Chapter 28 - Footage

(Slych POV)

I left the basement area to find a referee with the surname Ledorman, but it won't be easy since this stadium is a huge place and there are a lot of referees running around, so I can't identify him with outfit alone.

I walked through the hallways, ignoring the gazes I get from the people.

I didn't try to sneak around, because if I get caught, it would make me even more suspicious.

And there is no way that referee would think that I am searching for him, because of my fame and since I am known to be cold, not really taking an interest in friendships.

But that is only because, most of the people only seek something from me, maybe connections, protection, or simply money, humans are greedy people.

If they get something from it, they usually try to take it for themselves.

So, there is no way that Ledorman thinks that I would be trying to find him, and if I find him and start following him, there is no way he thinks I am following him.

I was standing at top of the stadium area, trying to get a good view of the stadium, so I can see better, with my great eyesight - I can see everything perfectly.

A lot of referees were at bottom of the arena, while some workers were fixing the center arena.

I looked at the faces of every referee, but I couldn't find Ledorman, it means that he isn't at the arena area anymore, he either has gone towards changing room or maybe even left the stadium, before we managed to get towards changing room, which would be very unlucky.

I will send a text to Ichiro.

I opened my phone and opened the messaging app and click Ichiro's number and I started writing the text.

7.50 PM Slych - Ledorman isn't here anymore.

And sent.

He will understand what I meant, I will keep continue searching for him and hopefully find him.

...

(Lucas POV)

I entered the changing room while closing the door behind me.

I looked around me and saw an ordinary locker room, similar to Martial Arts Club locker room in the Irio.

I tried to find a place where I can hide.

I walked deeper into the locker room and I found a metallic closet that seemed very wide.

Which probably could fit me in.

*Clank*

I opened the metallic closet and entered it, once I was inside the closet, there were some cracks in the door of the closet, making me able to see the changing room.

I took my phone from my pocket and started the recording program to record the voices.

*Splash*

Hmm, is that sound of water?

Why do I hear the sound of water...

Then I saw a few naked men coming from one of the doors in the changing room while wiping their bodies with towels.

I started sweatdropping.

THERE WERE PEOPLE IN SHOWERS.

S.O.S.

I need help!

I will inform Ichiro, he will definitely help me!

Opening the messaging app.

I started writing messages.

7.46 PM Lucas - HELP, PEOPLE ARE HERE, SAVE ME.

And sent.

Now I just need to wait for help.

I waited for another 3 minutes and saw nothing happening, while people kept increasing in the changing room, then I felt slight vibration coming from my phone - I opened it and saw a message coming from Ichiro.

7.49 PM Ichiro - Busy.

'FUCKER!'

I screamed in my mind, while almost crushing my phone in my hand.

Deep breaths...

Maybe they won't find me.. yeah maybe.

But then I saw one of the naked men coming towards my closet and I went pale.

Oh no...

...

(Ichiro POV)

'Where are they heading?' I thought to myself while following members of Hiena, or more precisely following behind Rywiol and Mick.

They weren't walking out of the stadium or towards team stands.

I saw them take turns towards the right, I crouched while leaning towards the wall, I took a few glances, looking where they walked.

It was a very closed area with only one hallway going there and at the end of the hallway there was a wide-open space, like a storage area - I wonder why they went here...

I got the answer to my question once I saw who they met, it was that referee with the surname Ledorman, should have guessed honestly.

I saw them shake hands and I quickly started recording with the camera.

*Brrr*

Some vibrations came from my phone, but I ignored them, for now.

''Hey nephew.'' Referee with surname Ledorman said with a slight smile.

''Nice to meet you uncle,'' Rywiol said and hugged him

'So he was his uncle!' I thought to myself with shock.

''I am sorry for your defeat, I tried to get that brat disqualified, but failed,'' Ledorman said with a sorry face.

''I understand uncle, but we can't let him go this easily! That bastard made fun of us!'' Rywiol growled in anger.

'They are talking about me.' I thought to myself while still recording their conversation.

''I understand your anger, I am angry too, but I have a plan which makes him humiliated.'' Ledorman said with a scary grin.

''Tell us!'' Rywiol inquired.

''That fucker has 2 warnings, so only one more warning and he is out of the tournament and I have few connections towards higher-ups, so I will be the referee for Irio's next match,'' Ledorman smirked.

''But that is not enough uncle!'' Rywiol said angrily, Ledorman continued smirking and said. ''Of course, after that is done, we will attack him once the tournament is over and make him crippled.''

Rywiol smiled scarily and said. ''Good plan, let's do it.''

Then the whole team Hiena was part of the conversation, planning to attack me.

But I recorded everything they said.

I stopped recording and looked at them with a cold gaze.

I opened the door next to me, to enter it to sit on the floor while my back was leaning against the wall.

I opened my phone and saw a text message from Lucas.

I opened it and had a small smile, I saw his message trying to beg me to save him.

I sent him a text message that I was busy and I already know what kind of reaction he will have.

I was leaning with my back towards the wall and I was thinking of my next plan of action.

Another vibration came from my phone, which was a message from Slych, telling me that Ledorman isn't in the arena area.

I started texting.

7.50 PM Ichiro - I recorded the meeting of Ledorman and team Hiena, I got proof, let's meet in front of the stadium.

Sent.

I was listening to footsteps leaving the area where they met, it meant that they finished their talk and decided to leave.

I still remember their laughter during their conversation, when they literally planned to cripple me.

My face turned colder by the moment.

Next, I have to send this video to any news station, but there is a problem.

I am not stupid, I know that no matter what they won't show this footage.

If it's a different city's news station, then they might show the footage.

But in Ramu, it was 50 years ago when the last time tournament was held here.

So this is a moment of glory for them and no matter what, they don't want this footage to be leaked.

All higher-ups have their jobs on the line and if they find out I have this footage...

I am not surprised if they tried to get assassinated me.

Even if it's just favoritism of one referee...

It still has a big impact.

Once there were referees rigging one of the high school tournaments, to help his son to win a few matches.

That thing was exposed, of course, that referee got fired and will never get a job in the referee business ever again.

But the real ones who had to deal damage were higher-ups who planned the tournament.

And that included City Major, Police Commissioner, etc.

They all got fired, but that wasn't the end of it...

The one who exposed the scandal was found dead with his entire family.

It was revenge probably, but a lot of underworld dealings were happening around that time, it was full of chaos.

So leaking this footage can be deathly consequences.

If they find out that I leaked the footage, it won't be only me who is going to die, anyone who I have been contacted with will be killed swiftly, including my teammates, my family, maybe even Slych.

Should I delete the footage and then deal with Hiena's revenge in my own way, I have a way to deal with them when they are trying to cripple me.

But that Ledorman is trying to get me disqualified from the tournament, there is really nothing I can do about it.

I started thinking about multiple scenarios, but most of them ended with my friends dying or my family.

Fucking politics, even if the damage is done, they still want to deal with the one who leaked footage and anyone he has been in contact with, even though it wouldn't do them any good.

Damage has already been done.

But it's all about politics and their pity want of revenge.

I closed my eyes and started thinking about my next plan.

If there is a way to get unnoticed, I will leak the footage.

But if not...

I have no other choice, but to give up....