The next day, Rel and Virno made their way to the arena, their steps quick with purpose. But as they approached, something immediately felt off. There were no guards at the entrance -- an anomaly for a place always under Cabdan's tight control.

  Rel: "Well, that's unusual... It's not like Cabdan to leave the place unguarded."

  Virno: "Maybe there aren't any fights today?"

  Rel raised a skeptical brow. As they drew closer, the muffled roar of a crowd reached their ears.

  Rel: "Something's not right here."

  Virno: "C'mon!"

  The two hastily pushed through the double doors, stepping into chaos. The arena floor was a bloody mess. Five men brawled wildly in a brutal free-for-all, using fists, broken weapons, and even loose floorboards. Blood splattered the dirt as fighters staggered, some barely able to stand. Others already lay limp, unconscious -- or worse. The crowd roared with excitement, feeding off the violence like ravenous wolves.

  Rel's jaw tightened as he scanned the scene, his fists clenching.

  Rel: "What the hell...? Where's Cabdan?! This needs to stop!"

  A man from the crowd turned to them, grinning wide. Rel and Virno immediately recognized him -- it was one of the arena's security guards.

  Gorilla: "Ah, it's you two! Sorry, Rel. Things've changed around here. The arena's under new management starting today!"

  Rel exchanged a look with Virno, both frowning.

  Virno: "New management...?"

  Gorilla: "That's right. See, Cabdan's too busy with some big deal to bother with the arena anymore. And since he's not around to keep an eye on things, he doesn't care what we do here..."

  He leaned back against the wall, folding his arms smugly.

  Gorilla: "So we're running the show now. You boys interested in joining the fun? Anyone can hop in!"

  Rel pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply.

  Gorilla: "Can't promise you coin, but I can promise a damn good fight!"

  Virno: "We're fine, thanks."

  Rel's tone was sharper than usual.

  Rel: "Why's Cabdan so busy? Do you know where he is?"

  The guard shrugged nonchalantly.

  Gorilla: "No idea. All I know is he's got some big deal going on, something that's keeping him occupied. Word is, we won't be seeing him for a while."

  Rel: "Damn..."

  Virno: "So much for checking the arena... What about the orphanage? Maybe someone there knows something."

  Rel: "I'm not holding my breath -- but yeah, might as well head back and ask around."

  Rel turned back to the man, forcing a thin smile.

  Rel: "Thanks for the info. And, uh... Have fun, I guess."

  Gorilla: "Hahaha! Damn right we will. Take care, you two... Oh, one more thing."

  He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

  Gorilla: "If I were you, I'd steer clear of the streets after sundown. Word is, things are gonna get real wild at night -- but you didn't hear it from me, yeah?"

  Virno squinted, trying to make sense of the warning.

  Rel: "G-got it. See you around."

  The two stepped out into the slums, the midday sun doing little to lighten their mood.

  Virno: "What the hell was that about?"

  Rel: "I don't know, but it's worrying. Cabdan's absence, his goons doing whatever they please in the arena, and then that guy's warning... Something's brewing."

  Rel's expression darkened as he continued.

  Rel: "Cabdan usually keeps crime in check at night. Not because he's a decent guy, but because he doesn't want others shitting where he eats. If his men really aren't patrolling anymore..."

  Virno: "... How bad could it get without them?"

  Rel exhaled slowly, his eyes scanning the chaotic streets ahead.

  Rel: "We'll find out soon enough. But listen -- whatever your mom does, make sure she stays indoors tonight. And we should warn the others, too... Better safe than sorry."

  Virno nodded.

  Virno: "Agreed... Let's head to the orphanage. Maybe we'll get lucky and find someone who knows something useful."

  The orphanage was bustling when they arrived, but after asking around, it quickly became clear that no one knew Cabdan's whereabouts. Rel and Virno did their best to warn people about the potential dangers of the coming night, but most shrugged them off, brushing it aside as mere rumors.

  Meanwhile, near Cabdan's prostitution ring...

  Punjo: "PAHAHA!"

  Jargen: "Shut up, Punjo. You're lucky I can barely move in this, or I'd smack you in the mouth already...!"

  Jargen's ill-fitting suit strained against his bulky frame, every button clinging for dear life. Punjo, on the other hand, looked more comfortable in his slightly wrinkled attire, though his constant snickering didn't help matters.

  Punjo: "Sorry, sorry... It's just a rare sight to behold, Jargen! You're like a sausage trying to burst outta its casing!"

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  Jargen shook his head, annoyed.

  Jargen: "Enough talk. Let's get down to business."

  The two approached the entrance to Cabdan's infamous ring, where a burly guard scrutinized them with a single glance. His unimpressed expression said it all.

  Punjo: "We're here for the show, kind sir."

  Jargen: "Yes, may we be allowed passage unto thy... uh... esteemed establishment?"

  The guard squinted at them, silent.

  Punjo: "To see the naked young ladies...?"

  Another awkward pause. Jargen groaned audibly.

  Punjo: "Young, but legal, of course!"

  The guard continued to stare, stone-faced.

  Jargen: "Look, just let us in, pal."

  The guard raised his hand, palm open.

  Guard: "Entry fee."

  Jargen and Punjo exchanged a nervous glance.

  Jargen: "The fee, Punjo...!"

  Punjo: "Course, course! The fee...!"

  Jargen: "Well, go on then, Punjo. You can pay today."

  Punjo: "Nah, Jargen, I insist. You're the better-dressed one --"

  Guard: "No fee, no entry."

  Panic set in as they frantically dug through their pockets. Punjo managed to produce three measly copper coins, which he proudly dropped into the guard's hand.

  Jargen: "Three coppers?! High roller over here...!"

  Jargen fumbled in his back pocket and produced a clean, embroidered cloth.

  Jargen: "There. Three coppers and this fine cloth for your nose. What a deal, eh?"

  The guard remained unmoved.

  Jargen: "And for good measure... If you've got anything that needs fixing -- leaks, floorboards, you name it -- come to the orphanage! Ask for Jargen. First one's free."

  Punjo: "Good deal, Jargen...!"

  Jargen: "... Er, but only the first time, mind you."

  Punjo (thinking): "Still a good deal...!"

  The guard's face hardened.

  Guard: "The entry fee is five silver per person -- coins only."

  He returned their belongings, his eyes cold and unimpressed.

  Punjo: "Look, mister, me and Cabdan go way back. Can't ya call him out here? He'll sort this."

  The guard shook his head.

  Guard: "Mister Cabdan is unavailable. He won't be here today."

  Both men's eyes narrowed.

  Jargen: "'Unavailable', eh? Busy man. You wouldn't happen to know where he is, would you?"

  Guard: "I can't disclose that information."

  Punjo leaned in, his smile vanishing.

  Punjo: "Is that so... Well, why don't we discuss this somewhere more private, then?"

  Before the man could yell for help, Punjo clamped a massive hand over his mouth and placed him under a choke hold. With a deadly hold, the man's throat was constricted to the point where he could make a sound even if he wanted to. He drags him to a nearby alleyway, as Jargen keeps an eye out for any witnesses.

  Jargen: "Alright, lad. Here's the deal."

  Jargen shed his jacket, untucked his shirt, and rolled up his sleeves with exaggerated flair.

  Jargen: "Me and Punjo over here tried to be friendly with you, but you weren't very cooperative."

  The guard squirmed as tears welled in his eyes.

  Punjo: "Oy, stop movin' or I'll choke ya tighter!"

  Punjo tightened his grip, cutting off the man's air.

  Jargen: "Careful Punjo, don't over-do it!"

  His eyes rolled back briefly before Punjo loosened just enough for him to breathe.

  Jargen: "Alright. So, before we start... You sure you don't wanna share anything else with us?"

  The man nods, as if to say he's willing to talk. Punjo eases the hold so he can speak.

  Guard: "HELP! SOMEONE HE-"

  Punjo constricts his neck again, as he shakes his head.

  Punjo: "We gave ye a choice, lad."

  Jargen: "Hold him in place, Punjo. I'll try not to be too rough, but it's been a while since I've done this..."

  Jargen cocked his fist back and delivered a brutal punch to the man's liver. The guard screamed into Punjo's hand, his legs buckling from the force as as tears stream down his face. The attack was so strong even Punjo took a step back.

  Punjo: "Solid hit, Jargen! Ya still got it!"

  Jargen: "Heheh... Felt pretty good, too."

  The guard thrashed wildly, trying to break free, but Punjo held firm.

  Jargen: "Sorry, we gave you a chance before. You're gonna have to put up with at least one more punch..."

  Punjo: "Hit 'im straight in the chest! I'm gettin' tired o'holding him with so hard..."

  Another punch, this time to the chest. A loud crack echoed as ribs gave way. The guard coughed up blood, his body trembling.

  Jargen:" Ah, crap!"

  Punjo: "Whoops...!"

  As Punjo relieves his hold, the man drops to his knees and coughs up blood.

  Guard: "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU...?! YOU'RE ANIMALS...!"

  Jargen: "Ah, he's fine! Grab him again, Punjo."

  Before Punjo could grab him, the man shakes his head and speaks.

  Guard: "Stop...! Cabdan won't be coming around the slums anytime soon... He's got more important matters to deal with, alright? That's all I know...! Please..."

  Punjo looks at Jargen.

  Punjo: "What do ya think, Jargen?"

  Jargen: "I think he opened up too easily, I don't buy it! Hold him, Punjo...!"

  Punjo's hold was even tighter than before. His muffled screams coated the palm of his hand with blood.

  Punjo: "Dammit Jargen, I can feel his blood on my hand! "

  Jargen: "Alright, alright, let's make this quick, then. Let's see..."

  Jargen grabs one of the man's hands. He instinctively clenches it into a fist.

  Jargen: "Hey, open up! Don't make this any harder than it needs to be!"

  The man shakes his head, trying his best to keep his hand shut. But his strength began to fail him thanks to his injuries, and Jargen manages to pry it open. He grabs his pinky finger.

  Jargen: "Let's start with this one. One, two, and..."

  Snap. He breaks it.

  The man screams in agony.

  Punjo: "It's all right lad, we'll just take one more an' then ya can talk again!"

  Jargen grabs his ring finger.

  Jargen: "On you, Punjo."

  Punjo smiles excitedly.

  Punjo: "One... One and a half..."

  The man screams in anticipation as tears and snot stream down his face and onto Punjo's hand. He seemed to be hyperventilating, entering a state of complete shock.

  Jargen: "He's not gonna last much longer if you take too long, Punjo..."

  Punjo laughs.

  Punjo: "Fine, fine...! One... Two-three!"

  Jargen breaks his ring finger. Once again, the man screams.

  Punjo: "Heheheh!"

  Jargen: "Alright, let him talk now!"

  Punjo releases the hold, the man falls to his knees again. He can barely talk coherently.

  Guard: "STOP! PLEASE! I-I DON'T KNOW -- I don't know... Please... Please... Don't kill me... Just please... Please..."

  Jargen raises his brow.

  Jargen:" Kill you? Nonsense, lad! We just wanted information."

  Punjo: "Seems like he was telling the truth, Jargen."

  Jargen: "I guess so... Alright, let's be on our way, Punjo."

  Jargen grabs his jacket. They leave the man behind as they start walking away.

  Guard: "H-help... Don't leave me here...!"

  Punjo paused.

  Punjo: "Ah crap, we forgot somethin'!"

  Jargen looks back, but doesn't see anything.

  Jargen: "What?"

  Punjo: "You told 'im where to find you! Can't 'ave that."

  Jargen: "Ah, drats... Right you are. My bad for offering killer deals."

  They return to the man.

  Jargen: "Sorry, almost forgot about you. Got anything sharp on you, Punjo?"

  Punjo taps his pockets, but has nothing they can use.

  Punjo: "Nope."

  Jargen: "Not to worry, we'll just use the old "nutcracker"!"

  The man's eyes widen, in fear of what was to come. A puddle of urine began to form underneath him.

  Jargen: "Dammit, no need for all that! It's not that type of nutcracker, your nuts will be fine. Grab his head, Punjo..."

  Punjo holds his head still, with a hand on each side. Jargen kneels down, and sits the man's jaw on his bent knee.

  Jargen: "Alright, so your gonna feel a slight discomfort..."

  The man was too overwhelmed with everything that was going on. He didn't fight back anymore. He didn't make a sound. His eyes just looked straight at Jargen, absolutely petrified.

  Jargen: "Open wide..."

  Jargen pries his mouth open, and grabs the man's tongue with his hand. He pulls it beyond the teeth line.

  Jargen: "There we go..."

  Using his other arm, he puts his elbow on top of the man's head.

  Punjo: "One..."

  Jargen: "Two..."

  Punjo: "And..."

  With all his strength, Jargen pushes his elbow down, forcing the man's jaw to close with great force against his bent knee. The teeth cut the tongue cleanly in two, and Jargen is left holding the other end of his now severed tongue.

  Jargen: "There we go!"

  Jargen dangles the man's severed tongue in front of him. He passes out.

  Punjo:" Ah... And he's out."

  Jargen throws the piece of the man's tongue at Punjo.

  Jargen: "Last one to touch it has to keep it!"

  Punjo flinched as it slapped his arm.

  Punjo: "Damn it, Jargen!"

  Laughing, they left the alley, leaving the broken guard behind.