Various engravings lined its edges, each one seemingly combining into the image of a quill, a line coming from the tip.
Jill rapped her knuckles against the door, in what seemed to be a sequence, before stepping back. Almost immediately, the door snapped open, with a man seemingly in his thirties stepping out into the hallway.
"Cut to the chase. What do you want?" the man asked, a scowl on his face.
"Gonna need an outfit for this guy's debut match," Jill answered as she pointed her thumb in his direction.
As the man's gaze turned his way, Jake saw recognition and surprise paint his face, eyes widened. However, it was clear that the man wasn't reacting to him. Rather, it was as if the man saw something that he knew of.
Seemingly unaware of the change in the air, Jill walked into the room, her humming echoing through the corridor.
Stepping into the room, he saw the walls lined with various pieces of clothing hung about. Each one was high quality, seeming to mix both form and function.
"So, what do you need?" the man asked as he sat down in a plush chair.
"A hoodie, alongside a combat jacket and jeans," Jake answered, scanning the rolls of leathers and clothes. It would be best for it to be practical, since it would serve as some level of armor.
"Simple, but I can work with that," the designer said before snapping his fingers. Suddenly, rolls of textile and leather began to float off of their shelves before floating towards the man, each one stopping right of his reach. “Which materials do you want for it?”
"The NoxBear Fur and GrimDrake Leather can work," Jake answered. Immediately, the rest of the rolls floated back to their original spot, leaving the three rolls floating next to the designer.
"Nice choice. Now, I'm gonna need you to stand still there," the designer said as they began to look through a drawer. Eventually, he pulled out what seemed to be some kind of scanning device. “Gonna give you a quick heads up: this might make you feel a bit…off, but you're gonna be fine."
As the scanner was pointed at him, Jake suddenly felt something wash over him. It was as if he was stripped down and being put through an X-ray of some kind. Just as quickly as the feeling went over him, it quickly subsided, almost as if it never happened.
"Alright, now for the outfit," the designer said before snapping his fingers. As if obeying a silent command, leather and textile quickly began to unroll themselves before layering over one another. Snapping away from their original rolls, the layered cloth began to melt, shaping itself into that of a coat. Slowly, the vicious liquid began to harden, becoming what could be considered cloth.
As the item slowly began to descend, Jake felt the air around him change. It became colder, his breath more visible. Once the jacket fell into his hands, he felt something dig into his palm, yet not breaking through the skin. Putting on the jacket, it felt like the cloth seemed to wrap around his body, seeming to be like a second skin of sorts.
Wield.
As the pallid armor wrapped around his limbs, he noticed that Jill seemed surprised, her gaze directly on the near finished armor. She was on guard, her hands ever so closer to the knives on her back.
"Well, don't you look like a badass," Jill said as she gave him a once-over. Her voice was stable, clear of any clear distress, "Now then, Zero. Ready to give people a show?"
Nodding, Jake saw her seemingly smile behind the mask before making her way out of the room. Following her, he felt the echo of their footsteps linger in the hallway, almost as if applause was being given by a hidden crowd.
An applause for a performance soon to come.