Act II: Mystery of the Man
When the fight was over, the assassin slowly approached Valcan.
"Dat' was a really great fight kid!"
Valcan started as the assassin approached him.
"I never saw anyone move dat' fast or jump dat' high before."
"Just give me my share, old man!"
Valcan was shocked at the young assassin's rudeness. He was surprised, for he never thought the assassin would take part of the bet.
"Wha-hat?"
"That fight was between me and the mage; we didn't give any permission to put money on our heads. You took advantage of the fight, and that gave me an instant share of the bet!"
"But... but...?"
The assassin stop talking; he just stared Valcan cold in the eye. With years of experience on the street, Valcan quickly recovered his cool; taking a quick moment to think…
'It really ain't a good idea ta' mess with an assassin'
Valcan explained, as he was trying to maintain a calm look.
"Look, as a bet collector I am only entitled ta' ten percent o' da' bet."
"Therefore I only get 300 zennies and I'm willin' ta' give you half o' it."
"That's not good enough… I get 200 zennies…"
This time, Valcan was really irritated, for 300 zennies would have provided him decent meals for two straight weeks. Pronteran market slums these days were not as prosperous as before. But as years of experiences taught him…
'Sheez… Dis' sin's gonna kill me for a lousy 50 bucks?'
Valcan sighed and gave the assassin two hundred zennies.
"Till next time, old man"
The assassin stared at Valcan cold in the eyes for the last time, turned his back and walked away; disappearing into the crowd.
'Boy dat' sure was one uptight assassin…'
Valcan thought with a smirk of disgust on his face.
"My turn old man…"
Valcan's spine shivered as he heard yet another voice behind him much, much colder than the assassin's.
He turned around and saw that it was the sakatted man who evened the bet.
'By da' savage's mane, I still have ta' pay dis' man!'
Valcan thought, disliking the idea. But nonetheless, he still had to do it.
"You earned dat' well"
"By da' way, how'd ya know?"
"Know what?..."
"How'd ya know da' assassin would win?"
Again, much to Valcan's surprise, the man said nothing; turned away and disappeared into the market.
'Well what're da' odds? Meetin' two cold strangers in one day…'
