LEVEL UP: HAREM EMPIRE

CHAPTER 7: BLOODIER & SCARIER

“Blood for blood?” Alex asked, his face drained of all color.

Karina didn’t say anything. She only nodded once, then leaned forward until her face was inches from his. Her voice was smooth, but firm. “You can’t?”

Alex looked confused and couldn’t even make up a word. “I—”

“Then there’s no way you’ll survive out there, Alexander,” she replied as she leaned away from him. “Your enemies will come for you. And there’s nothing you’ll be able to do about it. You’ll fail. As usual.” She said it like everything she was saying made perfect sense in his ears.

Alex couldn’t form a word, but he knew these people already knew what he had been through. And they were offering help. But it was in some kind of gruesome way.

“Who’s this Giff?” Alex asked, staring deep into her eyes.

“Someone that will help you,” she stated.

Almost immediately, the door opened. A man in a clean tailored suit stepped in. Probably in his early forties. Tall, with bob curl hair. Beside him was another subtle man Alex guessed was his assistant.

“Ah… is she threatening you?” the man asked , clapping his hand's in the air, as he stopped in the middle of the room, looking straight at Alex, before turning back to Karina.

“You know I can’t kill him, right, Sir Giff,” Karina replied as she moved away from the bed and walked back to the desk.

Giff chuckled. He dragged a plastic chair to Alex’s side and sat down facing him. He pulled out a long stick of tobacco and lit it.

“You’re alright, Alexander?” he asked, blowing out smoke.

“Who are you?” Alex asked instead.

“Your salvation,” Giff replied.

“Were you the one that saved me? From back then in the woods? And… how do you know my name?” Alex asked, staring into his brown eyes.

"Your name you say. Your name is everywhere Alex. In the news, headlines, and even with the police."He replied, his voice more icy now.

"So, how did you know I was there?"

Giff didn’t reply quickly. He folded his legs. “Salvation comes for everyone. But sometimes, some are not ready for it at that moment. Some are ready, but the mind and soul isn’t willing. While some have the death and determination to get that salvation.” He paused, then stood up, hovering over him.

“Alexander Kane. Which one are you?” he asked, blowing hot smoke into Alex’s face.

Alex stared at him. He understood perfectly now. “I’m the strong, determined one,” he replied, not breaking eye contact.

Giff chuckled. He looked at Karina who was also listening, with a smirk on her lips.

“Everyone says that… until they get a glimpse of what the salvation actually costs,” he said. “Are you willing to pay the cost, Alex?” His face was serious now. Hard. Deadly serious.

Alex’s face went cold. He realized these people were dangerous, and no doubt, this man knew a lot about him. About everything he had been through.

“Yes. I’m willing to pay.”

Giff chuckled as he moved away slowly. “Very well then.” He turned to Karina. “Dress him up. I have a show for him to watch!” he said as he walked out.

“Show?” Alex asked, but it was only Karina left in the room.

“You’re scared?” she asked as she undid the bandage on his arm.

Alex watched her eyes. “What kind of show is that?”

“You didn’t answer my question, dummy,” she replied, loosening the one on his leg.

“Well… everyone is scared of what they don’t know. And why are you so harsh? You don’t even know me.”

“Probably because you’re not getting my signals,” she paused, looking at him.

“What signals?” Alex asked, confused.

She chuckled, low and dangerous, as she pulled out the last drip. “Go watch. When you’re back, we can talk about that one.” She blew him an air kiss and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Alex’s face turned red. “Wha—”

“Come on outside. You’ve got a lot to see,” her voice came from the other side of the door.

---

Before Alex could process anything, he was in a car heading into the thick forest, to nowhere.

He sat in the back, trying to remain calm. Giff and the other man were in the front. Alex told himself to trust the process. That this was something good for him.

They drove deeper until the car made a U-turn into a corner and stopped in front of an eerie gate. A man in black, probably security, opened it.

They drove further and stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse. Even from outside, they could hear it.

Screaming, cheering. Like animals.

Alex stepped outs. Giff and his man were already walking in.

The air smelled wrong. Like rust, sweat, and something metallic and rotten.

Alex wanted to ask questions, but didn’t get the chance. Giff was already charging inside.

The moment Alex stepped through the door, his blood froze.

Dozens of people sat in rusted bleachers, screaming and throwing money into the air. Their faces were twisted with excitement. Some had beer in one hand and blood on the other.

“GET THEM! GET THEM!! KILL HIM!!”

In the middle of a dirt pit, three men covered in blood were fighting desperately to climb a six-foot pole. At the top of the pole was a black duffel bag.

Every time one of them got close, the others dragged him down. They used chains, broken bottles, bare hands.

And on the floor beside the pit… were three dead bodies.

One had his throat torn open.

Another’s stomach was split, intestines spilling onto the dirt. The third was missing half his face. Flies were already buzzing around them.

Alex’s stomach turned, as he puck. "What's.... what's happening here?" But no one was answering him.

Then, in the middle of the fight, one of the players staggered. He reached into his side and pulled out a gun.

Alex’s eyes widened. “Hey! He’s got a gun!”

The other two didn’t care. They were too busy trying to kill each other.

The bleeding man lifted the gun with shaking hands. Blood ran down his head, his nose, his mouth. He looked half-dead already.

And then he pulled the trigger. Twice.

_PANG! PANG!_

Blood splashed across the first row of viewers. A chunk of skull hit a woman’s face and she started laughing and clapping harder. The cheer grew louder, wilder, like they were at a football match.

Alex fell to his knees. He scrambled backward. “What… why… what is happening. What kind of—” He was stammering, unable to make a full sentence. His hands were shaking.

The smell of gunpowder mixed with blood filled his lungs. Somewhere a man was gurgling, drowning in his own blood.

Giff turned to him slowly. There was a smirk on his lips. Blood spatter was on his expensive suit.

He leaned down close to Alex’s ear and whispered:

“Welcome to the circuit, Alexander.”