Chapter 20 - I Will Not Give Up!

System detects a potential threat!>

The screen appeared, instantly diverting Theo's attention. The man glanced backward, using the corner of his eye, and could see one Bloodhound Cartel member preparing to attack him with a sword. Meanwhile, in the front, he noticed the man with the bat getting ready to strike. Theo paused for a moment, calculating their movements, before swiftly dodging to the side just as both were about to attack.

Thud!

In one motion, they collided with each other, both falling due to their simultaneous attacks. Gotcha!

Theo grinned as he saw both Bloodhound Cartel members tumble to the ground. Theo had no time to rest; he resumed the fight with several other members, who were now attacking him simultaneously.

The fight that night unfolded rapidly. Theo had to face fifteen members of the Bloodhound Cartel, each possessing remarkable combat skills and wielding various weapons. As the battle progressed, Theo felt increasingly pressured by their brutal attacks, a relentless assault that seemed to know no fatigue.

In the initial minutes, Theo managed to handle their attacks, he had faced the battle with calm and a steady focus. However, the following minutes turned into a disaster as Theo began to lose his concentration in the fight.

Thud!

One Bloodhound Cartel member attacked him with full force, striking Theo's leg with immense power. Simultaneously, another member launched an attack using a sharp weapon, slashing his arm. At the same moment, Theo had to face a man wielding a dagger in both hands. His movements were swift and brutal. Theo, unable to read each move, and he could only dodge. His focus shattered further until Theo tumbled down, and his defenses collapsing under the consecutive attacks.

Ouch, damn! Theo grimaced, enduring pain throughout his body. Right as he tumbled down, the remaining members of the Bloodhound Cartel swiftly moved in to attack. From his position, Theo could see them closing in, launching a series of strikes toward him lying on the ground.

*

Thwack!

Alessio delivered the final blow, his clenched fist extracting fresh blood from his adversary. In this last attack, the Bloodhound Cartel member collapsed, unconscious, just like his comrades. Alessio fell silent for a moment, attempting to regulate his labored breath. His eyes scanned, gazing at each man lying unconscious on the ground.

"It seems asking my other members to leave early was a bad decision. I should have told them to wait until I finished talking with him. But, I also never expected this to happen. I didn't anticipate that the Bloodhound Cartel would show up at a time like this!" Alessio clenched both his hands tightly.

"It's better for me to go help him! I'm worried he won't be able to handle the Bloodhound Cartel members because their numbers are uneven," Alessio said as he ran in search of Theo. He had to catch up to Theo, who had been forcibly dragged away by Dante and other Bloodhound Cartel members earlier.

Alessio ran with all his might. After a tiring search, he finally found the location where Dante had taken Theo for the fight. They were all battling in a field not far from their previous location. Upon arrival, Alessio saw Theo lying on the ground, surrounded by Bloodhound Cartel members. They were attacking him simultaneously. "Damn! In this state, he could die."

Alessio intended to step in to assist Theo against the Bloodhound Cartel members. However, his steps came to an abrupt halt as he witnessed Theo suddenly rise and take on the entire Bloodhound Cartel. Theo, who had fallen moments ago, swiftly got up and sent several Bloodhound Cartel members tumbling down. Alessio, witnessing this, could only stand in stunned silence with wide eyes. He was genuinely shocked by what had just occurred. How could he do that?

The same expression was mirrored on Dante's face, who had remained silent, observing from the sidelines. He showed no intention of directly engaging in the fight before him. He merely wanted to witness Theo's suffering before eventually killing him with his own hands. Initially, he appeared delighted to see Theo fall and be surrounded by his other subordinates. However, witnessing Theo suddenly rise, causing his subordinates to be thrown off guard, was truly beyond his expectations. I truly didn't expect him to be capable of this.

Alessio turned his attention in another direction. On the other side, he could see Dante, who was now frozen while watching Theo's fight with the Bloodhound Cartel. I can't just stand by. I have to help him and then get him out of here as soon as possible!

Alessio hurriedly ran in the other direction. He planned to attack Dante and instantly incapacitate him. Alessio wanted to help Theo get out of this fight as soon as possible.

*

System detects a potential threat!>

The screen continued to appear as Theo fell. A sudden wave of anxiety washed over him. Theo truly felt that this time he was in danger. Caught off guard, he didn't know what to do as the Bloodhound Cartel members immediately surrounded him upon witnessing his fall. Theo could only close his eyes, covering his face with both hands. He began to sense that the Bloodhound Cartel was about to unleash a ruthless onslaught towards him, potentially ending his life.

What should I do? I truly won't have a chance to fight back. Is this going to be the end for me? Will my journey come to a halt right here? Am I going to face death again, even before I have the chance to exact revenge on those who have hurt me? Various questions continued to surface in his mind, making Theo feel increasingly pessimistic that he would prevail in this fight.

"Out there, many people also have the same problems as you, maybe even more severe. But they still endure and face it all because they believe that in every difficulty, there's a happy ending waiting for their journey."

"If you believe in that too, then you'll be able to fight through it all. Perhaps now your journey feels heavy, but someday you'll remember this journey as your greatest time when you could face everything. Alone, without anyone's help."

"If, for example, you die and get a second chance at life, what would you do?"

For some reason, in a moment like this, Theo found himself recalling the words of the mysterious man he had encountered. The event of meeting that man resonated vividly in his mind. Theo could even visualize every scene replaying like a movie.

I want to be happy and live a better life! Theo uttered in his thoughts.

"That's good. You'll surely be able to achieve all of that."

This time, Theo seemed to hear the man's voice so clearly in his ears. No! This isn't over yet. This is just the beginning! The beginning of the life I aspire to! Therefore, I must not give up. Because to achieve everything I desire, there are risks and obstacles I must face. I-will-not-give-up that easily! Theo felt an energy surge through his body, as if filling every part. He felt like he now possessed greater strength than before to counterattack the members of the Bloodhound Cartel.

Theo opened his eyes, and just as the members of the Bloodhound Cartel attacked him simultaneously, he immediately used both hands to block each of their attacks and counterattacked by pushing their weapons with all his might. His movements in an instant sent all the members of the Bloodhound Cartel sprawling. Some members who were at the forefront of the attack were instantly thrown and fell onto the bodies of other Bloodhound Cartel members behind them.

The commotion from those who fell halted the movements of some members behind. Theo rose to his feet. He stood still, trying to catch his breath. His eyes scanned the surroundings where the Bloodhound Cartel lay unconscious. I can't afford to lose, because this is just the beginning!

The incident unfolded in an instant. The remaining members of the Bloodhound Cartel quickly ran towards Theo, stepping over their unconscious comrades. Everyone left launched simultaneous attacks on Theo. Theo adeptly faced each of their attacks with all his might. The fight resumed. This time, Theo could easily confront them, and fighting with greater focus than before.

Thud!

Several members of the Bloodhound Cartel fell along with their comrades. Theo shifted his attention elsewhere. Not far from him, he saw Alessio engaged in a fight with Dante. Theo, witnessing this, quickly ran towards them to help defeat Dante.

Thwack!

Alessio unleashed a series of punches on Dante. Dante skillfully evaded each of Alessio's attacks. At the right moment, Dante countered with a kick that nearly toppled Alessio. Fortunately, Alessio managed to steady himself. Simultaneously, Theo leaped into action, launching a swift assault on Dante. Dante, engrossed in his engagement with Alessio, was caught off guard by Theo's sudden appearance. Theo's rapid and unexpected strikes immediately pushed Dante backward. Theo continued his assault without giving Dante a moment to breathe.

He landed punches and kicks at full speed, leaving Dante with no chance to counterattack. Eventually, Dante crumpled to the ground after enduring Theo's relentless assault. Dante fell in a disheveled state, he seemed completely drained and lacking the energy to mount a counterattack.

Damn... he really didn't give me a chance to counterattack... Dante winced in pain.

***