"If you understand it that way, it's not wrong, but this kind of arena competition is legally permitted on the Lighthouse, so we don't even call it underground fighting anymore."
"......" Xu An recalled that Mouse had told her about this before.
To be too pure is to have no fish. On the Lighthouse, for the sake of survival, there are many such black industries, such as the "arena competition" in front of them, and the "dark alleys" in Mouse's hands.
But from the beginning, the Lighthouse did not crack down on them; instead, it gave these "black industries" a legal identity.
Xu An then thought of what the boss had just said about people being killed. Looking at the two people fighting on the arena, she said, "You said people get killed? Does that mean someone has died on this arena before?"
The boss was unconcerned and even chuckled, "Miss Xu, you really don't know anything about the outside world. A death waiver is signed for these arena matches. So far, almost ten people have died. Basically, very few losers manage to walk off the arena alive."
The man's eyes were reddened, and his gaze was filled with an almost crazy passion as he watched the two fighters on the arena. He said with a sigh,
"You don't understand. When men reach this point, all their bestial nature and fighting spirit are ignited. If they don't beat the other to death, they won't stop."
"But isn't killing forbidden on the Lighthouse?" Xu An asked in surprise.
"How can this be called killing? This is simply a matter of inferior skill. The matches in my venue are all legal. Don't speak carelessly."
Xu An was speechless.
Later, she learned that this arena could not only organize death matches but also resolve personal feuds.
As long as both parties agreed, even those who were not fighters could participate in the arena matches, and after official registration, they could even carry firearms.
The Lighthouse provided everyone with a legitimate platform to resolve disputes, but the cost of this resolution was life and death.
As the boss finished speaking, Xu An no longer looked at the arena. Instead, she found a secluded corner and prepared to start her training.
Xu An looked back and found that the boss was still following her. "Is there anything else?"
The boss blinked, "Ah, nothing else. Train well. If you need anything, just come to me. By the way, the coach you booked can't make it today. What time will you come tomorrow? I'll have the coach arrive early and wait for you."
Xu An thought for a moment and then said, "Then it will be the same time. I'll come at 8:30 in the morning."
"Alright."
Xu An nodded to show she understood and then stopped talking to the man, instead unzipping her backpack and taking out some basic necessities.
She first walked onto a treadmill, set the speed, and started running. She had set it for a half-hour slow jog as a basic warm-up. She had formulated a detailed and rigorous training plan for herself.
Not only that, but Xu An had also prepared lunch, planning to eat it directly at the training hall to free up all her time. She had to adapt to this high-intensity training in advance.
After running, she took out her portable water bottle, which contained a clear sports drink she had prepared earlier.
Although this training hall was built to be very similar to pre-apocalypse gyms, free water would not be provided here.
As the arena match ended, Xu An saw two men carrying a stretcher walking in through a gray passage. They carried away the loser of the match on the stretcher.
Xu An didn't know if the person was alive or dead, and it seemed no one cared about their fate. Those who had lost their bets muttered curses in low voices, dejected.
Even with the boxer's life uncertain, they still used any objects in their hands to smash at the motionless body on the stretcher.
And the cheers of the victors were never absent. The winner shouted their victory loudly. Amidst the clamor,
The final winner, covered in blood, was held aloft by the crowd.
Xu An watched the boxer being held high by the crowd. At the corner of his eye, a crystal-clear liquid mixed with blood slid down his eye socket.
She wondered if the person who stood until the end was crying because of the money won, or for their own good fortune in not being the one carried away.
Xu An took out a dodgeball she had prepared. This dodgeball had been modified by her to be faster, have a stronger impact, and cover a wider range.
When she was alone, she usually used this dodgeball for training, but at home, the space was too small, and she couldn't exert herself fully. She often didn't have time to dodge.
The modified metal ball would hit various parts of her body heavily. Her body was covered in bruises from being hit by the metal ball.
Recently, she had been wearing long sleeves and long pants specifically to prevent her mother from seeing the marks on her body.
This was also why Xu An had ultimately chosen to come to the training hall. Besides being more professional, she didn't want to end up covered in injuries without having achieved anything.
The area Xu An chose was not large, simply furnished with a few pieces of training equipment, and nothing else.
Perhaps because of the arena match earlier, all the people were concentrated in that area. Xu An's arrival was not too noticeable.
However, as the arena match ended and the crowd dispersed, people finally noticed Xu An's presence.
Especially when Xu An dodged agilely under the attack of the dodgeball, it was clear she was a skilled practitioner.
There were women in the training hall, but those women had tanned skin and wore tight halter tops, exuding a wild beauty.
But Xu An was an anomaly. She had a fair complexion, yet her movements were fierce, and her punches carried a strong force. Many people's gazes were drawn to Xu An's actions.
Xu An's eyes, however, were only focused on the dodgeball in front of her. Her gaze was determined, and a thin layer of sweat slid from her forehead, down her temples, and into her neck. She didn't notice that she had become the center of attention.
"Second Brother, did you see the girl over there? She looks quite skilled."
The man called Second Brother had a goatee and looked somewhat comical. However, from his right eye socket down to his neck, a ferocious scar snaked across his face, making his usually amusing square face appear fierce and menacing.
"Tch, she's all show and no substance. Just a pretty facade."
The man knew his brother had a bit of prejudice against women and had lost money just now. What he said now was just out of annoyance.
However, he didn't think his brother was wrong. Although he admired Xu An's skills, in their team, she was indeed no different from a mere showpiece.
He watched his brother walk away, shaking his head with a wry smile, and was about to turn back to look at Xu An again.
When he found a cold, sharp gaze looking in his direction.
The man's back suddenly felt as if it were being stared at by some fierce beast.
He turned his head and met Xu An's cold eyes. He was startled. He actually felt a powerful aura emanating from a woman. The step he was about to take to approach her halted, and he couldn't move forward any further.