章 17: Chapter 16: Small Size, Big Fight

The forest clearing was alive with the sounds of excited chatter and laughter. Giant kids gathered around, forming a circle, their eyes wide with anticipation. Adults, towering at twenty meters, looked on with amused curiosity, their conversations fading as they turned their attention to the center of the commotion.

Two boys, both around ten years old, faced each other. One stood at an imposing ten meters tall, his frame muscular and intimidating. The other, though only 1.5 meters tall, exuded a confidence and presence that made the crowd buzz with excitement.

The larger boy cracked his knuckles, his eyes locked onto his opponent. "Ready for another round?" he asked, his voice booming.

His opponent grinned, eyes alight with determination. "Always. Let's see if you can handle this!"

With a roar, the larger boy launched a powerful punch, the force of which seemed to cut through the very air. The smaller boy didn't flinch. Instead of dodging, he met the larger boy's fist with his own, their punches colliding with an explosive force that sent shockwaves through the ground.

BOOM!

The impact created a deafening sound, causing the spectators to gasp. Dust and leaves were blown away from the force, and the ground beneath their feet trembled.

"They're really going at it!" one of the giant kids exclaimed, eyes wide with awe.

The two boys grinned at each other, a mutual respect shining in their eyes. They then launched into a flurry of punches, their fists moving so fast they were almost blurs. In just a minute, they exchanged over a hundred punches, each one powerful enough to fell an average warrior.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Their fists connected with rapid succession, the sound echoing through the clearing like a drumbeat. The larger boy swung a massive kick, his foot aiming to crush his opponent. The smaller boy met it with his own kick, their legs clashing mid-air with a thunderous CRACK!

Neither boy budged an inch, their brute strength evenly matched. The ground beneath them cracked from the sheer force of their kicks. They continued trading blows, their movements a blur of motion, each impact sending shockwaves through the air.

Suddenly, the smaller boy vanished from the larger boy's sight, moving with a speed that left the crowd gasping. He reappeared right in front of the larger boy's face, his small frame seeming to defy physics. The larger boy's pupils shrank in shock as his opponent's fist shot toward him.

"You lost again," the boy calmly spoke, his fist connecting with the larger boy's jaw with a resounding thud. The force of the punch sent the larger boy flying through the air, landing several meters away with a heavy crash.

WHAM!

The ground shook as the larger boy hit the earth, a cloud of dust rising around him. The crowd erupted in cheers and exclamations of disbelief.

"OOOOOOOHHHH!!!!"

"Jaxon strikes again!!!"

"He is the best!!"

"Damn, Hajrudin, I bet on you!"

"Wait, there was betting?"

Jaxon looked around, soaking in the cheers from the crowd. He waved his hands, basking in the adulation. Hajrudin slowly sat up, rubbing his aching jaw. Though his face showed pain, his eyes were filled with determination as he watched Jaxon revel in his victory.

"Jaxon! Next time I won't lose!" Hajrudin shouted, his voice echoing through the trees. He stood up and stormed away, a fierce resolve in his step.

"Tsk, tsk, this kid just won't give up," Jaxon chuckled, shaking his head. He knew Hajrudin was probably heading off to train even harder. Despite his defeat, Hajrudin was undoubtedly the strongest kid of their generation—except for Jaxon, of course. Jaxon respected that about him.

As the crowd began to disperse, adults and children alike were abuzz with excitement over the intense duel they had just witnessed.

Although Jaxon had won, he wasn't all that happy. He knew Hajrudin was a skilled swordsman and had chosen not to use his sword for the sake of fairness. Honestly, Jaxon wasn't sure if his fists could stand up to the sharp edge of a sword. Sure, it would be harder, but he didn't think he would lose. After all, his small frame meant he could dodge Hajrudin's sword swings with ease. He was extremely confident in his speed.

But that wasn't what Jaxon wanted. He didn't want to dodge! He wanted to face Hajrudin's sword head-on! He wanted to prove that he, despite his small size, was just as strong as any giant. Dodging a sword's edge would mean admitting that his fists were weaker, and that was something he refused to accept.

Even though it might seem childish, Jaxon had a dream—a small, stubborn dream. He didn't want to rely on his speed alone to dodge and counterattack. He wanted his fists to clash with the sword and come out on top. It was his small dream, and he wasn't going to let go of it.

As Jaxon walked back home, his mind was filled with thoughts of how to face a swordsman with his fists. He knew he'd be at a massive disadvantage if he went up against a sword. The idea of learning to use a sword crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. He was more comfortable with his fists, and besides, there were no swords his size around here. Humans rarely visited the island, so he couldn't just get one from them.

He thought about carving a sword from stone himself but felt lazy at the mere thought. Swinging a heavy stone sword didn't appeal to him. He'd much rather practice punches and kicks, honing his MMA skills. It was what he was good at, what he enjoyed, and what made him feel powerful. The idea of slashing with a sword felt foreign and awkward compared to the precision and power he could channel through his fists and feet.

As Jaxon reached his home, still deep in thought, he called out, "I'm home!"

"Come, Jaxon! Have lunch! I made your favorite—Sea King meat today!" his mom called back. She hadn't aged at all in the past seven years.

Jaxon couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious as he walked inside. Despite being ten years old, he felt immature for his age. He was growing taller, but his face still had a lot of baby fat, making him look younger than he was. It seemed like the giant genes were at work, slowing down his aging. He hoped it wouldn't hinder his muscle growth, since all the evidence pointed to a slowdown in his physical development.

Sitting at the table, Jaxon inhaled the delicious aroma of the Sea King meat. "Thanks, Mom! This looks amazing," he said, digging in with gusto.

His mom smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Jaxon. How was your training today?"

"It was great," he said between bites. "But I've been thinking a lot about facing swordsmen. I'm at a huge disadvantage with just my fists."

His mom nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "It's a challenge, but it's good that you're thinking about it. Challenges help you grow stronger."

Jaxon swallowed a big piece of meat and sighed. "I know, but it's frustrating. Maybe I should try learning to use a sword."

His mom raised an eyebrow. "And where would you find a sword your size around here?"

"Exactly," Jaxon said, his frustration evident. "I'd have to carve one from stone, and that just sounds like a lot of work. I'd rather stick to punches and kicks."

She chuckled softly. "You always did prefer using your fists. Maybe that's your path, Jaxon. Finding a way to use your strengths to overcome any challenge."

He nodded, feeling a bit better. "Yeah, maybe you're right. I'll just have to get stronger and faster. I want to prove that my fists are just as powerful as any sword."

His mom reached out and ruffled his hair. "That's the spirit. Keep pushing yourself, and you'll find a way."

Jaxon grinned, his resolve renewed. "Thanks, Mom. I will."