Maxim finished getting ready, feeling excited as he sensed a change in the atmosphere.
The air felt charged with energy, as if even nature itself knew something big was about to happen.
He positioned himself in a fighting stance, preparing himself for the upcoming challenge.
Suddenly, a loud voice came through the speakers, startling everyone around.
Ding!
—-
Random warrior found!
Record: 4 Wins 0 Losses.
Name: Yuntengkak Banchamek. Origin: Earth.
—-
The words echoed in the air, catching the attention of the people gathered outside Vovovich Carousel Cafe.
Normally, these fights would go unnoticed, but the recent skirmish involving Ecatarina and others had sparked their interest.
So, despite their usual disinterest, a crowd gathered to watch the upcoming battle.
Among them, a random person pointed at Maxim and chuckled, saying, "Look! Who's that guy, Comrade 'No Hands' Maxim?"
After a pause, he added, "He's so arrogant, haha!"
In this person's eyes, Maxim was just an amusing character.
Fighting without using hands?
Ridiculous!
This comment drew the attention of those nearby, and one by one, they turned to look at Maxim.
The name 'Comrade 'No Hands' Maxim' intrigued them, revealing that he was from Bursia.
With curiosity and a hint of skepticism, they decided to stay and see if this seemingly arrogant person would bring shame to their nation.
The anticipation reached its peak when the system made another announcement, breaking the brief silence.
Ding!
—-
Comrade 'No Hands' Maxim 0 Wins and 0 Losses versus Yuntengkak Banchamek 4 Wins and 0 Losses.
—-
The words spread through the crowd, stirring up excitement and focusing everyone's attention on the faceless avatar that appeared in front of Maxim.
The opponent introduced himself in a calm, confident voice, exuding self-assurance.
"Hello, I'm from Thailand, nice to meet you," ge greeted, standing tall and commanding.
While he didn't come across as arrogant, there was a quiet confidence about him that left no doubt about his abilities.
In the midst of their encounter, Maxim's response carried a mix of assertiveness and politeness.
"Nice to meet you too, comrade," he replied, his voice conveying camaraderie and genuine warmth.
"To me, it doesn't matter where you're from; you are my comrade," Maxim added, his words filled with an unspoken understanding and acceptance.
Yuntengkak was intrigued by Maxim's choice of words and looked at him with curiosity and genuine interest.
"If it's not trouble, before the game starts, can you explain what you mean by 'comrade'?"
He asked, eager to learn.
Maxim wanted to bridge any perceived gap between them and foster friendship, so he replied with a warm tone.
"Oh, my dear friend, 'comrade' simply means that we are like friends," he explained, hoping to dispel any sense of distance and create a connection that went beyond boundaries.
Yuntengkak nodded with a small smile.
"Then, we are indeed friends. Let's give it our all. Although I'm new to this realm, I ask you to fight with your hands as well."
Maxim was slightly surprised by the unexpected request and paused for a moment, considering the implications. In the UFA, the arena they were in, different fighting styles were allowed, but it was rare for opponents to declare their intent to fight without using their hands.
Perhaps Yuntengkak Banchamek felt disrespected.
Nevertheless, Maxim decided to stick to his original plan and fight without using his hands.
"Are you sure you want me to use both of my hands?"
He asked, with caution and genuine curiosity in his voice.
Yuntengkak, showing unwavering confidence, nodded firmly.
Seeing Yuntengkak's conviction, Maxim gathered his own resolve, took a deep breath to steady himself, and said, "Very well then. If you can defend against my attacks for just a few seconds, I will agree to use my hands."
His voice carried the weight of his commitment.
"Okay, let's proceed. Let's test the limits of my skills against, my dear friend," Yuntengkak replied, a radiant smile on his face, his eyes shining with shared understanding.
In the midst of the crowd watching the battle on the screen, Yuntengkak and Maxim remained hidden.
Their faces were obscured by the blurriness of the giant monitor, projecting a distorted image that added to the intrigue surrounding their identities.
It was as if a thick cloak of mystery had enveloped them, making it impossible to discern their features and leaving the crowd yearning for even the slightest glimpse of who they really were.
The spectators strained their eyes, squinting and peering intently, hoping to recognize them. But their efforts were in vain, as the visual distortion persisted, refusing to provide any clues about the mysterious duo on the screen.
Meanwhile, amidst the curious onlookers, Polina stood firmly, her unwavering gaze fixed on the unfolding spectacle.
She had witnessed Ecatarina's brave battle moments ago and now found herself surrounded by a crowd, their murmurs and whispers filling the air.
Polina, ever watchful, was lost in thought, her finger gently touching her chin as she wrestled with thoughts that nagged at her mind.
Something about Maxim's voice had struck a chord within her, resonating with a familiarity she couldn't quite grasp.
"Did I hear his voice somewhere?"
She mumbled, swearing in his heart that she did.
Suddenly, Svetlana felt a jolt of recognition. She stood there, her eyes widening in surprise. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Maxim!?"
She exclaimed, her voice filled with shock and confusion.
Her outburst caught the attention of those nearby, and they turned to look, curious to understand what was happening.
Even Svetlana's closest friends were taken aback by her sudden outburst.
They looked at her with a mix of surprise and confusion, their brows furrowed as they tried to confirm what she had just said.
"That's Maxim?"
They asked skeptically.
Svetlana nodded, still amazed by the revelation.
Earlier he's just here and now he's in there battling?
What happened to her friend?
He does not act like this.
Svetlana continued explaining.
"Yes, it's him. Earlier, he was calling everyone his comrade," she said, sounding more certain now.
As the crowd murmured and whispered among themselves, one person suddenly realized something and mustered the courage to ask the question that was on everyone's mind.
"Wait!
"Is he the strange person we encountered earlier, the one who was shouting about being back and calling everyone his comrade?"
The question hung in the air, and Svetlana paused for a moment, lost in thought.
Then, her expression hardened, and she nodded again, her eyes filled with the truth.
"Yes, he is," she confirmed, her voice carrying the weight of newfound knowledge.
After Svetlana's shocking revelation, a surge of excitement swept through the crowd.
"Holy shit!'
"Damn he's got guts!"
"Maybe he's drunk or he was really drunk?"
Conversations buzzed with renewed energy as people tried to make sense of what they had just learned.
As the truth of Maxim's identity as their long-lost comrade became undeniable, the crowd's focus shifted towards him.
Ignoring the LED monitor's attempt to divert their attention to another fight, they remained resolute in their desire to witness this encounter.
"Look, the fight's about to start," someone exclaimed, their voice filled with anticipation.
Yuntengkak was a famous Muay Thai fighter known for his incredibly fast strikes and unmatched agility. He had a confident and determined presence, with strong muscles that showed his years of hard training and dedication.
Standing ready, he was like a coiled spring, waiting to unleash his power on his opponent.
On the other hand, Maxim had a calm and determined aura, mixed with a hint of arrogance.
Just by being there, he commanded respect. His intense gaze was fixed on Yuntengkak, fully focused on the upcoming battle.
As the seconds passed, the tension in the arena grew.
Yuntengkak's brow was furrowed with sweat, and his heart pounded in his chest, a constant reminder of the approaching clash.
Then, in an instant, the air exploded with action.
Yuntengkak swiftly aimed a low kick at Maxim's legs, testing his opponent's defenses with a well-planned move. But Maxim, with lightning-fast reflexes that seemed impossible to comprehend, effortlessly blocked the kick, neutralizing its impact.
The crowd gasped in awe, their eyes widening in disbelief at the incredible display of skill and agility.
Both fighters instinctively created some distance between them, preparing for the next move.
Maxim, towering over Yuntengkak, stood tall, crossing his arms casually, defying the typical fighting stances.
"Unfortunately, my friend, this is where your journey ends," Maxim declared, his voice filled with unwavering authority that sent a shiver down the spines of everyone who heard him.
"Welcome to the end of the line," he added.
Yuntengkak was left dumbfounded by Maxim's bold statement.
He was about to question it when, in a sudden turn of events, an excruciating surge of pain shot through his feet, causing his legs to buckle like a marionette with cut strings.
The crowd gasped in collective astonishment, their eyes widening in horror as Yuntengkak collapsed onto the unforgiving ground with a loud thud.
Pain twisted his once composed face, turning it into a mask of torment.
"Arrrrrggghhh!!!"
He cried out in agony, his pained voice echoing through the massive LED screen, drowning out the earlier cheers and excitement that had filled the air.