"Mr. Hendrick, would you please consider having a spar with me?"
"... I'm sorry, what?"
George had been waiting for this young man who was standing in front of him to finish his words so he could start his training. He was thinking about what this young man was going to ask him. A picture? Perhaps an autograph? Or maybe both?
But the words that came out of Ray's mouth not only shocked George, but the entire crowd as well.
".... Did you just ask me to spar with you?" George, who had been caught completely off guard by Ray Park's question, replied with a raised eyebrow and a look of total confusion and surprise on his face.
"Holy shit! Is this guy for real? Or am I just dreaming right now?"
"I don't know what the hell that guy's been smoking, but I want that. It's probably pretty good just from looking at the effects of it."
"Oh my god! Where's my camera? This will definitely go viral if I post it on Taktic."
The crowd around them began whispering amongst each other, their combined voices echoing throughout the room, but Ray ignored all their remarks and replied with a humble smile. "Yeah, I did."
"Uh.... Why?" It seemed like George's brain was still having trouble processing what was happening in front of him. "Most people I've met have only asked me for photos and autographs. So… well, why'd you ask me to spar with you?"
"Because I think you're strong, and I enjoy fighting strong people." Ray shrugged his shoulders and responded with a calm expression. "What I want is to become powerful. Someone who's capable of taking on everything and everyone who'd stand in their way. And I feel like sparring with strong folks can help me find new techniques as well as different perspectives."
"But I'm still a C-rank, though. There are people who are way stronger than me." George replied with a short chuckle, and Ray shook his head. "I think you already know this, Mr. Hendrick. But being strong isn't about ranks. It's about pushing your limits and moving forward. To do whatever it takes to reach your goal."
He paused for a second and glanced at George for a brief moment before continuing, "I saw the highlights of your fight in Orlinion City Dungeon."
"It was nothing special." George shrugged with a bitter smile. "My party barely made it alive from there. I've seen hunters who are stronger than me conquer that dungeon with ease."
"But it also takes someone strong to not leave someone behind." Ray stared into George's eyes as he spoke, who looked at him with a surprised expression. "I saw how you saved your friend from the dungeon boss. You took the attack head on, even though you knew it could end up being costly."
"It's nothing special. We fight to protect. That's what we're supposed to do. Nothing more, nothing less." George replied while waving his hands.
"Perhaps. But then again, not everyone does so." Ray shrugged his shoulders. "It's not that simple being a good person in the world of hunters, and yet at that moment, you chose to be one. That makes you strong in my eyes, Mr. Hendrick."
Ray could see that George's eyes had widened as soon as he finished his words, and his hands were clenched tightly.
'I've only told you the truth, George..' Ray thought to himself. He knew George in his previous life. Perhaps not as much as his closest of friends, but he was definitely more than a stranger to him.
And Ray knew the importance of appreciation and acknowledgement in George's mind. Having been treated all his life as an investment instead of a human being, George could understand the value of a single sentence of encouragement.
And George also knew what it feels like to be cast aside as if he's worthless. It's not something that he'd wish upon anyone, and it's definitely not something that he wants someone to feel when they're at what could be the last moment of their life. To him, a death with despair and regret would be the worst way to die.
It's not like he wanted to be acknowledged all the time, and he definitely was no saint either. But he definitely knew that a single sentence of encouragement would go a long way.
'And it wasn't like I'm lying either,' Ray said to himself. He also knew what it would mean to offer someone a helping hand when they're at their lowest.
".... Hahahaha!" George let out a loud laugh that echoed throughout the gym, and everyone who was listening in to the conversation between the two were caught off guard by the sudden laughter. George continued laughing for what appeared to be half a minute, after which he took a deep breath, shifted his gaze back onto Ray and said, "You said your name was Ray, right? I like you."
He stretched out his hand after finishing his words, offering a handshake to Ray, which he happily accepted. "Alright then, Ray. You said you wanted to have a spar with me?" George cracked his knuckles and his neck before continuing, "Alright then. I'll accept your challenge."
"Thank you, Mr. Hendrick." Ray bowed his head as he finished speaking, and George placed his hand on his shoulder, stopping him from bowing. "You don't need to bow. And call me George. I don't like to be called by my last name."
"Then, thank you, George." Ray nodded his head with a smile. He already knew that George didn't like his family name, as it reminded him of all the horrible experiences that he went through under the reign of his father.
"Wow! He actually accepted the sparring request?"
"Holy shit. Was it really that easy?"
"Maybe I should go up to him and ask for a spar as well."
"You can, unless you want to get absolutely wrecked by him. Tell me if you're going to do it, though. I would love to record your ass getting beaten."
George ignored the words of the crowd and walked up to the woman with the clipboard, attempting to explain the situation to her. "By the way…" George turned to look at Ray before continuing, "...Which rank are you right now?"
"I'm currently D-rank." Ray explained.
"Well, then, I propose a hand to hand combat spar. No powers, as a handicap." George looked at Ray for his opinion, who immediately gave a thumbs up as a response. "I'd be okay with that."
"Well then, I'll set up a duel training room for you right away," The woman nodded with a smile on her face before walking away, and George tilted his head and stared at Ray. "You were quick to agree. Are you really that confident?"
"Oh, I am definitely confident." Ray said as he took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes. "Not in winning, but in knowing that I'll enjoy this fight."
Ray turned his gaze onto George as he finished his words, waiting for his reply.
There's one more thing that Ray had in common with George; they both enjoyed the thrill of fighting a worthy opponent.
"Oho, that's definitely one hell of an answer…" George chuckled with joy before replying, "Because the feeling is mutual."