The Stadium had not seen much repair, the rubble had been cleared away, but the crater in the seating area was yet to be patched up. Wolf and a number of those under her command took their seats on the upper most benches around the arena, out of ear shot but watching carefully. Willow waited on the floating platform at the centre. Jerry was expected soon.


    Willow was constantly aware of the eyes that were on her. As a head hunter, she was seen in constant suspicion, as the job required secrecy, and the secrecy caused others to suspect head hunters of recruiting for the enemy. Willow was used to it, but this was the first time she had been completely surrounded by willing aggressors; Soldier''s fingering their swords and bows, and the giant Wolf guiding them behind cold eyes.


    The gulls cried from the grey sky above, they circled the stadium, riding the wind. The clouds moved overhead with speed, yet the arena walls worked as a break against the gusts. Salt was on the air, salt water was under foot. Willow inhaled and absorbed the scents, sounds and sights around her, she immersed herself in the environment. Anything to kill the nervousness in her stomach.


    ''How long is he going to be?'' Willow called up to Wolf.


    The large woman shrugged. ''I don''t know, he should be here soon.''


    Not very punctual for such a revered man. Willow was becoming ever more agitated. The environment was increasingly unsettling the more she looked. The damage was created by a single Swordsman, demonstrating power that his Job Class should not allow.


    The Hurdland Soldiers seemed ready to jump into the ring at any moment. They were expecting Willow to make some kind of wrong move. She was surrounded by dangerous people, expecting to meet with the most deadly of them all.


    ''Hello.''


    Willow spun around as soon as she heard the voice. A man in brown cotton clothing and a brown leather coat was stood on the floating platform with her. A brown pointed hat that flopped to one side shadowed his eyes. Just before her reply, Willow realised she had neither felt nor heard the man enter the ring. ''Jerry?''


    ''Yes.'' He smiled.


    This put Willow at ease, as his smile was warm and inviting. ''My name is Willow, I am a head hunter hired by Fayyim Tallhart, the Commander of the Red Front, an army of Hurdland.''


    ''Allow me to stop you there.'' Jerry raised a finger to his lip, hushing Willow. ''I can tell you right now, I am not available for hire.''


    ''Please, allow me to explain.'' Willow tried. ''Commander Tallhart is a very capable leader, you will find that-''


    ''The Commander has nothing to offer me.''


    Tough gig. ''How can you say that if I haven''t explained the terms?''


    ''You''re a head hunter, you would not have found me without prior knowledge of who I am, of my history. Am I correct?''


    It was in that moment that Willow took note of the longsword at the man''s side. She swallowed hard and answered truthfully. ''Yeah, you are.''


    ''I''ve had my time, I''ve done everything I''ve needed to do in this world. Now I just want to float around and enjoy the little things. Wolf understands, can you?''


    ''Yes.'' I''ve lost him.


    ''Good.'' Jerry made to leave, but something caused him to stop. ''Let me ask, why have you come to me on behalf of some army I''ve never heard of? I''d expect greater men to desire my aid.''


    ''You fit the criteria of what they want. I aim high and bring my clients the best that I can.'' Willow''s palms were wet.


    ''What criteria?''


    ''An ace, someone with devastating power. A one man army in essence.'' Willow looked to the damaged arena seating. ''I thought that I had a good choice in you, but couldn''t be sure. Then I saw what you did to this place and I was entirely sure that you were the one, despite your technical loss.''


    Jerry was silent for a second. ''This was not caused by me, it was caused by a man with greater potential.''


    ''Greater potential?''


    ''Yes. A man that given the chance, would defeat me where others have failed.''


    ''The Monk?''


    ''Cadaoir.'' Jerry scratched the hairs on his chin. ''He is the one you should be searching for.''


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    ''Why him?'' Asked Willow.


    ''Why?'' He thought. ''Why indeed.'' Jerry''s eyes became unfocused, as if he was looking into some other realm. ''I watched every match that Cadaoir took part in. Without using his Monk abilities, without that power, he defeated Spear-men and Swordsmen with skill and a tactical prowess that showed a lifetime of experience. And it was done without a weapon, or a shield, or with armour.''


    ''Unreal.''


    ''Indeed.'' Jerry laughed. ''It was incredible. To overcome these difficulties would require in depth experience in their use, he was wholly aware of their shortcomings, and took advantage of that. Only a man who knew how to use such a weapon would have that kind of insight.''


    ''Then why fight unarmed? Why handicap himself if he could have his choice of weapon and use it with skill?''


    ''It is his test. He challenges himself to overcome great odds.''


    ''What result is he looking for?'' Willow was interested.


    ''I honestly do not know.''


    ''OK. How about this? If he is so good, how did you defeat him?''


    ''Good question.'' The man rubbed his hairy chin. ''Ego. Despite Cadaoir''s immense skill and tactical ability, his ego weakens him. He does not feel for the people around him, he only revels in victory and victory alone. Once an opponent is defeated, they are discarded from his list of usefulness and he regards them no more.''


    ''I don''t understand how his ego would stop him from winning. Did you not beat him simply because you were better?''


    ''No. We were the same level in that instance.'' Jerry began to pace the ring, then he stopped. ''Cadaoir, like those he has defeated, has only glory through victory in mind. It is a shallow purpose, doomed to fail them all eventually, which it has done. The greatest warriors find a deeper purpose, something to fight for outside of themselves.''


    ''And you had that purpose in the fight against Cadaoir?'' Willow was not convinced. ''Forgive me, but this was a competition of skill, your only purpose for being here would be to win and win alone.''


    ''Wrong.'' He looked at her from under the brim of his hat. ''When I saw Cadaoir and his disregard for those he defeats, for their shattered pride, the emotional damage caused by a definitive loss, I felt for them. Cadaoir leaves heartache in his wake, he utterly destroys his opponents and does nothing to relieve the anguish of their loss. Just think about it. They have spent a huge amount of time building their skills, building belief in themselves, killing all self doubt in order to face difficulty ahead. Yet he destroys it all and leaves broken pieces behind him.


    ''The greatest power is not in destruction, but in creation, or in this case, rebuilding something better from what was once broken.''


    ''I see.''


    ''No you do not. But that is not the issue at hand. I saw this failure in Cadaoir''s actions, it gave me purpose. I felt for the people he had no doubt hurt in the past, and would hurt in the future. My purpose was to explain to Cadaoir what he had become, and to make him feel how those others felt, using the language of warriors.''


    ''I do see.'' She did. ''The depth of your purpose, or your objective?'' Jerry nodded, Willow continued. ''Was greater than his. No. It was purer than his.''


    ''Yes!''


    ''And that is how you won?''


    ''It was.'' Jerry smiled. ''I''m happy you understand.''


    ''So what does this all mean to me?'' Asked Willow. Jerry looked disappointed, Willow did not know how to react.


    ''Getting back to Cadaoir. If you could convince him to find a purer purpose, you would find an unrivalled power in him. Place a weapon in his hands, give him that advantage that everyone else has, and he would excel in ways that even I could not predict.''


    ''Really?'' Willow was stunned. ''He sounds exceptional.''


    ''No, not until he lets go of his pride and his ego. If you want to recruit this man, then finish the lesson that was started by his defeat. Can you do that?''


    Willow had to think for a moment. I can.


    ''Good.'' Jerry seemed to read her mind. ''But it will be hard.''


    ''That''s fine, I can do it, I have my own purpose.''


    ''Is that so?''


    ''Yes it is.'' Willow thought of Fayyim. I''m doing it for my good friend.


    ''I believe you, I can see it in your eyes.'' He removed his hat, revealing a mop of shaggy grey brown hair. ''Then you will create a warrior with no equal.'' He paused for thought. ''I witnessed Cadaoir interacting quite often with an Amaratese official, a Captain of a ship I think. He looked rather important, that may be your first lead for finding your man, as I believe he has already left the city to somewhere I do not know.''


    ''He''s already gone?''


    ''He has, but there is a second place you could look for him.''


    ''Oh?''


    ''Yes.'' Jerry continued. ''Monks from the Spirit Temple often have contacts that supply them with food and tools on their pilgrimages. There are often couriers delivering packages to predetermined locations. The largest service exists in Amaratsu''s City of Bones, managed by a woman named Autumn. I would suggest seeking her out if your other lead fails you.''


    ''That''s good information, thanks.'' I have contacts in the city myself, I might even be able to find out about this Six Hands too, now that Jerry is a no go. ''Is there anything else you could tell me?''


    Jerry shook his head. ''No.''


    ''OK. The first lead you gave me will fail me if I waste any more time.'' Willow bowed and smiled. ''Thank you very much for your time, and for sharing your great knowledge. Sorry that I have to run, but the job is calling.''


    Jerry bowed in return. ''Thank you for thinking of me for your work, and for listening.''


    Willow walked briskly to the exit. ''Goodbye. And give my best to Wolf, thank her for me.'' She never heard a reply, only the calls of the birds flying above her.