"Are you sure you told him to hold back?"
Micah looked at Art after Chris downed the first challenger less than half a minute into the fight.
"Well, he did complain that the crowd was noisy…Sir."
"Ah, well. At least it's too late for the others to back out."
As Micah said, the other challengers standing next to the ring didn't have a choice anymore. After stepping forward and declaring their intent to participate in the challenges, it was too late for them to back out and return to their seats. Even if it was a seemingly useless endeavor, they still had to challenge Chris.
Bunt was there to help Dennis enforce the rules. But the crowd's pressure also helped the challengers stay in line and willingly, although reluctantly, step into the ring. At least Chris was merciful enough not to give them the same brutal executions he gave the first three challengers. He didn't even finish off the first guy since he lost consciousness from Chris' punch.
It was a beautifully executed and powerful punch for someone holding back. However, only Micah and the executives knew that Chris was supposed to restrain himself and encourage more people to participate.
But still, Chris' form as he put one leg back, twisted his torso, and exploded forward with a fist was admirable. That much was something most people in the Cube could agree on.
However, it was only the kind of move that could be unleashed on a punching bag or on a target way below Chris in terms of skill and physical capabilities.
The second challenger entered the ring, fully aware that he was no better than the first challenger. Even so, he bravely faced Chris and, through a fluke, managed to last almost a minute.
Tineya couldn't suppress her laughter, so she switched duties with Art and returned to the booth. Although the crowd wasn't rowdy at the moment, there still needed to be someone on standby that could respond in case things turned violent or riotous.
That had originally been Tineya's task since Rego and Art had done other things related to the Cube's operation. However, since she couldn't keep her composure at how short the challengers lasted, Art had to step up.
"Your pay's going to Art, just so you know."
Micah's words froze Tineya's face, and she choked on her laughter.
"No way… Bossman. I promise I won't let you down if you give me another chance."
Tineya's face instantly got serious, and she faced Micah with a straight back, feet at shoulder width, and her hands behind her back. She looked like the description of serious.
"He couldn't even last a minute."
Tineya's lip twitched, but she just barely managed to suppress her giggle.
"...Before Chris beat him off (the ring)."
"Pfft!"
Tineya's facade crumbled, and she burst out laughing.
Micah and Rego looked at her with scorn before turning their gazes toward the ring again.
While Tineya acted up, the third challenger had already gotten defeated, but he at least managed to last more than a minute. And Micah quickly figured out what Chris was planning. Chris was going to milk as much as possible from the crowd. Micah was glad he didn't voice that thought since Tineya was still crouched on the floor and trying to steady her breathing.
The fourth challenger stepped on stage with shaky legs. The crowd was slowly losing its excitement since Chris was just steamrolling the challengers.
Fortunately, the fourth challenger had something up his sleeve. Maybe it would be more accurate to say it was up his pants. His legs didn't only shake. They moved.
The fourth challenger had learned from his predecessors and arrived at the conclusion that it would be futile trying to confront Chris in direct combat. And the only viable option of trying last more than five minutes when Chris would knock him out in one punch was to avoid getting hit.
Naturally, dodging Chris' punches was just as difficult as avoiding getting knocked out by them. But that could be prevented by staying outside Chris' reach.
The previous challengers had also made a point to keep their distance until Chris approached them. But the fourth challenger didn't even bother putting up pretenses. As soon as the battle began with the bell's ringing, he dashed to the edge of the ring.
Chris quickly realized what his current opponent was trying to do, but it wasn't as if he could just stand around and wait. He walked toward the fourth challenger with a pressuring gaze.
But the fourth challenger didn't let Chris' glare affect him. And when Chris got close, the fourth challenger feinted to the right before stepping left and feinting again before dashing to the right and running to the other side of the ring before Chris could catch him.
At that point, the crowd also realized what was going on, and laughter mixed with boos and cheers rang out.
The fourth challenger wanted to tell the ones who booed that they should try standing on stage and facing Chris before they said anything. But his voice would only be drowned out by the crowd. Not to mention how he was in the middle of a fight with Chris. He shouldn't let himself be distracted by something so trivial as the opinions of others.
Chris turned sighed and turned around after the fourth challenger slipped past him. He couldn't really blame him since it was a method that could work. But it was annoying to face.
So, before the fourth challenger could inspire someone else to try the same thing, which would be even more annoying, Chris started toward him again. Chris didn't doubt that others would try to do the same thing if the fourth challenger showed even a hint of success. Even Chris wanted the prize pool for himself. The challengers were probably even more desperate.
Unfortunately for Chris, the fourth challenger was surprisingly fleet-footed, and it took more than two minutes of nearly unceasing chasing before Chris caught up and cornered the fourth challenger.
Chris had a wicked smile as he cracked his fist and walked toward the panting challenger. No matter what he tried, the fourth challenger wouldn't be able to escape Chris now that he had gotten himself stuck in a corner.
"P-please be gentle."
"No way."
After Chris's instantaneous refusal, the fourth challenger desperately turned around. He was already branded as a coward, so he might as well go all the way.
The fourth challenger put his hands on the rope to jump out of the ring and escape Chris, who would undoubtedly beat him to a pulp before giving him an extreme execution. The fourth challenger jumped up and saw hope as his upper body crossed the rope.
However, his face turned ashen as he felt Chris grab his ankle. The rope swayed under the fourth challenger's attempt to push himself forward and out of the ring. But he didn't move. He couldn't move. Chris' vice-like grip held him back.
"Fuck-"
The fourth challenger barely had enough time to curse before Chris pulled him back inside the ring and slammed him against the floor. The fourth challenger felt Chris' irritation in that slam and regretted having tried to run away from Chris.