Despite not being noteworthy better than the previous challengers, the sixth consecutive challenger did last longer than the others, even without using the fourth challenger's method. It seemed like it was true that Chris was indeed getting tired. And it was practically confirmed as the truth when the seventh challenger, just like the sixth, managed to last just a bit longer, even without being any better at fighting.
However, the eighth challenger didn't pay much mind to those things. To him, it didn't matter whether Chris was getting tired from fighting with everyone else. The only thing in the eighth challenger's eyes was the prize pool. Chris, and lasting for five minutes in a fight against him, was barely reflected in the outer edges of the eighth challenger's gaze.
The eighth challenger wasn't delusional enough to disregard Chris. But he was so driven and tunnel-visioned on his goal of the two hundred and fifty bronze coins that Chris as a separate being wasn't very important. He knew that it would be difficult, incredibly so, to last that long against Chris, even more so if he actually wanted to win.
However, just like someone climbing a mountain always looks at the peak and not the boulder directly in front, the eighth challenger only saw Chris as a hurdle he had to overcome to reach his goal.
Of course, not many noticed the eighth challenger's attitude. The only thing most people in the crowd noticed was that the eighth challenger was especially fired up and ready to fight. If he was that eager despite Chris' streak of seven consecutive wins, ten if the first three are counted, meant that there was hope for an exciting turn.
No one believed that the eighth challenger would win or last five minutes. But that was the thing. They might not believe it while still hoping for it. That was the exciting part. Would their beliefs or their hopes come true? Would the underdog eke out a win and cause an upset? Or would he, just like the others before him, fail miserably and get tossed off the ring like a sack of potatoes, quickly falling from glory like a mayfly after his short moment in the spotlight?
People who only watched the fifth, sixth, and seventh challengers because they were still more interesting than their neighbor scratching his belly leaned forward in their seats. They didn't dare cheer yet. But the determined face on the comparatively young challenger caught the spectator's interest.
Even when the eighth challenger took a careful approach, they didn't look away.
The first challenger had been careful because his goal was to last five minutes. That guy thought it would be easy and was overconfident.
However, the eighth challenger was different. He knew that Chris was a dangerous opponent. But he still faced him without a hint of fear on his face. And he didn't keep his distance from Chris because he was afraid or because his sole intention was to stall for time. Anyone experienced enough could tell that the eighth challenger was analyzing his opponent.
The crowd was too far away to tell in detail. But the ones higher up in Vanitapolis with more experience in combat and fights could tell what the eighth challenger was doing. That naturally included Micah and the executives of Wither. But it also included Chris, who didn't know how to feel about being sized up by someone who definitely wasn't his match.
Chris didn't feel upset or disrespected by the eighth challenger's attitude. If anything, it was admirable since it was clear that the eighth challenger knew he was weaker. But he was doing his best to fight against Chris, despite that.
However, Chris wasn't going to go easy on the eighth challenger just because of that. If he had been such a softie, he wouldn't have reached his current strength, and he would have caved to Micah in front of Artholomew's house. But he did keep up his plan to act continuously weaker.
Chris and the eighth challenger clashed in the middle of the ring. Though, it was a one-sided crash.
Even if Chris was holding back as a way to show the crowd that he was getting tired since it would hopefully lure more to participate in the challenge, he was still stronger than the eighth challenger. No matter how driven the eighth challenger was, he couldn't overcome the difference in physical prowess between himself and Chris.
But at least he didn't get knocked out after one hit.
The eighth challenger somehow managed to defend against Chris' strike by holding up his arms in front of his head. The blow still sent him stumbling back, and he felt his arms throb in pain. But that pain was proof he had defended against Chris' punch. It was proof that he would be able to last longer against Chris than the other challengers had.
However, if Chris continued laying such heavy punches, it wouldn't take long until the eighth challenger lost control over his arms. Besides, Chris had displayed during the opening battle of the night that he knew more than just to punch. The eighth challenger wasn't confident he would be able to withstand a body tackle. So, he made sure to stay light on his feet and keep an eye out for Chris' movements.
It was just that Chris was faster than expected. And before the eighth challenger could react, Chris had already stepped forward and kicked him in the side. The eighth challenger barely had time to see the kick, much less react in time to defend against it.
The eighth challenger felt like a stick someone had picked up and snapped in half over their knee.
Losing his breath was the least painful part. And it went without saying that the eighth challenger collapsed to the floor while clutching his torso, lest it split open like it felt it was about to do.
But the sight of Chris' legs and feet approaching him helped the eighth challenger regain his focus. And through sheer force of will, the eighth challenger stood up on unsteady legs. One arm hung lower since raising it too high caused pain to flare through the same side of his torso.