Sorry for all the errors.

#TCS27: Up to the Next Challenge

Amythee Hope's POV

Kalix instructed us to return to Salvos Castra and Rebel agreed because it will be too dangerous to stay in there. Lalo na sa nangyari kanina, baka may bumalik pa.

We left Kalix in there while he was busy on the phone. He looked frustrated and yet he kept his cool. I saw how he managed the situation, he did not let his own personal and emotional feelings get through him.

Do'n ko nakita 'yung aura ng pagiging Crown sa kan'ya. It felt heavy while looking at him, to be honest. The greater things you hold, the greater responsibility you have.

I thought getting the title would make everyone respect us, and solely that is why I wanted to get the name at first. Who would not want it? You'd be respected, feared and we will get to see them. Little did I know; it was more than that... heavier than that.

We quietly and cautiously went back fast to Salvos Castra. No one was speaking and no one even dared to ask questions. The air was unsettled and heavy. My hands felt cold, after what just happened, syempre hindi pa rin mawala wala 'yung takot at kaba sa puso ko.

Hindi nagtagal nakabalik kami sa lugar. Si Luna, Rebel at Sven na lang ang nandito. Gabby suddenly disappeared the moment we arrived here. I saw how Rebel and her glanced at each other so I had an idea that something's up too with them like Kalix.

That makes me wonder what the position of Gabby and Rebel in this school is. I have this feeling that they are Crowns. It is the only title that would make sense with the authority and skills they have.

"Be ready to do a set of cardio and strength exercise, after warm up. Clear?" Rebel told us coldly. Hindi man lang niya kami tiningnan. Gustuhin man naming magreklamo at pag-usapan ang nangyari kanina hindi na namin nagawa.

"Aren't you curious about what happened earlier, or any info about it? I'm worried for the siblings." Narinig kong sabi ni Pierce 'nung tabihan n'ya ako para magsimulang magwarm up. I started to stretch and he did too.

"I'm dying of curiosity honestly, but in my opinion, it won't do any good." I retorted softly, sighing lightly because of what happened in a blink of an eye, and how we silently turned our heads as if nothing happened bad.

"Why? How about them?" Aniya sabay tingin sa gawi nina Theon.

"For now, knowing nothing is the safest. Kung may malaman man kasi tayo, sa lagay natin ngayon? Wala rin tayong magagawa, baka maging panggulo pa tayo kayna Kalix at Rebel." I answered while stretching my legs.

"You got a point there. Hopefully, this mystery and danger will be solved as soon as possible. It is making me worried sick that we don't know who are we dealing with."

"Kaya nga, kinakabahan ako kasi pa'no pala mamaya nakamasid na sa 'tin? Pa'no na 'yung magkakapatid? 'Yung mga bata pa. Wala silang laban at alam dito."

"We'll protect them."

"Kaya ba natin?"

"Para sa'n pa 'tong ginagawa natin ngayon, kung hindi natin kakayanin?"

"Sabagay."

"Let's do this." He put up his arms with a balled fist and I crossed it with mine. We smiled at each other after that.

Nagsimula na rin kaming lahat sa mile run 'nung matapos kaming magwarm up. Nagcircuit exercise rin kami at nag core exercise. Paulit ulit lang. At hindi na ganun kahirap para sa 'min 'yung mga ganung exercise kasi sanay na yata 'yung katawan namin. Kahit pa mabigat 'yung uniform parang wala na lang sa 'min.

Hindi nagtagal natapos kami at saka sinabihan ni Luna na magdinner na.

After that we had a lesson with her about situational crisis and technology use when it comes to tracking, finding, identifying and much more. As usual, Biblee and Cleon excelled in this, however, we are also not behind them. Mas may experience lang talaga 'yung dalawa.

We also had a short martial arts training before going to bed. Pagod na pagod na naman 'yung katawan ko. Pati utak ko sobrang drain na rin. 'Yung puso ko naman, ngayon lang magpapahinga matapos ang napakaraming nangyari ngayong araw.

"Good night." I told Pierce.

"Sleep tight." He answered then I closed my eyes and let the dream land pull me.

The next day...

Parang limot na namin 'yung nangyari kahapon sa akto namin. Well, actors in the house. Halata naman na nagpapanggap lang kami na okay kami kahit hindi. All I thought about before I slept was about it, and that was also the first thing that came to mind when I woke up.

Hindi na kami ginigising ni Rebel kasi nagigising na kami nang amin. I don't know what happened but my body wake up in the same time every day. Woah, for someone who was not really a morning person, this is a big improvement.

Fast paced morning. The sun is not yet up and we are already doing exercises, and after this will be mind games and mind trickery with Luna. It was mostly about games which requires us to think fast and smart.

Kami kami rin ang magkakalaban pero minsan si Rebel, Luna o Sven ang kalaban namin. We could not defeat those three. They could read us like it was the easiest thing to do. But as time goes by, the time limit in which they can defeat us have gotten longer.

Hindi tulad dati na halos wala pang limang minuto talo na kami. Luna taught us about how to conceal our feelings and emotions and Sven was in charge on how we can trick and trap the enemies.

It was a fun but frustrating training. At least now, we are adaptive to their unpredictable play. We were also learning on how to devise a plan with outcome prediction, and on how we could create different acts for each situation so we could still have a control in the game.

Deceiving someone was not so simple. It takes a lot of observation, and more. With fake acts, too, it should be sincere to completely fool the enemy. It was like the first act to beguile someone is to fool yourself.

After that mind trickery, na hirap pa rin kami matalo sila, sa sword naman kami kasama ang Elite people ni Sven na mga magagaling talaga sa swords. Seriously? Sven's people are capable and skilled, minsan lang namin sila matalo.

Elites pa lang 'yun ha. Pa'no na 'yung Royals at Crowns? Wala kaming laban, kung kahit Elite hirap na kami.

Walang tigil ang araw namin. Rest and breaks are luxury. Sobrang bilis pero parang sobrang bagal din ng oras para sa 'min. Kahit na gano'n okay lang. Basta alam namin na para sa 'min naman 'to, kahit mahirap, kakayanin.

When our lunch finished, I thought we will have some planning and organizing lesson, or stimulating activity that will help us in handling unexpected situations and real life crisis, but Rebel suddenly called a meeting.

"Proceed to the biggest tent here." Luna instructed to us right after we were about to go to a tent where she would teach us.

"Why?" Tanong ko naman.

"For me to know and for you to find out." She answered mischievously.

Wala kaming nagawa kung hindi sundan siya. Pagkapasok namin sa loob 'nung tent nagulat kami lahat sa nakita. I heard them gasped and murmured excitedly, while I was in trance while admiring everything.

"Sit down." Rebel told us and automatically we are all sitting while waiting for him to continue.

"Did you remember about what Katniss told you back then? About your strengths and abilities?" He started seriously while looking at each one of us. We all nodded eagerly.

"Now, your training will also focus on developing and upgrading your strengths."

"Oh my gosh!" Biblee exclaimed while smiling.

"Let's start with Amythee," he said while slowly standing from his seat and also signaled me to stand. I was trembling in excitement and curiosity.

"Since analyzation and planning is your strength, I want you get used in devising plans, so this will be helpful. This is a program that Justice created and it's almost a virtual reality, so take good care of it." Rebel told me with a proud smirk on his face.

He handed me a small black rectangular case. Pakiramdam ko parang glasses ang laman nito o hindi naman kaya contact lense.

"Salamat." Ang dami dami kong gustong sabihin pero hindi ko magawang isaboses kasi sobrang overwhelming sa pakiramdam na ginawa pa 'to ng personal ni Justice. I mean, wow. As in, WOW.

"And this..." He suddenly took a brief case. Inilagay n'ya 'yun sa table at saka binuksan. Napanganga ako sa nakita.

"Guns..." I murmured. Small pistols and hand guns.

"Luna there, personally worked on those guns. She made it, just to suit you." He even added glancing at the silent Luna. I smiled and mouthed thank you to her. She gave me an expression like saying wala 'yon.

"Mind to explain this Luna?" Rebel asked. Luna just nodded and went to us, to show me the gun.

"Nalaman ko sa kanila na may trauma ka sa mga baril, pero sabi ni Katniss, it is one of the things that you are excellent in using. This gun will help you overcome your fear and wake you up from your nightmare."

"Ginawa ko s'yang may kaunting electricity na gigising sa 'yo kapag kinakain ka ng trauma mo. I also minimize the sound and the impact of the bullet's release. You can adjust it though, so you can try the real one when you get comfortable with it."

Nayakap ko na lang si Luna sa pagiging sobrang thankful ko sa kan'ya. She had done so much for me—for us. And I really don't know how to thank her, probably, I'll be indebted to her my whole life.

"You can also transform this gun into a rifle like gun. Iba pa rin 'yung rifle talaga, pero it can mimic it a little and shorter distance lang din s'ya since it's too small."

"Thank you, thank you!" I told her sincerely, she just patted my head and winked at me.

After 'nun tinawag naman ni Rebel si Biblee.

"Obviously, you excel at intel," natatawang sabi ni Rebel sa excited na si Biblee na tumalon talon pa.

"Here." He handed her a small screen transparent like thing, watch, and bracelets.

"You can use this for intel. The bracelets are like the ones you created back then you can use this to track and communicate with the whole group, however, this one will also give you the vitals and the surroundings data. It also has a small camera so yeah, you can see through it from the screen." Biblee was jaw dropped because of the information Rebel stated.

Gano'n din kami! WOW! Grabe naman 'yan! Sobrang advance!

"Law and Justice created that. Justice mainly did everything but Law being a perfectionist wanted to add the vitals and camera."

"Certainly what he would want." Iiling iling na sabi ni Harper.

"Kaya nga. Tapos si Justice pa! I bet he has his own inventions and laboratory!" Masayang palakpak naman ni Biblee.

"You bet," natatawang sabi ni Rebel.

"This watch on the other hand can be your screen." Rebel told us. He turned on the watch and we saw a hologram screen. "This screen too, function like this." He added while showing the transparent screen na parang malaking iPad na ngayon.

"It can function like a computer. But with no keyboard that's why you need this screen, it can function like a keyboard. Mas madali at mas magaan dalahin. You won't need to set up anything, you can just bring these and your intel is all good."

"Woah!" Amaze na amaze si Biblee—pati kaming nakikinig lang! Grabe naman 'to! Sobrang nakakamangha!

"I heard you are also good in defense and knives. So here. These are just small knives but they are sharp and it can function as darts. And a shield. This shield can also be your intel's holder." Natawa si Biblee sa mga binigay pa sa kaniya ni Rebel.

Pero kitang kita mo sa mukha nito 'yung sigla at saya. Parang batang binigyan ng gustong gusto n'ya ice cream. 'Nung pabalik na si Biblee sa upuan n'ya tinitingnan n'ya pa rin ang lahat ng binigay sa kan'ya ni Rebel.

"Cleon! Catch!" Rebel suddenly vocalized and he threw the bracelet, watch and screen to Cleon. Parang 'yung mga binigay rin ni Rebel kay Biblee kanina.

"That's the same as Biblee, since you two are the main intel."

"Thanks, bro!" Manghang manghang sabi ni Cleon kay Rebel. "Astig, dude." Pagmamayabang pa nito kaya naman nagkatawanan kaming lahat.

"I heard you are also the one who got the perfect one for your bloodline's technique."

"Hala! Napunta sa  'yo 'yung balitang 'yun?" Cleon queried exaggeratedly, sabay taas ng balikat at kamay n'ya. Oh my gosh, he's so funny! Natawa ako dahil sa ginawa n'ya—hindi lang pala ako, kaming lahat pala.

"Wala eh," Kibit balikat pa nito.  "Kapag talaga gwapo tapos perpekto, kung kanino kanino nababalita. Sikat ko talaga. No sweat!" He proclaimed proudly.

"Shut up, Kuya!" Art told his brother jokingly. We all chuckled.

"Inggit ka lang, bleh!" Loko-loko talaga 'tong si Cleon pati 'yon papatulan.

"I also think it will be good if you also have something to defend yourself, so, here!" Inihagis ni Rebel kay Cleon 'yung multiple knives. Buti na lang may takip 'yon at saka magkakadikit. Para 'yung pamaypay na may iba't ibang knives.

"And this too! To protect your intel." He also gave him the not so small not so big shield na parang kay Biblee.

"Salamat!" Nakangising sambit ni Cleon at saka bumalik sa upuan n'ya habang pinaglalaruan 'yung mga tanggap n'ya.

"Next! Theon!" Ngumiti lang ng tipid si Theon at saka lumapit kay Rebel na hawak hawak ang arnis.

"Here!" Nasalo ni Theon 'yun habang naglalakad bago pa makalapit kay Rebel.

Rebel also gave him some combat gears and weapons. Tapos biglang sumeryoso ang mukha ni Rebel. "You haven't fixed your problem?" He asked.

"I'm almost there." Mahinang sagot ni Theon.

"Sven will help you." I saw how Theon wanted to protest but I interfered before he could.

"Sven, please teach Theon well!" Mabilis na sabi ko kaya nakuha ko ang atensyon ni Theon at saka ito napabuntong hininga at napatiim bagang sa dako ni Sven. Sven who was quiet as a cat just shrugged.

"For Pierce, here's yours!" Napanganga at nanlaki ang mga mata ko 'nung nakita ko 'yung bag na bigla na lang inilabas ni Rebel na sobrang laki at sobrang haba na halos half height na n'ya. Woah.

"Woah, you got some stuffs there." I said while looking beside me. Pierce chuckled lightly and scratched the back of his neck a little.

"I am not sure what you would want the most, but I think mastering all these will be good too." Rebel uttered while handing Pierce the big black bag. "That's consist of rifles, long guns, arrows, bows, and small darts. All for long range battles." Kaya naman pala gano'n 'yon kalaki at katangkad.

"Since your strength is long range, be sure to master it and when you do, make your combat and short range battle an average at least. You cannot rely all the time with long range, got it?" Rebel explained gently.

"Sure thing." Pierce answered smiling, admiring the number of weapons in the bag.

"And lastly, here." Inabot ni Rebel ang isang parang container.

"What's this?" Tanong ni Pierce.

"For your poisons." Rebel gave him a small smirk and Pierce smiled.

"Thanks."

"Now, for Thorn." Rebel said and Thorn automatically stood up to get his weapons.

"This will help you a lot." Nakangising sabi ni Rebel at saka s'ya binigyan 'nung parang kay Theon din na combat gears and weapons, tapos nagbigay rin si Rebel ng mga knives sa kan'ya.

And here comes another big bag, na kulay red naman.

"Woah!" Manghang sabi naming lahat.

"These are for creating traps and pitfalls. You can use that. Akin 'yan dati." Rebel told him, kaya naman nanlaki ang mga mata ni Thorn.

"Grabe, salamat!" Thorn told him sincerely with a big playful smile on his face. He happily went back to his seat with a bright and proud aura. Hinabol ko ng tingin si Thorn ng hindi sinasadya kasi nakakatuwa s'yang makitang gano'n kaexcited at gano'n kasaya.

"So, for Akira."

"Go go go!" Biblee suddenly cheered and Akira slightly knocked on Biblee head and proceeded infront.

"You are more on physical, so I think you don't really need a lot of weapons, but here are some small guns and small knives. These will help you. And here are some protective clothes. Para hindi ka basta basta masaksak kapag nakikipaglaban ng pisikal." Rebel handed him a small bag.

Grabe ngayon ko lang napansin na mas nadefine 'yung muscles ni Akira. Tapos ramdam mo kaagad 'yung lakas n'ya. He just gives off that strong and powerful intimidating aura. The one that Theon lacks.

"And before that..." Babalik na sana si Akira sa upuan n'ya pero pinigilan siya ni Rebel.

Naglagay si Rebel ng malaking black protective case sa lamesa. "Here, this will help you create bombs and other explosives you might like to experiment on. I could get everything so just tell me if you need something, or just tell Luna."

"This is great. Thanks." Akira coolly retorted.

"No problem." Then they high five-d each other. I couldn't help but smile and look at my sister, she seemed proud and her eyes! Parang may mga puso sa mga mata n'ya! Nakakaloka! Tapos ako parati niloloko na patay na patay ako kay Theon! Eh, s'ya 'tong patay na patay kay Akira!

"So for the princesses, Art first." He mentioned while smiling, the trio looked at each other with graceful giggles.

As in! The atmosphere suddenly became light and glittery! Kumbaga kapag nilagyan mo ng effects magiging pastel at bright na lang bigla 'yung seryoso at gloomy na hangin gawa nila. They are really a breath of fresh air and solace!

Rebel broug out a bag just like Pierce's bag. Guns. Long range. Natawa kami kasi expected na namin 'yun. Si Art yata 'yung pinakatransparent sa aming lahat sa pagpapakita ng lakas. 'Yun kasi ang hobby n'ya and you can always see sparks in her eyes.

"And here!" He also gave arnis to Art and said, "Your martial arts skills are also exceptional so you might want to focus on that too. Challenge yourself more."

"Thank you." Mahinhing sabi ni Art at saka ngumiti kay Rebel.

"Specialized pala 'yang baril. I don't know about its details but you can discover it yourself." Kibit balikat na dagdag pa nito.

"Huh?" Art's forehead ceased because of curiosity.

"Different from Pierce's?" Biblee asked.

"Yeah." Luna answered.

"Bakit naman?" Tanong ko.

"May ibang nagbigay ng baril eh." Rebel told her.

"Sino?" Sabay na tanong ni Theon at Cleon. Pigil tawa kami dahil sa reaksyon ng kambal at saka sa pamumula ni Art. Ohh, looked like the princess knew who gave it to her.

"Ask, Art?" Not so sure na sagot ni Rebel.

"WHO?" Haha, these two!

"Baka 'yung manggagawa ng baril? Malay n'yo nagalingan sa 'kin." Art answered while avoiding the twin's eyes.

"Hoy! Mga iniisip n'yo talaga!" Saway ni Biblee ro'n sa dalawa.

"If this is a normal school, we won't react this way, but this is not. Okay? We have a reason to be worried." Theon explained softly. Art proceeded in sitting beside her partner, Thorn.

"Rebel was the one who gave it to Art, he wouldn't put her in danger." Thorn told the twins gently and high five-d with Art.

"True, just like Thorn said, and we should be thankful someone gave this huge favour to me." Art added gracefully sitting straight and proper. Natameme 'yung kambal dahil do'n sa katwiran 'nung magpartner.

Close na close na rin talaga 'tong dalawa. Medyo tahimik lang talaga kung ikukumpara sa ibang magkakapareha.

"How about we proceed with Harper?"

"That's a good idea." Harper replied sophisticatedly.

Napakunot-noo ako 'nung pumunta si Rebel sa isang wooden cabinet at may nilabas do'n. Isang sobrang laking case na halos kasing tangkad na n'ya. Woah! That's huge! I mean Rebel is sooo tall and to think na kasing tangkad na halos 'yung case? This will be taller than Harper.

"Wow!" Biblee exclaimed.

"That's huge." Art commented while looking at it.

Rebel opened it and a shiny naginata appeared.

Harper walked elegantly to the naginata and took it out from there. I saw a small smile from her lips. "I know this, this is!" Harper uttered with a shock expression.

"Yeah, from your very own Mother." Rebel confirmed.

"But this is in Germany." Hindi na tumingin si Harper kay Rebel she's just looking at the naginata with eyes sparkling.

"Someone got it for you." Ayan na naman tayo sa mga someone. Ito bang sina Art at Harper may nililihim sa 'min o ano?

"Well, the thanks should go to that person." Harper replied while smiling.

"Yeah, I'll make sure to send your appreciation."

"Awesome!"

"And here, bows and arrows." Rebel handed a set of it to Harper, maingat namang tinggap 'yon ni Harper.

Binalik n'ya 'yung naginata sa lalagyan bago dalhin sa kinauupuan n'ya. She carried it on her own, and no one decided to offer help. Because we know Harper, she would not accept it and we respect her decisions.

"Not but not the least, for Reign." Rebel announced and Honoka excitedly went to him clapping like a child.

"Reign..." Mahinang bulong ko. Noon pa man Reign na talaga tawag ni Rebel kay Honoka, bata pa man kami. Number one target kasi ni Rebel no'n si Honoka, pa'no hindi ganun ka pikon si Honoka no'n.

Rebel revealed a new case it is velvet one. He opened it and we saw a sparkly and shiny thing inside.

"Ano 'yun?" I heard Pierce.

"Dunno." I answered.

"Woah..." Honoka said in amusement.

Inilabas n'ya 'yung laman at namangha kaming lahat kasi halos lahat kami parang ngayon pa lang nakakita no'n.

"Chains..." Honoka stated delicately while admiring the weapon.

"Reign is excellent when it comes to chains. This is a rare weapon, so I made it on my own and adjusted it to highlight her strength." Rebel articulated carefully.

Hindi lang isang chain 'yun. Marami! Iba't ibang klase tapos parang iba't iba rin ang bigat.

"One chain can contain poison, and the other can be used in offense and attack, it has a function where you can put blades and knives into it. The other can be used in defense if used properly. This is a good weapon for her since she can control this expertly."

Hindi na napansin ni Honoka 'yung mga sinasabi ni Rebel kasing sobrang tuwang-tuwa talaga ito. Napatawa na lang si Rebel nang mahina sa reaksyon nito.

Nang matapos ipaliwanag ni Rebel ang tungkol sa mga weapon, natapos na kami at saka n'ya kami sinabihan na ang susunod na mga oras ay para sa pagsasanay namin nang kanya kanya para rito.

I felt giddy and excited because of it, ngayon lang yata ako na-excite nang ganito sa buong pag-i-istay namin sa Salvos Castra.

"Be back at 6pm we will have another specialized training."

With those words, I was dead worried. What if? What if it was like yesterday? Pa'no kapag paglalabanin na naman kami against each other? Magagawa ko ba? Ang hirap pa rin kasi. Naninikip ang dibdib ko kapag iniisip ko 'yun. Nakakapanghina.

I did not notice that I was blanking off because of those thoughts, I was only called to reality when Pierce bid me goodbye for a while because he is off to practice on his own.

I decided that I would focus all my worries on my own personal training and handling guns. Ito muna ang uunahin kong alalahanin, kung ano mang mangyari mamaya, bahala na.

* * *

Few hours later...

After our own trainings, we are now gathered for the specialized training that Rebel is saying. We are also not in uniform as Luna brought us some clothes earlier.

Heaven!

That's all I could describe after I wore the clothes! I mean, it feels so nice! Medyo para ka nga lang walang damit kasi sanay na sanay na talaga ako sa bigat at hirap 'nung uniform namin. And I also felt more flexible and light with these clothes!

We also wore the bracelets that was given to Cleon and Biblee earlier. Meron na kami ngayon lahat no'n!

We are rocking these all black outfits!

"Sa'n tayo pupunta?" Tanong ni Biblee kasi may mini bus na dumating. Akala ko lalakad kami ngayon.

"Out of the premises." Rebel answered directly.

"WOAH!" We all exclaimed. This is a good day! A really really good day!

"Why?"

"You'll find out when we get there." Luna answered.

Wala si Sven at ang grupo n'ya ngayon. Tanging si Luna at Rebel lang ang kasama namin. Sumakay kaming lahat sa sasakyan at sa wakas! Nagkatabi tabi rin kaming mga babae. Grabe! Parang ngayon ko lang ulit nakasama 'tong mga 'to!

Hinayaan kami nina Luna at Rebel na mag-ingay at magsaya. Sinulit na namin kasi sobrang minsan lang 'to! Hindi tuloy natahimik sa bus dahil sa sobrang saya namin!

It took more than 2 hours until we stopped and they told us that we have arrived. We honestly did not know where we are since the windows were covered with curtains.

"We'll drop you off in different places. We are still outside of the main place. So, here's the place where you need to go after we drop you off. Clear?"

"Crystal!" We answered in unison.

"Why do you have to drop us off in different places?" Art asked.

"Just to be safe. I don't want attraction, I want you to be discreet and don't forget to wear your mask, okay?"

"Great!"

Isa-isa kaming binababa ni Rebel. Pang-lima akong bumababa. Akala ko by partner, pero isa-isa pala. Mas lalo akong nacurious kung bakit.

Naglakad-lakad ako. Wala namang tao, tapos medyo malamig pa ang hangin tapos madilim. Tiningnan ko na lang 'yung directions na binigay n'ya at hindi na nag-isip pa nang kung ano ano.

Malayo layo na rin ang nalakad ko hanggang sa makapasok ako sa parang sirang gate ng isang subdivision. Walang ka-ilaw ilaw tapos parang sira sira pa 'yung mga malalaking bahay. Ang creepy naman. Ano ba 'tong pinuntahan namin? Nakakakaba naman. Parang 'yung mga pinagshu-shootingan ng mga horror films.

Although, I felt an eerie air lingering, I still continued to follow the path that was directed, and after walking for almost twenty minutes, I heard a loud and booming music suddenly and when I looked at the direction from where it is coming from I saw neon lights and heard another strange sound...

Halos tumakbo na ako papunta ro'n kasi ro'n din 'yung tinutukoy ni Rebel na lugar base sa binigay n'yang instructions.

Habang papalapit nang papalapit narinig ko 'yung malakas na music at pati na rin mga tawanan at mga parang nagkakagulong tao. I became alert that moment. Hanggang sa marating ko 'yung mismong lugar.

Napanganga ako sa sobrang laki no'n at sa sobrang daming tao. Tapos may parang half stadium seats pa sa isang banda at may mga ilaw na sobrang liwanag. Woah! A new freaking world!

Not just that there are a lot of huge tank likes thing with fire inside! What is this place?!

While I was so stupefied about what I was seeing, "Hey, babe." Someone draped his shoulder around me and of course, being trained about this thing! My initial reaction was to tackle and hurl the person.

I did it effortlessly! Wala man lang sakit sa katawan o kahit ano! What magic is this!?

I also silenced the person immediately. Iyon kasi ang natutunan namin, dapat walang nakakaalam. Dapat tahimik.

"Hmmp! Ammhh!" It was a guy who did that and he was hurting so much from what I did. Pinakawalan ko na s'ya, mukha namang walang laban.

"What the fuck!?" Halos hindi siya makasigaw man lang o makalaban dahil sa nangyari. His rant was almost a loud whisper.

Tumakbo na lang s'ya palayo sa 'kin matapos kong gawin 'yun. And I was more surprised about my strength and what I can do! OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOSH! This is insane! Is this the effect of the training!?

If it is then this is magic!

Halos mapatalon talon ako sa tuwa habang papunta sa kumpol ng mga tao 'nung bigla na lang akong makarinig ng nakakabingi at malakas na malakas na ingay!

Cars! Car creaks! Car drift sounds! Car engines!

I managed to be in the front line habang nakikipagsiksikan sa kanila at nagulat ako 'nung makita ko ang mga nakahilerang kotse sa gitna at ang mga taong nando'n.

"Tangina! Panalo tayo ngayong gabi!"

"This is gonna be a great race!"

"Fuck that! Place your fucking bets morons!"

"Woohoo! Puta! Drop the beat!"

"The fucking monster of the race is here!"

Halos hindi ko na maintindihan ang mga pinagsasabi nila, pero alam ko lang napatulala ako sa nakita ko sa unahan at sa narealize ko kung anong mayroon dito.

Illegal car racing.

"Devil's speed! Wala na! Talo na! Siguradong panalo na naman 'yang hayop na 'yan!" I heard someone say, kaya naman napalingon ako sa kan'ya. Katabi ko s'ya at mukhang asar na asar na.

"Who's that?" I asked while pointing at the guy with sunglasses. Wow, as if there's a sun.

"Hindi mo kilala?"

"Ah, eh, I'm new here." Mas lalong nagtakha 'yung lalaki pero sinagot din naman n'ya 'yung tanong ko.

"Devil's speed they call him. Kapag nandito 'yan, walang nakakatalo sa kan'ya. The greatest illegal racer in this underground south city."

"Is he that great?" I asked. I mean, he doesn't look good at all. Nakakadiri pa s'ya kasi may mga babae siyang hinihipuan ngayon, gustong gusto rin naman 'nung mga babae. Mapapangiwi ka na lang.

"Tangina nga eh, wala man lang pasabi na siya pala lalaban ngayon. Pa'no kami mananalo nang grupo ko?! Matatalo naman, at mawawalan ng pera, tangina!" He ranted absentmindedly.

"So there's a team?"

"Oo. Team ko at team n'ya maglalaban ngayon, kaso hindi na ako aasang manalo. Wala kaming laban sa hayop na 'yan! At sa dumi n'yang maglaro!"

"I can fight him for your team." I said, not minding anything, I was just looking at the disgusting guy. I just want to purely win this one.

"Nakikipaggaguhan ka ba? Tangina? This race is worth 5 million!" Medyo napanguso ako kasi parang walang tiwala 'to, pero sabagay sino ba naman magtitiwala sa babaeng biglang kumausap sa 'yo tapos ito...

"Seryoso."

"Tss! Lasing ka yata, ito piso, hanap ka kausap mo!"

Natawa ako dahil do'n.

"I'll win, and if I win I get the 3 million, you get the 2 million, deal?" I looked at him with my cold eyes and without any hesitation.

"What?" He snapped.

"Deal or not?" I asked patiently and I gave him a small smile. A confident and threatening smile that made him shut up and nod his head absentmindedly.

"Keys." I ordered calmly and he just obeyed without saying anything.

This is what I like about being an Evans-Yoon. You shut people up with your aura even though you have an angelic appearance.

The moment I felt the keys on my hand, I walked confidently in front of the so called greatest racer in town.

"Woah, babe!" He exclaimed the moment he saw me, pushed all the girls around him. He even has the guts to look at me from head to toe! And he whistled!

Bastos! Dapat dito kinukulong!

"You don't 'babe', your enemy." I said with a playful smirk.

"What?"

"Bring it on!" I said as I pressed the button of the keys to know which car I am using. And guess what? A cool one!

Naglakad ako papunta sa kotse, bubuksan ko na sana kaso pinigilan ako 'nung lalaking bastos.

"You?" He mocked.

"Problem with that?"

"Lots."

"Really?"

"You? You'll end up in the hospital, babe." Natatawang sabi n'ya.

"Let's see who ends up where." I answered while looking directly at his eyes that made him shut up.

Let the race begin.

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Note: Hi guys! I'll try to update fast! Thank you so much for reading, hope you enjoyed it!

200+ credible comments and I'll update the next one tomorrow! Have a great day!

All the best!