Chapter 49 (XLIX) Victory

Due to the emergence of the Berserk Climber, the audience had been evacuated, so the award ceremony was canceled. Viktoria had been resting in the medical wing of the coliseum, and Jackson was told to wait in one of the fancier locker rooms higher in the stadium.

After a while of laying on a bench, staring at the ceiling, a member of Flaming Dawn arrived in their white uniform and cloak, escorted him through the stone hallways and up to the Emperor's Box, which had cracks in the foundation from the force of Viktoria going berserk.

"Congratulations on your victory!" Ramus said with a slight smile, turning to greet him, "I guess a win by disqualification isn't as satisfying, but a win's a win either way.

You can go to any of the payout windows and collect your share. It's all been set aside for you, including your reward for winning."

"I'm just glad this is over... I never wanted any trouble with Tetraktys..." Jackson sighed, shaking his head. Ramus frowned and looked at the ground.

"One last time, before you leave Ilasa Port, would you reconsider joining Flaming Dawn?" He asked, staring into Jackson's eyes with a fiery determination.

"I can't; I really am taking the Solo Route. Why are you guys so hell-bent on recruiting me??" Jackson asked, resting his hands on his hips as he stared at the bearded man.

"Just trying to make life in The Tower easier... You'll find out soon enough... See ya around, kid!" Ramus replied, patting Jackson's shoulder as he passed by.

Jackson turned, but Ramus was gone.

He walked casually through the coliseum and quickly located one of the numerous booths stationed all over the exits that handled bets and payouts. He approached the woman dressed in a fine white collared shirt and black vest with a red bow tie and black skirt, introduced himself, and provided his Climber's Card before she disappeared to collect his winnings.

"Here you are! Your portion of the proceeds and your prize!" She exclaimed, handing him his Climber's Card, which had been uploaded with the 250,000 Credits, before lifting a small cage covered with a sheet, "Please wait until you are alone before removing the sheet; if she imprints on someone else and not you, we are not held liable."

"She..?" Jackson asked, taking his case containing his card and returning it to his pocket as he took the cage reluctantly.

"The prize is a hatchling from a Beast Egg we obtained a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, there isn't anyone within Flaming Dawn compatible to synchronize with her. Gabriel confirmed that both you and Viktoria were compatible, and she became the reward! We've had to hold off the imprinting process, so she's become a little unruly... Anyways, have a great day!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together and smiling.

"You too..." Jackson replied dumbfounded, carrying the cage as he exited the coliseum., and started wandering around Ilasa Port, conflicted. He could already feel the glaring eyes of the followers tailing him, hoping to steal the imprint off any fool who would risk it in broad daylight.

'I guess I'll have to rent a room and do the imprinting before my appointment with The Jackal, there's still a few hours until the meeting...' Jackson thought as he looked around for an inn.

He quickly spotted one nearby, walked toward its doors, and entered through the large front entranceway with many tables scattered throughout a spacious dining area with several private rooms leading down into each section and various bars lining either wall with two women dancing provocatively onstage. A bartender walked through the room, offering drinks to customers as patrons watched on with lustful looks.

Jackson smiled as he stepped inside, glancing around the lively room as he walked toward the center counter where the innkeeper was relaying orders to the dozen bartenders behind the counter as he shouted over the music, asking, "Excuse me, I'm looking for a room, how much is a night?"

"For tonight? 5000 Credits. Includes free breakfast in the morning." She said curtly.

Jackson nodded at her and placed the covered cage next to him on the counter while grabbing his Climber's Card and paying the price as she smiled, "Perfect, you're in room 304 up top, here's your key." She reached for the key under the counter and slid it to him before she curtsied, leaving him.

As soon as she left, an attractive woman approached, handing a menu containing food and drink selections for the evening, "The meals are 1,000 and drinks are 100, what'll it be?"

"Nothing for now; I'll be back later tonight to eat!" Jackson replied, grabbing the key and the cage, turning to leave for the upper floors where the rooms were. He quickly found the staircase; it curved from the floor-to-ceiling with a single lightbulb illuminating each step so people could see when walking down the hallway upstairs towards their doors.

As he passed by one of the doorways that opened onto the first level on the second landing, he noticed something strange. His eyes widened briefly at the sight: a woman lying on the ground wearing only a bra and panties with someone licking away at her exposed chest before moving down between her thighs. She turned her head, winking at Jackson as she smiled, closing the door.

His cheeks began to warm slightly as he continued up the staircase to the third floor. He walked down the hallway and located his room, which had an illuminated sign over it reading '304', opened the door and locked it behind him, and placed the cage on the bed beside the window facing out into the cityscape. Jackson walked around inside, looking at everything carefully.

The windows faced eastward toward Ilasa Port and gave him a clear view of the central plaza in the Castle District. A large stone fountain occupied most of the center area, surrounded by statues and flowers planted around it to give the impression of water.

Numerous shops and bars lined both sides of the main roads, giving way to multiple smaller alleys between them. Many lights lined either side of these alleyways leading away from The Central Portal all through town.