Two men drenched in sweat, inside an octagon cage in a large hall, were on their guard against each others. Both of their faces were red due to holding punches of each others for multiple times. All highlights were focusing on them both inside the cage. People were shouting and cheering from the sidelines like crazy.
The fight had only started for a minute and a half, but the fighters had already sweating and panting a lot. The arena was filled with loud roars of all the people that came to watch the fight live. All of the roars and cheering from the crowd were pushing their will to win so that they keep fighting until one of them wins the match.
Carlson Dicon throw a right jab to Mike Carpenter's left rib. Light but fast.
Mike pulled his right elbow to block the jab and ready his left fist to counter attack. But to his surprise, it was a feint that came with a cross from Carlson straight to his face right after. He jerked his head back to reduce the impact and damage from the punch. His right foot was lifted and pushed Carlson away with a kick to gain some space. Soon after, he leapt forward and went for another kick. It went in and hit Carlson's stomach.
Carlson gasped for air once as he got kicked. Unintentionally dropped his guards and left himself on many openings. Without wasting a single second, Mike threw a cross right into his face. But instead evading the punch, he decided to just take it with his forehead and close his gap with Mike. As Mike was within his reach, he caught Mike's waist with a hook, spun around him and got to his back, caught his waist from behind. With a loud groan, he lifted Mike to the air and bent his body backward, intending to slam the opponent, doing suplex. But he was too hasty as Mike managed to cancel his move by thrusting his heel to the left side of Carlson's ribs, dealing an unbearable pain and at once, released the grip over Mike's waist.
As Mike was freed from Carlson's grip, he quickly spun his body and put all his weight on his left hand. A strong blow was thrown onto Carlson's chin. The blow should already knocked a person out but Carlson jerked his face with the same direction as the punch to minimize the damage from the blow. Still, Carlson got hit strong enough to shook his brain. Mike spun backward and did a back kick to Carlson's belly, threw him back by a step. Carlson dropped on both knees as he held his belly with left arm as his right arm extended out as a cane from letting him completely fell. Gritting his teeth in pain and frustration.
The referee starts his countdown "Ten... Nine... Eight... Seven-" He stopped his countdown as Carlson got back on his feet. He continued the match right after.
Mike started by throwing a jab but Carlson bent to his right while locking his eyes on openings on Mike's guard. Took a step forward then threw his right fist upward. A direct hit to Mike's chin. Mike's eyes went white. He fell on his back half-conscious.
And again, the referee started the countdown "Ten... Nine... Eight..." After ten seconds and the countdown hits zero, he crossed his arms in the shape of an 'X', telling that the fight is over.
Carlson's hand was lifted. Victory goes to Carlson Dixon for the knockout
At once, everyone in the hall yell. Some were booing but most of them were yelling to celebrate the end of the match and for the win also.
As everything had ended, audiences walked out from the hall including Ax's group with satisfaction.
"That, was, sooo... Damn cool!" Eric was joyful. "But too bad that suplex didn't happen though."
"He was just too hasty. He should've dealt some heavy blows to Mike's head, making him lose his balance or just wait for Mike to be tired. Then, do the supplex." Brief explanation was given by Ax.
"But, that Mike guy is strong too. He gave the person you both rooting for a hard time." Phoebe joined the conversation.
"Huh? No, no, no. I'm not fanning him. Ric is. I just like watching the fight."
Whilst they were talking about the match, Lily was being silent all the time. After all, she was the only who is single without a partner in the group. And she is also someone who do not talk much. For most of the time, she was just walking close with them without saying anything and just watch the other girls clinging to their boyfriends and feeling cringe. Sometimes, she even felt jelly even though she did not really care about human relationships.
Suddenly, a loud bell sound was echoing all over the street.
"Oh, it's twelve already." Eric points at the clock tower that was ringing the bell. "Let's get something to eat before continuing our day."
"Alrighty. I'm hungry. Let's eat!" Phoebe said enthusiastically.
Ax shrugged. "Fine by me. But on you, Ric." He laid his arm on Eric's shoulder.
"Oh don't be such a stingy person. Use your money once in a while, please."
"I just used my money some days ago. And also, have other things to do with my money."
"As if my money only to buy you foods..."
"You got so~ much money left even if you buy me foods. I will be broke if I buy myself foods. That's our difference." His statement was frustratingly true.
"Fine, fine. I'll pay for the lunch." Eric gave up.
"Thank you, my bro~"
Eric was not even sure of his own judgement and decision now.
After roaming the streets for a while, they stopped at a Chinese restaurant. They entered together, get a table and have seats.
Looking at other people eating at the restaurant had made Ax felt a little disappointment. The portion of foods they were offering were too little for his appetite. But as he was looking at the menu, an idea came across his mind. "Yo, Ric. You will pay no matter how much we eat, right?" He said with a suspicious smile carved on his face.
At that moment, Eric could feel that something bad would happen. He was instinctively replied with "No." A short and simple answer that everyone can understand.
But his smile was still not fade from his face. "Let's make a bet." He continued. "You will pay for any of five dishes that YOU pick for me, if I manage to clean it all."
"Oh, here he comes..." Eric was thinking for a moment. "Ten." He added.
"Deal." Ax offered a handshake.
Eric hesitated for a while but he still grabbed Ax's hand and sealed the deal. Because he thought that ten dishes of noddles won't be finished by Leon. But the deal would soon become his regret...
Ax was not only managed to finished up all the ten dishes, he also ordered and finished some more side dishes.
It was time to pay for the meal, and Eric was all gloomy.
"By the way, Ric." Ax put his right arm over Eric's shoulders. "I know that you're fanning Carlson Dixon out of all the fighters. So, do you think he's better than every other fighters?"
Eric raised an eyebrow. "Well, duh."
"But from what I can see and I've already seen it, Mike is a better fighter in most aspect other than skill and experience."
Now, Eric became confused. "What do you mean? He just lost the match just now."
"But it was the semi-final." Those words had left Eric speechless out of realization. "You see, there's a reason why he's the rising rookie. It is true that Carlson's skill is better but didn't you see how Mike escaped his suplex?"
"Mike thrusted his heel to Carlson's left ribs. What of it?" Phoebe caught interest in their conversation.
"After I've analyzed the fight thoroughly, I realized that Carlson's punch before the suplex hit Mike's chin. Even though it's not a clean hit, it was still enough to shook Mike's brain. That's why two of his punch didn't deal heavy damage on Carlson even though we can see he was punching with all his weight applied on the fists. Then, when he was caught in the suplex move, he shouldn't be able to even think straight moreover to escape. And he's not an experienced fighter like the opponent." Ax explained thoroughly what he just analyzed.
"That's still doesn't make sense. How did he know what to do to escape then?" Most unexpectedly for Lily to voiced out a question. Even though she did not show it with the way she act, her eyes seemed eager to know the answer.
Whilst the others seemed to act quite normal when she spoke, Phoebe was pretty startled by it.
With a clear smirk on his face, he answered "It's instinct. His instinct to survive is that of a professional- no, he's better."
"So, even if he can't think straight, his instinct became like a second brain for him to act. I see it now..." Eric said as he was rubbing his chin. "He was born to be a fighter. A natural fighter."
Emilia who was walking beside Ax, tilted her head in confusion "Leon, when did you became so smart?"
Even though the question was supposed to directed towards the original owner, he still felt the pain. The sharp pain. "You didn't need to point that out though..." He said with a low tone. Almost whispering.
Phoebe jerked closer to Lily. "That was rare of you to speak. You usually don't talk to just anyone."
Lily fake coughed once. "I was just curious to know the answer. That's all." She said while trying to keep her cold posture. A slight pink appeared on her cheeks out of embarrassment.
"Hmm~ So you enjoyed the match too. I thought you didn't since you're just being silent all the time."
"It just how I usually is."
After half a day enjoying the time together, Eric planned to bring them to a cinema for a movie. To be aligned with the theme of the day, that is action themed, he picked an action-fantasy movie about a group of heroes went on a journey to fight against the demon king. So cringey...
Typical hero party, the hero, a paladin. Along with a swordsman, an assassin, an archer and a barbarian. Besides them, the hero were also aided by the elves and dwarves for the war against the demon king army.
Well of course, the couples sat next to their partners and Lily sat right in between the two couples. Phoebe was on her right while Ax was on her left.
People in the hall were enjoying the movie silently but Lily did not seemed to be very interested in it. Ax realized that her face was as steady as ever.
But when it was time for the climax, the scene where the hero party met with the demon king, Emilia was clenching Ax's hand tightly in excitement. At the same time, he also heard a hissed on his right. He turned his head and looked at Lily, frowned 'Did she just hissed...?'
Her face was still steady. She just changed her posture from supporting her head with right arm like a pillar, to crossing her arm in dissatisfied. She was clearly looking dissatisfied with the scene. And Ax wondered why.
"The movie was quite good, right?" Eric joyfully said as tthey were walking out fron the cinema. "The characters, the story and the cgi. I'd rate it seven point five out of ten."
"Yes it is." Phoebe agreed with a smile.
"The paladin was cool back then when he said 'This is the end of your line, demon king'." Emilia said.
"Nah, that was cringey as freak." He took out his phone and looked at the time. '4.21 p.m.'
'I guess it's time.' He thought.
"Yo, guys." He called out for the others."I need to go now. My doctor been waiting. Gotta meet him."
"I, too need to go." Lily said. "My siblings at home need me to cook for them." She gave her excuse.
"Well, I think it's late already. How about you, Phoebe?"
"Hmm... I'll stick around for a moment longer. It's boring if I go back now."
"Alright." He turned to Ax. "See you around, Leon."
"Bye." Ax walked away. He was following the direction of the location that doctor Hershell shared. Suddenly, two beeps were runged by the system and a task panel appeared.