Byron places his hand on the cracked window and shatters it, inviting gales inside the lounge.

  “This power is indescribable. Something you will unfortunately never experience,” Byron gloats. Ken tries to stand up, struggling to catch his breath as he coughs blood. The ringing in his ears continues to disorient him.

  Byron laughs, “How pathetic you look. You always had that serious demeanor, and turns out you can't take a single punch.” He walks over to Ken as he struggles. “You were always in over your head.”

  He grabs Ken's left leg and throws him into one of the televisions. It collapses with him as he helplessly falls to the floor.

  Unable to fight back, Ken tries to crawl to the exit, but Byron steps on his right hand.

  “You aren't getting away this time.” Byron crouches and grabs Ken by his hair, lifting him. “Phenton always saw something in you. I could never understand how some drugged-out lab rat had more promise than I.”

  ...98! 798!... Ken hears a crowd faintly chant.

  Byron spits on the floor next to him. “Disgusting. He would be turning in his grave if he saw you now.”

  Byron lifts Ken by his hair and makes him stand. “I used to be a boxer. Hell, the best of the best.” Byron takes up a boxing stance while Ken struggles to balance. “Tch, they'll regret dropping me.”

  In an instant, Byron's fist smashes into Ken's face. The force is enough to send him smashing through the bar shelves.

  Ken loses consciousness.

  798! 798!... The chanting grows louder.

  Ken opens his eyes, unsure how he is alive or how long he was out for. His right eye doesn't want to open fully– a shadow covers a corner of his vision.

  “Phenton and Senzo were going to defend a disgrace like you!” Byron says with a grim tone.

  Ken can't think straight; his mind is everywhere. The blood. The pain coming from his body is unbearable.

  How do I handle this…Senzo…Sora…Anyone…?

  “But the Ascenders? They knew my value, saw how pitiful you are.” Byron stands in front of Ken. “Afterwards, everyone else will kn–”

  Let's go, 798! Clap… clap – clap, clap, clap.

  The chant kept repeating in Ken’s head. The ringing in his ears is starting to drown out Byron's words. As Ken blankly stares at Byron, he notices the televisions, even the destroyed one, are repeating a gambling advertisement.

  He focuses on it, and the ringing begins to change. He can hear something.

  Someone.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, the time is nigh, and our player is cornered!” A voice announces. “WHAT WILL HE PUT ON THE LINE?!”

  Is…is that the voice?

  “COME ON, 798! WHAT ARE YOU PUTTING ON THE LINE?!”

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  Am I 798?

  The crowd gives differing answers, and Ken is unable to understand them.

  “PUT EVERYTHING ON THE LINE!” The voice shouts excitedly.

  “Everything?” Ken says aloud.

  “Broken after two hits? You really weren't anything special,” Byron taunts, unable to see what Ken sees.

  Everything? Do I have anything left to give?

  “SHALL WE HELP HIM OUT, EVERYONE?!” The announcer asks the crowd, and a loud cheer answers him.

  The crowd becomes quiet, and the announcer asks a question.

  “What is Byron standing in the way of?” The announcer asks.

  In the way of? Baltro…no. The Maximus…maybe? To get to…get to him, I need to get out of here.

  Byrons grabs Ken and shakes him, “Hey, are you listening?”

  My debt? That is worthless. What Senzo wanted is for me to live my life…to live free…freedom…my freedom is worthless…

  Byron lifts Ken from his head. “Unfortunately, I'm not done with you.” Byron prepares another punch.

  I need…time! The crowd begins to become excited, and drums play in the background. My future! I need it… I still need to do something!

  “HELL YEAH! PUT IT ON THE LINE!” the announcer excitedly says.

  I BET MY FUTURE I WILL DEFEAT BYRON!

  “798! 798!” The crowd chants excitedly.

  “YOU HEAR THAT, EVERYONE! WE HAVE A HIGH ROLLER IN OUR MIDST!” The voice announces.

  Ken feels a surge of energy pass through his body. The pain in his body disappears as his wounds heal. His heart beats loudly, in unison with the high-tempo music in the background.

  The voice announces loudly as the world begins to change around him:

  “A BRAVE SOUL AGAINST INSURMOUNTABLE ODDS IS LAYING EVERYTHING ON THE LINE!”

  He suddenly feels stronger than before. He kicks Byron with his foot, causing him to fly back and release him. As Ken stands, a golden light shines around the room. The televisions start showing gambling adverts with the words ‘WATCH 798 WIN IT ALL!’ The crowd continues to cheer.

  “FOR THE DURATION OF THE BET, SPECIAL RULES ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE HOUSE NEEDS TO WIN!”

  Ken's trenchcoat begins to change. As it mends itself, silver linings appeared on the coat, making the shape of spades, clubs, diamonds, and hearts. Strangely, it feels it can go further but decides to stop there. His surroundings warp slightly, the floor gains a slight golden sheen, and floating billboards fly around the building, each with a different message and betting odds.

  “BE WARNED, FOR WE HAVE A HIGH ROLLER IN OUR MIDST!”

  Byron stands up and slowly walks toward Ken, dusting himself. “Seems you have more tricks up your sleeve, rat.” Byron does a quick stretch and takes an even more aggressive stance.

  Ken is the only one who can hear the crowd cheering. He returns his focus to Byron; now isn’t the time for answers.

  “First bet!” The voice announces. Suddenly, everything surrounding him slows down to a crawl, including himself.

  It's impossible; his mind sees everything, yet his body is too slow.

  Is it waiting for me? Ken’s eyes sharpen as he thinks for a moment. Here goes!

  I bet my left arm I can land a punch on Byron!

  The crowd boos, and the bet doesn't go through.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, it seems our high roller doesn't understand how this table works, so why don't we give him a hand!” The voice announces excitedly. The crowd cheers in support.

  Is it deciding for me?

  A large screen with a spinning slot machine reel flies in.

  “LET'S GO FOR GOLD: 798 NEEDS TO LAND TEN PUNCHES BEFORE THE COUNTDOWN IS UP…”

  The televisions in the lounge display a one-minute countdown.

  “HE WILL LOSE HIS ARMS!” The crowd cheers in excitement.

  Wait! How can I do that without arms!

  “And his time begins now!” The voice announces.