章 9: Explosive Entrance
A deep frown appeared on the manager's face, it wasn't the first time someone cockily tried to skip ranks. To ask for the highest rank was either a sign of dementia or excessive cockiness.
"Elite rank is already full of Hardening User," blurted the eccentric old man, "It's also one of the highest rank available in Gladiator's Heaven, falling just behind the Master Rank!"
Gladiator Heaven's ranking system had three different steps. Mortal, Elite, and Master. Those three ranks served as a way to make matchmaking easier, the first Mortal Ranker wasn't even capable of taking a hit from the worst Elite. This huge difference was explained by a simple fact, Mortal Rankers were not capable of executing Hardening or any similar technique. They might have more or better fighting experience than Elite but their chances of winning turns into zero the moment they have to face real masters of the martial way.
"If it was me, I would have put you in the Mortal Rank, starting from the bottom and gradually fighting your way to the top! Giving you the best foundation possible." Explained the manager.
"It's not really a possibility for him anymore," blurted Moha, not bothering to hide the pride in his eyes, "Fell, show him!"
Hearing that Moha wanted him to show his talent, Fell leisurely took a step in. Shifting his weight from one side of his body to the other, the image of Anzar's first use of Hardening still fresh in his mind. His elbow drew a straight line to his hip like a bow, his muscles relaxing and turning softer until reaching a state akin to the calm yet steady tension of water, a relaxed expression appeared on his juvenile face. Everything changed the moment he finished taking his step, Fell's extreme state of relaxation immediately changed and turned into a huge wave of muscle contractions, followed by a fist flashing in the air.
—Snap—, everyone in the Gladiator's Heaven main entrance heard that sound, it was similar to a bamboo log viciously split in half.
"Interesting.. No.. Magnificent use of Hardening, hiding it till it burst the last moment" an obscene look appearing in the manager's eyes, excited to see how this new challenger will fare against his best fighters.
"You are definitely qualified for the Elite Rank, as for the Master Rank, I'm only a little manager that runs this branch of Gladiator's Heaven, I don't have a say on the advancement of fighters," explained the old man, "But… I can put you against the stronger Elites!"
"When can you fight?"
"Is it possible now?" asked Fell, excited to finally put what he learned to practice.
"Let me go check if there is an empty spot in today's schedule!" turning back, the eccentric old man started running to his office, he was preparing Fell's debut as if it was his own, Fell could swear that he even saw the man shiver with excitement as he searched through his computer.
"FOUND IT!" running back as fast he went, his eyes shining from the excitement of having a new contender for his fighters.
"You have thirty minutes before your fight, follow me I'll show you around!" taking Fell by the arm, his powerful grip clenching around Fell's arm like a snake coiling around his prey.
The passionate manager showed Fell around, he began with the spotlight of the Coliseum. A spacious fighting arena appeared in front of Fell's eyes, a smell of rust and blood hitting his nose. The floor was full of sand mixed with sharp fragments of teeth's and nails, fighting intent mixing with the atmosphere as if it was oxygen. Fell was sure of himself, this place gave birth to an incredible amount of martial artists.
Following the arena, they went around and did a complete tour of the Coliseum, moving from the training grounds full of muscular and youthful men lifting barbells and howling like mad beasts to the calm cafeteria, where the only noise was the sound of people wolfing down on food.
Fell quickly came to like the atmosphere, he saw something that he rarely got to notice in New Casablanca, pure honest passion. To Fell who rarely enjoyed the company of others, Gladiator's Heaven started having another appeal than just fighting.
The group quickly followed their tour, passing from the empty barrack to the check-room where fighters could meditate and focus themselves before their fight.
"Rest here young man, you still have 10 minutes before your fight, don't disappoint us for your grand debut"
"Good luck with your first fight Fell!"
While leaving, both of the old men's faces were full of expectation, in their eyes Fell was a rough diamond that needed some cutting and polishing before shining like the brightest jewel.
Alone in the peaceful room, Fell changed his clothes, wearing some purple shorts Moha gave him and sat cross-legged. Calming his nerves, he quickly attained a meditative state where only the fight mattered. Fighting intent was gradually forming in his mind, he wanted to prove to everyone that he changed, proving to the entire world that even he, who was born in the worst place, can accomplish something in his life.
A buzzing sound put him out of his meditative stance, his eyes flashed in the dimly lighted room. Leisurely getting up he left the room with quiet steps.
He calmly arrived in the fighting arena, the same smell of rust and blood hitting his nose. His eyes were calm and focused but deep within them, fighting intent was hidden, ready to explode. He was in the same state as gunpowder, only needing a single spark to burst into a shining explosion.
Completely oblivious to the fact that the arena was full of spectators, Fell maintained his unhurried stride, his eyes completely focused on the person in front of him.
"Oh, a newcomer, lucky me!" the man in front of him had a big frame, his thick muscles were similar to those of a gorilla, his skin was roughly comparable to a beast's hide, Fell was sure that a knife couldn't cut deep into it.
Not responding, Fell waited for the signal that announced the start of the fight. He kept looking at his opponent, his calm eyes focused in front of him, his hand opened and relaxed. In an outsider's view, Fell was acting way too calm, the way his eyes gazed at his opponent was similar to the one he would have while strolling in a calm courtyard.
"I'll change that look in your face kiddo, I'm sure you'll be frightened when I'll fi…-DRINNNNNNNG-" started taunting the gorilla-sized man before being cut by the alarm.
A light flashed through the arena, closely followed by the sound of a car crash and sand blowing in the air.
"WHAT HAPPENED!!!" Screamed a spectator
"I didn't get time to see any movement!"
"I can't see anything because of the sand"
A few breaths later, the sandstorm started fading, showing two opposite shapes close to the wall. Fell was the first person to be seen, he was still standing on his feet, his back was straight and his chest was puffed out. In front of him, the gorilla-sized man was completely embedded on the wall.
"The newcomer won??"
"SHOW US WHAT HAPPENED"
"YEAH, WE PAID, WE DESERVE TO SEE EVERYTHING!"
Fell action caused a huge reaction from the audience, spectators were standing up on their seat, howling and screaming wanting to see what caused the match to end so early. Their screams soon came to a stop as soon as a gigantic screen appeared in the middle, broadcasting a replay of what had just happened.
As soon as the ding entered Fell's ear, his body started moving on its own. Like a steam train, his extreme state of relaxation completely changed to action, his opponent not having the time to even see him move. First were his toes that applied pressure on the earth, followed by his ankle and knees, all of his joints moved one after the other, linking and creating a powerful kinetic chain that made him reach his top speed instantly from a standing position.
Fell still didn't name this dash, it was just him using all of his body's capability to move as fast as possible from a standing position. What he didn't expect was the result, he gave his all but his opponent didn't expect to take a human-sized bullet shot. Their contact, similar to two trains crashing, with all of his accumulated momentum delivered in one huge blast.
The result was seen by all, the gorilla-sized man was overpowered by Fell's monstrous strength and immediately went cold when their two bodies made contacts.
"Rough diamond?" blurted the manager, still shocked by what he saw "He's a complete monster!"
"Completely agreed. Now pay me what you just lost, remember our bet old fart?" Moha's laughter spread like waves, happiness from seeing his protege shine but mostly from having conned his old friend, "I told you old fart! Elite rank might not be enough to satisfy his thirst!"
Following the record, a huge uproar spread in the spectator seats, it was their first time seeing someone move so fast, no flashy technique was seen, only pure brute strength. Like a meteorite from outer space, Fell crashed on the Coliseum and completely stole the spotlight.
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