Suddenly, Hank's entire bearing changed, and strong white energy burst forth from him and wrapped his entire body.
Within seconds, Hank's entire appearance transformed into that of a metal man. His frame is glazed in blue metallic essence, while sharp nail-like-things surfaced in his hands and legs.
'What kind of skill is this? It's kinda daunting!' Gin thought. At the same time, he also knows his opponent is staking everything in his next strike.
He knows he would easily win if he avoids a direct confrontation with his opponent, who already staked everything up in his sleeve.
If he utilized his movement technique perfectly, his opponent would have a hard time touching him. But, Gin wants a satisfying victory; defeating his opponent when he's at best.
"If you survive my attacks in this state, it's your victory!" Hank said and zapped towards Gin.
'Fast!' Gin exclaimed, noticing his opponent's movement. A fist cloaked with metallic stakes lunged towards his face.
Gin knows, he can't block the strike with his bare hands as it would only injure him so he averted the opponent's strike by hitting the bicep.
At the same moment, Hank's other fist struck at Gin's chest. Gin eluded the strike and retreated to distance by utilizing his movement skill as knows he can't block the attack.
Hank is all offense and his strikes were that of an animal – intense and forceful.
Any of his attacks would heavily injure Gin as his opponent is holding nothing back. Out of nowhere, a strike blew past his left arm.
'Swish'
Blood splattered from his left arm, the nail like thing tore his flesh without him knowing.
Not caring about the wounds and pain, Gin calmly avoided his opponent's next strike.
Gin gathered every ounce of energy inside his body into his right hand, waiting for a perfect opportunity to execute his 'Fist of Destruction'.
Noticing his strike injured Gin, Hank tried to utilize it to his advantage.
Aiming his punches and kicks towards Gin's left arm side; Not knowing it created an opportunity for his opponent to counter-attack.
As Hank was aiming for his left arm side, Gin took it to his advantage and stepped forward, halting his movements.
'Bang!'
Gin drove a punch that penetrated through his opponent's defense. It was his 'Fist of Destruction' skill, filled with his full strength.
Unlike during his practice, his fist was fast, fluid and explosive. How to say? It felt perfect to Gin!
His fist made contact with Hank's chin, flinging him in the air. 'A perfect blow!'
Even though his body was covered in metallic essence, somehow his defense has been broken.
Hank felt his chin has been punched three times in a row, in that split second. His eyes blurred while consciousness slowly faded away.
'Thud!'
Hank fell to the ground, collapsed, and bleeding from his mouth
"Ohh! W-what the fu*k was that? I totally couldn't follow the last strike!" A man in the spectator stand screamed in surprise while the other 20 some spectators applauded.
Even though it may seem slow, everything happened in blinding speed, a strike too fast for the normal eyes to follow.
But, skilled fighters and peoples with keen eyes know that the last blow is a powerful skill.
The referee came inside and checked Hank's situation, after confirming he's passed out, the referee declared Gin as the winner.
Gin earned his first victory in the combat arena! Even though he was injured a little, the wounds will heal in a few days.
--
"I thought Gin's odds of victory are less than 10% but he outclassed himself very well in this battle," Juvan said.
"Don't underestimate my junior, brother Juvan. He's far more than he meets the eye." Baste words baffled Juvan.
"I will take my leave now as I have some important matters to attend. Please, take care of Gin." Baste said.
"You don't have to worry about him," Juvan nodded.
--
Gin doesn't know Juvan and Baste have watched his battle. Right now, he was escorted to a medical room where a doctor dressed his injuries and wrapped it in a special cloth.
The doctor gave him a small medicinal potion, which is said to have special healing properties.
"Your injuries may take two days to heal properly, you better don't fight these two days." The doctor said.
After exiting the medical room, Gin moved to his room and called Delgo.
"Mr. Ray, can I come in?" Delgo asked.
"Come in,"
"Mr.Ray, my congratulations on earning your first victory. Your battle was absolutely amazing!" Delgo said with sparkling eyes while Gin chuckled seeing his reaction.
At first, Delgo thought Gin would lose, yet he won in the end. Especially his last strike, when Gin performed his 'Fist of Destruction' fascinated Delgo very much.
"Delgo, tell me about the uses of the elemental stones in the arena?" Gin asked. It was in his mind after his opponent talked about the elemental stones.
"Oh? I am extremely sorry Mr. Ray. I thought you already know about the uses of elemental stones that's why I didn't inform you beforehand." Delgo hurriedly apologized.
"No worries, just tell me about it." Gin waved his hand.
"Yes! In the battleborn arena, elemental stones are very important and it was also the only type of currency accepted here."
"Before entering the battle stage, you can place bets on your victory; maximum of 10 elemental stones. And, you can also place bets on other fighters, too."
"In your last match, your odds of victory were less than 10%. The offer given by arena for you is 5 while your opponent was given 1.2." Delgo said.
"It means, if I have placed one elemental stone on my victory, I would have got 5 elemental stones in return, right?" Gin asked as he knows little about gambling offers.
"Yes," Delgo replied.
"Ok, you can leave. Wait, I want good magical beast meat for lunch. Send it after an hour." Gin said.
"Sure, Mr. Ray." Seeing Gin wasn't angry, Delgo was relieved.
After Delgo left, Gin took out the pouch given by Dean Alfin filled with elemental stones.
There were 20 elemental stones inside the punch, which is more than enough for Gin. If he places the bet correctly, he would be able to multiply it tenfold.
Moreover, Gin also knows if he practices with the elemental stones, he would be able to discover his hidden seals even faster.
The benefits of elemental stones can't be said in words, it's considered as treasures in the martial practitioner's eyes.
After having his meal, Gin pondered about his last battle - his mistakes, his weaknesses and what are his strength.
After sorting everything out, he got a clear idea of what he has to do. He knows gaining experience is not a one-day thing, he has to work hard for it.
Even though the experience is important, improving personal strength also has to be one's priority.
Gin trained in the stances from the physique scripture for some time and then practiced his breathing technique.
The 'essence energy' from the surroundings coursed through his body while bringing forth a pleasant and warm sensation.
The fatigue from his last battle faded away little by little, while the pain from his wounds quieted down.
As Gin was enjoying the feeling of comfort, a prickling sensation arose from his wounds. Shortly, his wounds recovered at a rapid pace, which surprised Gin very much.
With the rate of healing, he would recover completely by the next day morning.
'My cultivation technique is a mystery and even after days of practicing in it, I didn't know much about it.'
'I can only slowly discover its secret while improving myself.' Gin mused.
Since he knows his body would be healed by tomorrow, he called the arena manager and informed, that they can schedule his battle for tomorrow.
Usually, if a fighter is injured in a battle they may rest for three days before they participate again.
If you thought your injury is not a problem, you can ask the management to schedule your next battle. That's what Gin did.
He wants to leave the arena as soon as possible, as he came here only for the experience.
If he stays here for too much time, his improvement will be slow. He only has a time of six months before the 'contest of gifted ones' starts.
One hour after his call, his schedule got updated; His second battle starts tomorrow noon, 2 PM.