Legend (Legend #1)
Chapter 11: Part One: Day 6
by Marie, Lu,The chapter opens with the narrator, hiding atop a warehouse, observing a Skiz fight—an underground betting event where participants wager on brutal, no-rules brawls. The narrator’s companion, Tess, mingles with the crowd to place their bets while the narrator stays hidden to avoid police detection. The rules are simple: bet on the fighter you believe will win, but the narrator’s notoriety forces them to remain cautious. Tess, small and quick, handles the transactions, though the narrator watches protectively, ready to intervene if trouble arises. Their current bet is on Kaede, a dominant fighter who has already won one match and exudes confidence.
Kaede’s next opponent appears hesitant, and the narrator dismisses her as no match. The fight ends swiftly, with Kaede brutally defeating the girl, earning the narrator and Tess a profit. The victory brings them closer to their goal—earning enough money for a vial of a mysterious “cure.” Kaede, reveling in her win, challenges the crowd for another opponent. Tess, eager to watch, draws unwanted attention by pushing forward, and a gambler shoves her into the ring. The narrator tenses, ready to intervene, but a stranger steps in, diverting Kaede’s attention and saving Tess from danger.
The new challenger, a girl with a calculated demeanor, initially refuses to fight, surprising the crowd. Her confidence and poise intrigue the narrator, who notes her athletic build and sharp eyes. Despite her reluctance, she eventually agrees to face Kaede, and Tess places another bet on Kaede, following the narrator’s signal. However, the moment the girl takes her stance, the narrator realizes their mistake—she moves with precision and lethal intent, unlike Kaede’s brute force. The narrator senses an impending upset, hinting at a shift in the fight’s dynamics.
The chapter builds tension through the narrator’s protective vigilance over Tess and their high-stakes gambling. Kaede’s dominance is challenged by the mysterious girl, whose skill suggests she may defy expectations. The narrator’s internal conflict—gratitude for Tess’s safety versus the risk to their money—adds depth to their pragmatic yet loyal character. The scene sets the stage for an unexpected showdown, leaving the reader anticipating the outcome of this clash between brute strength and strategic finesse.
FAQs
1. What are the rules of Skiz fighting and betting as described in the chapter?
Answer:
The rules of Skiz are straightforward: participants pick a fighter they believe will win and place a bet on that person. The chosen fighter must continue competing until they lose a round, defined as being thrown to the ground by an opponent. Winners receive a portion of the bets placed on their challenger. However, the narrator highlights a complication: individuals with notoriety (like himself) avoid public betting to evade police detection, relying instead on intermediaries like Tess to place bets discreetly. This system creates high stakes, both financially and physically, as fighters like Kaede dominate until defeated.2. How does the narrator’s protective relationship with Tess influence their actions during the Skiz fight?
Answer:
The narrator’s deep concern for Tess shapes his cautious yet vigilant behavior. Though he hides atop a warehouse to avoid police recognition, he constantly monitors Tess, ensuring her safety. When Tess is shoved into the ring, his immediate anger and readiness to intervene reveal his protective instincts. Their teamwork is practical—Tess handles bets while he provides oversight—but his internal monologue (“Next time I’ll join her”) shows guilt over her vulnerability. This dynamic underscores their reliance on each other in a dangerous environment, balancing survival with emotional bonds.3. Analyze the contrast between Kaede’s and the mystery girl’s fighting styles. What might this foreshadow?
Answer:
Kaede fights aggressively, “like a bull,” relying on brute force and intimidation (e.g., toying with opponents). In contrast, the mystery girl is calm and calculating, moving “like a viper.” Her hesitation is strategic, not fearful, and her poised stance suggests skill. This dichotomy foreshadows a potential upset: while Kaede dominates through sheer force, the new girl’s precision and tactical approach hint at an underdog victory. The narrator’s realization that he “made a big mistake” betting on Kaede reinforces this, implying that the mystery girl’s refined technique may overcome Kaede’s raw power.4. Why does the narrator bet on Kaede despite the mystery girl’s clear competence? How does this reflect his priorities?
Answer:
The narrator bets on Kaede out of pragmatism, not confidence. Grateful for the mystery girl’s intervention to save Tess, he still prioritizes their financial goal—earning enough for “a vial of cure”—over moral support. His split-second decision (“play it safe”) reveals a survivalist mindset: Kaede’s track record seems reliable, while the new girl is an unknown. This choice highlights his internal conflict between caution and intuition, as well as the harsh realities of their world, where emotional debts (like gratitude) often yield to practical necessity.5. How does the chapter use sensory details to build tension during the Skiz fight scenes?
Answer:
The narrator’s vivid observations immerse readers in the scene’s tension. Visual details (Kaede’s hair flip, the challenger’s “olive skin”) and auditory cues (crowd chants, the “roar” of laughter) create a chaotic atmosphere. Physical sensations—like the narrator’s jaw tightening or anger “boiling” in his chest—mirror the fights’ brutality. The contrast between Tess’s “delicate frame” and Kaede’s violent strikes heightens unease. When the mystery girl appears, her “burning” eyes and subtle smile add mystery, using minimal description to signal her significance. These details collectively amplify the scene’s stakes and unpredictability.
Quotes
1. “If they catch me and fingerprint me, it’s over for both of us. Tess, though, is slender and wily. She can escape a raid much more easily than I can. But that doesn’t mean I’ll leave her on her own.”
This quote highlights the narrator’s protective relationship with Tess and the constant danger they face in their underground gambling world. It establishes the stakes of their survival and the narrator’s loyalty despite the risks.
2. “Kaede toys with her like a cat playing with her food before lashing out again with her fist. The challenger crashes to the ground, hitting her head on the cement floor, where she lies in a daze.”
This vivid description captures the brutal nature of the Skiz fights and Kaede’s dominance as a fighter. It illustrates the violent, unforgiving world the characters inhabit and sets up Kaede as a formidable opponent.
3. “Oh, hell no. Not while I’m watching. Not if Kaede wants to live.”
This explosive internal monologue reveals the narrator’s fierce protectiveness of Tess when she’s thrust into danger. It marks a key turning point where the narrator nearly intervenes, showing how far they’re willing to go for their companion.
4. “Kaede strikes like a bull, a battering ram. This girl strikes like a viper.”
This contrasting description perfectly captures the difference between Kaede’s brute force and the mysterious new fighter’s precision. It foreshadows the coming confrontation while demonstrating the narrator’s keen observational skills in assessing fighters.
5. “Fifteen hundred Notes. I swallow hard, warning myself not to get too excited. One step closer to a vial of cure.”
This quote reveals the deeper motivation behind the gambling - the pursuit of medicine (“cure”) that presumably sustains them. It adds emotional weight to their risky behavior and hints at a larger struggle for survival beyond just money.