C2 : Hustler

I followed her into the bar.

From the outside, it looked ordinary.

Inside—

It wasn’t.

The air felt heavy.

Quiet… but not peaceful.

There were two people inside.

A large man stood behind the counter, casually preparing a drink. His build was massive—broad shoulders, thick arms.

In front of him sat a woman dressed entirely in white.

Even from a distance, she stood out.

Not because she was flashy—

But because she was calm.

Too calm.

“Boss.”

The girl beside me—Rein—spoke.

“This is the user of 260. I think he can be useful for us.”

The woman in white turned her gaze toward me.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then—

She smiled.

“Hello, kid.”

Her voice was gentle.

“I had Rein keep an eye on you.”

She placed her chin lightly on her hand.

“My name is Shiro.”

“I’m the leader of Hustler.”

“…Yeah.”

That was all I said.

She studied my face for a second.

Then let out a soft chuckle.

“I didn’t expect you to look this tired.”

“…Can we skip the small talk?”

I sighed.

“What is this place? And what do you want from me?”

Shiro didn’t seem offended.

“Alright.”

She leaned back slightly.

“In this world… there’s an underground.”

“A place that hosts games. Shows. Tournaments.”

“High stakes.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“And high rewards.”

I stayed silent.

She continued.

“The audience?”

“Mafia. Officials. The wealthy.”

“People who enjoy watching others risk their lives.”

“…Figures.”

“And the ones fighting there…”

She looked straight at me.

“Are people like us.”

The room felt colder.

“For those who enter… safety is guaranteed.”

“A place to stay. Food. Protection.”

She paused.

“But in return—”

“You fight.”

“Life and death.”

“…And no one knows who runs it?”

I asked.

Shiro shook her head.

“No one.”

“But we have our suspicions.”

“…Colsenty producers.”

“…Yeah.”

She folded her hands.

“The place is called—”

“Holders.”

The name lingered in the air.

“We want you to join us.”

She said it simply.

Like it was obvious.

“…And if I refuse?”

I asked.

Shiro didn’t hesitate.

“You’ll be eliminated.”

Her tone didn’t change.

No threat.

No emotion.

Just a fact.

I stared at her.

“…That’s harsh.”

“It’s reality.”

She tilted her head slightly.

“Besides… I don’t think you’ll refuse.”

“…Oh?”

“Your older sister.”

My eyes narrowed.

“She’s connected to Holders.”

Silence.

“…What.”

For the first time—

my voice shifted.

Just slightly.

Shiro didn’t explain further.

She didn’t need to.

I looked down.

Thought for a moment.

Then exhaled.

“…Fine.”

I shrugged.

“I’ll help you.”

“Good.”

Shiro smiled again.

“Then let’s start with introductions.”

She gestured behind the counter.

“The big guy making drinks—Sulfur.”

The man raised his hand slightly.

Didn’t say a word.

“The girl who brought you here—Rein.”

She didn’t react.

As usual.

“A tall one over there—Zurich.”

I glanced to the side.

A young man leaned against the wall, smirking faintly.

“…So you’re 260, huh.”

“And that drunk woman—Lany.”

I followed her gaze.

A woman slouched on a chair, half-asleep with a bottle in her hand.

“…Hah.”

I looked around again.

Something felt off.

“…Those aren’t your real names, are they?”

Shiro smiled.

“Of course not.”

“We all use codenames here.”

She leaned forward slightly.

“So—”

“What about you?”

“…Me?”

“Pick one.”

I paused.

Thought for a bit.

Shin.

Shenanigan.

“…Shenanigan.”

I said.

“…Just call me Shen.”

Zurich chuckled.

“Not bad.”

Shiro nodded.

“Then welcome to Hustler, Shen.”

For the first time in a long while—

I felt like something had started.

And maybe—

Just maybe—

My life was about to change.

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