Chapter 39: Lighting Fast.
Two teams were standing in the arena, facing each other.
''First round of Match 4 shall begin! Teams, choose your fighter!''
The first phase of the match will be choosing a fighter, Armya was waiting for Irio to send their fighter first.
''…Let's do this,'' Liam muttered and took a step forwards, instantly the entire stadium locked their gazes on his figure.
''The first fighter from Irio is… Liam Taylor!''
*Cheer*
Cheers resounded in the stadium, but it was very quiet if you compare it to previous cheers.
Evol hummed and also took a step forwards, locking his gaze with Liam.
''The first fighter from Armya is… Evol Crimsonsky!''
*CHEERS!!*
Comparing cheers between Evol and Liam was like comparing earth and sky, it was completely different.
The stadium erupted in loud cheers, making the ground shake a little bit, even people from Ramu, who was living few kilometers away from the stadium can hear the noise.
''First round of Match 4 Begins!'' The announcer announced, the duo of Armya and Irio left the arena to stand on the sidelines, and only two figures were remaining in the center of the arena.
''Liam, you ready?'' The referee pointed at Liam.
Liam nodded.
''Evol, you ready?'' The referee pointed at Evol.
Evol nodded.
Referee's hand was pointing at the sky.
''FIGHT!'' Referee lowered his hand, which was a sign of the match starting.
Evol made the first move and unleashed a lightning fast punch towards Liam, but Liam was prepared and managed to dodge with sidestep towards the left.
Liam counter-attacked with a punch towards Evol's stomach, but Evol parried the punch with his elbow, Evol raised his leg and slammed it into Liam's stomach, making him stumble backward.
''Ugh.'' Liam slightly grimaced
Evol grabbed Liam from his shirt and threw him to the floor.
He continued his ruthless assault with leg stomp, but Liam managed to dodge it by tilting his head, Evol's stomp slightly missing his head.
Liam grabbed Evol's leg and made him fall.
Currently, Liam and Evol were competing in grappling.
But…
That's where Liam made his mistake, Evol is the master of Silat, because that he can lock his opponents and break the bones easily, it is even easier to do during grappling.
Liam tried to mount Evol and start raining punches, he managed to get into the mount position, but he didn't manage to land a punch, because Evol locked him with a leg lock.
Liam's body was in contact with Evol's, that's why he is unable to punch.
Evol started punching Liam's side.
*Smack* *Smack*
The sound of flesh getting beaten was resounded in the stadium.
Liam gritted his teeth while trying to endure the pain for few moments longer.
But shortly after he was unable of enduring anymore, Liam tried to get out of the grappling position, but Evol didn't let him go that easily, he kept punching Liam without stopping.
Evol stopped punching and put his arms over Liam's head, trying to chokehold him.
*Grab*
Liam's head was stuck between Evol's arm and armpit, completely locked in a chokehold.
''Give up man!'' Evol said while making the chole hold even tighter.
''Ugh!'' Liam grimacing in pain, tried to find a way out, but couldn't
Without any choice… Liam decided to tap three times on the floor, as a sign of surrender.
''MATCH OVER!''
''Winner Evol Crimsonsky!''
*CHEEEEEERS!!!!!!!!* *Clap* *Clap*
The stadium started applauding, even though it was a short match, it still showed the strength of Armya, but they were also excited… because now the true matches will begin.
''As expected.'' Commentator A said with a slight nod.
Quella and Mars next to him also nodded, but then took a more serious look, because the next match was approaching.
…
''Damn it!'' The old man slapped his knee in frustration.
''Ah…'' His daughter sighed with a wry smile.
''Irio is in trouble.'' the young boy next to them said.
''Well, this was the expected outcome, now we need to hope that those two monsters will handle this.'' Old man hoped.
'I wonder if next is his turn…' The tanned young girl thought next to them with a slight blush while looking at the certain black-haired young man's profile on her phone.
…
Back to Stadium.
Evol let go of Liam and stood up while patting dust off him, he saw Liam offering a handshake, he grabbed his hand and shaked hands and left the arena shortly afterward, because they knew that they were only an opening act.
Liam with a slightly embarrassed face approached Ichiro and Lucas. ''Sorry, guys…''
Lucas with a slight smile said. ''It's alright, you did your best.''
Liam gave slight smile and looked at Ichiro who was munching something.
''Are you eating candy? Can I have some?''
Ichiro looked at Liam and smirked. ''Nah, this isn't candy.''
Liam raised an eyebrow and asked. ''Then what is it?''
''Drugs!'' Ichiro announced with a crazy smile.
Liam widened his eyes in horror and yelled. ''WHAT!''
*BAM*
Lucas smacked Ichiro in the head and shook his head.
''Lucas! Stop hitting my head!'' Ichiro growled in anger.
''Stop being an idiot first.'' Lucas looked at Ichiro's eyes with a smug smile.
''Tsk.'' Ichiro clicked his tongue and kept eating dru*Cough*candy.
''Second Round of Match 4 Begins! Send your fighters!''
''Your turn Lucas, don't lose~'' Ichiro grinned.
Lucas rolled his eyes and he leaped towards the arena, he landed swiftly and waited for his opponent.
Rawal looked at Lucas with a serious expression and jumped towards the arena, facing Lucas.
''Second Round! Lucas Quinthold Vs. Rawal Arora!''
*CHEEEEEEERS!*
The stadium erupted in cheers, because two with the same strength were going to be fighting with all they have, and because they knew that it is do or die situation with Irio, so they knew that this match was going to be insane!
''Lucas, you ready?'' Lucas nodded.
''Rawal you ready?'' Rawal nodded
''FIGHT!!''
The Second Round of Match 4 began, Irio is in do or die situation.
Rawal was the first one to make his move, he swiftly moved towards Lucas with a zigzag motion.
Lucas was on his orthodox fighting stance, waiting for Rawal.
Rawal quickly did a left-handed jab, immediately after that he followed with a right cross, but Lucas blocked his punches with his block, he took a step forward, twisted his waist, and did a body-punch towards Rawal, but it was dodged by him.
''Hmph.'' Lucas snorted and unleashed his lighting fast jabs.
*Smack* *Smack* *Smack*
Rawal widened his eyes and only saw Lucas' arms turning blur, next he felt pain assaulting his body, he retreated with sweat dripping from his forehead, he looked at his torso and saw bruises forming.
'Fast!' Rawal thought. 'But not as fast as Slych…'
Lucas unleashed another round of jabs, but this time Rawal was prepared, with zigzag movements he closed on Lucas while dodging the jabs with a small margin.
'I have been sparring against Slych hundreds of times, I am more than familiar with how to defend against someone fast.'
Lucas raised an eyebrow, he saw Rawal appearing next to him, and next he only saw his fist closing on his face.
*SMACK!*
Rawal punched at his face which made his head push backward with his neck stretching a little bit.
''URGH.'' Lucas groaned in pain, but Rawal kept pummeling his body, each attack forming another bruise.
''Lucas is losing!'' Commentator A exclaimed.
The audience started yelling loudly.
''GO RAWAL!!!''
''RAWAL! RAWAL! RAWAL! RAWAL!'' Sounds of chanting were heard around the stadium.
Ichiro looked seriously at Lucas, but then a slight smile appeared on his face.
Rawal unleashed another punch, but this time Lucas was prepared.
Lucas with lighting speed went into horse-stance and put his elbow forwards which hit Rawal's punch.
[Indestructible!]
*CRACK!*
A loud crack echoed in the stadium.
''ARGHHHHHHHHHH!'' Rawal cried out in agony, he looked at his fist which was broken, Lucas' elbow managed to break his fist!
The stadium went quiet very quickly.
Even commentator and his two Quests watched with mouths agape.
''Hmph.'' Lucas snorted and started his counter-attack, he started raining jabs towards Rawal's figure, he kept retreating while holding his broken hand, his face was filled in agony, but he tried to ignore his pain, which he succeeded after some time.
In this world, usually Martial Arts Practitioners are used to pain, because pain is what every Martial Arts Practitioners go through in every training, in every match.
Even though Rawal's hand is broken, it still doesn't affect his mentality, but it will affect his fighting prowess because only his left arm is remaining.
''Tsk.'' Rawal clicked his tongue and started moving towards Lucas with his usual zigzag movements.
Lucas looked indifferent and went into his Orthodox fighting stance.
Rawal this time used his kicks to pummel Lucas' body, but he easily blocked and parried the kicks.
Rawal's kicks had no power behind them!
Lucas attacked with his right cross, but Rawal ducked under the arm and body-punched with his left arm, which successfully contacted, but Lucas didn't even flinch.
*Smack* *Smack* *Smack*
Lucas unleashed his lighting fast jabs, which get pummelling Rawal's face and body without stopping, finally, Lucas took a very wide swing towards Rawal's body and hit successfully, which sent Rawal flying through the air, he rolled in the ground for few moments, until he stopped himself and stood up with wounds covering his body.