章 26: Round Two: One on One

The system announced Noa's name, resounding for all to hear, serving as his cue to make his way to the fighting arena.

Mechanics for round two wasn't different from the first, but combat this time would be hand-to-hand, one-on-one.

Positioned at the center of the arena, Noa locked eyes with his opponent. Towering over him, the man exuded an intimidating presence, boasting a muscular frame. Long, brunette hair framed his sharp face. Glowing red orb replaced his left eye, and his skin bore a patchwork of scars.

This man was none other than Maverock. He personally requested to duel against members of the Shadow Syndicate using his prior connections. As one could see, he won in the previous round.

Maverock fixed a piercing glare on Noa, exhaling audibly. "It's time for me to give you a taste of your own medicine. How dare you challenge me?"

Noa couldn't help but laugh in the face of his opponent. He knew that when someone was driven by emotions, maintaining focus would be difficult.

"You mean, I bruised your ego?" Noa continued to chuckle, his tone laced with mockery.

Maverock's face flushed with anger. Being laughed at by someone he deemed inferior was something he couldn't tolerate.

"How dare you!" Maverock retorted, struggling to keep his voice steady. "You're just a new member, so you must not know who I am. I could end you in an instant."

Noa raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why don't you show me what you're capable of?" he taunted.

Tension filled the air as the bridge beneath their feet suddenly rumbled and ascended.

Noa and Maverock found themselves standing on a stage resembling a large, elevated plate. The platform had been lifted and perched atop a pillar, devoid of any wall. A single misstep could send them plummeting into the depths of the river below the bridge.

They were stripped of their weapons and protective gear for this fight. The rules were simple—one would emerge victorious only when the other died or surrendered.

Facing each other, Noa and Maverock focused on maintaining their balance as the platform shook beneath their feet. Their gazes locked in an intense stare, neither willing to yield.

As the platform rose higher, the wind grew stronger, challenging their balance. Noa's hair whipped around his face, but he narrowed his eyes, determined to remain undeterred by the elements.

The system's signal echoed through the arena, commencing the start of the match. Noa and Maverock circled each other with caution. The anticipation hung thick in the air as they awaited the decisive opening move.

In a sudden burst, Maverock lunged forward, throwing a punch towards Noa. Reacting swiftly, Noa evaded the attack by sidestepping and swiftly countered with a precise strike to Maverock's abdomen. The blow caught Maverock off guard, causing him to stagger backward, taken aback by Noa's speed and agility.

Noa wasted no time, not planning to let the other recover. Charging forward, a rapid flurry of punches and kicks rained upon Maverock, leaving him reeling.

"Heh. This newbie is testing his luck, huh?" Maverock sneered, his lips stained with blood. Anger welled within him, only fueling his determination as he lunged at Noa, seeking redemption.

"I may be new, but that doesn't mean I lack skills like you," Noa retorted. It might sound arrogant, but he was a trained soldier after all.

Suddenly, without warning, the elevated platform jolted, causing Maverock to lose his balance and teeter on the edge. Seizing the opportunity, Noa sprang into action with lightning speed, pouncing on Maverock. Caught off guard, Maverock found himself sprawled on the stage, defeated, with Noa standing tall above him, a triumphant figure.

A thunderous wave of cheers erupted from the spectators below, and Noa beamed down at them, his heart racing with the exhilaration of victory.

Maverock rose to his feet, launching a powerful kick aimed at Noa's head. Noa's reflexes kicked into high gear, narrowly evading the incoming strike. Seizing the opportunity, he swiftly retaliated with a rapid barrage of jabs, catching Maverock off guard.

The two combatants engaged in a relentless exchange of blows, a fierce back-and-forth that showcased their skills. Noa strained his muscles, pushing himself to overpower his opponent, but Maverock proved to be a formidable adversary, refusing to yield.

Despite the intensity of the battle, Noa carefully conserved his energy, pacing himself to avoid premature exhaustion that could leave him vulnerable.

As the round neared its conclusion, both fighters were drenched in sweat, their breaths labored. Noa could see the unyielding determination reflected in the other party's gaze.

The crowd erupted into excited roars, their voices echoing through the arena as they chanted Noa's name. Their enthusiastic cheers momentarily distracted him, causing him to turn his attention towards them.

In that split-second diversion, Maverock seized the opportunity to strike once more, pushing Noa dangerously close to the edge.

No rules forbade such a move. They were only told that they were free to do anything as long they only fought with their body.

Struggling to regain his footing, Noa felt the searing burn in his muscles and the throbbing ache coursing through his bones from the relentless assault. He drew a deep breath, refocusing his entire being on Maverock. The fight was far from over, and he couldn't afford to lower his guard once again.

He maintained a cautious distance, circling around Maverock in an attempt to evade his reach. However, to Noa's surprise, Maverock displayed an unexpected agility, keeping Noa within striking range.

In a sudden surge, Maverock lunged forward, his attack aimed directly at Noa. With split-second reflexes, Noa narrowly evaded the oncoming strike, but not without consequences. Maverock's fist grazed his shoulder, sending a wave of pain through Noa's body, causing him to wince.

Taking a step back, Noa focused on regaining his breath. And then, he spotted it—a small opening, a chance to strike back.

He swiftly closed the distance, unleashing a flurry of lightning-fast punches against Maverock. Despite Maverock's attempts to defend himself, Noa's blows were too rapid and forceful for him to block effectively.

Gradually, Maverock faltered, stumbling under the relentless assault. Sensing victory within his grasp, Noa capitalized on the opportunity. With one final, devastating blow, he sent Maverock crashing to the ground, defeated.

The crowd erupted once more, filling the arena with thunderous cheers. A triumphant grin spread across Noa's face as he basked in the satisfaction and pride of his victory.

"You have a choice," Noa said as he knelt on Maverock's neck while restraining his arms behind his back. "You can submit and keep your life."

Maverock groaned in pain, gasping for breath. "Submission followed by a life of humiliation is a fate worse than death!"

"I know that. That's why I want you to die multiple times through humiliation for the rest of your life." Noa stated firmly.