FB: Chapter 29 – A Posing Cat

My first stop after leaving the arena was with one of the clerks. “Welcome Champion Foxy Blight, how can I assist you?”

“I am here to collect all my winnings including the rolling bet,” I said.

“One moment, while I total up your balance,” the clerk moved to the side and shuffled some papers for a few seconds before coming back. “Would you like a breakdown?” he asked.

“Just the final total,” I said.

“Your final total is 87 platinum, 20 gold, 14 silver, and 51 copper. How would you like to collect?” I smiled at that amount. With the current exchange rate at one US dollar to one copper, that was a lot of money, over 8 billion dollars. If I exchanged all of that coinage, the exchange rate would plummet, and I would only earn around 2 billion dollars after taxes and fees.

“Deposited into my personal account at the Bankers Union. I would also like to set my merchandise and link any video revenue to my personal account at the Bankers union.”

Champions could have the coliseums sell merch items on their behalf. The coliseum would get half the profit after production expenses. There were production expenses for merchandise in game, since QAI didn’t just hand wave away manufacturing processes. Merchandise was a great way for fans to show their support. The video revenue was from all videos that showed my fights would go towards me as well. A Champion got the majority of their proceeds from the sale and licensing of the videos that showcased them if they were the winner. If news organizations or streamers used the video, they just had to pay a small fee, a portion of which would end up in my pocket.

For large organizations that got direct licenses, the calculation was much more complex. Thankfully I didn’t have to worry about any of that, since QAI and Exponential Corporation handled such things. The simplest way to think about this was that the more views a fight got, the more money would be allocated to the winner of that fight.

I handed over five designs for merchandise that had been made up by a professional designer I had contracted. The first was a Foxy Headband, with fox ears. Then a Foxy Shirt with the guild logo. Another shirt with the image of me puking into someone’s face with the words ‘Kiss of Death’ on the front. The fourth item was a foam hand with my symbol and colors with a big number one. The fifth item was set up as a limited item run of 10,000 that would each be labeled with a number. An original First Edition Foxy Figurine.

The first four items would be priced at 10 copper each while the figurines would be priced at 10 silver each. I purchased the first ten figurines myself and put them in my inventory to put up for sale once I became a Grand Champion. The price would easily be in the gold range by then. Earning extra money never hurt, or I could save them as gifts.

“I would also like to issue challenges to all current Champions. Matching stakes up to 25 platinum, bottom 1 platinum. Also matching merchandise rights. Winner takes all betting and attendance fees,” I told the clerk.

“Very well. You will have to deposit 25 platinum with us to allow such challenges to be issued,” the clerk said. I breathed a sigh of relief. They only wanted the 25 and not everything for all the current Champions. I hadn’t been sure about that. If I lost, the open challenge would probably be cancelled, which I did confirm.

I selected my online time for the next seven real world days. After that there would be a ten day period of no challenges and then the Tournament of Champions. I registered for that as well. Once it was ten days out, QAI would have the NPCs release a bracket based on who they thought was the most competitive and the betting would be opened.

With my tasks completed, which only took about five minutes in total since I had planned ahead, I made my way to the interview location.

“Congratulations on earning the title of Champion. You are the sixth to do so in Exponential,” Rebecca said as I came over. There were cheers from the surroundings fans.

“Thank you, Rebecca. It wasn’t too easy, but I did it in the end. I also just issued an open challenge to the other Champions. Putting my money where my mouth is. Will be curious to see if any of them bite,” I replied.

“Oh, how much did you put up as the stakes?” Fred asked me.

“Just some pocket change, only 25 platinum. I did set the bottom at 1 platinum for the poor Champions who are afraid of losing. I always prefer a good fight over the money. But if they think they can beat me, they are welcome to take me for everything I have,” I replied.

“I love it! Now we are all wondering on that promised hint about your build,” Rebecca said.

“Oh, that. I just use Silent Casting and Gestureless Casting. Just a little trick to spray people without eating shit myself,” I said.

“Clever. I had guessed Silent Casting but Gestureless Casting as well was unexpected. Any other champions you are worried about?” Fred asked me.

“The only thing I am worried about is if they are cowards. I know some of them will say they don’t have time and want to wait for the Tournament of Champions, but that sounds like loser talk to me. I plan to crush them all beforehand to give them a preview of how I am going to crush them in the tournament.”

I felt a bit embarrassed saying this, but it was important to create drama and polarize the player base. Only when that happened would betting and attention increase. The downfall of this strategy was that it only worked if I didn’t lose. That meant I just couldn’t be defeated in the coliseum. You don’t become rich and powerful by playing it safe.

“Well, I am glad you have said that, since Cat Dance is here with us,” Rebecca said. A nearby woman tossed off a cloak to reveal the Champion Cat Dance. ENN loved to create maximum drama, which was why I had loved watching them. Now I was part of the drama. I would have been annoyed, but I had been hoping something like this would happen with all the smack talk I was dishing out.

Cat Dance was no joke. Anyone who earned the title of Champion was a top level fighter with very good combat instincts. None of the current Champions was below an A level fighter with a few breaching the S level from what I remembered. Cat Dance was still going strong in the future, and I recognized her name.

“Foxy Blight,” she said and stood in front of me with her hands on her hips. I stood up from my chair and looked her up and down.

“Cat Dance. You want to fight?” I asked while cocking my head to the side and grinning at her.

“Always. It will be nice to shut your bitch mouth up,” she sneered. And there was her completely toxic personality that I used to love. If people thought I stirred things up, Cat Dance took it to a whole other level.

“Perhaps I might just kiss you. You would like that wouldn’t you?” I asked while leaning forward and bringing both my hands into a prayer symbol against my cheek, while squeezing my arms together. That caused my breasts to become more prominent in a power move on the other woman.

“Bring it. Right now.” She did have a lot of confidence as she pointed directly at me while tilting her head back. How dare she try and out pose me!

“Ah, but I just hit my limit of ten matches for the day. But first thing tomorrow. Going to wager 25 platinum and merchandise rights? I have this new action figure and other goods for sale as the best champion. But there is no way you would be willing to risk such a thing.” I asked her and I saw the flicker of concern in her eyes.

“Bring it foxy bitch, since I am going to win. No problem. Let’s go schedule things right now.” With that the crowd, guards, Rebecca, Fred, and both of us made our way to a clerk.

“I want to fight Foxy Blight, first time she is available,” Cat Dance said while giving me a look to see if I would back out. The clerk told her the time, and she confirmed it.

“The stakes are set between 1 and 25 platinum and merchandise rights if you wager them as well. How much are you willing to wager?” the clerk asked.

“All of it and the merchandise rights!” Cat Dance said loudly, caught up in the moment. I smiled as she fell for my trap. Thank you for making me richer. “Now, no escape!” Cat Dance said and pointed at me.

“Indeed, may I?” I asked and gestured at the clerk and Cat Dance gave a nod and stepped away from the counter, probably curious what I was about to do. Everyone was watching on. Time to go nuclear and put this posing bitch in her place.

“I would like to place a wager on the match between Cat Dance and myself tomorrow for my victory,” I said while looking at Cat Dance. This was going to be an absolute power move on Cat Dance and everyone who was watching.

“Of course, how much would you like to wager?” the clerk asked me. I waited for ten seconds as the tension built up, but no one said anything, waiting to see what I would say.

“50 platinum!” I said dramatically. There were gasps and everyone nearby went silent.

“Very well Champion Foxy Blight. Please deposit your bet,” the clerk said and held out a rune plate. Everyone held their breath as I slapped my hand down on it. “Thank you for your bet.” I then turned to Cat Dance who was glaring at me.

“I am going to enjoy making you lose all your money. And make your figurines look stupid,” she said.

“Please, tell everyone you know to bet against me. The odds are quite amazing. And don’t worry, I will make your figurine look awesome. I am not petty like you are,” I replied with a massive grin. Already people in the crowd were running off to place their bets with how massively the betting odds had shifted based on my giga bet.

“Bitch, you will see petty when I spank your pansy ass up and down the arena,” Cat Dance let out a huff and turned and left.

“Foxy, that is the largest known bet to date. Are you confident?” Fred asked me.

“Of course. But, losers whine, winners win. Also, I have merchandise with limited edition figurines. Be sure to show your support tomorrow and buy these limited one time edition figurines and all the other merchandise to show your support. It even has an illusionary Murf Barf attack!” I pulled out a figurine from my inventory and activated it, sending out a small stream of dark brown and green that vanished after a couple of inches.

“There you have it people. Our newest Champion Foxy Blight has just challenged Cat Dance for 25 platinum directly, along with merchandising rights. Something that has never been done. Not stopping there, Foxy Blight has wagered on herself 50 platinum through the coliseum, the single largest bet in Exponential to date, with an estimated cash value of around five billion dollars! This might be the largest bet in human history! Already people are buying seats in advance for one of the biggest matchups before the Tournament of Champions,” Rebecca said. The crowd was cheering for me in the background.

After that I said my goodbyes and left. I went into the coliseum and into the Champion’s only area. I put on a cloak to hide my appearance and left through another entrance. That was the best way to lose any people that thought to follow me. My first stop was a high end general store.

I purchased a full map index, high end town compass, depth gauge, threat detector, and identity block pendant each for 1 platinum each for a total of 5 platinum and immediately equipped all these items. Next, I purchased a concealment dagger as my main weapon and moved over the skill shards. It cost 5 platinum but would hide my skill shards from observation and identification skills. Even casual observation would not allow people to see my skill shards on the hilt anymore.

Once that was done I made my way to the Administration Union. It was only found in the large cities. There I registered my guild, the Fanged Fox Guild, banner, uniforms, and paid the 1 platinum fee out of the guild account. I immediately sent an invitation to everyone that had already been brought into the game. Anthony had prepared the list of player names for me.

I went to an inn after that and spent my time organizing the interface and permissions. Anyone could message me and I didn’t change that for now. On the internal guild message board, I put up a short welcome that anyone would see and they would be alerted that the general guild announcement section had been updated when I changed it.

Welcome everyone to the Fanged Fox Guild. I am your Guild Leader Foxy Blight. I have earned the title of Champion and will be in the Tournament of Champions. There is also a big match between Cat Dance and myself tomorrow. If you want to make extra money feel free to bet on me.

Once the Tournament of Champions has been completed, an internal review of all members will take place and your earning potential. If anyone is interested in an officer position, they are listed in the Hiring section of the guild interface along with the requirements.

After the review is completed, we will be taking guild wide actions. Participation is considered mandatory and attendance will be recorded. If there is someone you wish to recruit from the outside of our regular channels, please reach out to the Recruitment Officer Grinning Blade.

That man was one of Anthony’s goons, but he understood his job. Get people to sign the guild contract if they wanted to join. If they wanted special treatment or a higher up position, they needed to hand over their qualifications and then I would make a determination. I would meet with them and then either hire them immediately or reject their application.

As for the Guild Account I was not letting anyone else touch the cash flow for now. There had been a couple of scandals of people running off with money, and I wasn’t about to be one of the poor people who had been taken for a fool. “Foxy Blight,” Storm Sword greeted me. There was another man with him.

“Storm Sword,” I gestured at a seat, and he took one. His companion took another. “Either of you want something to drink?” I offered.

“No. I am good, but thank you. This is Red Rage, my vice commander for our guild the Blood Swords.”

“Foxy Blight,” Red Rage said with a head nod.

“Red Rage,” I greeted him with a head nod back. “Thank you for coming.”

“It is fine. So, you want us to join you?” Storm Sword asked me.

“Yes. I would be willing to offer you a Champion position in the guild and up to four individuals you pick with favored contracts.”

“Champion position?” he asked. Ah, that wasn’t common yet.

“Someone who can fight on behalf of the guild when needed as an elite combatant. You can do everything you are doing now, and your primary job would be keeping up your level, skills, and fighting ability. You would have a vote and voice in the executive meetings of the guild. Also, you would be offered a secure place for a capsule, all expenses paid if you desire. Already the Fanged Fox Guild has a couple hundred people and is growing rapidly.”

“I didn’t hear about you before,” Red Rage countered, and I nodded at this.

“Our emergence has been timed with my move to win the Tournament of Champions. Our only backer is the Fanged Fox Corporation, which has been created to support the guild in the real world. All of our members currently use Fanged Fox Corporation capsules and stay in our housing,” I explained.

“And you want me?” Storm Sword asked. I nodded at this.

“In return, you would be expected to fight if needed to push back other guilds from any area or zone our guild decides to operate in. We would research skill paths and collect information on your behalf. Your combat ability is enough to be considered for a Champion position combined with your high level.”

“I am a bit interested.” I smiled at that. And pulled out four pieces of paper.

“Sign please, it is a standard non-disclosure,” I said. They looked over them and signed. Both papers were marked with the Eye of Vigilance. I put them away and they didn’t even ask for copies. Foolish of them. That was why he was only being offered a Champion position, not an officer position. Sword Storm’s fighting sense was quite good, but his business sense was poor.

“The contract I would offer you and the contract up to four people you pick would be offered. Take your time and look through it. Once you make a decision, you can leave a message for me,” I said and sent a friend request which he accepted.

“I will look over the contracts and get back to you,” Storm Sword said, and Red Rage nodded along with him.

“Remember these contracts are confidential, so you can’t share them with other people, without having them sign this non-disclosure agreement.” I pulled out a couple blank ones and handed them over as well.

They promised to get back to me and left. Well, it would be nice to have Storm Sword as a Champion, but I wasn’t invested in the outcome that much. I was not about to force him to join my guild.